Side Tables & Nightstands

Aim for a tabletop roughly level with the top of your mattress, or slightly above it, so essentials are easy to reach from bed. Measure with your mattress and any topper in place rather than using the bed frame’s height. A low platform bed and a deep divan need different proportions. Before buying, test the proposed height from your usual sleeping position, particularly if the table has a raised rim.

Measure the space beside the bed, allowing for skirting boards, sockets and nearby wardrobe doors. The top should accommodate your lamp and everyday essentials without placing a glass or phone close to the edge. Consider depth as well as width: a deep cabinet can obstruct your route into bed. Drawers need room to open fully, including clearance from any projecting bed frame or upholstered side rail.

Drawers keep chargers, glasses and other small essentials out of sight, while an open shelf makes books easy to reach. A combination works well if you want a clear tabletop without hiding everything away. Compare internal drawer dimensions rather than the number of drawers alone. If you charge devices beside the bed, plan access to sockets and a cable route that will not get trapped when drawers close.

A narrow bedside table with a drawer provides useful storage in a tight gap, while an open frame leaves more floor visible. A wall-mounted design can free the space beneath, provided the wall and fixings are suitable. Wall lights can also reduce the surface area needed for a lamp. Prioritise a usable top and comfortable reach rather than choosing a piece so small that everyday essentials feel precariously balanced.

Matching bedside tables create symmetry, but different designs can work when each side of the bed has different storage needs or available space. Connect them through a shared finish, colour or shape, and aim for similar tabletop heights. They need not match the bed: timber can add warmth beside upholstery, while a painted cabinet can break up a room with several wooden pieces. Repeated lamp shapes can bring the arrangement together.

Yes, provided its height, surface area and stability suit daily use beside the bed. A simple side table works well if you need little more than a lamp, book and glass of water. Choose a bedside cabinet instead if concealed storage matters. Consider the surface finish too: use a coaster for drinks and follow the maker’s care guidance, particularly for timber, marble or other materials that can mark from spills.