From Drab to Fab: 27+ Upcycled Bedside Table Ideas

Want to give your bedroom an impressive makeover but don’t want to go into debt? Then check out these creative upcycled bedside table ideas instead of buying brand-new pieces. Upcycling old items allows you to create something new and beautiful from items that may otherwise be thrown in the trash!
In this collection of upcycled bedside table ideas, you will be inspired by the beautiful and creative ways people have repurposed old furniture to create stylish new pieces for their bedrooms. You’ll be able to put your creative skills and imagination to work, taking pride in the fact that you are reducing waste by recycling!
27+ Upcycled Bedside Table Ideas
Bar Stool turned Beside Table
These upcycled bedside tables are made from old bar stools. They are relatively small and narrow, so they are the perfect DIY furniture piece if you have a small bedroom!
Bar stools usually are easy to find at thrift stores or yard sales, so you're bound to find something you love. Best of all, you can paint it any color that you want so it will match almost any decor style!
Side Table Made From Pallet Wood
If you want inexpensive furniture, consider building your own with reclaimed pallet wood. Using pallet wood is one of the best ways to make furniture if you're on a major budget! This side table could be used in the living room beside your couch or in your bedroom next to the bed.
Side Table from Vintage Suitcase
A piece of furniture that has been repurposed from something else entirely often adds character to a home and is a great conversation starter! You can upcycle vintage suitcases into bedside tables and make them your own.
All you need to do is add hairpin legs to the bottom of the suitcase. I can't believe that Tamara found this suitcase at Goodwill for just $6. What a score, right?
Serving Tray turned into Bedside Table
Sometimes things found at the thrift store just need a little extra love! These upcycle side tables are made from thrift store finds that needed a pick-me-up.
Michelle found a luggage rack and a serving tray and combined them to make a table. Read more to check out this tutorial, which will show you how to transform a serving tray into a side table. This could be the perfect addition to your living room or bedroom.
Trunk Bedside Table inspired by Pottery Barn
These bedside tables are inspired by Pottery Barn tables that look like trunks. She made the wooden tables look like trunks by decoupaging fabric to the surfaces and then used leather handles from the hardware store.
It turned out great! What a pretty (and functional) nightstand that also brings a touch of rustic charm to your small bedroom!
Nightstand Makeover with Spray Paint
A few coats of spray paint can give new life to old pieces of furniture! This DIY tutorial shows you how to give your old nightstand an easy makeover using spray paint.
You can add a pop of vibrancy with a new color or go for a neutral look, as she did with white spray paint. Spray painting is an easy and budget-friendly, amazing way to transform a bedside table that needs new life.
Nightstand Refresh with Spray Paint and Wallpaper
Finding a good-looking nightstand for the side of the bed can be difficult. If you find one that is just the right size, but not the right color, you can give it a makeover with spray paint and removable wallpaper. Read more to learn how to transform a thrifted find into your new DIY nightstand.
Bedside Table made from Old Wine Box
Revamp an old wine crate into a bedside table with this tutorial. With just a few simple steps and the right tools and materials, you can transform an ordinary wine crate into a table for your bedside that will add charm and character to your bedroom.
Dollhouse Nightstand
How cute is this nightstand that looks like a dollhouse? This is such a great way to keep kids occupied or to bring out your inner child! Ashley made this whimsical, DIY dollhouse nightstand using an IKEA nightstand.
All you need to do is make the door for the front using plywood and then add the cute details of the windows and doors. Such a cute idea!
DIY Cane Nightstand from Side Table
Here is an easy DIY Cane Nightstand using a side table. This is a simple project that even novice crafters can tackle. All you need to do is buy a table from Target, some spray paint, and cane webbing for the top.
Repaint and Old Nightstand with Mineral Paint
Give your bedroom a makeover with this DIY nightstand. If you're looking for something to last through many years of use in a kid's room that changes frequently, consider upcycled furniture as an easy way instead of buying new pieces entirely.
Learn how to use Fusion mineral paint to revamp old furniture and give it new life. This nightstand definitely needed a makeover and it was so easy to repaint! For the top, she sanded off the old paint and then used a coffee stain to stain it naturally. Love the finished look!
Paint Thrifted Nightstands
Restoring old furniture is a sustainable way to furnish your home and a fantastic opportunity to unleash your creativity. This guide will walk you through every step of the way to transform a tired nightstand into a beautiful heirloom piece!
Steamer Trunk Nightstand
A vintage steamer trunk turned bedside table...yes, please! These trunks are excellent for storing things, and the amount of stuff you can fit in them is unbelievable. Make your own vintage steamer trunk nightstand now for your bedside to add tons of character to your bedroom.
Ladder Upcycled As A Bedside Table
Ladders are always being repurposed and used in homes as décor and I'm all for it. Ladders are a great way to store blankets, towels, or clothing, but have you ever thought about using one as a bedside table? This DIY farmhouse nightstand made from an old ladder is the perfect addition to any bedroom!
