How to Choose the Perfect Bedside Table for Your Bedroom
A bedside table might seem like a simple purchase. Just a small table next to your bed, right? But the wrong choice can throw off your entire bedroom. Too tall, and you're reaching up awkwardly for your phone. Too small, and there's nowhere for your book, water glass, and lamp. Too bulky, and suddenly your bedroom feels cramped. The good news is that choosing the right bedside table isn't complicated once you know what to look for. This guide walks you through everything you need to consider so you end up with bedside tables that look great and actually work for your daily life. Why Your Bedside Table Matters More Than You Think Your bedside table is the last thing you see before sleep and the first thing you reach for in the morning. It holds your essentials: phone, water, glasses, books, medications. It sets the tone for your bedroom's style. Get it wrong, and you'll notice every single day. Get it right, and your bedroom feels more complete, more functional, and more relaxing. The Golden Rule: Height Matters Most If you only remember one thing from this guide, let it be this: your bedside table should be roughly the same height as the top of your mattress. When you're lying in bed and reach out to grab something, you shouldn't have to reach up or down. Your hand should land naturally on the table surface. How to Measure Measure from your floor to the top of your mattress (not the top of your pillows, the actual mattress surface). Most standard bedside tables sit between 60-70cm tall, which works well for beds with mattress heights of 55-65cm. If you have a particularly thick mattress or a lower platform bed, you'll need to adjust accordingly. A pillow-top mattress on a tall base might need a taller bedside table. A low Japanese-style platform bed might need something shorter. What If Your Table Is the Wrong Height? Already own bedside tables that are too short? Furniture risers can add a few centimetres. Too tall? Unfortunately, that's harder to fix, which is why measuring before you buy saves headaches later. Consider Your Storage Needs How much stuff do you actually keep beside your bed? Be honest with yourself here. Some people need just a small surface for a phone and lamp. Others want space for books, journals, skincare, medications, charging cables, and more. Minimalist Sleepers If you keep very little beside your bed, a simple open table or small shelf might be all you need. These create an airy, uncluttered look and take up less visual space in the room. Storage Seekers If you tend to accumulate things on your bedside table, look for options with: Drawers: Perfect for hiding away items you don't want on display, such as medications, chargers, and personal items Shelves: Good for books and items you want accessible but slightly organised Cabinet doors: Ideal if you want to hide clutter completely A bedside table with drawers keeps your essentials close while maintaining a tidy appearance. This is especially valuable in smaller bedrooms where visible clutter can make the space feel cramped. The Hybrid Approach Many people find a combination works best: a small drawer for private items plus an open shelf for books. This gives you flexibility without the bulk of a large cabinet. Size and Proportion: Getting the Balance Right Width Considerations Your bedside table should be proportional to your bed. A tiny table next to a king-sized bed looks lost. A chunky cabinet next to a single bed overwhelms the space. As a general guide: Single beds: Bedside tables around 35-45cm wide Double beds: 40-50cm wide works well Queen beds: 45-55cm wide King beds: 50-60cm wide or larger These aren't strict rules, as your room layout and personal style matter too. But they're a good starting point. Depth Matters Too Don't forget about how far your bedside table sticks out from the wall. In tight spaces, a deep table can block walkways or make it hard to move around the bed. Look for slimmer profiles if space is limited, or consider wall-mounted options that free up floor space entirely. Surface Area Think about what you actually need to fit on top: A lamp (takes up more space than you might think) Your phone A glass or bottle of water Perhaps a book or e-reader An alarm clock if you use one Make sure there's enough surface area for your essentials without everything feeling crammed together. Style: Matching vs. Coordinating The Matchy-Matchy Approach The traditional approach is to buy bedside tables that match your bed frame and other bedroom furniture. This creates a cohesive, polished look that's hard to get wrong. If you're buying a new bedroom suite, matching pieces take the guesswork out of styling. The Coordinated Approach Modern styling often embraces mix-and-match. Your bedside tables don't need to be identical to your bed. They just need to work together. You might match the colour family (warm woods together, or white and grey tones) while mixing styles. This approach gives you more flexibility and can create a more interesting, personalised space. Just make sure there's some visual connection, whether material, colour, or style, that ties the pieces together. Asymmetrical Styling Some designers go further, using two completely different bedside tables on either side of the bed. This can work beautifully in eclectic or bohemian bedrooms, but requires a good eye for balance. If you're not confident in your styling