How to turn an old bedside table into a highlight of your interior

Deciding on the sizes

If you choose the right bedside table, it will fit perfectly with the bed and look like a single ensemble with it. Although we note that the color of the cabinet may contrast. In this case, the dimensions must be selected with special attention - it is important that the bedside table does not become “sandwiched” by the bed and the wall, since you should always leave enough free space. But if free space is in short supply, then it is better to give preference to a hanging cabinet - in this case it will suit better.

Hanging bedside table

On a note! For a bedroom, a cabinet with closed and open shelves is perfect, which will allow you to hide your personal belongings from others, while a vase of flowers or various kinds of decorative items can be placed on open shelves. As an option, you can make a coffee table with your own hands.

Large bedside table-chest of drawers

Shapes and sizes

Depending on the interior design and the size of the bedroom, you can choose the shape of the bedside table that will complement and emphasize the overall style.

Square or rectangular. This is a standard form, suitable for those who prefer conservative solutions. This cabinet is the most convenient and practical.
Round models are not as popular as classic ones, since they cannot be installed in every interior. But with the right choice, it becomes a bright accent.
Corner cabinets are the best solution for small rooms where saving space is important.

In small rooms it is best to install miniature, decorative bedside tables. It will decorate the room and serve as a base for a lamp and a book, or an alarm clock.

For a large bedroom, you can choose a larger version of a soft bedside table with several drawers and shelves.

There are no specific rules for the size of a bedside table. The standard is 60 centimeters high, 55 centimeters wide and up to 50 centimeters deep.

But it is necessary to focus, first of all, not on standard sizes, but on ensuring that the model fits harmoniously into the overall set.

The module should not stand close to the bed, and should have the same height as the bed.

A few words about the functionality of bedside tables

If you plan to store a large number of small items, then it is better to give preference to a cabinet with many drawers. If only a few books are stored there, then you can get a lightweight non-standard design, abandoning the massive traditional “cube”.

Mirrored bedside tables are perhaps the most popular of all mirrored items. They constantly appear in fashionable interiors

The optimal location for the bedside table is near the bed. It’s not even worth talking about the benefits of a bedside table - you can store books here, and put an alarm clock or, say, a glass of water on top. In addition, in the nightstand there may be a place for linen - both underwear and bed - or a first aid kit, cosmetics and other things indispensable in everyday life. And for the most convenient and ergonomic arrangement of all this “good”, the selection of a bedside table must be taken with full responsibility.

DIY bedside table in grunge style

Obviously, the floor design is the most common. In addition, such a cabinet can be of two types:

without legs;
with legs.

Mahogany cabinet

The original option is an open bedside table without legs.
A slightly less common option is a hanging one. Due to its design features, it looks weightless, as if floating in the air.

Hanging cabinet that matches perfectly with wall decoration

In any case, you will have to decide for yourself which cabinet to buy/make yourself - it all depends on the interior features of the bedroom and your personal preferences. But we note that a hanging cabinet still has a significant advantage over a floor-standing one - it allows you to install some objects underneath it (say, a basket for various small items or a box).

Also, bedside tables are classified depending on their shape. Let's take a look at the most common options.

Rectangular/square . Such designs are universal, and therefore will easily fit into any design. In addition, they can be located anywhere in the room.

Square bedside table with decorative windows on the door

Angular _ The best option for small spaces.

Convenient and comfortable corner bedside table

Oval/round . They look, of course, elegant, but are not universal, so they will not be appropriate in every interior.

Unusual round bedside table in red

Important! There are also more exotic cabinets - such as a design in the form of a pyramid or chest. Yes, such bedside tables can hardly be considered universal and functional - they are rather decorative interior items.

Country-style suitcase bedside table
Another classification is based on the purpose of the bedside tables. Medical care, which should be in every home, deserves special attention.

Decor of a bedside table in country style - master class No. 3

For a bedside table decorated in a rustic style, a textile curtain instead of a door and a stylized ornament are perfect.

You will need the following tools:

glaze with “aging” effect;
White paint;
decorative varnish;
metal grill;
blue fabric;
scissors;
transparent seed;
needle with thread;
cutter.

