Choosing the perfect bedside table is important because what you place beside your bed affects not only how functional the space is but also how aesthetically pleasing it is! We will often look to select the bed first and foremost, which makes sense, since your bed will be the largest and most functional item in the room! But it is equally important to pay attention to the bedside table to ensure it answers the following three questions:

Is it functional?
Is it aesthetically pleasing?
Does it flow with the rest of the space?

Thankfully, there are quite a few different options of bedside table(s) that you can opt for! They include a simple nightstand, a chest of drawers / small cabinet, a console or even a small bookcase:

The Navy Contoured Lamp and Southern Blues Lampshade on a standard bedside table

The Zebra Lamp sitting proudly on top of a small wooden chest of drawers

The Navy Brushstroke Lamp on a slightly larger bedside table that is more of a console

A small bookcase via @andrewbrownid

To determine what kind of bedside table will work for both you and your space (i.e. a nightstand, chest of drawers, console or small bookcase), you will need to decide what function it should serve. Consider and ask yourself the following two questions:

SPACE

How much space do you have on either side of your bed? How much surface area do you need on top of your bedside piece for your belongings such as lighting, an alarm clock, a tissue box, your smartphone charger? Here, you will also want to factor in whether you will opt for a wall light (which frees up more surface area on the table), or a table lamp.

STORAGE

How much storage do you need? Do you prefer something such as a chest of drawers which can house some clothing and various bits, or would you prefer open shelving, allowing you to display belongings artfully? Perhaps you want a more minimal aesthetic and have no space at all for drawers but just a place for your glasses, book and alarm clock.

TIME TO MEASURE

The first thing you will want to do before choosing the perfect table, is to take some measurements to ensure it will fit within your available space! Take two measurements:

1 – Measure the top of your mattress to the floor, which normally comes to about 25″ / 63 cm. The perfect height of your bedside table is no more than 2″ or 5 cm above your mattress. This will allow you to be able to access exactly what you need at the ideal height.

2 – Measure the length from both sides of your bed to the wall, or wherever the table should reach to.

DETERMINING YOUR STYLE

When you have determined what function your bedside table will serve and taken your measurements, you can then move onto deciding what style and aesthetic you would like! This is where the fun begins! Bedside Tables can vary from a traditional style, to a contemporary one, or perhaps you are keen to integrate a vintage trunk or chest to create more of a unique focal point! Whatever your style is, browse a few of our curated picks below to help inspire you, or, browse all our available bedside tables, beds and side tables for the perfect bedroom!

Louse Deep Buttoned Bed / Val d’Isere Bedside Table / St Etienne Table Lamp / Deer Damask Wallpaper / Chevron Grey Fabric / Farrow and Ball Cornforth White / Farrow and Ball All White

Eve Bed in Duck Egg Blue Velvet / Capri Shell Table Lamp / Gold Side Table Embellished with Shells/ Lacquered Formosa Fabric / Wallpaper / Farrow and Ball Borrowed Light, Parma Grey, Blue Ground