What can you do with an old nightstand? You can make a new and useful piece of furniture by adding components to it. What did I add? A window!
How to make a cabinet with an upcycled nightstand
I curbed this nightstand so many years ago. Maybe someone used it for a trash bin because there were hinges on the bottom front.
I posted this on my Facebook page while I was cleaning out the garage, and I asked if I should “keep” or “toss”. The consensus was KEEP, and there were so many great ideas of what to do with it.
Add shelf to upcycled nightstand
The very first thing I did was to give it a quick coat of primer to take away all the ugly, but I can’t find a picture before adding the shelf.
I took the measurements of the cabinet, and searched through my stash and found THIS window that would make the perfect door! So, after choosing this window, I then knew where to add the shelf (shown above).
Paint old nightstand
Off it goes to the paint booth. I took the easy road and used my HomeRight Finish Max.
Whenever I use my HomeRight Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer
, I always start by spraying the underneath side of my pieces. In this picture you can see I added a shelf to my upcycled nightstand using pocket hole screws.
This is the window after I brushed on some white DIY chalk paint primer—it’s ready for the Finish Max treatment.
Use paint sprayer to paint repurposed window
This is after the Finish Max. Don’t be mislead by overspray. The Finish Max has very little overspray, but I knew it would be easier to scrape the paint off if it were thicker. The paint is True Value’s Easy Care (Sugar Sweet) the same I used on the recent kitchen cabinet makeover.
Add hinges to window to make a nightstand cabinet door
I attached my hinges to the cabinet, then laid the cabinet on it’s side (raised up with some 2x4’s) to attach the hinges to the window. I must say this was the easiest time ever for me on installing hinges.
Secure reclaimed wood to back of window cabinet
I used some old fencing to enclose the back. If you look closely, you’ll see that the nails used from my nail gun, caused some splitting/chipping of the wood at the top. I ended up cutting a small piece of plywood, painting it, and using it to cover this mess. Worked fabulous!
I used a razor blade to scrape off the paint from the window. You can see that the layer of paint easily scraped (peeled) off the window.
Paint all gone!
Paint and secure handle to window
I have some handles I got at the restore that are sort of a golden bronze. Oil Rubbed Bronze spray paint gave it a quick update, making the upcycled nightstand cabinet look great!
I initially decided to add the rustic fence to help give some weight to the back so that opening the window/door wouldn’t allow it to tip over. However, that wasn’t an issue—the door worked fine without the added weight on the back, but I had already decided the rustic touch would look great. (don’t you agree Catherine?) My friend Catherine suggested I use some of my rustic fence in this way months ago. 
Now that I’ve shown you my latest project, I want to show you the tools I use when I use my Finish Max Fine Finish Sprayer to spray paint.
- Bowl/bucket for water
- Super Finish Max Extra
- Extra paint cup
- Paint stirrer
- Veggie scrub brush
- Cheap Chip Brush (for runs)
- Soup ladle for scooping out paint instead of pouring it.
- Mesh Paint Strainer (not shown)
- Respirator (not shown)
How to clean a paint sprayer
I use the bowl of water to dilute my latex paint, and to soak my brushes, etc. As soon as I finish painting, I add water to the extra paint cup to flow clean water through my Finish Max. Usually I store any leftover paint for touch ups in a small container with a lid. I use the veggie scrub brush to clean the Finish Max. (see below) The soup ladle is great for measuring the paint, and adding water to the paint cup for diluting. If my paint is old, I use the mesh paint strainer to make sure I don’t have any lumps in my paint. I always wear a respirator when I use my Finish Max in an enclosed area.
This veggie scrubber does a great job of getting the paint from the rim of the Finish Max. I think I should have used it on my fingers too!
Now, I want to show you my secret storage container—a kitty litter bucket!
Everything fits nice inside the bucket, which makes gathering all my supplies a piece of cake!
Because I’m lucky enough to have both the Command Max and a Finish Max, they each get their own bucket. This is how I have the extra paint cup mentioned earlier. I have them stacked on my new lumber work bench.
