Keeping your space both organised and stylish can feel like an endless quest, but investing in one of the best bedside tables is a guaranteed way to help. With a bedside table, you’ll no longer have to rummage through your make-up bag for night cream or dig through your work bag for a bedtime read. Instead, everything from sleep masks to gratitude journals and lip balm will have its perfect spot in your nightstand.
Whether your priority is saving floorspace, having as much storage as possible, or simply finding something that works seamlessly with the specific style of your bedroom, we’re certain that you’ll find your perfect fit in this thoroughly researched edit of the best bedside tables. Feeling fully committed to the bedroom revamp? Have a peek at our fave full-length mirrors and statement rugs while you’re here…
SKIP TO: Should your bedside tables be higher than the bed? | What’s the best way to style a bedside table? | Our full reviews
Should your bedside tables be higher than the bed?
Having your tabletop align with the top of your mattress is considered the ideal set-up. After all, when you wake up bleary-eyed in the middle of the night and reach across for your glass of water in the darkness, chances are you’re less likely to knock it over if it’s roughly level with you. It’s just far less awkward to reach!
Not only a good idea for practical reasons, roughly lining up your bedside tables with the top of your mattress is a good way to keep everything looking in proportion. Plus, it creates a lovely visual sense of balance.
However, although thinking about the right alignment can come in handy, it’s worth bearing in mind that it won’t necessarily be relevant if you’re thinking of going for a bedside table that isn’t a typical boxy shape. For example, trendy tall and slim models won’t fit this criteria. So don’t sweat about it too much!
What’s the best way to style a bedside table?
As well as being nice to look at, a properly styled bedside table is far less likely to become a catch-all for clutter. And according to the experts in all-things affordable interior design at The Living House, it can be really quick and easy to achieve a well-designed look.
“Stacking a couple of aesthetic books can be a really great way to add a bit of height,” suggests Director and Co-Founder, Sophie Clemson. “Also, you could think about sitting a framed print behind as a backdrop that you can style your accessories around.”
Got plenty of tabletop space to work with? As far as Sophie’s concerned, the most impactful thing you can do is go for a large table lamp with a bold lampshade. “Lighting can really make or break a room, and layers of lighting are really important in a bedroom to create a relaxing and cosy atmosphere,” she explains.
