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32 Creative Ideas for Your Nightstand
The perfect bedside table could be high, low, built-In, or not a table at all
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Bedside tables: How high? How low? How wide and how many? Should they match the bed? Should they match each other? Does it even have to be a table?
If these questions are on your mind, you've come to the right place. You've got questions, I've got answers. And even when I don't have the answers, I've got definite opinions.
Check out all the ways there are to hold your bedtime books and bonbons:
If these questions are on your mind, you've come to the right place. You've got questions, I've got answers. And even when I don't have the answers, I've got definite opinions.
Check out all the ways there are to hold your bedtime books and bonbons:
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| So, let's start with how high.
I think the perfect height is even with the top of your mattress. It provides a nice even visual line all the way across the bed and makes it easy to reach those bonbons! These unusual parsons tables don't have drawer space, but they still provide room for a stool and extra pillows. I also like how wide they are. Plenty of room for a pretty tablescape. Tip: If you like to read in bed, make sure the bottom of your lampshade is about at your shoulder height so it illuminates the page. |
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| Some people prefer their tables to be a little higher. These drum shaped tables are higher than the mattress, and put everything within easy reach. The suspended lamps above them mean you can use any height table without worrying that your lamps will be too high or too low. |
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by Chris Snook
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| These are the tallest tables I have ever seen next to a bed and they create a striking effect. If you don't need to put anything but lamps on a bedside table, this could work for you. |
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by Habachy Designs
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| My personal second favorite is to have a side table that is a little lower. Often, on platform beds with integrated side tables, the table sits at the height of the platform. It gives a very low-slung, sleek and wide look. |
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A combination floor lamp with the table incorporated in the design takes the guesswork out of how tall a lamp to buy.
Space savers
Having a little trouble finding anything that fits next to your bed in a smaller room? This narrow metal table takes up very little room, but the open shelves give you a few surfaces to use. Using a slim contemporary lamp gives it all the functionality of its larger traditional counterparts.
Having a little trouble finding anything that fits next to your bed in a smaller room? This narrow metal table takes up very little room, but the open shelves give you a few surfaces to use. Using a slim contemporary lamp gives it all the functionality of its larger traditional counterparts.
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If traditional bedside tables are all too large, you might look at pedestals or even plant stands to find a very narrow piece that will work. Using wall sconces keeps the surface free for your bedside essentials. I can definitely fit my favorite sea-salt caramels on this little table. What else do you need?
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by Diego Bortolato
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| If you are a minimalist, maybe just the platform around your bed would be enough of a surface to place a drink, a book, or your cell phone (which is what I use for my alarm clock now). The wall sconces eliminate the need for a table to hold the lamps. |
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| More a shelf than a table, this decorative wall-mounted piece holds the lamp and takes up no floor space. You can mount it at your favorite height. I see these people like theirs even with the top of the mattress, too. |
| This platform bed incorporates a tiny side table right into the frame so you have a table that doesn't extend beyond the side of the bed. |
You don't actually have to use a table, by the way.
Although this bed does have a table beside it, the niche behind the bed offers an additional place to put anything you want. You could forego the table here if you wanted to.
Although this bed does have a table beside it, the niche behind the bed offers an additional place to put anything you want. You could forego the table here if you wanted to.
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Here a deep cabinet behind the bed serves the function of the bedside table.
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| If you don't have much room for a large side table, then take advantage of space under the bed. This platform bed has a very small wall-mounted table next to it, but the storage drawers underneath more than make up for not having a large nightstand. You could totally stock up on the bonbons with all this space! |
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| You can also take advantage of space above the mattress. This table rolls so you pull it up toward you when you need it and push it back to the foot of the bed when you don't. I hope you're getting along with your partner. This one requires a little cooperation if you aren't sleeping alone. |
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Do your tables have to match?
Absolutely not! However, I do recommend that they feel balanced. These tables are completely different, but they are pretty much the same size. I actually really like the two different tables. It gives the room a collected look rather than looking like they got everything at the same store the same day.
Tip: If your tables are of noticeably different heights, avoid using matching lamps which call attention to the different heights and make them feel lopsided. You can use wall sconces mounted at the same height to minimize any off-balance feel. Or use two different lamps: a shorter one for your tall table and a taller one for your shorter table.
Absolutely not! However, I do recommend that they feel balanced. These tables are completely different, but they are pretty much the same size. I actually really like the two different tables. It gives the room a collected look rather than looking like they got everything at the same store the same day.
Tip: If your tables are of noticeably different heights, avoid using matching lamps which call attention to the different heights and make them feel lopsided. You can use wall sconces mounted at the same height to minimize any off-balance feel. Or use two different lamps: a shorter one for your tall table and a taller one for your shorter table.
