Hmm, are these called end tables? Side tables? Huh.

I call them nightstands or bedside tables. Yes, yours looks too short to me. I think it should be close to the height of the mattress. Even if you just think about comfort, it is probably pretty awkward for you to lean over from bed to put a glass or book down on that low table.

I am a fan of bedskirts in general, but not sure about it with your bed. Google some pics of four poster beds and see what everyone else does.

Not sure what your question is about the artwork... it's a little hard to see from the angle of the picture, but it seems a little small to me.

Love your cozy dark green walls!

Our bed is similar to yours in that it is much higher than most beds. We found that we need tables or chests at least 30" high on each side of the bed to comfortably use those surfaces. When looking for suitable tables, consider small dressers, chests or taller tables originally intended for living room use as side table.

If you want to use a bed skirt, you'll find that you may have to have it custom made, due to the height of your bed, and the way the mattress support slats are positioned. Once you find a standard 20" long bed skirt, it will cover up the side panels of the bed, which I think is unfortunate. I found one, but didn't like the way it covered the wood side panels. I ended up sewing my own gathered bed skirt, and attaching it to the wood side panels using industrial strength velcro. This keeps the wood panels exposed. You could opt to go without any bed skirt at all, if that's what you prefer. My little Westie has her bed underneath our bed, and she likes it closed in, like a little den, so I had to custom sew ours to keep her happy.

Your planned window treatments sound great! Once you get it all done, you'll have to post some new pics of the room.

Nanny2a, that's a lovely bedskirt - thanks for posting the photo. Hope you won't mind if I steal your idea about the Velcro.

Megsy, I don't know if there's an actual rule of thumb, but I prefer for my nightstand to be 3 - 4 inches higher than the top of our mattress. That's low enough to reach easily but still keeps an errant pillow from knocking a water glass to the floor.

IMHO, your current art might work well if raised so that the top is even with the top of your bedside light fixtures. I think that would create enough space between the art and the stack of pillows, but it's a bit hard to tell for sure.

Going higher with the nightstand than the mattress puts a corner right near your head, so has its hazards too.

It seems to me a bedskirt would be a shame with that lovely rug you've got so nicely placed. I've got bedside rugs like Nanny's but have been thinking about a bigger rug placed as you have it... looks great. But much as I appreciate bedskirts in general and Nanny's in particular, I don't think it works with your rug placement unless the view of the rug is a throwaway. Otherwise, it's one or the other of big rug vs bedskirt, I would think. And given that height, your bed should be a breeze to vacuum under.

KarinL

I meant to say, what would you do for artwork above the bed LOL

That is just leftover from our previous bed/bedding. It's going into the guestroom I just haven't gotten to it (yet).

Thanks for all the tips.

Nanny, your bedskirt is awesome!

Karin, the rug is brand new so it's definitely not throwaway material just yet. I see what you're saying about either/or and I think you're right. I'm going to leave the bedskirt decision until the very end once window treatments, artwork and nightstands (why couldn't I think of that word?!) are complete.

I'm going to go take some measurements and report back ...

I love the bedding. Pottery Barn?? If not, do you mind sharing where you purchased it?

so is there a rule of thumb for the height of an bedside table/nightstand? Can you call what is by most peoples standards an end table, a nightstand?

LOL Yes to question number one rjinga (mattress height or a couple inches above it so that when the bed is made the bedside table is not dwarfed in comparison to bed height).

And to question two....technically it's a side table verses an end table when talking about a bed :oP

I have a high master bed. At the time I moved in, I didn't have any appropriate tables (same issue as you). I ended up using matching trunks turned on end on both sides of the bed with tall candlestick lamps on them. This works out well as far as spacial awareness goes and since they match my decor, they are now a permanent part of the room. Definitely think the higher table is necessary functionally and for room balance.

so if someone has a low bed, or just not a tall bed, then what might be considered an end table (typically found in a LR) could work for a night stand (typically found in a BR)?

and therefore labeling them one or the other is only dependant on where (what room) they end up in? Fair assumption?

Fair assumption in my opinion Rhonda. Though some look better in one place over the other, most are interchangeable. Names of things can drive you crazy since many have more than one name depending on what part of the country/world we live. Kind of like settee and bench. What's the difference?

Megsy, are you wanting new tables? If not can you lower the bed? That's one gorgeous bed by the way and I love the bedding and rug. Great choices! What color are the walls? It's hard to tell in your photo. That could make a difference in what color panels you choose for your windows. Love the idea of bamboo shades. With all you have going now they'll be perfect! It has the feeling of British Colonial to me. Very nice!

bl_pickle, the bedding is Pottery Barn :) Ann Marie collection IIRC. I fell in love with it and had.to.have.it. I am planning on putting a chocolate colored quilt under the duvet (and quilted king shams between the euros and the standard) but haven't been able to get my hands on one at Home Goods and I've been too distracted to shop elsewhere.

