If you need to style or redecorate a bedroom, you may wonder what is best to place beside the bed, whether it’s a bedside table or a nightstand. A bedside table is a small table that stands beside a bed while a nightstand is similar but includes drawers or shelves. But why would you need either one?
Nightstands and tables simply make our lives easier. We need drawers to store items we use during the night and in the early morning, such as books, phones, tablets, mugs, and our bedside lamp, of course. A surface beside the bed is necessary, but how do you choose the right bedside table for your room?

Determining Your Nightstand Requirements
Selecting the best side table depends on many elements. These include how much space you have, how big your bed is, how much storage you need, your bedroom style, and your budget.
Assessing Your Nightstand Size
Your stand or table height depends on how high your bed is — the ideal nightstand height is level with or slightly above the top of your mattress. Also, consider the size of your bed relative to your space. For example, if the bed is already wide in a smaller space, you may want a narrow nightstand.
Depending on the layout of your bedroom, you may only need one side table. It can be around 17-20 inches wide; add enough space on either side to reach a full 20-26 inches for placement next to a queen-size bed, or 24-30 inches beside a king-size bed. It should be proportional to your other furniture and allow space to move around.
Storage Space Requirements
Enough storage in a bedroom is essential. A peaceful and serene room and a good night’s sleep rely on your clutter-free bedroom. Assess what and how much you’ll store on or in your nightstand or bedside table to help you choose type and size. Nightstands with drawers or shelves will be better than bedside tables. A storage bed is also great for extra, well-disguised storage space.
Convenient Nightstand Extras
Nightstands have a surface you can use and drawers or shelves for storage. Modern designs often include built-in features such as charging stations, Bluetooth speakers, touchless LED lighting, and fingerprint locks, to make life easier.
Also, how your side table looks should complement your other bedroom furniture and match your personal and home decor style.
Finding The Right Style for Your Bedroom
Style is subjective. So, keep the overall look and feel of the room in mind. Select a nightstand that complements the theme, materials, and style of your other bedroom furniture.
What Material Should You Choose?
Style and materials don’t have to match, but harmonizing materials — such as metal and glass bedside tables — might go with a modern upholstered bed frame, or rattan may work with rustic, wooden pieces. You can also decide on a bedroom set with bedside tables included.
Design and Aesthetics
Beyond being practical, the right nightstand or bedside table can tie your bedroom design together. The nightstand could be minimalist or ornate, in warm wood or leather, plain metal, or colorfully painted.
You’ll find many designs, such as pedestals, tables with or without legs, boho, chic, industrial, square, oblong, or round, and with drawers, open shelves, or a combination. The width and height you need will depend on the proportions of your bed and bedroom.
Bedroom Furniture Placement
As the purpose of your nightstand or bedside table is to store items within easy reach when you’re in bed, you should place them close to the edge of the bed. Ensure the height of the nightstand is suitable relative to the mattress.
If you’re furnishing a kid’s room or a guest room with two twin beds, optimize space by placing one wider-than-usual bedside table between the beds.
Styling Your Nightstand
A tabletop lamp is eye-catching. If tabletop space is limited, opt for a sconce. Add a piece of art, an attractive vase, or a meaningful framed photo. Include smaller practical items such as a stylish alarm clock, candles, or a tray or box to store your jewelry, watch, or glasses overnight. Don’t clutter your bedside space. Leave room for your coffee mug, tablet, phone, Kindle, or book.
Understanding Budgeting and Quality
Prices can vary depending on the style, size, material, and brand, but keep in mind that investing in classic, high-quality, durable furniture can pay off long-term. At the same time, the perfect nightstand or bedside table needn’t cost a fortune or be cheaply made. Instead, finding well-designed and well-made nightstands, bedside tables, and bedroom sets for less is possible at Home Zone Furniture.
High Quality Bedroom Furniture
Before committing to a nightstand purchase, there are a few features you need to check. Look for robust materials and signs of quality craftsmanship. These include English dovetailing, Kenlin glides in the drawers, sturdy joints, and well-finished edges and veneers.
Seeing the fine quality of our pieces, you may wonder how Home Zone provides state-of-the-art features, luxurious finishes, and heirloom-quality construction at such affordable prices. We minimize costs by avoiding go-betweens and extra markups to bring you reliable and fashionable products without expensive price tags.
Upgrade Your Bedroom Furniture With Home Zone Furniture
You can find all of the bedroom furniture pieces you need in the Home Zone collection. Explore our range of beds, nightstands, dressers, and more. Contact us for more information, or visit us in person at any Home Zone store.