How to Install Floating Nightstands

Nightstands that hover off the floor transform a cramped bedroom into a sleek, breathable space. By reclaiming the square footage underneath, you make the entire room feel larger and much easier to clean, but the beauty of a floating piece depends entirely on the integrity of the wall behind it. If you anchor into hollow drywall, you invite disaster; if you anchor into the structure, you create a permanent, sturdy piece of furniture. Success in this project hinges on precision with your stud finder and your level. Because there are no legs to hide a slight slope, even a quarter-inch deviation will be obvious against the line of your bed or a window frame. Take the time to mark your layout perfectly before driving the first screw, and use hardware rated well above the weight you expect to place on the surface.

  1. Find Your Studs First. Use a deep-scanning stud finder to locate the center of the wall studs behind your mounting location. Mark these centers with a pencil, extending the line vertically so you can reference it while holding the heavy nightstand in place.
  2. Level Before You Mark. Hold the nightstand against the wall at the desired height, typically level with the top of your mattress. Use a level on the top surface to ensure it sits perfectly horizontal before marking the mounting holes through the back panel.
  3. Drill Pilot Holes Now. Remove the nightstand and drill pilot holes into your marked stud locations. Ensure your drill bit is slightly smaller than the shank of your lag screws to maintain a tight grip on the wood fibers.
  4. Secure the Hardware. If using a French cleat, screw the cleat into the studs using structural screws. If the unit mounts directly through the back, drive your lag screws through the provided mounting points until they are snug against the wall studs.
  5. Tighten and Level. Lift the nightstand onto the mounted hardware or tighten the final bolts into the studs. Check the level one last time while the fasteners are slightly loose to allow for micro-adjustments.
  6. Test and Settle. Apply firm downward pressure to the nightstand to ensure there is no movement or bowing. Tighten any set screws or locking bolts that prevent the unit from lifting off the mounting bracket.