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Choosing the Right Bedside Table: Top Recommendations

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.

How to Choose the Perfect Bedside Table

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.

1. Get the Size and Scale Right

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.

2. Decide on Your Storage Needs

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?

  • Open Storage: A side table with a shelf offers easy access to items like books or magazines and creates an open, airy feel.
  • Closed Storage: A bedside table with drawers is ideal for keeping clutter out of sight, helping you maintain a tidy and organised space.

3. Match Your Material and Style

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.

Recommended Bedside Tables

Here are a few standout options that cater to different needs and styles, selected for their design, functionality and build quality.

Side Table Windermere Square Oak Top Grey/Natural

Side Table Windermere Square Oak Top Grey/Natural

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:

  • Attractive two-tone rustic and modern aesthetic.
  • Hard-wearing natural oak top.
  • Handy open lower shelf for accessible storage.
  • Arrives fully assembled, saving you time and effort.

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.

HaluPeit Bedside Table with 3 Drawers and Charging Station

HaluPeit Bedside Table with 3 Drawers and Charging Station

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:

  • Built-in charging station to power multiple devices.
  • Customisable ambient LED lighting.
  • Three large drawers provide generous, organised storage.
  • Modern, minimalist design with a clean finish.

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.

Ochama Set Of 2 Slim Cloud White Nightstands

Ochama Set Of 2 Slim Cloud White Nightstands

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:

  • Excellent value, sold as a set of two.
  • Very slim design is perfect for small bedrooms.
  • Flexible assembly with a reversible open compartment.
  • Combines open and closed storage.

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.

Looking for Something Else?

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.