Features of choosing a bedside table depending on style

Yes, each interior style has its own type of bedside table. And it is not surprising, because we are talking not only about a useful thing, but also about an element of the interior that can emphasize the stylistic direction of the room or, alternatively, negate all efforts. How to organically fit a bedside table into the interior? Let's get acquainted with the most popular styles and find out which designs are suitable for each specific case.

Interesting and comfortable bedside tables and tables that will elevate the interior

East style . In this case, the ideal option is a bedside table with small legs made of rattan. Frequent weaving, natural colors, and a traditional rectangular silhouette will look great.

Bedside table in colonial style

Classic style . Here preference should be given to furniture made of natural wood. You can, for example, use a large and squat cabinet with curly handles as decorative elements. As for color, dark tones will look good in a classic style. A bedside table that meets all these requirements will emphasize the aristocracy and fundamentality of the classics.

Palazzo . The main thing in the Italian style is attention to detail (aged or varnished shelves, forged iron elements, etc.).

Italian bedside table

Scandinavian . The best option for him would be a white cabinet made of natural wood and without unnecessary decorative elements. The design should be as simple as possible. A good option is a bedside table made of unpainted beech. Give preference to massive legs and narrow simple shapes.

Interior in Scandinavian style - rational, but very attractive

Provence . Wooden cabinets are suitable for this style, preferably with graceful outlines and narrow curly legs.

Bedside tables in Provence style

Minimalism, hi-tech . Obviously, designs with metal frames are more suitable for these styles. Glass doors would be a great addition. It is important that a minimum of unnecessary parts be used.

Sophistication and rigor of high-tech style

Classic decor

When decorating a bedside table with your own hands, it is best to stick to a strict and restrained classic style, which is perfect for any interior. Such furniture is not only attractive, but also very functional and comfortable.

It will be ideal for any bedroom, and its design and color scheme will be pleasing to the eye.

To decorate a bedside table in a classic style, you need to prepare:

White paint and a thin layer of glaze will give the furniture an antique effect.

Wood paint, glaze in soft, pastel colors. Depending on the overall color scheme of the bedroom, you can take any shade, but it is best to give preference to light green, yellow, and sand. It is recommended to use white paint for the ends of the cabinet, and paint the door, top, and individual elements with color.
Moldings made of wood or plastic of small thickness.
Glass pebbles or crystals to decorate the outside of the cabinet. It is best to take them transparent; the handle for the door should be selected to match the overall shape of such crystals.
For the top part you need to prepare a transparent piece of plastic or glass; you can use stained glass or frosted glass.

You can use different decoration options:

Figure 1. A piece of silk or brocade, selected to match the bedroom upholstery, is attached to the surface of the bedside table with a stapler.

The cabinet is decorated using two, three or even four colors. But the shades must be selected in such a way that they stand out. This is especially true for painting the molding that will decorate the door.
If there is a need to use an oriental, for example, Chinese style, then the cabinet should be painted red, and the molding black, and then varnished. But this style should be combined with the overall decoration of the room, and not stand out from the rest of the furniture.
You can also decorate a bedside table in the Baroque style and apply monograms to the door. For this, a pre-prepared stencil is used.

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When choosing paint, you must take into account the features of the overall interior; you cannot arrange light furniture and make the cabinet dark.

What material should I use for the bedside table?

Most often, the difficulty in this matter is the choice of material from which the bedside table is made. Let's take a look at the most popular options.

Natural wood. Durable, environmentally friendly and simply aesthetically attractive material. But the cost of wood is corresponding. Give preference to birch, pine, mahogany, beech and oak - these species are the most popular. Typically, the cost of pine is much lower than oak. A cabinet made of natural wood will serve for decades, and therefore, if you have a habit of frequently changing furniture, such a design may somewhat limit your freedom of choice.

Wooden bedside table
Chipboard, MDF. A more budget-friendly analogue of natural wood. The service life of materials is shorter. A good option for those who want to save money and like to frequently change the decor of the room.

Wooden cabinet with chipboard front

Decoupage of an old bedside table

Old bedside tables from the Soviet period can also be brought back to life.

After the paint has completely dried, you can glue the pre-prepared decoupage designs.

If the cabinet is a regular one-color, then try decorating it with decoupage.

For work you will need the following materials:

white acrylic paint;
paint any color to create a different color;
colored paints;
napkins with images of flowers.

