This project was built and designed by Brady Hommel. It’s a budget-friendly nightstand made entirely from three 2x4s, offering a great entry point into furniture building with simple tools and approachable joinery.
Using construction lumber, Brady shows how to create a custom set of nightstands that are both functional and full of character. The project embraces a rustic aesthetic and focuses on solid construction techniques that don’t require a full workshop to pull off.
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Why 2x4s Are a Great Starting Point
2x4s are one of the most accessible and affordable materials available at home centers. While they may not have the visual flair of hardwoods, they’re perfect for projects where cost, practice, and ease of access are priorities.
Brady takes advantage of these boards to demonstrate that you don’t need expensive wood to make a standout piece. Learning to work with 2x4s also helps beginners get comfortable with milling, joining, and assembling dimensional lumber.
Cutting and Planning the Pieces
The project starts by selecting the straightest board for the nightstand top. This board is cut into five sections that will be glued up to form the surface, with a bit of extra length left on each piece for trimming later.
The legs are cut from the second 2×4, providing the height and support structure for the frame. Each leg is measured for consistency, which helps prevent rocking once the nightstand is assembled and leveled.
The rest of the wood is used for aprons, side panels, and the drawer components. Brady cuts each piece with care, maximizing the use of every inch of material while sticking to the project’s minimalist nature.
Assembling the Frame
Once the boards are cut, the main structure is assembled by attaching apron pieces to the legs. Pocket hole joinery makes this step quick and reliable, providing strong connections even with softwood.
Brady takes the time to ensure that all parts are square before locking them into place. A well-aligned frame is crucial for a stable and level final product, especially when building furniture that includes drawers.
Space is left open in the front for a single drawer, and supports are added inside to guide the drawer box. The layout is clean and intentional, proving that even basic materials can produce refined results when approached with care.
Building and Installing the Drawer
The drawer is constructed from leftover wood and assembled using pocket holes. Each panel is cut to size and dry-fitted to confirm smooth operation before final assembly.
A simple drawer slide system is built into the frame using wood rails, which keeps the design low-cost and easy to replicate. The drawer front is attached last, giving Brady the chance to fine-tune the fit for a seamless look.
Embracing a Rustic Finish
Rather than sanding the piece down for a polished appearance, Brady leans into the rustic look. He adds subtle distressing using jigsaws, hand tools, and even random screw marks to give the wood more visual interest.
After sanding with a finer grit to smooth rough edges without removing texture, the piece is prepped for finishing. A pre-stain conditioner is applied to help the stain absorb evenly, especially important with softwoods like pine.
Brady uses Early American stain to bring out warm brown tones, enhancing the rustic feel. A few coats of polyacrylic are brushed on afterward to seal the wood and provide a protective finish without adding gloss.
Hardware and Details
The final step is installing the drawer pull, which adds functionality and style. Even a simple pull can elevate the nightstand and tie together the rustic design.
Brady keeps the hardware understated to match the overall tone of the piece. Choosing classic, matte-finish metal or aged bronze works well with the distressed wood and gives the furniture a finished, store-bought appearance.
What Makes This a Great Project
This project proves that furniture doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive to look great and function well. With only three 2x4s, Brady builds a custom nightstand that could be used in nearly any room of the house.
For beginner woodworkers, the project offers a chance to learn pocket hole joinery, panel glue-ups, drawer design, and simple finishing techniques—all in one build. And for experienced builders, it’s a quick and enjoyable project that can easily be scaled for batch production or custom dimensions.
Whether you keep the piece for your own home or decide to sell it locally, this is the kind of project that balances time, cost, and reward. It’s approachable, flexible, and can be built using tools found in just about any garage shop.
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