This vertical storage option using repurposed nightstands is the perfect solution to have a good amount of storage without the large footprint.
You know I rarely keep my project pieces—that’s because my house is small and I just don’t have room for anything else.
Too Much Cord Clutter
You should probably PIN THIS idea so you can find it again.
This situation has gotten worse and it’s been driving me crazy! Ya see, I don’t have an office—I do all my blogging right here in this little corner of my living room. I really have made good use of these two IKEA tables that I painted, but it’s time for a change.
Ahhhh, much better, don’t you think? Do you think I just picked up a small chest and painted it? Ohhhh no! You know me better than that!
Related Content: Repurposed Desk into Lingerie Cabinet
Matching Nightstands Transformation
Do you remember these two nightstands I picked up last month? If you’ve been around for awhile, you know I love to stack furniture—it gives great vertical storage with a smaller footprint for tight spaces.
Disassemble repurposed nightstands
The first thing I did was remove the bottom trim on the front of one of the nightstands.
Cut nightstand bottom with circular saw
Then, the best part! Because I didn't want it to look like two stacked nightstands, I had to trim the lower one. Out comes the circular saw and I start cutting the nightstand to make it shorter. This little Ryobi saw makes quick and easy work of this kind of job.
Design vertical storage with repurposed nightstands
I was so anxious to stack them to see how tall it would be, and what I would need to do next. So I decided to remove the moldings, replace the bottom trim, change out the hardware, and do something with with the top of the bottom nightstand.
I removed the molding and the top of the bottom nightstand. I really don’t want to deal with the seam on the side…
Now it’s looking better. I have removed the molding on the top nightstand in addition to adding a piece of base molding for the bottom front. I decided to keep the top of the bottom nightstand, but trimmed it down on the table saw so it doesn’t protrude so much.
Easy vertical storage
It’s so difficult to see beyond that yellow paint! I couldn’t wait to get some paint on it.
DIY Chalk Paint as a Primer
I mixed up some of my favorite DIY black chalk paint, and did a couple of quick coats on the repurposed nightstands.
Chalk Paint Primer needs Wax
I sealed the DIY chalk paint with Country Chic Wax. I waxed the chest, but not the drawer fronts because I had a plan for them after finding a great inspiration piece.
New vertical storage solution
brrrr the weather turned cold, so I had to bring it inside. Since it was inside, I filled the holes, sanded, filled them again, and repainted. Still haven’t waxed the drawers.
I guess it’s time to show you that vertical storage inspiration piece. It’s from Pottery Barn. You’ll notice my piece has four drawers….time to address that!
Make Faux Drawers
To mimic the inspiration piece, I would have to make faux drawers for my repurposed nightstands. I braved the cold and ripped some thin plywood pieces.
Then I cut them to size on the miter saw.
I painted the pieces and tinkered with some hardware choices. Bronze or Silver?
I glued the faux drawer fronts on with Gorilla Wood Glue.
I used my hem guide to get uniform spacing all the way around, and assuring all drawers matched.
Hardware Jig for Pulls
I did some painting touch-ups and then waxed the drawer fronts. This Rockler Deluxe Drawer Pull Jig 
is really helpful to drill your holes uniformly when installing hardware.
One more look at the before and after of the mess and the former nightstands.
It was nearly impossible to get good “after” pictures of this piece. It reminds me why I generally take my after shots outdoors. The silver pulls are from my friends at D. Lawless Hardware.
Breakdown of my cost:
-
- Nightstands $17
- Paint: no cost, I had it on hand
- Thin plywood: no cost, I used scraps
- Cup Pulls: 7 @ 1.85 = $12.95
- New surge protector: $20
- Easy Liner Midnight Bloom
$5.50
Total cost for this project $55.45
Getting rid of all that mess—PRICELESS!
I lined the drawers with Easy Liner Midnight Bloom
.
I still only have one surge protector with only one white cord that is fished out over the back of the drawer, under the back of the cabinet, and taped with white tape to the white baseboard, virtually unseen.