First, we begin to degrease the surface and remove old paint. This can be done either by heating with a hairdryer or using sandpaper. If you don't have special tools, you can use a regular metal mesh for washing dishes.

As in the first case, we coat the bedside table with a primer, let it dry, then apply white paint. After drying, we apply paint of a different color, which you can make yourself by mixing a little white paint and color. In our case, the color turned out to be khaki.

It is more effective to apply varnish in two layers.

Now let's move on to the most important moment - decorating.

We will need beautiful napkins for decoupage, which can be purchased at a regular supermarket. Bright and large flowers will look very good. We take napkins and carefully pull out the flowers by hand, it is very important not to use scissors in this matter!

Further - more difficult. You need to “play out” all possible options for placing flowers. Take your time and don't get stuck on the idea that came to your mind from the very beginning. Apply flowers in a chaotic order, move a few meters away from the bedside table to understand how the flowers look from afar.

First, the napkins are applied to the surface using water and a wide brush, and then they are thoroughly coated with PVA office glue. This way you can avoid the appearance of unevenness and wrinkles.

Let the glue dry well, while we ourselves prepare the materials for further work. You will need any acrylic paints of different colors for decoration. To make the job a little easier, try applying the paint using a small sponge.

Drawing of a nightstand.

Each pattern requires special skills when applying paint. Remember the general rules. They are as follows:

First, try to make a smooth transition from the picture to the plain surface of the bedside table. Mix similar colors. Darken in places.
The flowers themselves need to be painted as realistically as possible, so that they are no different from those drawn on a napkin.
If desired, you can go over the entire surface of the cabinet with a sponge, lightly touching the painted surface.
And one more unspoken rule - try to make the central part of the bedside table lighter than the corners.
To give the effect of antiquity, you can paint the top with gold or silver paint (sponge or thin brush).

Is it possible to save money somehow?

Any repair work is, first of all, a blow to the seed budget. Yes, it is at least impractical to save on building materials, but the situation can be saved by making furniture with your own hands - by the way, even a non-professional can easily cope with this, having detailed step-by-step instructions. Undoubtedly, this applies mainly to simple subjects. A bedside table, for example, can be made quickly and inexpensively with your own hands.

Homemade bedside table from old drawers

On a note! You cannot skimp on materials for DIY production. After all, everyone knows that the stingy has to pay more than once. If you use low-quality consumables, the work may have to be redone.

Yellow bedside table

Making a bedside table - drawings and preparation

First you need to decide on the design of the future bedside table. You can draw a drawing on paper, although it is easier to use special computer programs (Google SketchUp, T-FLEX Furniture, Astra Furniture Designer). In any case, you need to know exactly the design parameters - height, length, width...

Bedside table - drawing

Corner cabinet diagram

Scheme of a simple cabinet

Drawing of a large wooden bedside table for a TV

Drawing of a solid wood bedside table

Blanks can be ordered from the nearest carpentry workshop. Here, of course, it is better to trust the specialists, but you can still save money. So, you can glue the edge to the end of the boards with your own hands using a regular iron. To do this, you need to purchase tape and, using an iron, fix it on the ends of the workpieces. You can go even further - make your own blanks using chipboards. But in this case, the workpieces will have to be additionally processed with a grinding machine to make their surface smoother. Also, all elements should be treated with stain to protect them from harmful environmental influences.

Dark rectangular cabinet suitable for loft style

Wall hanging bedside table for bedroom

Now all that remains is to assemble all the elements into one structure using glue and screws. The blanks ordered in the carpentry workshop must be connected with hexagon bolts - for such fastening it is necessary to first make holes of the required size.

At the end, the selected fittings are installed. By the way, when choosing it you need to be guided by both external attractiveness and functionality. The edges need to be glued.

Neutral colors are pleasantly soothing, setting you up for relaxation and a pleasant stay.

Another idea for a bedside table

On a note! Now let’s take a closer look at the process of making a bedside table with your own hands. Below are step-by-step instructions for making a few easy options you might be interested in.