File Cabinet Makeover
Learn how to makeover an old metal file cabinet. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to organize your files, this DIY file cabinet makeover is perfect and could totally be used as a bedside table in a pinch. It will only take an afternoon and some basic supplies from the new hardware store.
Small Dresser Makeover with Numbered Drawers
A small dresser works great as a bedside table. This rustic number dresser nightstand is a great way to add some charm and character to your bedroom. They are great in small homes because you get some bonus storage in the drawers.
High Gloss Painted Bedside Tables
Gloss paint may be the best option if you want to paint a bedside table. The look of shiny gloss furniture is totally in right now. However, it can be tricky to work with high-shine paints. Getting an even first coat or second coat of paint isn't exactly straightforward either. If you're going to be using gloss paint, you've gotta check out these tips!
Bedside Table with Housetooth Pattern Top
If you want to do an upcycling project with old bedside tables with a retro look, you'll love this idea. She really wanted to incorporate a houndstooth pattern, so she stenciled small pieces of white wallpaper with a houndstooth stencil.
Then she put the wallpaper on the top of the old bedside table. Follow this guide with a full tutorial. You'll be shocked when you see the crazy before and afters!
Striped Nightstand
This striped nightstand tutorial shows how to make a black and white striped nightstand using parts of the SELJE Nightstand from Ikea. Learn how to get this look with electrical tape and spray paint.
Trash Can Nightstand
Turn a wire trash can and round table top into the perfect nightstand with this tutorial. This DIY nightstand is stylish and customizable with its simple design, making it both affordable and the great nightstand a perfect addition to a child's bedroom or guest room.
Besides being eco-friendly, it's also a great way to show off your crafty skills.
Painted Campaign Bedside Tables
Tasha was thrilled when she found this campaign-style bedside table with the iconic 90-degree angle brackets at the thrift store, but the wood was in pretty poor shape. So she decided to paint it with her paint sprayer!
First, paint the chest of drawers, including the inside, bottom, and top drawers with your paint sprayer. When that's done, you can put a good-sized lamp on top of it, and the campaign-style bedside tables will look perfect!
DIY Floating Nightstand Made from Traditional Nightstand
Transform your boring old traditional nightstand with drawers into a modern, floating table with this simple DIY project. This simple makeover will breathe new life back into your living space.
With just a few materials, you can make an old nightstand into a chic floating shelf design that suits any style.
White Painted Nightstand with Decoupaged Drawer Fronts
Follow this guide to learn how to paint a wooden nightstand white and then decoupage the drawer fronts. You can choose whatever paper or napkins you want for the front so you can opt for adding some fun patterns or different colors to your bedroom.
Wooden Crate Repurposed as Nightstand
Wooden crates are so popular that you can find them in many stores. But, did you know that you can upcycle a wooden crate to be used as a bedside table. Check out this post to see that idea along with a few other creative ways to repurpose a wooden crate.
Bar Cart used as Bedside Table
The bar cart has been a popular design for years and shows no signs of slowing down. They are so coveted because their versatility allows them to blend in with almost any décor with different styles. Have you ever thought about using a bar cart as your bedside table, like this? Such a genius idea!
Decoupaged Crate with Hairpin Lets
I love this idea of using a wooden crate turned on its side with some hairpin legs added to the bottom for a bedside table. She even added decoupaged patterns to the back for some extra character. Adding paper or patterned napkins to furniture with decoupage gives you a new way of looking at furniture refinishing.
Hanging Nightstand
A nightstand hanging from the ceiling may seem odd, but it makes much sense. Even Joanna Gaines did it in one of her remodels for Fixer Upper! Create a hanging nightstand for your bedroom with this simple step-by-step tutorial using painted wood and rope.
We hope these upcycled bedside table ideas have sparked your creativity and encouraged you to try something new. Upcycling a bedside table is easy for anyone, even if you have minimal DIY experience. Just click any of the ideas above to see the step-by-step guides to learn how to make them.
Which of these upcycled bedside table ideas was your favorite?
Let us know in the comments below.
Want to see more upcycling ideas?
- DIY Round Wall Planter (Thrift Shop Upcycle)
- Upcycled Entertainment Center into a Kitchen Pantry
- Colorful Upcycled Chair Bench For Your Backyard
- How to Upcycle Plastic Easter Eggs with Vintage Book Pages
- DIY Magazine Holder Makeover with Cane for Boho Look
- Boho Floral Line Art: Cheap and Easy Thrift Store Idea
- Easy DIY Boho Wall Decor with Thrift Store Frame and Watercolor
- DIY White Farmhouse Pitcher From Tacky Thrift Store Find
- How To Make A DIY Moss Bowl (Easy Spring Home Decor)
- How To Make A Print Look Like A Painting (Fake Oil Painting)
- DIY Christmas Village Makeover For Less Than $10
- 20 Easy DIY Dresser and Makeover Ideas
- 44+ Thrift Store Makeovers For Your Home
- How to Decorate a House With No Money