A bedside table is more than just a place to put your lamp and alarm clock. It’s a crucial piece of furniture that can complete the look of your bedroom, reduce clutter and keep your night-time essentials within easy reach. However, finding the right one can be a challenge. With so many styles, sizes and features available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.
This guide is designed to help you navigate the options. We'll walk you through key considerations for choosing a bedside table and share some of our top recommendations that balance style, function and quality.
Before you start browsing, a little planning can ensure you find a table that fits your space and lifestyle perfectly. Here are a few practical points to consider.
The most common mistake is choosing a table that's too tall, too short or too bulky for the room. For a comfortable reach from your bed, look for a nightstand that is roughly the same height as the top of your mattress. In terms of width, consider the size of your bed and the available space. If you have a small bedroom, a narrow bedside table or a compact small side table will prevent the room from feeling cramped while still providing a useful surface.
Think about what you need to store. Do you prefer a minimalist look with just a book and a glass of water, or do you need to hide away charging cables, lotions and other personal items?
The material of your bedside table plays a big role in the overall aesthetic of your room. A classic oak side table can bring warmth and a traditional feel to a space, pairing well with many colour schemes. For a more contemporary or Scandinavian look, a white bedside table offers a clean, bright and versatile option that can make a room feel larger. These pieces are often used as an end table or lamp table in living rooms, too, showcasing their versatility.
Here are a few standout options that cater to different needs and styles, selected for their design, functionality and build quality.
Why It Stands Out: This table combines classic and contemporary design elements with its two-tone finish. The naturally oiled oak top provides a durable and warm surface, contrasted by the soft oyster grey painted base. Its robust frame and chunky square legs ensure stability, while the compact footprint makes it suitable for various spaces. A convenient lower shelf adds practical storage for books or a small basket.
Pros:
Who is it for? This is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a sturdy, timeless piece of furniture. Its versatile design works equally well as a bedside table or as a lamp table in a living room, particularly in homes with country, coastal or traditional décor.
Why It Stands Out: This modern nightstand is built for the connected home. It features an integrated charging station with two AC sockets and two USB ports, angled for easy access. It also includes a remote-controlled RGB light strip with multiple colours and brightness levels to create different moods. Three spacious drawers offer partitioned storage, and the minimalist white bedside table design with rounded corners is both safe and stylish.
Pros:
Who is it for? Ideal for the tech-savvy user, students or anyone who works from their bedroom. This table combines the function of a nightstand, charging hub and ambient light source into one sleek unit.
Why It Stands Out: Sold as a pair, these slim tables are specifically designed for tight spaces. At only 25 cm wide, this narrow bedside table maximises vertical storage without taking up valuable floor area. Each unit features two drawers for private items and an open compartment for easy access. A clever feature is that the open compartment can be assembled to face either left or right, allowing you to customise the setup for either side of the bed.
Pros:
Who is it for? This set is perfect for those furnishing a small bedroom, guest room or anyone needing a matching pair of nightstands without a large footprint. It's a practical solution for renters and homeowners looking to make the most of limited space.
While a bedside table is a bedroom staple, optimising other areas of your home, like your workspace, is just as important for a functional living environment. If you're looking to create a productive and organised home office, you might also be interested in other space-saving furniture.
Explore our collection of corner desks with drawers to find smart solutions for your study or office nook.
1. What is the ideal height for a bedside table? A good rule of thumb is to choose a bedside table that is within a few centimetres of the height of your mattress. This makes it easy to reach for items from bed without straining. A table that is significantly lower or higher can look awkward and be less functional.
2. Can I use a side table as a nightstand? Absolutely. The terms nightstand, bedside table and side table are often used interchangeably. The key is function and proportion. As long as a side table fits the scale of your bed and room and meets your storage needs, it can work perfectly as a nightstand.
3. How much space should I leave between my bed and the bedside table? You don't need a lot of space. Leaving about 5-10 cm (2-4 inches) between the bed and the table is usually enough. This provides enough room to tuck in your duvet and sheets comfortably while keeping the table close enough for easy access.