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Free nightstand plans for a simple bedside table at 600 mm tall, 450 mm wide, 350 mm deep - the right size to sit beside a queen or king bed without dominating the room. You get the parts list, dimensions, material breakdown, and an optimized cutting diagram you can download as a PDF and take to the workshop.

One drawer at the top for chargers, reading glasses, and the things you don't want to see. One open shelf below for a stack of books or a basket. The whole thing comes out of less than a quarter sheet of plywood, which makes it the cheapest piece of bedroom furniture you'll ever build that doesn't look cheap.

What's in the PDF

• Parts list with dimensions - 9 parts total across 8 part types (sides, top, bottom, shelf, back panel, drawer front, drawer sides, drawer back, drawer bottom). Every part labeled, quantified, and dimensioned in mm.
• Optimized cutting diagram - generated from a single 18 mm plywood sheet (2440 × 1220 mm / 4'×8') with room left over for a matching second nightstand or a small wall shelf.
• Sheet count and material cost estimate - one sheet covers a pair of these.
• Kerf accounted for - 3.2 mm (1/8") default, adjustable to your blade.

Click "Open in Optimizer" below - your parts and stock are pre-filled, you just download the PDF. No signup needed for a single optimization.

Build two at once

Beds usually want a matched pair of nightstands. Cut and assemble both in parallel - it doubles the speed because every saw setup, every glue-up, every drawer cuts twice instead of once. The materials math: two nightstands fit on one 2440×1220 sheet of 18 mm plywood with offcuts left for a small wall shelf or picture frame.

Tools you'll need

• Table saw, track saw, or a circular saw with a straight edge - the parts are small enough that any of these works fine
• Drill driver, plus a 35 mm Forstner bit if you decide to add a knob
• Pocket-hole jig or a brad nailer for fast assembly
• Four parallel clamps for squaring the carcass
• A drawer slide pair (cheap side-mount slides are fine for a small drawer like this)

Time estimate

Half a day to cut all parts. Half a day to assemble the carcass and the drawer. An hour to install the slide and hang the front. Plus finishing time. A weekend including stain or paint.

Build sequence

1. Cut the side panels first. They reference everything else - height, depth, drawer position.

2. Cut the top, bottom, shelf, and back panel. The top sits on top of the sides; the bottom is captured between them.

3. Edge-band the front edges of sides, top, and shelf before assembly. Iron-on banding is much easier on a flat piece.

4. Drill drawer slide holes on the inside of both side panels at drawer height. Mark from the top down so the drawer sits flush with the top.

5. Assemble the carcass with pocket screws and glue. The back panel locks it square.

6. Build the drawer. Four sides + bottom captured in a 5 mm groove. Glue and brads, or pocket screws if you want stronger.

7. Install the slide and hang the drawer front with the 3 mm reveal that's already in the cut list.

Material options

• Plywood (18 mm) - the default. Cabinet-grade for visible parts.
• Solid hardwood - the small parts of a nightstand make it a good first solid-wood project. Same dimensions, oak or maple stock instead of plywood.
• MDF - smooth paint surface. Use the MDF calculator if you go this route.
• Plywood drawer with hardwood front - common upgrade. Plywood drawer box for sturdiness, solid wood drawer front for looks.

Common mistakes

Mounting the drawer slide too low. The drawer needs to sit so the top of the drawer front is flush with (or 3 mm below) the top of the carcass. Measure twice before drilling slide holes.

Skipping the back panel. Even on a small piece, the back keeps it square over time.

Using a single sheet for the drawer bottom. 6 mm plywood or hardboard is fine - 18 mm is wasteful and adds weight.

Building only one. The second one takes a third of the time of the first because every setup is already done. If you have a queen bed, build the pair.

FAQ

Are these nightstand plans really free?

Yes. The plans, parts list, dimensions, and PDF cutting diagram are all free during early access. No card, no part limits, no watermarks.

What does the PDF include?

The PDF has the optimized cutting diagram (sheet-by-sheet, color-coded by part), the full parts list with dimensions, kerf settings, and total sheet count. Designed to print at letter or A4 and be readable next to a saw.

Can I make this nightstand taller?

Yes. The default is 600 mm tall. Open in the optimizer and edit the side panel height. If you go above 700 mm, consider adding a second shelf below.

How many sheets of plywood do I need?

One 4'×8' (2440×1220 mm) sheet of 18 mm plywood covers a pair of nightstands with offcuts left for small projects. The PDF shows exact placement.

Can I skip the drawer and just have shelves?

Yes. Open in the optimizer, delete the drawer parts (front, sides, back, bottom), and add a second shelf in the upper bay. You'll save material and a couple of hours of build time.

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