Nightstand Costume
A literal, hilarious take on a classic bedroom pun.
The 'One Night Stand' costume is a classic, pun-based Halloween favorite that literally transforms you into a bedside table. It is a popular choice for college parties and adult Halloween events due to its clever humor and low-cost DIY appeal. The look consists of a wearable cardboard box painted like wood, topped with typical bedside items and a lampshade hat.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~120 min
- Budget
- $15–45
Try it on
See yourself as Nightstand
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Nightstand costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Nightstand costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Large cardboard box
A sturdy box large enough to fit over your torso, with cutouts for your head and arms.
DIY: Find a free appliance or moving box from a local grocery or hardware store.
Wood-grain contact paper
Self-adhesive vinyl paper with a realistic brown wood texture to cover the box.
DIY: Paint the cardboard box brown and draw wood grain lines with a black marker.
Lampshade hat
A lightweight fabric lampshade worn on the head, secured with a headband or chin strap.
DIY: Empty a cheap lampshade, attach it to a plastic headband, or wear it directly if it fits comfortably.
Drawer pulls or knobs
Two lightweight plastic or metal drawer knobs to attach to the front of the box.
DIY: Cut circles out of leftover cardboard, paint them silver or black, and glue them on.
Bedside props
Lightweight items like an empty tissue box, a plastic alarm clock, a paper book, and an empty water bottle.
DIY: Glue real, empty, lightweight household items directly to the top surface of the box.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Nightstand costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Cut out holes for your head and arms in the large cardboard box, ensuring a comfortable fit.
- 2
Wrap the entire exterior of the box in wood-grain contact paper, smoothing out any air bubbles.
- 3
Glue or screw the drawer knobs onto the front of the box to simulate cabinet drawers.
- 4
Draw horizontal lines with a black marker across the front to define the drawer seams.
- 5
Securely hot glue your lightweight props (tissue box, alarm clock, book) to the top surface of the box.
- 6
Attach a lightweight lampshade to a headband using hot glue or wire to create your hat.
- 7
Slip the box over your torso, put on the lampshade hat, and step out as a literal one-night stand.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup simple and neutral. Hair should be styled flat or tied back securely so the lampshade hat can sit comfortably on top of your head.
Nightstand for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One partner goes as the nightstand, and the other wears pajamas or wraps themselves in a bedsheet to go as 'The Bed'.
- group
- A group can dress as different pieces of bedroom furniture, including a wardrobe, a bed, and a vanity.
- kids
- Scale down the box size and use soft felt props instead of hard plastic to keep it safe and lightweight.
- Plus size
- Use an extra-large wardrobe moving box and cut wider armholes for a comfortable, spacious fit.
Tips
- Keep the props on top of the box as lightweight as possible so the costume doesn't become top-heavy or uncomfortable.
- Cut the armholes larger than you think you need so you can easily reach for drinks and snacks at a party.
- Wear comfortable, plain dark clothing underneath the box so your body blends into the background.
- Use strong hot glue or industrial adhesive to ensure the props don't fly off when you bump into people.
Nightstand costume FAQ
- How do you sit down in a nightstand costume?
- Sitting down can be difficult in a rigid cardboard box. It is best to slide the box up slightly or stand during the party, or design the box to end just above your hips.
- What are the best props to glue to the top?
- An empty tissue box, a plastic cup, a fake alarm clock, and a pair of old eyeglasses are classic, lightweight choices.
- How do you keep the lampshade on your head?
- Glue the internal metal wire frame of the lampshade to a sturdy plastic headband, or use elastic chin straps to keep it secure.
Did you know? This costume is a literal visual pun on the phrase 'one-night stand,' making it a staple of college parties and DIY Halloween contests for decades.