Nightstands from HGTV Saving Alaska Garage to Bedroom Episode

Difficulty
Intermediate
| Print this plan

build two nightstands from 1 sheet of plywood! As seen on HGTV Saving Alaska with Ana White

Good News!!!

We've just got word from HGTV that our pilots for Saving Alaska will be airing again, this time on DIY Network!  We don't have the exact details on the air date, so stay tuned - I'll be sharing those soon!  

Should we have an official screening party???  I think so!

And for those of you who were able to catch the first airings on HGTV - Thank you!!! -  what did you think of the garage-turned-bedroom?  

Did you notice the nightstands in the bedroom reveal?

I love these DIY nightstands because they are so giant and store so much stuff!  We actually had a hard time filling them they are so big!

And I love all the storage on top!  (Sorry for the grainy screen capture photos)

But guess what?  

There's actually two of them, and we made them from the same piece of plywood!!!

Budget is always a concern, as is maximizing materials use, so we designed these nightstands to come from the same sheet of plywood.  You'll need a few other boards for the drawer and some moulding, for a total of about $60 a nightstand!!!  

I'm sharing the plans below - check them out!

And to see more of these nightstands and how we built them (and the room too!), make sure you tune in to the DIY Network airings of HGTVs Saving Alaska - coming next week!

XO Ana + Family

Dimensions
Dimensions are shown above - warning, this nightstand is HUGE!!!

Preparation

Shopping List

For TWO Nightstands

1 - sheet of 3/4" thick plywood ripped into strips 15-3/4" wide x 8 feet long
2 - 1x2 @ 6 feet long
1 - sheet of 1/4" plywood or other hardboard for backs and drawer bottoms
2 - 1x6 @ 8 feet long (for building drawers)
1 - 1x8 @ 5 feet long (drawer faces)
1-1/4" pocket hole screws for assembling carcass and drawers
3/4" finish nails or brads for attaching back and drawer bottom
1-1/4" finish nails or brads for attaching trim/drawer face
2 - set of drawer slides (recommend euro style drawer slide, 14" length)
2 knobs or handles
Edge banding is recommend for stained finish
12 feet of base moulding (4-1/4")
12 feet of cove moulding for the top edge

Cut List

For TWO nightstands

2 - 3/4" plywood @ 15-3/4" x 30" (tops)
4 - 3/4" plywood @ 15-3/4" x 29-1/4" (sides)
4 - 3/4" plywood @ 15-3/4" x 28-1/2" (shelves)
4 - 1x2 @ 28-1/2" (bottom shelf support)
2 - 1/4" plywood @ 30" x 30"

DRAWERS - Adjust to fit your openings and drawer slides, measurements shown are for 1/2" clearance (1" overall clearance) drawers slides)
4 - 1x6 @ 14"
4 - 1x6 @ 26"
2 - 1/4" plywood @ 27-1/2" x 14" (drawer bottoms)
2 - 1x8 @ 28-1/4" (drawer face)

Cut moulding to fit

Tools
Tape Measure
Speed Square
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Kreg Jig
Drill
Circular Saw
Miter Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander
General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started Section. Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always predrill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain. Be safe, have fun, and ask for help if you need it. Good luck!

Instructions

Step 1

Build the basic box out of the plywood. If you are staining, you may wish to edge band the front edges before you assemble.

Shelf can be attached fixed (you may wish to attach after installing the drawer) or you can make a floating shelf with shelf pins.

Step 2

This board will tie in the bottom, help keep the piece square, and also give you something to attach the base moulding to.

Step 3

Attach back to the back with glue and finish nails.

Step 4

Miter the corners of the base moulding and wrap bottom with finish nails and glue.

Step 5

Step 6

Install drawer inside cabinet, not more than 7" from top (to allow drawer face to hide drawer box) using drawer slides. Inset drawers 3/4" from outside of the nightstand.

Step 7

Attach drawer face to front of drawer with a couple of finish nails from outside. Then remove drawer and add a few 1-1/4" screws from inside.

TIP: attach hardware to drawer face first.

Step 8

Trim bottom edge of drawer out with remaining 1x2. Can be attached with pocket holes or 1-1/4" finish nails from outside.

Finishing Instructions
Preparation Instructions
Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth.

It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.

Comments

freefromburdens

Wed, 07/02/2014 - 15:02

Great nightstands. Sorry I missed the shows. I'm so glad I have a chance to see it next time around. I checked my stations and it will air July 13th at 5pm on the DIY channel.

spiceylg

Wed, 07/02/2014 - 19:32

I am so excited for you with this new journey you are on and much deserved, I must say. Didn't catch them this time around and sure hope I am able to next time. Nice night stands, too!

JoanneS

Thu, 07/03/2014 - 17:28

Great nightstands! The plans are awesome and the finished build is beautiful. Love the finish too!

NoëlD

Mon, 07/07/2014 - 23:31

Episode 1 will be showing on DIY Sunday the 13th at 2:00 PM on Comcast.
Look forward to watching it.

Risewithin

Thu, 10/30/2014 - 10:38

Maybe im missing someone here but I went out and bought a sheet to make these not really calculating but putting my full trust these plans were right. After stripping down to 15 3/4" x 96" like the plans say i was able to get everything but 1 shelf. I get 3 rows of 15 3/4" on a 4x8 sheet which gives me a total of 288" where as in the cut list you would need more than that to actually complete these stands. Like I said, maybe I missed something but im missing a whole shelf so now I need to buy a gaga lf sheet or Soo. I don't know how everyone in these comments got the full stands out of one sheet.