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
Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.
Angela
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.
gail@myrepurposedlife.com
Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave a comment on my nightstand. I am still using it and loving the look. 🙂
gail
Kelsey
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!!!
junkermidge
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
Sarah @ Hennessey House
so creative with the flooring!! it turned out spectacular. gotta be honest, it was in bad shape to begin with so i had my doubts that it could be brought back to life!
Michela
It looks fabulous! I love the distressing and the cute little drawer pull. Absolute perfection!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
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!
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper
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!
luluvillage
It gives me hope that no matter what's at hand it can be made better, thanks so much for sharing!
Tomingo
Great Idea its amazing what a little paint can do. Thanks for sharing
Debilou~Mississippi Mama
Hey, Gail
I think it looks great and i like the idea of using spackling for that one part.. I think it would look good glazed too.
Claudia
This looks fantastic!
Allison
I like it, although I think I would have make the shelf where the bottom drawer is.
Leah
I think you did a wonderful job. I am amazed at some of the things you do.
Kara@ Creations by Kara
I knew you could do it! It turned out just gorgeous!!!
Suzanne
I don't think I would have done anything differently. Really~it looks so good!
Angie @ The Country Chic Cottage
Girl you are too critical! I think it looks great! You can send it my way if you really don't like it! 😉
Diann @ The Thrifty Groove
Great redo! I love the use of the flooring! Gave me some great inspiration.
I can so relate to the fan in the bedroom. Mine is never turned off! LOL
AUDRA
I just love repurposing! Great job!
http://simpsonizedcraftsandthensome.blogspot.com/2010/05/socialize-with-me-monday-til-sunday.html
Always Nesting
Befores and Afters are simply amazing. I think it's perfect.
Anita
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
Mardell
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)
Pam
great job. Looks fantastic
Proper Prim
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
Coleen's Corner
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.
Jen T
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!
Rose
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
Granny J
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.
michelle b @ every little thing
gail, the fact that you have a fan in your bedroom and no less on your nightstand, tells me that we're like, bff's based on that! haha! (me too) i love what you did...the tongue and groove turned out lovely!!