5 looks for a bedside table



Transform an unfinished nightstand into a custom table for your bedroom.

Most pine furniture shops offer you the option of raw, unfinished pine furniture that is more affordable than furniture that has been sealed or varnished. This unfinished nightstand has tons of potential and just needs a little creativity to transform it into a decorative piece for your bedroom.

Cottage inspired Chic

Here's how:
1. Paint the base of the cabinet with Acrylic PVA; let dry. For a playful two-tone look, cover the top in a slightly brighter shade of the same colour and for contrast paint the trim white.

2. After sketching a pattern you like, cut trim to size. Attach the painted pieces using wood glue. If desired, add small panel pins to hold the pieces in place.

3. Finish off the top with 2 to 3 coats of gloss polyurethane varnish and apply 1 coat of varnish to the rest of the piece.

Modernist Chic

Here's how:
1. Paint the entire nightstand a colour that matches your décor.

2. Cut a piece of soft board to fit snugly inside the door panel. Cut strips of ribbon to run horizontally (enough to cover the height of the panel when placed side by side), allowing an extra 5cm on each strip for wrapping around to the back of the board. Repeat for vertical strips from another colour ribbon.

3. On the back of the board, tape vertical ribbons in place on top and horizontal ribbons on one side, and then fold ribbons over the top or side. Weave a horizontal ribbon across the vertical ribbons and tape the finished end in place on the back of the board. Repeat for remaining ribbons. Pop the finished panel into place.

4. Corral your stuff with large handles on three sides of the nightstand to keep papers, books, and other items from falling off the sides.

Rustic Redo

1. Use Woodoc Gel Stain to colour the bedside table. Finish off with 3 coats of Woodoc 5 Polywax Sealer.

2. Cut bamboo place mats to fit the top. Attach them with a strong glue such as No More Nails.

3. Use grout to fill in between the bamboo pieces. Wipe away excess grout with a damp cloth.

4. Apply a thinly spread layer of PVA glue to the door panel and cut a piece of wrapping paper, wallpaper or fabric to fit into the panel.





Mat Tops
Bamboo place mats cover the top of a table in an inexpensive alternative to tile. The application also works with beaded or tiled place mats.



better homes and gardens magazine