When the time comes for new nightstands, it seems almost impossible to find attractive ones in pairs, especially while thrifting. This inexpensive solution takes care of things by using a desk instead, with a few modifications of course. Want to see what this desk looks like today?
There are some projects you just have to have a vision for and this one from Sugar Bee Crafts is one of them. Would you walk into a thrift store, check out an old desk and see night stands? Well that's exactly what happened here.
The old desk was purchased for $10 and was cut into pieces. A new edge was routed along one side and each piece was painted bright yellow. It's a great solution at a fraction of a price and eliminates the headache of finding two identical pieces at a price you can afford.
Check out more details on how this project came to live over at Sugar Bee Crafts.
Image: Sugar Bee Crafts

Commercial Flour Sa...
I love this project and I actually have a desk I could use for it already!! Now..I just need to find someone with the right power tools and space to do the hard part for me!
Love it! I've seen those desks on CL for dirt cheap and thought about doing the same thing. But, now I'm waiting for all the antiques roadshow people to come here and freak out about destroying a precious antique. ;)
On a side note, I'm in love with that wallpaper. Nice fresh spin on the Imperial Trellis.
Dang, that's clever. I like how skinny they are but still with lots of storage.
badass!
Awesome. I have an extra desk sitting here right in the middle of my living room, an old wooden one that I don't know what to do with. NOW I KNOW. Thanks for this GREAT post.
Great IDEA! I have noticed most nightstands come in a standard size that is way too large for the limited amount of space I have available. I can now see way to get smaller ones that are going to fit and probably better made.
Fabulous, and the citron green with the navy and white = WINNING!
Bitchin'! AND, as an added bonus, I saw recently on Pinterest an orphaned drawer upcycled into a cute side table (in this case, for the bathroom) - so there's what to do with that middle drawer that gets cut off.
And to think I gave away a desk similar to this one just a couple of months ago. Dang! I love the vision some folks have. You're right, dontoearth, these have a nice small footprint but still offer loads of storage space. malisams, love the drawer table you shared!
Such a great idea, and so well done. Thrifting/upcycling at its best!
Brilliant! I love it. Great vision.
The transformation is amazing. The bilious yellow is not.
I like the small footprint too. Very nicely done.
Oh heavenly wallpaper!
It's not wallpaper, it's a stencil :)
Yup, I'm one of those anti-wood-painters, but as long as you're hacking up the desk you might as well paint it, and I love how it matches the Amy Butler throw pillow!
Hi petro,
Tyde is correct , the wallpaper is a Royal Design Studios Stencil -
Large Chez Sheik.
Very cool! Love the entire room actually. :)
friggin amazing!
Wow, this is the kind of super smart, but also staring-you-in-the-face kind of idea that makes you wonder why you never thought of it yourself. Bravo, really cool!
Very creative!
This is such a good idea! I've been shopping for an MCM bedroom set, and almost every one only comes with 1 nightstand. It's very frustrating to pass on a fabulous set because you know you'll never come across another nightstand to match. I will be keeping this in mind the next time I find a contender!
My parents did this when I was a kid, a LOOOONG time ago. Then reassembled them into a desk when I needed one in high school! Funny!
Another place to look for night stands already made are hotel/motel liquidators, if you have access. There's a guy around here who does that, and he frequently gets them in. (I got two nice shaker style night stands from him a couple of years ago. I think they were maybe $30 each or less.) He also usually has the kinds of guest suite desk/chair/lamp sets hotels often make available ... in multiples!
They do look good but bedside tables that have such a small surface are plain frustrating!
A recent AT post featured the same clever alteration using a vanity.