Vampire, that's a great suggestion. The issue I'm running into is width. I'm not sure I want to cross to far into the window and there's realistically about 15" between the bed and the window. Add curtains and it might just look to smooshed. I think first order of business is window treatments and then go from there. I'm so impatient!

Thanks for the tips, Lynn :) The only thing I won't need to place on the side tables are lamps. The swing arm lamps that are there are adjustable vertically -- so I will definitely lower them to the level you suggested.

Justgotabme, yes, am wanting new tables. Gosh I wasn't clear in the OP. I want new tables, window treatments, wall decor, etc. The bed is a fixed height, unfortunately, but hey got it for $200 on Craigslist so I'm NOT complaining! The wall color is HC97 Hancock Gray.

Okay, some measurements:
33" from top of mattress to floor
14" +/- width for end tables
23" bedskirt, if decide on that, so yeah I'll be sewing one if I choose to go that route.

Wowza, what a deal! I wouldn't complain either. I've been dreaming of a four poster for years, but I doubt I'll ever get one. Just isn't in the cards for us.

I love your swing arm lamps. I'd use them as to where to place the curtain rods so the panels hang just to the outside of each of them. That will place your tables in front of the panels which I think should allow for easier access from the bed.

Not sure this one linked below will fit your needs, but I'm an avid reader and would love it! Right now my "previously read" books are in a basket on the bottom shelf of my night table and ones waiting to be read are stacked on top of it beside the lamp.

Speaking of baskets have you seen the large ones? They'd be perfect for under bed storage of extra bedding, out of season clothing among other things. Mine would be filled with more books, I'm sure, if I had that kind of space under our bed.

Here is a link that might be useful: The talest night table I could find.

Great idea about where to put the panels. So how far over into the window can I go with the tables, do you think?

I like the one you linked to! DH would love that.

You could try looking for an antique nightstand, lots of them are about that size. Mine is 32" tall with a 15 3/4" marble top.

Another thing you might try would be a floating shelf on each side of the bed. They don't need to be big, just large enough for your purposes. Anyway just thinking out loud.

Sharing a couple of unfinished tables.
http://www.unfinishedfurnitureexpo.com/w36tahaacta.html

Here is a link that might be useful: Unfinished Table

I'm glad you liked that one. As for your question, I think you could go as far into the window as the panel does when it's in it's open position. You might want to get your panels first so you'll know for sure what size table will work.
If you weren't going to add the panels vampiressrn's idea of a floating shelf is an awesome idea.

I don't have a pic, but I saw a floating shelf with a cool iron hook below it that held a basket that was the same size as the shelf once...the basket hung just low enough to reach your hand into it for your bedside necessaties (edible underware etc) LOL KIDDING but anyhoo, it was sized to match the shelf above it so it sort of looked as if it was one unit on a scale size, but still offered some hidden storage (for edible undies and stuff) :oP

Vampire, I love the idea of a floating shelf! Also -- your link made me realize plant stands might be exactly what the doctor ordered! There are quite a few antique ones on our craigslist for pennies. Even if I decided I needed more storage in a table, I could use them elsewhere ...

I think you guys are right. Get the curtains first and then proceed.

Igloo, have you been spying in my bedroom?

(Totally joking.)

You two are funny! Thanks for the morning laugh. Now that I've eaten, oh that doesn't sound right, I have to leave to buy my sheers!
I'm outa here.

There is one made by Canopy (for Walmart, but better than you'd expect for Walmart--I actually bought this exact table off CL for $30 in perfect condition as a temporary table, but I actually really like it and may keep it :) It is 31 inches tall and is marketed as either an end table or nightstand. Here's a link:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Canopy-End-Table-Mahogany-Finish/7732481

Here is a live link for you.

Here is a link that might be useful: Canopy table

Meg...we need to talk about the color of your walls. On my screen they're a lovely olivy green tone. I don't know the brand...can you share the brand name and also the actual tone (since the name is gray something) what are they really? I'm desperately looking for the right green for my master suite to suit while we wait to wallpaper and want a deep olive green tone that makes wood sing...your wood is singing against the walls to me but perhaps it's more gray....clue me in :)

now as to those panties..umm I mean bedside tables. In most of my bedrooms (when we bought the house it had ten) we had tables as bedside "nightstands". Mostly victorian oak. I've replaced those in the rooms we live in with side tables that suit the use of the rooms, but since all of our bedrooms have victorian beds (higher than older modern beds) the table height seems to work. In our rooms we have taller side tables (ie the old toilet table for me and I'm spying a lovely french lingerie cabinet for DH's side right now). Mom's room has a table but I'm going to give her a second one with a few antique chocolate boxes on top to hide the clutter she might need (lynne could trade bedside tables with me tomorrow and be happy..chapstick, coughdrops cuz I'm sick) kleenex and a few mags and a book or two). Next to my bedside table I have an antique slipper box (by the fireplace) that i hide my little laptop in when I go to bed. Lynn was right...you need to suit your needs to get the right table. DH uses a plant stand (larger victorian thing) which holds his mags and the window sill for his evening toddy :) Me...I need hiding for the "stuff" I like by the bed. DS likes to have a few cars and trains near his bed as well as binkies and a bottle, all of which are accounted for next to his bed.

