Chunky Face Framed Nightstand

by Ana White

This farmhouse style nightstand features a large open space and a drawer. It can be painted or stained any color and is easy to modify in size.

You can also build with just a door, instead of the drawer and open shelf, as I did here.

This is a good sized nightstand, a little on the taller side, but a great depth with lots of storage.

Materials and Tools to Build this Nightstand

Shelf Help Plywood pieces configuration: Height = 27.25, Width = 24.5", Depth = 15-1/4", Bay = 1, Shelf =1 (order two shelves if skipping the drawer)
2 - 1x4 @ 6 feet long
1 - 1x6 @ 8 feet long
1 - 1x2 @ 8 feet long (can use furring strips)
1 - 1/4" plywood @ 24" x 48"
14" Drawer Slide (recommend white Euro bottom corner mount drawer slides, available off the shelf at Lowes and Home Depot)
Kreg Jig and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws
18 gauge Brad Nailer and 3/4" and 1-1/4" brad nails
Circular saw and Jigsaw
Measuring Tape, Safety Glasses, Pencil

Cut List

Your Shelf Help pieces will come precut, but you will still need to make some cuts for the face frame, drawer and top.

2 - 1x4 @ 27-1/4" - Face Frame
1 - 1x4 @ 17-1/2" - Face Frame
1 - 1x2 @ 17-1/2" - Face Frame
2 - 1x2 @ 23" - Bay Supports
2 - 1x2 @ 14-1/2" - Drawer Slide Cleats
2 - 1x4 @ 14" - Drawer Sides
2 - 1x4 @ 15" - Drawer Front and Back
1 - 1/4" plywood @ 14" x 16-1/2" - Drawer Bottom
1 - 1x6 @ 17-1/4" - Drawer Face
1 - 1/4" plywood @ 24" x 24-1/2" - Back
3 - 1x6 @ 25-1/2" - Top

Configuration

Configure your carcass using our Shelf Configurator.

Step 1: Carcass

On both side panels, mark out cutouts and cut with a jigsaw.

Mark location of bottom shelf 6" from bottom, and attach bottom shelf with three 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws per joint.

Step 2: Face Frame

Cut the face frame boards out and attach first with 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws. Then glue and attach with 1-1/4" brad nails to the front of the cabinet, all outside edges are flush.

3. Adding the Drawer

You can skip this step if you aren't adding a drawer. If you are adding the drawer, you'll need some simple framing to support the drawer slides.

Add one of the 1x2 @ 23" to the back as shown. Use 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws, placing pocket holes on the back.

Then add the drawer slide cleats. You can nail on with the 1-1/4 nails or use pocket holes.

Then build the drawer out of the 1x4s. TIP: Attach with pocket holes on the front and the back, facing outward. The drawer face will cover.

Cut the drawer bottom with a circular saw. Attach bottom of drawer with 3/4" brad nails and glue.

Install the drawer on the 14" drawer slides INSET 3/4" at the front to all for the drawer face.

Attach drawer face to front of drawer box with a couple of 1-1/4" brad nails and glue. Further secure from inside with 1-1/4" pocket hole screws (just a couple is good).

4. Adding the Back

A back isn't required but will make your nightstand look more finished. Attach the remaining bay support to the top at the back, use the pocket holes facing upward.

Cut the back out with the circular saw.

Attach with 3/4" brad nails.

5. Top

The top is made up of the 3 1x6 boards. First, join the three boards together using 3/4" pocket holes and 1-1/4" pocket hole screws.

Attach with glue and 1-1/4" brad nails.