How to Build Night Stands Attached to a Wall

Cut two pieces of 3/4-inch plywood 26 inches long and 15 inches deep with a skill saw. Cut four more pieces of wood into 26-by-6-inch-wide sections.

Sand the wood. Stain each piece with a water-based stain for quick drying. Choose a color that enriches the surrounding decor. Allow the first coat of stain to dry for at least two hours before applying the second coat. Let the second coat dry for four hours before applying a layer of varnish with a clean paintbrush. Allow the varnish to dry overnight before you work further with the wood.

Center 6-inch tin backsplash tiles on top of each section of wood. Mark the placement of the tiles lightly in pencil. Apply construction adhesive to the wood and press the tiles in place firmly. Put each finished piece aside for one hour while the adhesive sets.

Screw locking drop leaf supports along the bottom edge of each piece of wood that will attach to the wall with 1/2-inch screws. The drop leaf supports differ from traditional drop leaf hinges in that they lock in place.

Mark the placement of each section of your nightstand shelves on the wall in pencil. The smaller boards, two placed on each side of the bed, will act as your lower nightstand shelves. Place the first marking 7 inches from the floor on either side of your bed. Mark the second one 13 inches from the floor. Place the final mark 29 inches from the floor. When the shelves are folded down, there will be 1/4 inch of space between each shelf and 1/4 inch between the bottom shelf and the floor.

Screw the supports into the wall using 1 1/2-inch screws. The lower shelves can be used to hold small non-essentials, while the top shelves are available to hold your alarm clock, wallet and reading lamp. When not in use, the nightstands fold down, posing as artwork for your room with the tin overlay and shiny varnish.