Lit Storage Nightstands

by Amanda C, Hometalk Team

6 Materials

$30-48

3 Hours

Medium

I am in the process of redoing my bedroom and needed a good light / nightstand situation. My husband has needed a nightstand on his side of the bed for a while, so I decided to make two, even though I am normally not a matchy-patchy person, but I am trying to make this room a bit more crisp than my norm. With that being said, these things are great! With a little wood and some light cords you will have night stands, storage and lights all in one!

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Supplies:

-1 1x12x8 piece of wood

-1 1/2x1x8 piece of wood

-2 lamp cord sets

-Several wood screws and pocket screws (16 wood screws / 4 pocket screws)

-Wood Glue

-2 Vintage Edison style bulbs

-Kreg Jig set

-Spray Paint (optional)

-Drill (not pictured)

-Sanding Block

Cut List:

1x12x8 = 2 - 24" pieces / 2 - 13.75" pieces (with 45º angle edges) / 2 10" pieces

1/2x1 1/2x8 = 2 - 7" pieces / 2 -5.5" pieces (with 45º angle edges) / 4 - 6" pieces

STEP 1: Cut all your wood pieces as listed above.

For the 13.75" piece you will need to cut each end at a 45º angle. There is an adjustment knob on most circular saws that will shift the blade and allow you to cut at an angle. (The 5.5" pieces will also need each end cut at 45º angles as pictured above.)

Sand down any rough edges from all your wood cuts.

STEP 2: Glue Pieces Together

Now grab your 24" piece of wood and the 10" piece.

Using wood glue attach the two pieces together so that the 10" piece sits on one end of the 24" piece. You will also screw this into place in the back with three screws.

Your piece should look like the picture on the far right at this point.

STEP 3: Apply Wood Glue

Using your Kreg Jig make countersink holes on the 45º angle end of each 13.75" piece of wood

Apply wood glue to one of the 45º angled edges and press it against the bottom of the 10" piece so that it lays flush with front end of the piece.

STEP 4: Allow it to Dry

Clamp your pieces together and allow the wood glue to dry.

Once the wood glue has dried, reinforce the pieces by screwing in pocket screws through the holes you made in step 3 with your Kreg jig.

STEP 5: Drill a Hole

Now grab your 1 1/2 x 1/2 x 7" pieces of wood and your 1" spade bit.

Make a crossmark 1" down from one end and halfway in between each edge.

Now drill a hole with your spade bit with the point resting over the crossmark.

STEP 6: Attach the Pieces

Once you have sanded the hole down it is time to attach it to the pre-assembled pieces.

Mark the halfway point from each side on your 24" piece of wood and 1/2" down. This is where this piece will rest. Apply wood glue to the end of the 7" piece that doesn't have a hole and set it so that it sits on the marks just made. *Basically you are just making sure it is in the center of the 24" piece and 1/2" down from the top.

Once the wood glue has dried turn the piece over and drill a screw through both pieces of wood to give it extra security.

STEP 7: Assemble It

First take your 5.5" angled pieces of wood and rub wood glue on each angled end. You will then simply glue it in place so that one end rests on the 24" piece of wood, and the other rests against the 7" piece just attached in the previous step.

While that is drying gather your 4 6" pieces of wood. Measure down 3" and place your first 6" piece evenly in the center and drill a pilot hole through each end. Screw it into place with a 1 1/4" wood screw.

Now measure down 12" from the piece you just drilled in and repeat the process with another 6" piece of wood being sure to keep it parallel with the top edge.

STEP 8: Spray Paint Your Cord (optional)

The end of my cord didn't look right with the bulb that I purchased so I spray painted it with a copper spray paint.

Simply tape the cord section of your light cord and spray paint the portion that meets the bulb.

STEP 9: Place Cord Through the Wood

Once all glue has dried and every screw is in place you can place your light cord through the piece.

Feed your cord end up through the hole you made in step 5.

Once you have decided how low you want your light to hang, staple the cord in place along the top of the 7" piece to keep it in place.

STEP 10: Hang Them Up

Now just hang your nightstands next to your bed!

As mentioned before my bedroom is in remodel mode, so I wasn't able to hang these by my bedside, just yet, but I can't wait! Look at all that book storage! I have had books falling off of my current situation, so this will be perfect!

I may switch to a long Edison bulb at some point, but I just love these lil' fellas! Also just a side note, the cost listed is for two of these!

It looks so lovely and moody in the dark.

Enjoyed the project?

You can do it! Saved to your projects

1x12x8 wood (Lowe's)
1/2x1 1/2x8 wood (Had on Hand)
Light Cord Set (Ikea)
Edison Bulbs (Ikea)
Kreg Jig (Amazon)
Pocket Screws (Amazon)

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1 question

Vicki on Sep 06, 2016
I love these Edison lights - good job. Is the on/off switch on the light cord?

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2 of 59 comments

Kristin on Mar 22, 2017

Wonder job & excellent instructions

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Joanie on Mar 26, 2018

These are really a nice project.......Great job......A# for you!! When it all comes together they are gonna IIGHT up your room!!

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