Video – Bedside table

Option No1. Simple DIY bedside table

This example will look at the assembly process from blanks ordered from a carpentry workshop. So, for work we will use:

6 furniture corners (plastic double);
1 tabletop;
2 drawer bottoms;
2 sidewalls;
1 back wall of the bedside table;
1 internal lower shelf;
4 guides;
4 front/back walls for drawers;
2 handles;
2 drawer fronts;
2 facades of the lower part.

We also note that chipboard sheets were used to make the bottom shelf and drawers, wood (pine) was used for the fronts and sides of the drawers, the countertops, and 5-mm fiberboard was used for the back wall of the structure.

Making a bedside table with your own hands

Step 1. After receiving all the required blanks, painting begins. There is nothing complicated in the process itself, so let’s just get acquainted with the result of the work.

Blanks for the future cabinet

Painted blanks

Step 2. The lower shelves were not painted - even if this is not very attractive, no one will see them anyway.

These are the future drawer bottoms

Step 3. To begin with, furniture corners are screwed to the inside of the sidewall - 2 at the bottom (100 mm from the edge), 2 at the top flush, as in the photo.

Sidewall of the future design

The lower furniture corners should be located 10 cm from the edge

Screwing the bottom corners

Fixing the upper corners

Step 4. An internal chipboard shelf is attached to the lower corners, and a tabletop is attached to the upper corners. When the 4 elements of the frame are assembled, the structure may be slightly skewed - do not be alarmed, everything will be aligned using the back wall.

Attaching the inner shelf

The bottom shelf is screwed on

Important! By the way, about the countertop. Its width in our example is 600 mm, and its depth is from 430 mm (at the edges) to 460 mm (in the center). As a result, the front tabletop turned out to be somewhat convex to match the design of the bed.

The table top is screwed on

The front of the tabletop protrudes slightly

The frame of the bedside table is assembled
Step 5. After assembling the frame, the guides are attached.

Guides are attached

In our example, they are screwed to the bottom of the drawers, but this is a little incorrect. It is preferable to attach the guides to the middle of the drawers so that they do not touch the facades. In addition, the length of the guides should be less than the depth of the entire structure, by about 5-10 cm. They must be mounted flush on the front side.

The length of the guides should be 5-10 cm less than the depth of the bedside table

Step 6. Below you can see the handles that were chosen for the drawers.

Drawer handles

Step 7. After painting the facades in one layer, mark the locations of future holes for handles.

Marking future holes on the facade

Step 8. Next, the holes themselves are drilled. It is worth remembering that they must be strictly in the middle, and therefore you should act very carefully.

Holes are drilled

Step 9. This is what facades with handles painted in one layer look like.

Facades with handles after the first painting

Step 10. This is how they should look after applying the third layer of paint (the handles, of course, need to be removed before each painting).

Facades with handles after the third painting

Step 11. The next stage is assembling the boxes.

Assembling boxes

The drawer parts are fastened with self-tapping screws, for which holes were previously made with a thin drill.

Box assembly process

The assembled boxes should look something like this.

Assembled boxes

Step 12. The bottom of each box is attached using a stapler. On one side the bottom is fixed flush, while on the rest it is leveled so as to avoid distortions.

The bottom of the box is secured with a stapler

Step 13. After this, the drawers are attached to the guides.

Guides are screwed

The bottom drawer is almost ready

Step 14. Next, holes are drilled for self-tapping screws, through which the drawer fronts will be secured.

Holes for self-tapping screws are drilled

Step 15. The fronts are attached to the drawers. After this, a fixed facade is attached, for which a couple of furniture corners are used.

Fastening the lower fixed façade

The process of attaching the lower facade

The work can be considered completed. The result looks like this.

This is what the finished bedside tables of the design described above will look like

Option No2. Unique pine bedside table

Today it is not easy to find a truly original, but at the same time simple bedside table. And if you have previously dealt with wood, then we suggest making such a unique design with your own hands.

The end result should be a bedside table like this

Table. Instructions for making a bedside table from pine.

