Learn how to build this faux floating top nightstand, just like the one sold from Anthropologie, for under $100 in materials. The drawer gives you extra storage space and the pull out tray is perfect to extend the table top surface. Download the printable plans that include the cut list and materials list for this project.
Cut all of the plywood pieces and label them.
Apply veneer edge banding to all of the pieces, per the printable plans. Trim the edge banding and sand all of the plywood pieces with 220 grit sandpaper and an orbital sander.
Mark 3/4” in from the bottom end of each of the legs. Set your miter saw to a 45 degree angle and cut a notch into the inside edge of each leg (if desired).
Build the base of the nightstand. Drill 1 1/2" pocket holes into each of the stretchers and attach to the legs with 2 1/2" pocket screws.
Center the 2x2 spacers on the front, back and sides of the base. Attach with wood glue and 2” wood screws, slightly countersunk into the wood to allow the top of the nightstand to sit flush on the spacers.
Drill 3/4” pocket holes into the bottom edge of the side pieces and the bottom edge and ends of the back pieces. Apply a bead of wood glue to the ends of the back piece, clamp and attach to the sides with 1 1/4” pocket screws. Apply a bead of wood glue along the bottom edges of the side and back pieces. Clamp to the bottom panel and attach with 1 1/4” pocket screws. Apply glue to the spacers and line up the bottom panel of the nightstand over the base. Clamp in place and attach with 1 1/4” wood screws into the spacers.
Drill 3/4” pocket holes into each end of the 1x2 face frame piece. Attach flush with the front edges of the sides, 7/8” down from the top.
Measure and mark 7/8” down on the sides for the dowels and attach flush with the height of the 1x2 with wood glue and 1 1/4” brad nails. This will be the support for the pull out tray.
Measure and mark 7/8” down on the sides for the dowels and attach flush with the height of the 1x2 with wood glue and 1 1/4” brad nails. This will be the support for the pull out tray.
Drill 3/4” pocket holes into all four edges of the drawer bottom, the front ends of the drawer sides, and both ends of the drawer back. Glue and clamp the drawer pieces together and attach with 1 1/4” pocket screws.
Center the drawer front so that there is 3/8” overhang on each side of the drawer. Glue and clamp in place, and attach with 1 1/4” pocket screws.
Paint or stain all of the nightstand pieces before final assembly.
Set the pull out tray in place and then attach the top. Apply a bead of glue to the top edges of the sides and back, then line up the top and clamp. Attach with 1 1/4” brad nails. Fill the holes from the brad nails with wood filler and let dry. Sand smooth and touch up the spots with paint or stain. Install the drawer glides to to the drawer and slide into place.
Once all pieces are assembled, install the knobs.
Learn how to build this faux floating top nightstand, just like the one sold from Anthropologie, for under $100 in materials. The drawer gives you extra storage space and the pull out tray is perfect to extend the table top surface. Download the printable plans that include the cut list and materials list for this project.
Cut all of the plywood pieces and label them.
Apply veneer edge banding to all of the pieces, per the printable plans. Trim the edge banding and sand all of the plywood pieces with 220 grit sandpaper and an orbital sander.
Mark 3/4” in from the bottom end of each of the legs. Set your miter saw to a 45 degree angle and cut a notch into the inside edge of each leg (if desired).
Build the base of the nightstand. Drill 1 1/2" pocket holes into each of the stretchers and attach to the legs with 2 1/2" pocket screws.
Center the 2x2 spacers on the front, back and sides of the base. Attach with wood glue and 2” wood screws, slightly countersunk into the wood to allow the top of the nightstand to sit flush on the spacers.
Drill 3/4” pocket holes into the bottom edge of the side pieces and the bottom edge and ends of the back pieces. Apply a bead of wood glue to the ends of the back piece, clamp and attach to the sides with 1 1/4” pocket screws. Apply a bead of wood glue along the bottom edges of the side and back pieces. Clamp to the bottom panel and attach with 1 1/4” pocket screws. Apply glue to the spacers and line up the bottom panel of the nightstand over the base. Clamp in place and attach with 1 1/4” wood screws into the spacers.
Drill 3/4” pocket holes into each end of the 1x2 face frame piece. Attach flush with the front edges of the sides, 7/8” down from the top.
Measure and mark 7/8” down on the sides for the dowels and attach flush with the height of the 1x2 with wood glue and 1 1/4” brad nails. This will be the support for the pull out tray.
Measure and mark 7/8” down on the sides for the dowels and attach flush with the height of the 1x2 with wood glue and 1 1/4” brad nails. This will be the support for the pull out tray.
Drill 3/4” pocket holes into all four edges of the drawer bottom, the front ends of the drawer sides, and both ends of the drawer back. Glue and clamp the drawer pieces together and attach with 1 1/4” pocket screws.
Center the drawer front so that there is 3/8” overhang on each side of the drawer. Glue and clamp in place, and attach with 1 1/4” pocket screws.
Paint or stain all of the nightstand pieces before final assembly.
Set the pull out tray in place and then attach the top. Apply a bead of glue to the top edges of the sides and back, then line up the top and clamp. Attach with 1 1/4” brad nails. Fill the holes from the brad nails with wood filler and let dry. Sand smooth and touch up the spots with paint or stain. Install the drawer glides to to the drawer and slide into place.
Once all pieces are assembled, install the knobs.
