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Vintage Nightstand Makeover

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How to do a quick vintage nightstand makeover with paint and a few pieces of hardwood flooring!

Vintage Nightstand Makeover with Paint and Hardwood Flooring

Do you remember this? It was $7.00, $2.00 over my limit.

It had two drawers, the top drawer was missing.

Look at those lovely legs!

How to Deal with Bad Veneer

But, look at that ugly veneer peeling top.

Can you guess what this is?

It is tongue and groove flooring! I had to cut the tongue/groove off to get a smooth edge.

Add Hardwood Flooring as a top for the Vintage Nightstand

But I turned it upside down, it’s perfect for this vintage nightstand makeover!

I glued it and then I used my nail gun to fasten it down. I left the tongue on the front side for detail.

Patch Chippy Veneer

Now on to the ugly veneer on one of the drawers.

I patched it with spackling. (for drywall)  I think it’s easier to work with than wood filler. I use wood filler too, I guess it just depends on my mood.

Since the top drawer is missing, I will use the top as a shelf. I didn’t have to put a board there, it already had one. See the two little drawer “stops”? I pried them out and kept them with my hardware stash. I’m sure I’ll get a piece that is missing them.

This is what they look like.

Time to Paint

Since the top shelf is so deep, I opted for a skinny little roller to pretty up this vintage nightstand makeover.

I used primer.

After allowing the spackling to dry, I sanded it smooth.

Looks pretty good, don’t ya think? This vintage nightstand makeover is moving right along!

I used Glidden Crisp White Linen. (free quart from last fall)

After a couple of thin coats of paint.

I distressed it with an emery board, and was not pleased with how it was turning out. Deb @ Proper Prim commented/e-mailed me that she would give me some advice about distressing. She suggested using my palm sander. I felt like the palm sander was hard to control, but I continued with it. After I started this project, it seems like I remember doing it once before on another piece and not liking the way it turned out.

Add Hardware to Nightstand

I only have one knob (I got it from my swag bag when I went to the Shop & Hop in Indy)  I will buy another one, or find two that match. I’m not sure if I like how it turned out. I tend to be over critical. I may end up putting a glaze on it, but I’m not sure. This will be going in my bedroom when I redo it this summer. I want to match the headboard and the nightstand. I may not want to glaze the headboard. So, for now, this is what I have.

I have already put it in the bedroom, because I was in desperate need of a higher nightstand. (to set my fan on) Sometimes real life gets in the way of decor, doesn’t it?

Be honest! I’m a big girl, I can take criticism. Do you love the vintage nightstand makeover? What would you have done differently?

edited to add:  I am adding several pictures of this nightstand as it is in my new bedroom:

related content: See more Nightstand Projects

29 Comments

  1. I agree with Allison, I would’ve made the shelf on the bottom (but more because my job would’ve left more to be desired!) and I would probably choose a colored basket or use a lining. But it still looks AMAZING. So great to see it saved.

  2. Gail you rock!!! I recently came across a free nightstand missing a drawer and I brought it home wondering what the heck I’d do with it. Now I am inspired to turn it into a tv stand thanks to you!!!

  3. Hey, Gail. The nightstand turned out great — great save. I agree with Rose that using the flooring on top was a genius move. Not sure what you don’t like about it, but I have 2 main thoughts. First, the top shelf was a good idea, but in reality it kind of just looks like a spot with the drawer missing — maybe more wood or put in a basket(?). The other thing is the distressing. It looks a little too organized. Maybe doing in more random places, heavy wear spots here, light scratches there, partial edges, one corner, etc. Anyway, hope it’s okay I said that. I know when I ask for thoughts I really do want honest thoughts. And basically, we’re like the same person..so..I figured you could take it. On the flipside, I love the detail in the drawer fronts and the pulls will look great either matched or mismatched.
    Midge

  4. hi gail! i love it- love the tongue and groove boards you added to the top! as for distressing, i think it looks great. i almost always do my distressing by hand- i have an orbital sander and feel it can sometimes be hard to control and get everywhere you need. i only use it when i want to distress the HECK out of something!

  5. hi gail! i love it- love the tongue and groove boards you added to the top! as for distressing, i think it looks great. i almost always do my distressing by hand- i have an orbital sander and feel it can sometimes be hard to control and get everywhere you need. i only use it when i want to distress the HECK out of something!

  6. Love. It. Plain & simple! I wouldn’t change a thing! I am a basket person, however, and I can just see a pretty white distressed basket with a pretty liner matching the colors of the room in that shelf. *sighs*

    You truly inspire me!!!!

    Hugs & Blessings,
    (¯`v´¯)
    `*.¸.*´
    ¸.•´¸.•*¨) ¸.•*¨)
    (¸.•´ (¸.•´ .•´ ¸¸.•¨¯`♥Anita

    http://aseknc.blogspot.com/
    aseknc@gmail.com

  7. Hi Gail! :o)
    I love it & wouldn’t change a thing. I’m the same as you are tho…very critical of myself.

    You did a great job! :o)

  8. Wow, what a transformation. I would have passed that one up for sure, then I would be kicking myself.

    Gail it looks great honestly… you did a great job. Rose is right with the sandpaper, just use a fine paper, sorry I forgot to mention that. You amaze me with your saw skills, the top is perfect.

    If you think it is too much you can dry brush a bit of your white back over it. I think I would glaze around the detail on your drawer to highlight it and a bit around the top edge. If you don’t like it, you can always wash it off (before it dries).

    I am loving the look so far, can’t wait to see it with the other drawer in. I am sure it is going to look fabulous when you are finished with it.

    Hugs, Deb

  9. Drywall spackling. Hmmm. I never would have thought of that – great idea, thanks for the tip! I think the only thing I would do different is cut pieces of wood for the top and bottom shelf (or top two shelves and put the drawer in the bottom) for a smoother look.

  10. I think this looks great! The difference before and after the new top & paint is amazing. I just love to see these kind of transformations. You just need to tweak it to your liking. Good job!

  11. I like the distressing on it! The palm sander is definitely the way to go, just make sure not to use too rough of a grit and don’t go overboard! (bad habit I have)
    I can’t wait to see it with the other drawer in it too.
    And the t&g top is pure genius! Love that look. Like granny, even I might have passed that one up at the curb…you had great vision here.
    Rose

  12. Before discovering your blog on the net I’d have passed that one up on the curb. Now you have transformed it into a great looking nightstand. You’re making me a convert for painted furniture. I wouldn’t have done anything different. I like the amount of distressing and the height. Perfect for a fan or a lamp to read by.

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