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| Clearly, these tables are a set. But I like the reversed arrangement of open space and drawers. Very cool! I want the side with the drawers — no wait — I'll take the open space. Hmm, maybe the drawers ... |
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| I confess that having an office in the bedroom is not my favorite arrangement. But if that's where yours needs to be, why not make your desk do double duty as the bedside table, too? Having matching lamps on the desk and the bedside table on the other side helps to pull the look together. |
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by Ian Engberg
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| Beautiful built-ins
Built-ins are a great alternative to the traditional bedside table. These niches behind and to either side of this bed provide recessed lighting, table space and drawers. |
| The built-ins around this bed in an open plan loft serve as the entire closet. Niches on either side of the bed provide a spot for that cute little cow alarm clock. Sitting in bed, you don't see any of the items in the closet, just a great view out the window. I am definitely not tidy enough to have an open closet. But it worked for this client. |
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This little built-in cubby hardly takes any space at all. I think this is just cute as a bug's ear! I don't know why I love this itty bitty box so much, but I do. Doesn't it just make you want to put tiny little things in it? Love it.
Notice that the light is recessed so the front is flush with the wall. And that's not all ...
Notice that the light is recessed so the front is flush with the wall. And that's not all ...
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Here's the whole bed. There is more storage space in the middle of the headboard. They also made use of the space at the foot of the bed. Instead of a free-standing bench, the bed is actually built with drawers and a cubby at the foot. Great for things you don't have to reach as often as those immediate bedside items.
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| Niches and suspended lighting are incorporated into this beautifully paneled wall.
My parents used to have something similar to this idea. They also had trays that slid forward to expand the table space next to the bed. Then you could slide them back in so they were out of your way when getting in and out of bed. Slick! I wish I could have found a photo of something like that for this ideabook. |
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Looking for something a little different?
This lighted cube makes a unique bedside table.
This lighted cube makes a unique bedside table.
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by Simone Alisa
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| Instead of bedside tables, how about bedside dressers? These are pretty big, but the scale is nice with the large bed and very tall headboard. |
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| If you have the room, why not use the space? This long, low cabinet provides plenty of storage and a space for a tablescape. The raised portion brings the section immediately next to the bed up to the mattress height that I like so much. |
| And this table made of branch sections is pretty interesting too. |
A chest that opens from the top can be used if you don't need to get into the contents often. In my guest room I use two chests as the side tables. It's where I store extra blankets and pillows.
I really love the look of a simple, bold shape next to the bed.
by Dreamy Whites
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If you don't want a bedside table, how about a bedside chair?
by Craig Denis
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Why limit yourself to one table when you can have two?
Nesting tables are a fun idea and I love the cute little circular feet on these.
by Craig Denis
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What if you just don't need a table at all?
Wouldn't work for me. I struggle to keep my bedside stuff from taking over the whole bed. But if you don't need a place for books or drinks or pills or what-have-you, then there is no interior design law that says you must have a table. A floor lamp can stand alone.
I'd love to hear about your creative solutions for the bedside table.
Wouldn't work for me. I struggle to keep my bedside stuff from taking over the whole bed. But if you don't need a place for books or drinks or pills or what-have-you, then there is no interior design law that says you must have a table. A floor lamp can stand alone.
I'd love to hear about your creative solutions for the bedside table.
Ideabook updated on Dec. 30, 2012.
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stenar -- cool. Not many people go for chairs, but the few times I have seen it, I think it looked great!
saraeizen -- holy moly! You should have been the one writing this ideabook! Did you leave the sewing machine in the up position, or was it folded down inside? My mom used to have one of those treadle ones. They bring back memories for me.
I really dig the different looks though, especially the lit cube. Seems like that would be a fairly easy DIY & quite practical.
As for bed tables, although there are many creative alternatives here, I have Ikea's Malm bed with attached nightstands on both sides. I love the low and wide, sleek platform bed style.
Large enough depth is important, think of sitting in bed and what is comfortable to set down a book or glass without turning or strain. Always remember, there will be a day where one is stuck in bed and it should be functional.
Thank-you for posting the picture of the dressers. That's what I have (with the king bed and tall head board), and as much as I like it, I've been wondering if people who see it think I'm crazy.
like what is "typical bedroom stuff" and what is not?
or the need for pillow containment!
or the fear that people will think our solutions are crazy!
Such drama! Well -- now you know what other people are doing in their bedrooms -- well -- SOME of what they are doing :0)
My parents also had a disappearing side table. A bank of cabinets ran the length of the wall. Two panels over the bed pivoted to an upholstered side angled just so for sitting up and reading. On either side, panels with touch latches swung outward and and a drawer with short sides pulled out. They had some 1966 swank going on.
IMO, at least one drawer is necessary on each side of the bed to hide a box of kleenex, the coughdrops and your "Adult Time" supplies.
bepsf -- I need drawers too -- and sometimes an entire wheelbarrow for all the stuff I collect next to the bed! You know what's funny is that with my entire collection, I do not have kleenex or cough drops -- note to self: get kleenex and cough drops! My lip is zipped about the "Adult Time" supplies! But we are nothing if not diverse and there are people who just don't need or want the "stuff" that goes next to the bed. I'm sort of in awe of them.
Another idea is one we have in another space. Hit library sales and buy over-sized picture books. Stack them to the desired height. Added benefit: you always have something to read...and can change the table with each library sale. Suggest you don't glue/screw books together...you really don't have to, and it would make it immutable. Cover it with custom beveled glass/plastic (or tray) and use without coasters.