plans for hidden compartments in furniture

In frame and panel construction the vertical pieces of the frame are called stiles and the horizontal pieces are the known as rails.

The finished sides were then screwed to the top using pocket holes/screws. Note: The photo of the groove was taken after I had stained the table. This is to hold part of the secret drawer locking mechanism that I will explain in more detail later in this instructable. The groove (a dado cut the same direction as the grain of the wood) was set back about 4 inches from the front and extends down about 12 inches from the top. I also cut a 1 1/2 inch wide by 1/4 inch deep vertical groove on the inside of the 3/4 inch plywood using my router. I mitered all of the corners and tacked them in place with a pin nailer. To give the sides a little more detail I added a small moulding to the inside of the frame. I also glued/tacked a 15 inch long 1/4 x 2 piece of oak on the 1 x 3 at the top to match the width of the legs and to give a shadow line near the top. I added a 15 inch long oak 1 x 3 (actual size 3/4 inch x 2 1/2 inch) at the top and a 15 inch long oak 1 x 2 at the bottom of the plywood to fit between the 28 inch 1 x 2s. This allows for a 3 inch leg at the bottom of the table. The sides are built by attaching 1 x 2 x 28 inch oak to the sides of a 15 inch x 25 inch piece of 3/4 inch oak plywood using the Kreg jig. I used my miter saw for all of the cuts on the dimensional hardwood and my circular saw for the cuts on the plywood. In addition, I used the tool that got me started on woodworking the Kreg Jig. The tools I used for this project were: miter saw, circular saw, router, air nailer, electric drill, miscellaneous clamps, screws and glue. The dimensions for the bedside tables are 28 inches tall x 22 inches wide x 18 inches deep and were copied from the inspiration of this project the Mason Bedside Table from Potterybarn. Both pieces are identical, but only one has the hidden drawer. I built these nightstands using solid oak dimensional lumber as well as 3/4 inch oak veneer plywood. I decided to surprise them both by building in a locking hidden drawer. His only request was if I could add a lock on one of the nightstands to secure a firearm and other valuables. She provided me with the basic design, size and finish.

I built these matching nightstands for a friend and his wife. This is my first attempt at combining both. I also enjoy designing and building my own furniture.

Plans for hidden compartments in furniture