Upcycled Pallet Wood Nightstand – a Simple DIY Project

I usually don’t focus on making any furniture, but this time I wanted to try something different. I found some discarded pallet wood and decided to experiment by turning it into a functional and stylish nightstand. What made this project even more special was that it was a gift for my girlfriend—she had just moved into a new house and didn’t have any furniture, so I loved the idea of making her something useful and personal.

But I didn’t want it to be just any nightstand. I wanted to add a unique touch, so I designed it with an integrated steampunk-style lamp made from brass pipes and a vintage-style bulb. To make it even more practical, I incorporated hidden power outlets into the design, allowing devices to be charged discreetly while keeping cables out of sight.

This project was a great way to upcycle materials while testing new woodworking techniques. The goal was to create something practical, using only basic tools and keeping the design simple yet aesthetically pleasing.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the process of transforming reclaimed pallet wood into a unique and functional nightstand. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced maker, this project is a fun and rewarding way to give new life to old wood—while adding some cool, unexpected features.

Let’s get started!

For this project, I used simple materials and tools, many of which you might already have in your workshop.

Materials:

1. Reclaimed pallet wood (mostly pine)
2. Screws
3. Wood glue
4. Sandpaper (80, 120, and 180 grit)
5. Walnut-colored wood stain
6. Clear varnish or sealant (optional)

Tools:

1. Saw (I used circular saw)
2. Drill and drill bits
3. Router (for shaping edges)
4. Bench plane (for smoothing and leveling)
5. Sander (or sanding block)
6. Clamps (helpful for gluing and assembling)
7. Measuring tape and pencil
8. Screwdriver
9. Fusion 360 for design

Pallet wood is often used for transporting construction materials and other heavy loads. It’s a great source of free wood, but since it’s been exposed to the elements, it can often be in rough shape. I found mine on the street, and before I could start building, I had to clean it up and make it usable.

The first step was to break the pallet apart and separate the individual slats. I removed all the nails carefully and sorted the pieces to see which ones were still in good condition. Some boards were too damaged to use, but others just needed a little work.

To get smooth and even surfaces, I ran the usable pieces through a bench planer. This step helps remove rough spots, dirt, and inconsistencies in thickness. You can use either an electric planer or a hand plane, but using a manual one is only recommended if you have a lot of patience… or if you're really bored!

Once the wood was cleaned and planed, it was ready for the next steps.

Before cutting any wood, I first determined the size I wanted for the nightstand. The final dimensions were 50 cm high, 40 cm wide, and 30 cm deep. Since I would be adding side panels made from the same reclaimed pallet wood, I had to factor in the thickness of the wood to ensure everything fit together properly.

Instead of pre-fitting everything before assembly, I went straight into screwing the pieces together. I started by building the base frame, making sure it was sturdy. To reinforce the structure, I used angled 45-degree joints, as shown in the images, securing them with screws. This method helped create a strong and stable foundation for the nightstand.

I used clamps to hold everything in place while drilling and driving in the screws. This ensured that all the pieces stayed aligned and the joints were as tight as possible. The combination of wood glue and screws provided extra strength, making sure the base would hold up well over time.

Once the base was securely assembled, it was time to move on to the next step—building the sides and overall structure.

Since I don’t have the most precise tools, I knew I needed to create straight reference edges to ensure everything aligned properly. This was especially important for keeping the structure square and stable.

I started by adding a vertical support frame on the back of the nightstand, extending from the base upwards. This gave me a solid foundation to attach the first two wooden boards that would form the back panel. These boards helped define the shape of the nightstand and ensured that the sides would be straight.

To further reinforce the structure, I added two wooden slats at a 90-degree angle inside the frame. These slats were placed halfway up the new back structure, providing additional strength. But they also served another purpose—they would support an interior shelf, perfect for storing books or other small items.

With this reinforcement in place, the nightstand was now taking shape. The next step would be adding the remaining panels and preparing the space for the future drawer at the bottom.

With the back structure in place, the next step was to attach the remaining side panels to the frame. I carefully cut each piece to the correct size and screwed them into place, making sure everything was well-aligned.

At this point, the nightstand was taking shape, so I moved on to the tabletop. Since pallet wood comes in narrow planks, I needed to join multiple pieces together. I selected three boards of pallet wood, applied wood glue, and clamped them tightly until they dried, creating a solid and sturdy surface. Once the glue was completely dry, I screwed the tabletop onto the main structure, securing it firmly in place.

At this stage, the nightstand looked like a rough cube with plenty of imperfections. To refine the shape and correct some uneven edges, I used a router with a flush trim bit. This bit, which has a bearing, allows you to copy a reference edge onto another board, ensuring perfectly aligned surfaces.

For a more visually appealing look, I added a false thickness to the front edge of the tabletop. This small design trick made the nightstand appear more substantial and gave it a more polished and professional look.

With the main structure assembled, it was time to move on to the finishing touches.