The back of this cabinet doesn't meet the floor, so it was an easy task with no need to drill any holes in the drawer or the handy board on the back of the cabinet.
If you look closely you can see ONE surge protector cord running along the baseboard (to the left of the cabinet). What do you think of my new vertical storage solution? Do you have a similar cord clutter problem?
gail
Sharing here:
girlfromwva
awesome, functional and beautiful! love vertical storage.
Meari
This is a great project, Gail. It gives me ideas... 🙂
Kristie schubert
I'm just amazed at your power tool skills. I had to ask my husband, "What is a Ryobi saw?"
Gail Wilson
Thank you Kristie! I'm mostly self taught. I do watch others use tools whenever I get a chance. I do love what I do!
gail
Jennie
I love it. what a great idea.
Jerri M
Brilliant solution!!! great tutorial as well! Thanks for the inspiration!
Bridget
This is really great. I have been hunting for options to DIY a charging area to hide the spaghetti. Will you add some pictures at some point so that we can see the detail of the drawer fronts and also inside how you did the cords? Love your blog!
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave a nice comment! 🙂
The easy liner midnight bloom collage shows how I did the cords (surge protector). It is up against the back of the drawer, with the surge protector cord going over the back of the drawer and out the back of the unit. I didn't have to cut any holes because there was room for the cord to go under the backer board.
The best thing is, I turn off the surge protector when it's not charging anything.
You can see the drawer fronts up close in the picture where I show the jig for installing the knobs.
good luck with whatever you decide to do. I still LOVE my solution so much!
gail
Holly
I love the way this turned out! You did an amazing job!
Kim Fahrni
How did you attach the two nightstands together? Thanks
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Great question Kim
No kids in the house, and this is very sturdy, so I haven't attached the two yet. I have done this type of project with a desk, you can see the tutorial here: https://www.myrepurposedlife.com/2011/12/desk-repurposed-into-chest.html
On that one I used a Kreg Jig pocket hole system, and added plywood down the back to strengthen the joint as well.
gail
Stephanie@cre8tive
What a good idea Gail! I hate cord clutter. It turned out so perfect for that corner office lol
Pam
Beautiful! As always, you amazes me.
Mindi
Such an amazing way to clear the cord clutter! I have a messy cord area.... I am LOVING the way you put the cabinets together, you are so brilliant! And I too love the faux drawers, such a cool trick I need to try someday! Awesome project Gail!
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking
What an improvement over those two yellow cabinets! I like how you stacked them, great space saving.
Patricia
I was just talking with my daughter about cord clutter and the blue ray player!
she has a bare spot next to the fireplace-- the TV is over the mantel (no place else for it) anyway...this little set up would be awesome! chargers hidden and out of the way... and the blue ray could sit on top, and be neatly disquised!
I'm sending her a link right now!
Good job Gail- and stylish too!
I love the "extra drawer-look" too!
Taylor @ Porch
Only you would think of cutting the drawers like that! Such a great post, our minds are blown over here in the Porch office. Thanks, Gail 🙂
-Taylor
Bliss
That's great that you were able to contain that cord clutter, but my wheels are spinning with the way you divided your drawers. Pretty smart cookie.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
I love doing these faux drawer type projects. I have done it several different ways--on the IKEA hack, I used my router. On a media center I used frames, and I used this technique on another project, but can't remember which one. 🙂 I love the way it changes up long drawers and fools the eye. 🙂
gail
Karen Propes
I love this idea, its a must for our home. Thanks for sharing.
ncjeepster@aol.com
Linda
It is nice to clear cluttered cords, but how did you do that exactly? The surge protector looks like it is in a drawer, so did you drill a hole somewhere to run the cord of the surge protector through?
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Linda,
Good question! I didn't highlight that part because it was so incredibly easy. The back of the cabinet doesn't go all the way to the floor. I simply fished the cord out of the bottom drawer, under the back and out the rear of the cabinet. No need to drill a hole on this one. 🙂
gail
Kathy from CT
Lovely....truly lovely.