How To Make Your Own Nightstand (That Secretly Doubles As A Personal Vanity)

Lauren

1 month ago

My daughter had a nightstand and a vanity on her new room wish list, but we only had room for one since it’s a smaller room. So I started researching and decided to attempt to build a table to go next to her bed with a hidden stool so it could double as a vanity when needed.

I started sketching things out, knowing this might be one of my more complex builds since it was so unconventional, but I grabbed my supplies and got to work anyway! Here’s how I built it.

Prefer to watch instead? Watch the full tutorial here!

How To Make Your Own Nightstand (That Secretly Doubles As A Personal Vanity)

Here’s what I used…

Here are the tools you need…

STEP 1: CUT DOWN YOUR PIECES AND ASSEMBLE YOUR TABLE

I decided on my overall measurements — I wanted a 27″ tall table that was roughly 18″ wide. And I wanted the stool to be about 17″ tall and 13″ wide.

I grabbed my 12″ wide concrete form, used my jigsaw to cut that down to 27″ tall, then cut it in half (all the way through so I had two separate pieces).

I used construction adhesive and pin nails to secure my first 18″ round 3″ down from the top of the forms, leaving about 14″ of width in the front and just a couple of inches of open space in the back. I painted the 18″ round Cement Pots by Magnolia.

Then I got to work cutting down more pieces. I grabbed another 18″ round and drew a circle that was 14″ in diameter on top. I made one side of the circle flat (this is where hinges will go later), then I used my jigsaw to cut it out. I sanded it well and painted it Cement Pots by Magnolia in Satin.

I placed a third 18″ round at the base of the table to help round out the forms. I didn’t secure it yet, but used it to measure the height between the base round and middle round of the table. I cut down two more concrete form pieces to this height. These will be used to reinforce the table on the inside.

Last but not least, I cut down a small concrete form piece to go across the front of the table and close the space above the middle round.

Before assembling, you’re going to want to upholster everything separately…

STEP 2: UPHOLSTER ALL YOUR PIECES & ASSEMBLE THE TABLE

Before assembling the entire table, I hot-glued batting to all the pieces. Then I grabbed my sheet set and cut down a flat sheet to cover all the pieces. Again, hot-gluing it on and making sure the front of every piece (and everything that was going to be visible after assembly) was covered.

Now, it was time to assemble.

I started with the table top and secured that flush with the top edges of the form using construction adhesive and small head screws.

I used small piano hinges to secure the middle piece to the outside ring, then I added a small board across the front underneath the outside ring. That way, my lid could close nicely and sit flush with that outer ring.

I also notched out a little piece on the front so I could install a leather finger pull so it could easily be opened.

Next, I secured my bottom round to the base of the table using construction adhesive and small head screws.

I added my two concrete form support pieces on the inside walls of the table using construction adhesive. Then I used adhesive to secure my front piece to the table as well.

I used a piece of the fitted sheet with the elastic still attached at the top to add a “curtain” to the front of the table. I hot-glued this underneath the front piece and used hem tape around all the edges.

I steamed all the fabric once it was on the table. Then I moved on to the stool.

STEP 3: BUILD YOUR VANITY STOOL

I measured my opening again to make sure it was my planned 14″ across. Then I cut down 2 13″ circles from a sheet of 3/4″ plywood. I screwed 14″ 2×4 supports into them, covered the supports with another 12″ round piece (14″ tall), and added 2-inch cushion foam to the top circle.

I upholstered all the pieces, then added a sheet of flexible plywood on the back so the stool would have a small raised back. This is totally optional but did add a cute detail. I secured this with small head screws, then I upholstered it as well.

I used batting and fabric to craft a small pillow of sorts for the back of the stool and used a fitted sheet with the elastic still at the top (but folded over) to skirt the stool. I used hem tape here again on the edges!

STEP 4: FINISHING TOUCHES

I used navy blue piping trim around the top of the table, the top of the stool, and around a small frameless 12″ mirror that I found to glue inside the table top lid.

This really upleveled the look of everything!

I also added 2 small ribbons to the side of the lid and table top to hold the mirror at the height I wanted it when it was open.

THAT’S IT!

Now it looks like a cute little nightstand when it’s not in use…

But you can easily slide the stool out…

And flip the top open to use it as the cutest little vanity! My daughter is thrilled, and I can’t wait to see how she fills it up and uses it!

This build can be customized in so many ways — choose your own fabric and paint, cover it in half rounds for a fluted wood look, or get creative with flexible plywood.

And if after reading this you’re like, nahh sounds complicated… Here’s a list of cute space-saving vanities we pulled together just for you. And if you’re more of a visual person, you can watch the full tutorial here!

Whatever you decide, I can’t wait to see the beautiful and functional spaces you create. Happy building!