With the main structure complete, I moved on to the back panel. Instead of permanently attaching it to the nightstand, I decided to make it removable. This way, if I ever needed to access the inside for repairs or modifications in the future, I could easily remove it. I cut the panel to size and secured it with simple screws, allowing for easy removal whenever needed.

Next, I finalized the drawer. I used the last remaining wood scraps to complete the front face of the drawer, giving it a rustic and cohesive look. Once everything was assembled, I ensured it fit well inside the nightstand, making the necessary adjustments for smooth operation.

To give the nightstand its final shape, I used a router to round over all the edges, including those on the drawer front. This step softened the overall look of the piece, making it feel smoother and more polished while also improving its durability. The rounded edges not only made the nightstand more visually appealing but also more comfortable to use, preventing sharp edges from chipping or causing accidental bumps.

At this point, the nightstand was fully assembled, and the next step would be sanding, finishing, and applying the final touches to enhance its appearance.

I wanted to add a unique touch to the nightstand, so I decided to integrate a steampunk-style lamp into the design. I had some leftover brass pipes and a vintage-style light socket that fit perfectly with the aesthetic I was going for.

To assemble the lamp, I used a blowtorch and solder to join the brass pipes together. Initially, I planned to run the electrical wire inside the pipes, but I quickly realized that passing it through the elbow joints was too difficult. To solve this, I used T-junction fittings, which allowed me to pull the wire through in sections, making the process much easier.

Once the lamp structure was complete, I drilled a few final holes in the tabletop to securely mount it in place. To give the installation a clean and polished look, I 3D-printed custom covers—one for the light switch and another for the lamp’s connection to the nightstand. These small details helped blend the lamp seamlessly into the design while maintaining a professional finish.

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To make the nightstand even more functional, I decided to integrate a hidden compartment where I could conceal power outlets and keep cables out of sight. This would allow me to charge devices without visible clutter and turn off the chargers when they weren’t in use.

I repurposed power outlets from old appliances and designed a false bottom inside the nightstand to hide them. To securely mount the outlets, I 3D-printed custom covers and brackets, ensuring a clean and professional fit. I then cut precise holes in the false bottom, shaped to match the outlets, allowing them to sit flush with the surface.

To control power usage, I also installed a switch, giving me the option to turn off the outlets when they weren’t needed. This small addition not only improved the nightstand’s functionality but also helped with energy efficiency by preventing chargers from drawing power when not in use.

With this hidden power system in place, the nightstand now combined aesthetic appeal with practical features, making it even more useful for everyday use.

With all the structural work completed, it was time for the finishing touches. I started by sanding the entire nightstand thoroughly, using progressively finer sandpaper to smooth out any rough areas and imperfections. This step was crucial to ensure a clean and professional-looking finish.

Once the surface was properly prepared, I applied a walnut-colored wood stain to enhance the natural grain and give the nightstand a warm, rich look. The stain not only improved the appearance but also provided a protective layer to help the wood last longer. After allowing the stain to dry, I sealed everything with a clear varnish, adding durability and a subtle sheen.

To give the wood an even smoother finish and a natural feel, I applied a coat of beeswax. This final touch enriched the color, added a soft glow, and provided extra protection while maintaining a pleasant, slightly matte texture.

Finally, I assembled all the components, securing the drawer, the hidden power outlets, and the steampunk-style lamp in place. With everything put together, the nightstand was not only functional but also had a unique and personal touch.

I’m really happy with how it turned out, and even better—my girlfriend loved it! Seeing her reaction made all the effort completely worth it.

This was a project that I truly enjoyed making. Not only was it a fun challenge, but I also learned a lot throughout the process. From working with reclaimed pallet wood to designing custom parts, every step pushed me to refine my woodworking and problem-solving skills.

To plan and design the custom pieces, I used Fusion 360, which helped me visualize and create the 3D-printed elements needed for the outlets and switch. While some parts of this build—like the steampunk-style lamp and the hidden power outlets—might not be easy to replicate, I wanted to document the entire process exactly as I followed it.

One of the things I appreciated most about this project was how functional and practical the nightstand became. A typical bedside table often ends up cluttered—with a separate lamp that takes up space, chargers tangled behind the furniture, and not enough accessible outlets. If you don’t have a nearby socket, plugging in devices can be inconvenient, forcing you to stretch cables across the room. On top of that, all those loose cords behind the table can look messy and unorganized.

By integrating a built-in lamp, I eliminated the need for an external light, freeing up space on the surface while keeping everything neatly in place. The hidden power outlets provide an easy and discreet way to charge devices without visible clutter. And with a dedicated switch, chargers can be turned off when not in use, making the setup both convenient and efficient.

In this Instructables, I’ve shared all the steps I took to transform discarded wood into a practical and personal piece of furniture. Whether you want to follow the process exactly or adapt it to your own style, I hope this guide inspires you to create something unique with your own hands.

Thanks for reading! 😊