Steps, photo	Description of actions
Step 1	To begin, prepare all the necessary tools shown in the image.
Step 2	The material will be natural wood (pine), which can be purchased at a hardware store.
Step 3	Work begins from the inside of the future structure.
Step 4	The boards are connected to each other as shown in the image.
Step 5	They are installed vertically.
Step 6	After this, the lower and upper parts of the bedside table are nailed.
Step 7	The result should look something like this.
Step 8	Here are the materials you will need to make the box.
Step 9	First, the bottom of the box is created.
Step 10	Photo of the work done.
Step 11	After this, the guides are nailed.
Step 12	The second guide is nailed on the opposite side of the box.
Step 13	The finished box will look something like this.
Step 14	All that remains is to insert the finished box into place. That's it, the simple wooden cabinet is ready!
Step 15	At the end, you can paint it (preferably with white paint) or cover it with stain.

Glamorous option

A glamorous bedside table in a delicate shade is suitable for a girl’s bedroom. To make such furniture you need to take:

Glaze with glitter or light satin paint in a soft blue color.
To decorate the door leaf, you need to take straws or light fabric in a small floral pattern. Tapestry, velvet, and brocade are perfect for this.
Elegant metal door handle.
For the outer part of the bedside table, you need to take 3 special elements that will play the role of a parapet.

Related article: Laying (installation) of floor slabs

For the cabinet you can use a variety of design elements:

Instead of blue, it is good to use a pale pink or lilac version, but a rich burgundy or fuchsia shade also looks great. It all depends on the overall interior and its color scheme;
To decorate the door, it is allowed to use gold or silver paint, but in this case, a subtle contrasting pattern must be applied to its background. This is done using a stencil;
For the top, which can be used as a tray, frosted glass with a pattern works well.

Option No3. Bedside table made of pallets

To minimize costs when making a bedside table, you can take pallets from building materials. They (pallets) can be not only wooden, but also metal and plastic.

Pallets have many standard sizes, but often only 2 are used:

120x80 cm (European);
120x100 (North American).

Stage No1. Preparing everything you need

For work you will need the following consumables:

pallets (in our example – large double ones);
pieces of plywood (can be replaced with other sheet material);
nails;
glue;
screws;
glossy varnish (for wood), water-soluble.

Pallets are used to make the cabinet.
As for the tools, you will need:

pencil, square and tape measure;
mount;
screwdriver;
hammer;
clamps;
Circular Saw;
holdfast;
Sander;
electric jigsaw;
ballerina (or hole saw);
screwdriver;
electric drill.

On a note! If we talk about glue, then it is better to give preference to PVA - it dries quickly, provides a strong connection, and can be easily removed when squeezed out.

Stage No2. Removing the pallet

Of course, new lumber can be used instead of old pallets, but the cost of the bedside table will increase greatly because of this. Therefore, we begin this instruction by disassembling the pallet.

To work you will need a hammer and a pry bar. To minimize damage to the wood, it is recommended to first loosen the boards using a chisel. By the way, an electric reciprocating saw is perfect for dismantling - its metal blade should be inserted along the joint of the boards to cut the nails connecting them. After this, the nails can be easily removed, while the wood will remain virtually undamaged.

Stage No3. Blanks for creating a frame

It will consist of 10 planks (4 for the back wall, 3 for the side walls), which will be connected by a pair of rectangular frames.

Drawing of a wooden bedside table

Using a circular saw, 10 boards are cut, each 520 mm long (the length can be any). Planks for the rear wall and those of suitable quality for the side walls are selected. Each set of planks is chipped together to measure the overall width. The resulting figure will be needed when creating rectangular frames.

Measure the width of the folded boards

Each frame is made of 4 bars. When cutting bars, it is very important to observe all dimensions exactly.

Frame drawing

Note! It is advisable to use a hand tool for cutting workpieces rather than an electric one - this way the results will be more accurate. You will be surprised, but a hacksaw is ideal for this. If we consider power tools, then preference should be given to a band jigsaw, but, alas, not every home craftsman has one.

Stage No4. Rectangular frames

When all the blanks are made, rectangular frames are assembled. In the finished cabinet, the latter will not be visible, and therefore you don’t have to worry too much about the aesthetics of their connection. The width of each workpiece is 7 cm. If there are no screws of the required length, holes are made with a 12 cm drill to 1⁄2 the width of the block.

Finished frame for a bedside table frame made of wood

You need to make sure that the dimensions of both frames are identical . When tightening the screws, it is recommended to clamp the lower and upper parts together so that they exactly match in size.

