How can I make a wider top for nightstand tables?

516maria
by 516maria

Have these cute end tables on each side of my bed, I love them,, however surface area on top is too small. Thinking of adding some type of platform (maybe flat piece of wood or large type of tray to cover entire top to make more space to place things) thank you 🌼

Yes that is my baton from 1970, I cannot part with it,, lol

  16 answers
  • FrugalFamilyTimes.com FrugalFamilyTimes.com on Feb 06, 2020

    You can add a piece of wood or countertop type material. It would take some woodworking skill to make it match the style of the nightstants - but if you don't mind something more simple looking you could attach the wood with construction adhesive and some screws from underneath the top. :)

  • You can buy sheets of nice plywood at the home improvement store. Cut it to size and attach it to the top. You can paint it or stain it to match. I do like the tray idea too! That can be attached or just left sitting on top.

  • Em Em on Feb 06, 2020

    Plywood would need and edging on it since it does not take paint and stain the same as the flat finish does. There are tons of options in wood. You could even get pine at Home Depot as a long board and cut several pieces to the length and width you need. You can even cut them at the store. Sand the edges and paint or stain. Attach with Loctite construction glue and you do not even have to nail them on.

  • SM SM on Feb 06, 2020

    I have a baton just like that too!!!

    • 17335038 17335038 on Jan 15, 2021

      I did too, but I 'passed the baton' on to another twirler years ago.


      'Happy Memories!

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Feb 06, 2020

    Adding to Em's suggestion, depending on the size you will probably need to add some bracing to it. Especially if you are going further than 2" out.

    If you have difficulty matching, go with something bold and different.

    Check out thrift stores and marketplace for a tray table that you could add the top from that to it.

  • Nan W. Nan W. on Feb 06, 2020

    Hi! I think it would be fun to shop (like at Home Goods...even in the clearance section) for a great tray! ...way less work too!

  • Morgan McBride Morgan McBride on Feb 06, 2020

    My worry with anything wider - even a tray - is that if you put anything of substantial weight on it, it would topple over. You will need to keep that in mind. Maybe put something heavy in the middle like a lamp to hold the tray anchored down.

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Feb 06, 2020

    I made wider tops for my night stands, perhaps this will help you - https://chascrazycreations.com/repurposed-credenza-sideboard/

  • As long as the tables are sturdy enough, you can add granite, marble or stone toppers. I have done this with several tables and shopped the remnant section of my local stoneyard. They sell leftover pieces from other jobs for pennies on the dollar. Most will custom cut for a nominal fee, depending on how intricate you want the edge to be.

  • Janice Janice on Feb 06, 2020

    I would shop for two nice trays in the size you want the tops of the stands to be. It's very handy to have an edge to keep small items from falling off onto the floor. Also, makes cleaning easy. I have a tray on each of my bedside tables and they work very well to contain the miscellaneous items I have on them.

  • Dee Dee on Feb 06, 2020

    How about going to a granite yard and getting some left over granite pieces. You can have them smooth out the edges and glue to the top.

  • Debi53 Debi53 on Feb 07, 2020

    I'm going to suggest an out of the box possibility. What about mounting a slim shelf a little above the nightstand? It could be glass or painted to matching one of the colors on the front of the stand. Also hang wall mounted sconces to use instead of table lamps. This saves so much room. The shelf would give you a place to put your clock, a book, kleenex, etc., leaving the tabletop for your phone or other necessities.

  • Robin Robin on Feb 07, 2020

    You go to Home Depot or Lowe's and pick up the premade table tops pick up stain to match and polyurethane and finish it to match the table and also pick 1 3/4 inch screws to attach top to table from bottom of tabletop

  • 516maria 516maria on Feb 09, 2020

    Ok,,, so here’s what I did , I got two wooden trays from hobby lobby ( 1/2 price ,,, hooray, Put a piece of rug grip under the each one,,, they are not sliding at all, I love the fact that the tray has side s so my goodies (Aka

    wine glass and snacks don’t fall off), I really wanted the same thing on each side, Since I already have a kind of eclectic vibe gong on in the room l think is important for something to be he same (that being the end tables with the lamps ::::also from H L ) I am a big fan of goodwill,, normally I would have looked there but it’s hard to find 2 of the same thing unfortunately they closed the one near me, i’m still having withdrawal symptoms lol, I may eventually try to paint or stain trays to match a little better, thank you for all your suggestions , I really love this “place”,🧚🏼‍♀️

  • Karol Karol on Dec 22, 2020

    I've made something similar to a sofa arm table. Looking like an upside down capital L. Alot of cabinets have space open in the back at the bottom. You can screw the top of the upside down L to the back at the bottom. Sand paint or stain as you like.

  • Johnavallance82 Johnavallance82 on Jun 19, 2021

    Hello there,,

    Just make a template of the nightstand top and extend it to make it the size you want. Use that to cut a new top from timber or maybe buy Plate glass top. and place on top.