I have a friend who really doesn’t love do-it-yourself stuff. As she stated, “I don’t really see the point. I’d really rather save my time and just BUY it!” While there’s something to be said for the ease of seeing something you want and making a purchase, I can’t help but feel she’s missing out on some major adventures and points of self-satisfaction by eschewing DIY altogether.

Of course, I can’t be too hard on her, because I come from the other extreme point of view. I’m a DIY nut. Take nightstands, for example. Sure, the market is full of these little pieces of furniture, but to find something that fits your style, space, color, and storage needs (and that is within budget) can often be super hard, if not impossible. DIY customization to the rescue! Here are five DIY nightstand ideas to get you started:

Idea #1: Paint a garden stool. Really, this could not be more simple to DIY…and the result couldn’t be more fantastic. Depending on the paint you choose (I’d recommend a glossy spray paint), this little stool-turned-nightstand provides tons of visual impact. Most garden stools have cutout detailing or some kind of textural pattern to them, which makes them a wonderfully aesthetic addition to a bedroom space.{found on Amy Lau}.

Idea #2: Cover a small round table with a tablecloth, and BAM! You’ve got yourself a nightstand. (This one has a cut-to-fit glass top, which is a good idea but certainly not necessary.) This idea is ridiculously easy – it’s hardly even a DIY – and functional, with lots of room on the top of the table to showcase beloved treasures. Bonus: You could (should?) even store unsightly items beneath the tablecloth, and no one would be the wiser.{found on centsationalgirl}.

Idea #3: Take an old table, paint it (love the fun color here), cut it in half, and install the two halves to the wall flanking your bed. Or you could cut it in half first and then paint each half a different color, kind of a “his” and “hers” take. Not only is this idea wildly whimsical and fun (and stylish!), it’s also a great way to recycle/repurpose an old table! Score one for the green earth.{found on hgtv}.

Idea #4: Take two wooden crates and stack them horizontally. Done. Well, kind of done. Of course, you might want to sand and stain the crates and secure them together so they don’t topple, but all of that is technically optional. I absolutely love the rustic minimalism of this nightstand and the visual impact of those horizontal slats. (I might try to search for a different alarm clock, if it were mine, but hey! Whatever works!). {found on craftybutt}.

Idea #5: Build a scrap nightstand out of an old ugly cabinet. This full tutorial is for the intermediate-level DIYer, but the end result is absolutely boast-worthy. I adore the use of reclaimed wood on the front of the nightstand and the sleeky-smooth surfaces everywhere else. But, really, it’s the legs that get me on this one. I’d build this thing just for those legs.{found on instructables}.