How to make a wooden nightstand with a floating design

How to Make a Wooden Nightstand with a Floating Design

A floating nightstand is a modern and sleek addition to any bedroom, offering both aesthetic appeal and practicality. The design gives the illusion that the nightstand is hovering, which can make a room feel more spacious and contemporary. Constructing a wooden nightstand with a floating design requires some basic woodworking skills, attention to detail, and precision. This guide will walk you through the steps involved in building a floating wooden nightstand.

Materials and Tools You’ll Need

Materials:

• Hardwood (such as oak, walnut, or maple)
• Wood screws
• Wood glue
• Wood filler
• Sandpaper (fine-grit)
• Stain or wood finish (optional)

Tools:

• Measuring tape
• Miter saw or circular saw
• Drill
• Screwdriver
• Clamps
• Level
• Woodworking clamps
• Safety gear (goggles, gloves, and dust mask)

Step 1: Plan the Design and Gather Measurements

Before beginning, it’s crucial to decide on the dimensions and overall design of your floating nightstand. Floating nightstands often have minimalistic designs with clean lines. Here’s what to consider:

• Height: Typically, nightstands are around 24 to 30 inches tall, but this can vary based on your bed height.
• Width and Depth: Decide how deep and wide you want the nightstand to be. A standard nightstand is around 16 to 20 inches deep, with widths varying based on the space available.

Once you have the measurements, sketch a rough design of your nightstand, noting all angles and placements of shelves, drawers (if any), and the floating brackets.

Step 2: Cut the Wood Pieces

Using your measurements, cut the wood to size for the nightstand’s top, sides, bottom, and any shelves or drawer fronts. A floating design typically features a thick top, slim sides, and minimal detailing. The basic components include:

• Top piece: The flat surface where your items will sit. Typically, this piece will be the largest and most visually important.
• Side pieces: These will hold the top piece and give structure to the nightstand.
• Bottom piece (optional): This can either be used to support the floating structure or omitted if you’re using an open-bottom design.

When making cuts, use a miter saw or circular saw to ensure clean edges. Be sure to cut all pieces to the correct length and width according to your design.

Step 3: Assemble the Frame

To create the floating effect, you need to focus on the way the nightstand will hang on the wall. The assembly typically starts with attaching the side panels to the top piece. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Attach the side panels to the top piece: Apply wood glue along the edges where the side panels meet the top piece. Use clamps to hold the pieces together as you drill pilot holes for wood screws. Screw the pieces together at each corner, making sure everything is square.

2. Install the bottom piece (if using): If your design includes a bottom panel, attach it in the same manner, securing it to the bottom edges of the side panels. This piece will give extra structure to the nightstand.

3. Secure any additional features: If you plan to include shelves or drawers, now is the time to install the internal supports for those elements. You may need to measure and cut additional wooden strips to form the shelf supports.

Step 4: Prepare for Mounting

The most crucial part of a floating nightstand is how it will be mounted to the wall. Since it’s “floating,” you will need to install a sturdy mounting system that will support the weight of the nightstand and its contents. You can achieve this with the following method:

1. Install the hanging bracket: A floating nightstand typically requires a metal bracket or French cleat system. Cut a piece of wood to match the width of the nightstand’s back panel, then attach a cleat or strong metal bracket to the wall at the desired height.

2. Mount the nightstand onto the bracket: Once the bracket is installed in the wall, you can securely mount the floating nightstand by fixing the back of the nightstand onto the bracket. Make sure everything is level before tightening the screws.

Step 5: Sand and Finish the Nightstand

After assembling the floating nightstand, it’s important to smooth the surfaces. Sand all the edges and corners to remove any roughness. Start with a medium-grit sandpaper and finish with fine-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish.

If you want to enhance the natural beauty of the wood, apply a stain or wood finish to bring out the grain. A polyurethane finish can help protect the wood and give it a glossy look.

Step 6: Install the Nightstand

Once everything is finished, it’s time to install your floating nightstand. Using a level, ensure the nightstand is positioned exactly where you want it on the wall. Tighten any screws into place, double-checking the sturdiness of the installation.

Step 7: Final Touches

Once the nightstand is installed, you can add finishing touches like drawer handles or organize the interior for any shelves you included. You may also choose to add some decorative elements, such as a lamp, plants, or books, on top of the nightstand to make it functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Conclusion

Building a floating wooden nightstand is a rewarding project that can add an elegant, modern touch to your bedroom. By following these steps, you’ll be able to create a custom piece of furniture that combines both form and function. Not only will this project enhance your woodworking skills, but it will also give you a stylish, custom-built piece for your home.