Check out some of my other HomeRight projects.
UPDATE: I sold this cabinet, check out how cute it is in use!
Upcycled Nightstand Window Cabinet
gail
Save it for later on Pinterest!
See more DIY Repurposed Window Ideas Here.
See more nightstand ideas here
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.
BTP
Totally charming. As for that ābeforeā headline, āHave you ever seen anything so ugly?ā When it comes to castaway furniture, not by a long shot.
Gail Wilson
hahaha thank you for checking it out! Seeing the after, doesn't mean much if you don't know what I started with! heheheh
I appreciate your time.
gail
Patricia McGuire
I love the completed piece!
Gail Wilson
I appreciate you taking the time to read about this upcycle, and I appreciate your comment more than you know!
gail
Rebecca
GORGEOUS
Gail Wilson
Thank you Rebecca!
I am thrilled with how it all came together.
gail
Becky Cassera
You are so incredibly talented! I always look forward to your emails, because you consistently think "outside the box."
Thank you for sharing.
Gail Wilson
I'm so happy you stopped by to check out this wonderful transformation Becky!
Thinking outside the box is my favorite pastime. š
gail
Brette
So cute. Iām going to keep my eye out for a winow like that.
Christina
That is so stinkin cute! I love how you used the window!
Gail Wilson
ohhh, your comment makes me happy! Thank you Christina!
gail
Elic
Beautiful! I could use something like this in my front room. I call it a front room instead of a living room since that would imply we might sometimes entertain guests in it, and we do that in the kitchen.
About using the litter buckets to store stuff. Up until a few years ago, okay, maybe 10 years ago, they didn't let us put litter buckets in the recycling. I ended up with a ton of empty litter buckets. Now that they allow them to be recycled, I will put my regular recycling in an empty litter bucket until it is full and then I take it outside to the city recycling bin. I can normally get 8 or 12 buckets in the bin. While I might not generate that much of the regular recycling,this way fewer of the small things escape and end up in the street. I can not tell you how many times I've had to go out and pick up recycling they just left in the middle of the street.
Patti
I want it!
Sandra Brown
You, my dear, are too fabulous for words! I love all of your projects! Excellent job šš»šš»š·
Gail Wilson
Thank you so much Sandra! You made my day!
gail
Robyn D Wright
I like it!!
Jennie
It's so cute. There are window mask so you don't have to scrap windows, but I put a little vasoline or crisco on them. Just a very, very thin layer, with a silicone bowl scraper from the kitchen. Paint and scrap it off with the same scraper. Takes me 2 minutes to put it on and about that long taking it off. I hate taping things off.
Gail Wilson
There's something I like about scraping layers of paint off windows (with the right scraper). The same with mirrors. š
I don't like taping either.
I use vaseline for hinges sometimes . . .
gail
Sandra Brown
This turned out beautiful! Great job šš»
delloraine
I found you on the 50 blogshop and have been enjoying not only the daily emails but binge reading your inspiring and imaginative projects! Thanks for creating
Gail Wilson
Thank you so much Delores! I appreciate you leaving such a sweet comment! š There are definitely a LOT of projects to keep you busy reading and perusing. š
I'm here if you ever need anything.
gail
Leslie Gill
Another awesome project Gail! I just love how creative you are with thinking outside the box.
ps: those kitty litter containers are great to repurpose, aren't they? I have building blocks for my
grandchildren in one, legos in another š
Karen Walker
This turned out absolutely darling! Another idea to add to my Project List! Thanks so much for sharing!
Lucia
Great Job!
I've linked it up to my blog š
Sarah
LOVE it. It looks beautiful!! What a great idea! I wish I had room to store furniture...
Laura Clark
Gail, what a cute idea! You are so creative. Thanks for using the HomeRight Finish Max Sprayer, we love partnering with you.
Laura
HomeRight
Salvage Sister
I just ADORE this. I even love the reuse of the Tidy Cat bucket! I want to make one now.