abilities, matching or coordinating is a safer bet. Material Considerations Wooden Bedside Tables Wood remains the most popular choice for bedside tables. It's warm, durable, and works with almost any bedroom style. Options range from light Scandinavian-style oak to rich dark walnut to painted white finishes. Solid wood is the most durable but also the most expensive. Engineered wood with wood-look finishes offers good value and can look almost identical to solid wood. For quality Scandinavian-style pieces, the Nordik Bedside Table offers clean lines and practical storage. Metal Bedside Tables Metal frames create an industrial or modern look. They're often lighter and more affordable than wood, and they can make small spaces feel less heavy. Black metal is popular for contemporary bedrooms, while brass or gold tones work well in more glamorous spaces. Glass and Mirrored Options Glass-topped or mirrored bedside tables can make small rooms feel larger by reflecting light. They work particularly well in feminine or glamorous bedroom schemes. The downside is they show fingerprints and dust more easily. Rattan and Natural Materials Rattan, cane, and wicker bedside tables have surged in popularity. They add texture and warmth, working beautifully in coastal, bohemian, or tropical-inspired bedrooms. They're lightweight and often more affordable than solid wood. Special Features Worth Considering Built-In Lighting Some modern bedside tables include integrated LED lighting. The Glansig Bedside Table with LED Light offers ambient lighting built right into the table. This is perfect for reading without disturbing a partner, or as a subtle nightlight. Charging Capabilities A few bedside tables now include built-in USB ports or wireless charging pads. If you're always hunting for your phone charger, this might be worth the investment. Otherwise, a small cable management hole or tray can help keep cords tidy. Soft-Close Drawers If you share a bedroom, soft-close drawer mechanisms are a thoughtful feature. No more accidentally waking your partner when you fumble for something in the middle of the night. Small Bedroom Solutions Working with limited space? Here are some strategies: Go Vertical When floor space is tight, look for taller, narrower bedside tables. A slim table with multiple shelves stores just as much as a wider piece while taking up less room. Wall-Mounted Options Floating shelves or wall-mounted bedside tables free up floor space completely. This makes the room feel larger and makes vacuuming easier too. Just make sure they're securely mounted to handle the weight of your bedside essentials. Multi-Functional Pieces Consider a small stool that doubles as a bedside table, or a ladder shelf that provides storage and display space in a compact footprint. Open Designs Tables with open shelving or slim legs feel lighter than solid, boxy pieces. They allow visual flow around the furniture, making the room feel more spacious. Do You Need Two? The classic approach is to have matching bedside tables on either side of a double, queen, or king bed. But is this actually necessary? If both sides of the bed are equally accessible and both sleepers want their own space, yes, two tables makes sense. But if one side of the bed is against a wall, or if only one person uses that side regularly, a single bedside table might be perfectly adequate. Consider your actual habits rather than what looks "correct" in magazine photos. Functionality should always come first. Common Mistakes to Avoid Buying Without Measuring This is the most common mistake. What looks like the right size in a showroom can be completely wrong in your bedroom. Always measure your mattress height and available floor space before shopping. Ignoring Functionality A beautiful bedside table that doesn't hold what you need is frustrating to live with. Think practically about your bedtime and morning routines. Forgetting About Lamp Space If you're planning to put a lamp on your bedside table, make sure there's room for it without the lampshade hanging over the edge. Measure your lamp base footprint. Choosing Style Over Substance A trendy piece that doesn't suit your lifestyle will annoy you long after the trend has passed. Choose something that works for how you actually live. Putting It All Together The perfect bedside table for your bedroom is one that: Sits at roughly the same height as your mattress top Provides the storage you actually need (not more, not less) Fits the available space without cramping the room Complements your existing furniture and decor Suits your budget and quality expectations Take your time with this decision. A good bedside table will serve you for years, making every morning and evening just a little bit better. Find Your Perfect Bedside Table TSB Living offers a range of bedroom furniture including bedside tables in various styles, sizes, and price points. From classic wooden designs to modern pieces with built-in features, you'll find options to suit any New Zealand bedroom. With flexible payment options like Afterpay and Zip, you can spread the cost and enjoy your new bedroom furniture sooner. Looking for more bedroom inspiration? Check out these guides: Discovering the Perfect Balance of Function and Style with Bedside Tables Space-Saving Bedroom Furniture Ideas for Small Rooms Create Your Dream Bedroom with Afterpay: Beds to Wardrobes
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