How to Choose a Nightstands For Your Bedroom?

Stop treating your nightstand like an emergency dumping ground. This small piece of furniture must perform heavy-duty work every single night, holding everything from your reading list to your water glass. You need a nightstand that functions perfectly and elevates your entire bedroom style.

We cut through the confusion. This guide immediately gives you the actionable rules you need. We focus on the four critical areas you must master to select the ideal nightstand, ensuring maximum comfort and zero clutter:

How to Choose a Nightstand

Confirm the most suitable height

You must select a bedside table height that makes accessing yourphone, water, or lamp effortless. While many shoppers focus only on style, functionality should always guide this critical decision.

As your key bedside table height guideline, you should aim for a nightstand that stands roughly the same height as the top of your mattress.

You don't need to enforce this rule strictly. You can accept a difference of 2 to 3 inches(5 to 8 cm), depending on your specific comfort preference.

Confirming the Required Storage Area

You must prioritize storage because clutter quickly accumulates in the bedroom. Determine your specific storage needs before you choose a nightstand.

Selecting Materials

The material and color you choose will define the mood of your entire bedroom. You want a nightstand that complements your bed frame and decor but also handles daily use effectively.

• Wood: You will find that solid wood or wood veneer offers unmatched warmth and durability. Choose wood when you want a timeless, rustic, or traditional aesthetic.
• Metal/Glass: These materials bring a sleek, modern touch to the room. You typically select glass when you need the piece to feel visually light, which works well in smaller bedrooms.
• Woven (Rattan/Cane): This choice introduces texture and a bohemian or coastal vibe. You must understand that these materials may not offer the smooth writing surface or heavy-duty load capacity of wood. They are also prone to mold growth in damp conditions.

Color

You employ color to unify or contrast your decor.

• Matching: If you match the finish to your bed frame, you create a cohesive, traditional look that anchors the room.
• Contrasting: Choose a contrasting color (like a black nightstand against a light linen headboard) when you want the nightstand to stand out as a stylish accent piece. This contrast introduces visual interest and depth to the room.
• Neutral Tones: You ensure versatility when you select neutral colors (white, gray, beige). These blend easily with any bedding or wall paint you might change in the future.

Classification of Common Nightstands

Extended drawer storage bedside table

This bedside table has four drawers side by side, which can be moved and hold a lot of items.

Movable drawer bedside table

It is equipped with casters, which are very convenient for moving, and some small objects that are not too far away from the body can be kept by the side.

Single-layer drawer bedside table

It can display accessories and has a good storage capacity. According to actual needs, it can also be transformed into a small TV cabinet. The price is between 300 yuan and 2,000 yuan. At the same time, the scope of the bedside table is also gradually expanding, and some small coffee tables and tables have also become new scenery at the bedside.

Open the bedside table

There is no closed storage box, but there are exposed display shelves. The curved shape is made of solid wood, and the contrast of two colors, one red and one white, is a bit more fashionable than the traditional square bedside table.

People also ask these questions

What is the purpose of a wood nightstand?

They are often used to support items that might be useful during the night, such as a table lamp, alarm clock, reading matter, cell phone, eyeglasses, tissues, sex toys, a drink, or medication.

What do people usually put in bedroom nightstands?

Some additional items include an alarm clock (one that doesn't emit bright light), your phone (if you must), tissues, a carafe of water and a notepad and pen (for jotting down ideas, things you want to remember to do, or your dreams).

How do you decorate the top of a metal nightstand?

Add a set of 2-3 frames with your own art or photography, or add artwork that embodies the color palette of the room in a subtle way. Add fresh or faux floral to liven up the look and give it life. If you use art above the nightstand, slide the lamp to the left or right of the art piece so you can see all its beauty…...

What do you put on the bottom shelf of a wood nightstand?

Place a decorative basket or canvas storage container on the shelf so that you can tuck away pajamas or tissues. Use the shelf to display decorative items, such as a small sculpture or cool vase. Stack your favorite pre-bedtime books or recent issues of magazines on the bottom shelf so that they're within easy reach.

What is a nightstand used for?

They are often used to support items that might be useful during the night, such as a table lamp, alarm clock, reading matter, cell phone, eyeglasses, tissues, sex toys, a drink, or medication.

What is the difference between a bedside table and a nightstand?

A nightstand is typically defined as a small, low bedside table that usually has drawers. A bedside table is defined as a small table beside a bed.

Can a cheap nightstands be shorter than the bed?

They absolutely can be different heights! Nightstand sellers need to be able to accommodate a variety of bed heights. The average height of a nightstand is 24”-28” inches, but they can be over 30”.