Jeanne
SWEET, what a great little cabinet from "nothing"!
Mindi
This is adorable and my very favorite part is the rustic fence wood you added to the back! You are so awesome Gail!! Pinned!
Karl Micheal
This project turned out really well. I agree with the others that the repurposed old fencing for the back is a great touch.
Pat
Okay! this little cupboard is cuter than all get out!
I love it. The rustic fence in the back...just makes it that much more charming.
your friend Catherine--has a keen eye!
Patricia
Adina Johnson
Absolutely love the transformation Gail!
Adina @ Simply Country Life
Shelia
You're just amazing! I would have just tossed it out and look what you did with it. I love how this little piece turned out. Thank you so much for your kindness to me and I appreciate it so very much.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia š
erin @house envy
What a little diamond in the rough! Very nice!
Hollie @ I'm Busy Procrastinating
Very cute. You are so great about putting disparate pieces together and making them look great! I also found it interesting that you choose to scrape the paint off windows rather than taping off. Have you found that to be quicker overall than taping, or do you just not enjoy taping? š
Martha Rice
May I ask why the door is on the opposite of what they normally are? Are you left handed?
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
š nope, not left handed. I'm not sure, it was just natural for me to put the handle on the right, because I'm right handed. hahahaha
gail
Doris Henson
That is cute!
Jessica @ Decor Adventures
Great project Gail and thanks for all the tips on the FinishMax. I just used mine for the first time the other week and now I want to paint everything!
Shelley T
Looks great! So glad you are "on the mend" š
Margaret
So pretty! The size is perfect for so many places in a home, too. If I lived near you, I'd snap that up!
Nadine
I have a pile of windows I need to do something with before the hubby makes them disappear...something like this would be perfect! Love this as I do all your projects.
Stephanie@cre8tive
Love it Gail. What a genius idea to add the window front. And I love the tip about the veggie brush. I need to get something like that for mine.
Chris Hunter
Beautiful job! Do you make your own Chalk paint? And then do you put anything over it for any kind of finish?
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Chris
I do make my own chalk paint. I sometimes use it as a primer then using the same paint without Plaster of Paris as a topcoat. I also use wipe on poly, and various furniture waxes as topcoats. http://bit.ly/chalkyPAINTprimer
Cheryl @ That's What Che Said...
I Love this Gail! It turned out so great and I also LOVE my Finish Max! I named him Finn š I also just want to say I am 100% jealous of the fact that you have a stash so awesome that you had the perfect window for this project...I clearly need a better stash š
Nancy
Looks fabulous. I love how the shelf is basically invisible behind the glass.
Ann Lavergne
Beautiful, simply beautiful. I love how you inspire me!
Judy
Wow this is just incredible, I love it! I would love to have a paint sprayer!
Julie @ follow your heart woodworking
I love the idea of using a window for a door, it looks great.
Korrie@RedHenHome
LOVE how this turned out! The fence boards on the back are perfect. How fabulous is it that you had a window just the right size for the door?
girlfromwva
looks great Gail!! ( I use kitty litter buckets for storing my car cleaning stuff and hand held gardening tools. the height of the bucket helps things fit right in!)
Pam
AWESOME job yet again...I love that. I need a workshop.....better yet, I think I need a body that will allow me to work in a workshop! lol ...Great job Gail.
Sylvia
The fence on the back is the best part. I'm surprised you haven't used the command max and/or the finish max to paint the cat litter buckets.
Holly
Looks great. I love the fence on the back.
Kalamity Kelli
Just gorgeous - as always! You always have the brightest ideas and i love it!
Terri
This turned out so cute! Love how you attached the window, completely changes the look!
I must have missed the orginal post about the "Finish Max"...what is the difference in that and the Command?
gail@myrepurposedlife.net
Terri,
Thank you Terri!
Currently the machines are the same, they just changed the name. There may be some new changes coming down the road. š
gail