Craftsman Nightstand

If a feeling of deja vu rolls over you while pondering this attractive nightstand, it’s okay, there’s a reason for that. Awhile back (Woodsmith 219 and 235) we built a gentleman’s dresser and bed that are the older kin to this handsome piece of furniture. It has a lot of the same winning features that come from its older siblings.

There’s the solid-wood construction for the whole project (well, a plywood bottom for the drawer is the one exception). And the joinery you’ll employ here follows the same path as its larger predecessor.

There’s stub tenon and groove joinery that brings together the sides and back of the case for the nightstand. This simple but stout joinery is quickly done at the table saw and makes frame and panel construction the most logical choice. As you see in the main photo, the wide stiles and wider rails provide the luxury of lightly gluing the hardwood panels in place. This allows for wood movement while not compromising the strength of the unit.

The bottom and drawer divider use the same joinery along with some cleverly hidden screws that reinforce the case. You can’t see them here because they’re hidden under the faux tenons in the sides and the top.

There’s nothing faux about the dovetails that are used for the drawer construction. Or the Craftsman-style pulls that operate it. The adjustable shelf under the drawer provides the