Adding to our nightstand DIY plan options, here are sliding barn door nightstand plans. It’s typical to have a nightstand slightly lower or even with the top of the mattress. So we’ve designed this nightstand to be 28″ tall, though the plans can be easily adjusted to accommodate different heights.

These plans are designed using pocket hole screw construction so it is easy for most home DIYers. There are several other types of joinery which could be used as well, some of which would require slight modifications to the measurements provided here.

Materials Required

• 1 – 4′ x 8′ 3/4″ plywood sheet
• 1 – 4′ x 4′ 1/2″ plywood sheet
• 1 – 4′ x 4′ sheet of 1/8″ hardboard
• 2 – 1 x 2 @ 8′
• 1 – 1 x 4 @ 6′
• 3/4″ plywood edge tape
• Sliding barn door hardware
• Wood glue
• Wood filler

Tools Needed

• Table saw or track saw
• Miter saw
• Kreg jig
• Drill / driver combo
• Finish nailer (or hammer)
• Quick-grip clamps
• Sander and sandpaper
• Tape measure
• Square

Step 1: Cut your side panels

Let’s start building this sliding barn door nightstand by cutting the side panels. You are going to need to cut two of these from 3/4″ plywood at 27 1/4″ x 16 1/2″.

Once you’ve cut the panels, go ahead and add five pocket holes across the top edge of each.

Step 2: Cut and install the shelf and floor

The floor and the shelf are the next two pieces you will need to cut. Note that these are both 27″ wide, but their depths are slightly different. The shelf should be 15 5/8″ deep, while the floor is 16 3/8″ deep.

Drill five pocket holes in the ends of each of these pieces. Stand the two sides on their front edge and attach the floor piece using wood glue and pocket hole screws. The bottom of the floor piece should be 2 3/4″ up from the bottom edge of each side, and the front should be flush with the front of the sides.

Install the shelf in the same manner, but use a scrap piece of 1×2 as a spacer between the shelf and your work surface so that the shelf is inset 3/4″ from the front edges of the sides.

Step 3: Add the back stretcher

The back stretcher for this sliding barn door nightstand is cut from a 1×2 at 27″ in length. Use two pocket hole screws and wood glue on each end to attach it. Remember to leave it inset at least 1/8″ of from the back edge to leave room for the backer which we’ll add later.

Note: this is also a good time to ensure your nightstand is square. Measure diagonally from corner to corner, and then do the same for the opposite two corners. If these numbers match, your unit is square.

Step 4: Trim the shelf front

Now it’s time to add a little finish trim to your shelf. Cut another 27″ piece of 1×2, and then rip it down to 3/4″ wide on your table saw. This should now fit perfectly on the front of your shelf to hide the plywood edge. Use wood glue and finish nails to secure it.

Alternatively, you could just use plywood edge banding to cover the unfinished plywood edge.

Step 5: Build and install the face frame

The face frame consists of two 20 1/4″ long stiles cut from 1x2s, and two 28 1/2″ long rails cut from 1x4s. Use two pocket screws on each end of both stiles and wood glue to attach to the rails. As you tighten down your screws, continue to check for square to ensure it will fit correctly on the cabinet you’ve built.

Once the face frame is finished, use wood glue and finish nails to attach it to the cabinet. You’ll need to come back and fill the nail holes with wood filler later.

Step 6: Cut and add the top

The top of your new sliding barn door night stand is made out of a 30″ x 18″ sheet of 3/4″ plywood. Use wood glue, and the pocket holes you previously drilled into the top edge of your side pieces to secure this into place. The back edge should be flush with the back edges of the plywood sides, leaving a uniform overhang on the front and sides.

Use the plywood edge banding tape to hide the unfinished edges.

Step 7: Add the back

Now it’s time to add the back to your sliding barn door nightstand. This is a sheet of 1/8″ hardboard cut to 27″ x 27 1/4″, attached using wood glue and finish nails (or staples).

Step 8: Add some trim

To make this piece look a little more finished, we’re going to add some trim to the bottom using more 1x2s. These have simple 45° miters in the corners and are attached using wood glue and finish nails.

Step 9: Build and hang the door

We use our standard sliding barn door design for these nightstand plans. Start with a 14 x 21 1/4″ piece of 1/2″ plywood. Cut two strips at 21 1/4 x 1 1/2″ for the stiles, add 11 x 1 1/2″ for the rails. Then fill in the X with three more strips ripped down to 1 1/2″ wide. Use wood glue and finish nails to attach all of the pieces.

Now that you have all of your construction completed, it’s time to sand and paint or stain the unit. Then the final step is to attach your sliding barn door hardware to the door and the nightstand.

We hope you found these plans useful, and if you did we’d love to see some pictures of your finished project. Use our Submit Your Build page to send us some pictures so you can show off your new nightstand to all of our readers.

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