In my alaska home i have used a large iron planter with a round marble top on as a bed stand. An antique sewing machine is FAB as a bedside table (and the right size for your bed). chests or antique luggage stacked or on it's side works well. Antique wash stands, marble top, doors or drawers work well. Just measure the height and let your mind wander through the possabilities without thinking "bedside" table. DH is going to have desk aside his bed in alaska soon. DS is going to have one on his bedside here soon. Both suite our uses of the room and their uses of the space :)

I adore your bed...and want to hit you for buying it at that price LOL

I will say that in the past I've done the skirted table thing in a bedroom and don't like it for practicle reasons. Lovely, gorgeous really to look at...but my cat often wanders there (knocks down the water bottle Lynn left) and leaves fur, and plays with my chapstick, ds squeezes out the foot cream....well you get the picture...it really does not suit my bedside life...and no where for the undies....the chocolate ones can't deal with the sunlight....

MOM I"M KIDDING!!! (my mom reads these threads on occasion and I don't want her to lose her dinner). I'm still a virgin mom....ummmmm virgin decorator..wine drinker....ummmm skier!!!! Ya I've never gone down the slopes mom!!! Really!! (Ok that one time I was drunk) :oP

Igloo, it's definitely more green! And I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE the color. Sorry I'm just getting back to this ... we were out of town for the weekend.

I will certainly keep you guys updated on my table woes :)

What's HC? (For the life of me I can't figure it out, but I'm a bit short on coffee so it may come to be later). I need to interview that gorgeous tone for our master bedroom!

Hey, igloo!! I have an antique sewing machine as a bedside table . It was my grandmother's. It IS the perfect height for my high antique 4 poster. I put it in my room when I was 12, made my folks haul it up from the basement to go with the bed when they bought that for me. Years later, several houses later; same bed, same table. I find the height is perfect for reading in bed. It puts the light from the lamp at just the right angle. On the other side I found an "occasional table" to use, taller than night stands or end tables.

HC = Historical Collection from Ben Moore.

I have been a decorator for a while now and I have a bed similar to yours. I got rid of the dust ruffle and I love the look! I am doing Bamboo Blinds too but mine are inside mount. I am also doing white linen dead hang panels! You have great taste! I also have to purchase a higher bedside table. The only thing I would change and this is not a criticism it's a suggestion hang those beautiful prints a little higher so you really notice them when you come in the room! Hope you post pics of final look!

I have a bed identical to yours, and I can promise you it cost a LOT more than $200, even having bought it 34 years ago! Mine is a Charleston Rice bed. I love my bed, but there are issues with such a bed. Side tables are the first. I have a tilt-top round antique mahogany one on my late husband's side of the bed. It's probably 28-30" round. On my side, I need more space so I have a 3-drawer mahogany chest such as one would use in a hall. It was a vintage piece and is a piece of junk but I can't bring myself to replace it as it is not really visible from the entry to the room, plus I just don't want to spend the money when this one works so well. I have matching tall, skinny lamps on both the round table and my chest.

I struggled for years with the issue of a dust ruffle. I hated to cover those lovely side rails. So I bought skinny curtain rods - the kind one uses for sheer curtains on a glass paned door. I made a bed skirt with a rod pocket and put it on the rod which was attached to the bed posts with small brackets. I used it that way for years and it drove me nuts as it moved around. Finally, I had a traditional dust ruffle made that goes between the mattress and box springs. It is gathered very fully and is made from a blue tone-on-tone striped silk. I like it very much, and I don't miss the side rails as much as I thought I would - it goes behind the rail at the foot of the bed so there is still plenty of wood showing.

The other problem that occurs is the enormous thickness of box springs and, particularly mattresses these days. A typical set would cause my headboard to totally disappear and be so high I'd have a heck of a time getting up onto the bed. So, I have them custom made locally - actually a monetary savings. Of course, finding bottom fitted sheets for a typical 8-9" mattress is next to impossible these days. They can be special ordered from Pioneer Linens in Palm Beach FL but I have not yet done so - still using old ones.

My bed has an optional canopy frame which I used when I first bought the bed, but allergies made that a haven for dust mites so no more canopy.

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