Make a sleek wall-mounted bedside table that fits even the smallest space

Wall-mounted bedside table—supplies:

Wall-mounted bedside table—instructions:

1. Start by measuring the bedroom wall and deciding whether you want a bedside table on just one side of the bed or both. Sketch out the ideal size for your bedside table. You can leave a gap of about 5–10 cm (2–4″) between the table and the bed. The example project’s measurements are explained in detail in step three.

2. Envision and gather the materials that best suit your needs and the rest of your home’s interior. This bedside table is made with birch plywood and jute fabric, which can be found at most fabric stores.

3. Plan the sizes of the parts you will cut and note down all necessary details. Create a rough sketch on paper with measurements, as it makes cutting easier. The photo shows the external dimensions of the bedside table in this project.

4. First, saw the back panel and the shelf panel. If you have smaller boards, you can cut them with a miter saw. For larger boards, a table saw is typically better. In this example, 24 mm (1″) birch plywood is used for the back panel and the bottom shelf because thicker plywood ensures the pieces are sturdy and durable.

5. Attach the back panel and shelf panel you’ve cut by screwing them together. Add a little wood glue to the seam for extra support. To make it easier, drill 5 mm (3/16″) pilot holes in the back panel. Then secure the pieces together with four screws (4 × 50 mm or 4 × 2″).

6. Cut the parts for the drawer frame and make mitered corners with a miter saw. Use 12 mm (1/2″) plywood for the frame. You can assemble the drawer with tape and wood glue or opt for a nail gun. If you plan to install rails, attach them now.

7. Place the drawer frame pieces on the table so that the sharp edges meet correctly. Tape them together on the top surface with painter’s tape, as shown. Painter’s tape is great for wood because it holds firmly but won’t damage the surface when removed.

8. Flip the taped boards so the inside faces up, and glue the mitered corners with wood glue. Bring the glued corners together as shown, and seal the final seam (the one without tape) with painter’s tape as well. Remember to add glue to that last seam. Let the pieces dry.

9. Measure the drawer dimensions. Subtract about 5 mm (3/16″) from the inside frame measurement so the drawer can slide smoothly. Also account for the space needed if you’re adding rails. Cut the drawer panels using a table saw or a miter saw.

10. Now assemble the drawer. If you cut the parts with mitered corners, use wood glue and painter’s tape, as before. Then saw and attach a 4 mm (1/8″) thick bottom panel to the drawer by either gluing or nailing.

11. If you’ve cut the drawer parts with straight joints, you can attach them with a nail gun. You can easily hide the nail holes by using filler and sanding. Instead of making mitered corners, you could also build the entire bedside table with a nail gun. However, the shelf panel must be screwed on to ensure durability.

12. Measure and saw the drawer’s front panel. If you plan to cover the front with jute fabric as in the example, remember that the fabric’s thickness is about 3 mm (1/8″) per side. Before attaching the jute, it can help to round the corners of the front panel with sandpaper.

13. Cut a suitable piece of jute fabric. Staple it to the drawer’s front panel with a staple gun. Make sure the staples are not so long that they pierce through the wood. Begin stapling along the longer sides and proceed to the shorter ones. Staple fairly densely to keep the fabric taut. Finally, attach the front panel to the drawer using a power screwdriver.

14. Sand at least the bottom of the drawer frame and the top side of the shelf with P180 sandpaper now, because it is harder to sand once you have attached the frame to the back panel. Fasten the drawer frame to the back panel with 4 × 50 mm (4 × 2″) screws using a power screwdriver.

15. Cut the top panel and glue it to the drawer frame using wood glue or construction adhesive. Press the top panel firmly against the glued surface and secure it with painter’s tape or clamps.

16. Sand the surfaces of the last pieces and any sharp edges with P180 sandpaper. If you’re sanding by hand, use a sanding block. If you prefer a power tool, use a random orbital sander, which won’t leave scratches on the surface for a quality finish.

17. We recommend finishing the bedside table’s surfaces before attaching the parts. Apply paraffin oil to the wooden sections using a lint-free cloth. One or two applications is sufficient. Paraffin oil is a natural, non-toxic product that doesn’t exactly color the wood but does enhance its natural tones.

18. Determine the type of bedroom wall you have so you can use the correct hardware. Measure and mark your desired mounting height with a pencil. Remove the drawer and secure the bedside table to the wall through its back panel with screws. Here, we used 4 × 60 mm (4 × 2⅜″) screws. In this example, the top of the bedside table sits at 60 cm (24″) above the floor.