Stage No5. Planks for countertops

Upon completion of the previous stage, blanks for the table top of the structure are cut. Pieces of the required length are cut with a circular saw with a slight allowance.

Preparing boards for countertops

Stage No6. Workpiece grinding

Before assembling the frame, the boards are thoroughly cleaned with a grinding machine. Of course, you can try to do this manually, but using a grinder is both better and easier. The movements should be circular - this will create a beautiful texture.

Sanding boards

Note! If you want, you can get an unusual effect - to do this, the external surfaces should be thoroughly cleaned (almost to a mirror shine), and then treated with coarse coarse sandpaper to deliberately create defects and irregularities.

Stage No7. Frame

For the final assembly of the structure body, only nails are used. Additionally, you can use glue, but this is not necessary - the frame will already be quite strong.

It is important that the wood is dry during work, otherwise it will dry out once it is in the house, and its attractiveness will noticeably decrease. Yes, this can later be attributed to the rustic style, but it is still advisable to dry the wood first.

First of all, the top cover is assembled on a rectangular frame. The ends of the boards that extend beyond the structure are brought to the required dimensions using a grinding machine.

The tabletop of the future design is being assembled

Next, the back and side walls are nailed. Let’s make a reservation right away that this is quite difficult to do - the lower frame must be well fixed, otherwise the rectangularity will be disrupted when hammering in nails. After this, the front surface is assembled.

Installation of bedside tables

Important! Instead of nails, it is still better to use screws - this way the parts will be properly fixed without the risk of shifting from being hit with a hammer.

Stage No8. Plywood inserts

To make the drawer slide easier and more freely, a couple of pieces of plywood are glued from the inside to the bottom frame (see diagram below).

Gluing plywood inserts

Stage No9. Drawer

In our case, it will be assembled from a piece of plywood (recommended thickness - 4 mm) and five pieces of wood.

Making a box

The required piece of plywood is marked and cut using a saw.
After measuring the height in the workpiece from which the front wall will be made, a groove of 8 mm depth is cut out. The plywood will be inserted into this groove.
The remaining walls are cut off.
The walls of the box are placed on top of the plywood and connected with nails (additionally, glue can be used).

The finished drawer of the bedside table
Due to the fact that it is the drawer that will be subject to the greatest loads, its walls can be additionally connected with iron corners - this way its rectangularity and strength will be preserved.

Stage No.10. Shelf

When the box is ready (its front wall will be finalized a little later), you can begin strengthening the shelf. A pair of slats are attached to the side walls using screws, after which all that remains is to make sure that the box moves freely inside the structure. If yes, then you can safely nail the shelf to the slats. By the way, to mark its position, you can first place the box inside to draw a couple of lines a few millimeters higher than the side walls.

Making a shelf

Stage No11. Sweetheart neckline

First, we note that the cutout on the front wall can have any shape - it all depends on your personal preferences. According to our design, it will be shaped like a heart, although you can simply make a simple pattern with a few small holes (these can be drilled with a drill).

So, first a piece of board of the required size is cut.
Next, a heart is drawn on the board; it must have the correct shape. If a hole saw is used for cutting, for example, 3.2 cm, then it can serve as a template.
A pair of holes is drilled using a hole saw.
All the pieces that remain are finally cut out using a jigsaw.
After this, the front wall of the drawer remains to be completely assembled, which will require the same nails and glue.

Cutting a hole in the shape of a heart

On a note! Cutouts and other shapes will look great - these could be, for example, images of card suits. However, for this, the bedside table must have the appropriate number of drawers.

Stage No.12. Finishing touches

Once assembly is complete, the cabinet can be coated with clear varnish to protect the wood and reveal the details of its texture. Moreover, the varnish can be slightly tinted with pigment (white or black) - this way you will get a slight gray haze.

So what you need to do:

clean the tree;
sand it with sandpaper No. 150;
clean again;
coat with a layer of varnish, then wait at least 4 hours;
lightly sand with No. 200 sandpaper;
clean again;
apply a second coat of varnish.

Note! The finished bedside table will look great if you treat the surfaces with stain before applying varnish. By the way, instead of stain, you can use a solution of potassium permanganate or iodine, diluted tea, etc.

Homemade wooden bedside table in the interior

DIY bedside table decor: different options