Bedside tables
Bedside tables and nightstands for a beautifully composed bedroom
Bedside tables bring balance, function and quiet elegance to the space beside the bed. More than a practical surface for a book, reading glasses or a phone, they help frame the bed, define the room’s silhouette and add a considered design detail to the bedroom. Whether you prefer a classic freestanding piece, a light wall-mounted design or a matching pair for a symmetrical look, the right bedside table combines proportion, material and storage with effortless style. Discover wooden bedside tables, metal designs, marble styles, open shelves, closed storage and many more refined options.
read more
Contents
- Bedside tables and nightstands for a beautifully composed bedroom
- How to choose the right bedside table
- Materials and designs to suit your style
- Bedside table types to explore
- Styling bedside tables in the bedroom
- Quality, care and long-term use
- Frequently asked questions about bedside tables
How to choose the right bedside table
The best bedside table should feel proportionate to the bed, easy to reach and visually in tune with the rest of the bedroom. Start with size and height: the tabletop should ideally sit at mattress height or slightly below, so a lamp, book or glass of water is comfortably within reach. Consider storage next. Drawers and doors keep small items hidden, while open shelves feel lighter and offer quick access to books or everyday essentials. Material defines the mood, from warm wood and sleek metal to refined marble or light glass. For compact bedrooms, wall-mounted or slim designs help create an airy impression. For larger rooms, a pair of bedside tables can bring symmetry and a more polished hotel-inspired feel. Finally, think about long-term use and care, especially if the surface will hold lamps, chargers, drinks or decorative accessories every day.
Materials and designs to suit your style and room
Bedside tables come in a wide variety of forms, materials and finishes, making them an important part of the bedroom’s overall atmosphere. Whether your interior is modern, minimal, classic or elegant, the right piece can subtly complete the space. Choose wood for warmth and texture, metal for a modern industrial note, marble for a refined accent or glass for a light, elegant look.
| Interior style | Characteristics | Suitable bedside tables |
|---|---|---|
| Scandinavian-inspired | Light colours, minimal forms, tactile materials | Light wooden bedside tables, compact or wall-mounted designs for an airy look, simple silhouettes. |
| Modern | Clean lines, neutral colours, functional details | Metal or glass bedside tables, freestanding or wall-mounted, with clear shapes and minimal detailing. |
| Boho | Colourful, patterned, cosy, layered | Wooden bedside tables with drawers or decorative details, paired with woven textures, rattan accents or linen. |
| Country-inspired | Cosy, rustic, warm materials | Solid wooden bedside tables, with doors or drawers where needed, rustic surfaces and warm tones. |
| Elegant | Refined materials, polished finishes, subtle accents | Marble or glass bedside tables, wall-mounted or freestanding, with high-quality surfaces and understated details. |
Form and function are equally important. Freestanding bedside tables offer stability and storage, while wall-mounted designs create a minimalist, floating effect and keep the floor clear. Drawers or doors help maintain a calm, orderly look, while open shelves keep books and everyday essentials within easy reach. The right choice brings together design, function and everyday practicality in a way that feels tailored to your bedroom.
Bedside table types to explore
- Wooden bedside tables bring warmth and texture to the bedroom, pairing beautifully with upholstered beds, linen bedding and soft neutral palettes.
- Metal bedside tables create a clean, modern look and work well with industrial-inspired, contemporary or minimal interiors.
- Marble bedside tables add an elegant accent beside the bed, especially when combined with soft lighting, glass details or metallic finishes.
- Bedside tables with drawers keep small essentials close but hidden, helping the bedroom feel calm and uncluttered.
- Bedside tables with doors offer practical closed storage for books, chargers, tissues or personal items.
Wall-mounted vs freestanding bedside tables: which is better?
Wall-mounted bedside tables feel light and minimal, making them ideal for narrow bedrooms or beds with a higher frame. They keep the floor clear and can make cleaning beneath the furniture easier. Freestanding bedside tables offer more stability and often provide greater storage, especially as drawer or door designs. Compact models work well in smaller rooms, while larger bedrooms can accommodate broader bedside tables with more surface space and integrated storage.
| Interior style | Main benefits | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Wall-mounted | Airy, minimal, keeps the floor clear, makes vacuuming easier | Narrow bedrooms, beds with higher frames, minimal interiors |
| Freestanding | Stable, often offers more storage and surface space, available with drawers or doors | Compact rooms with slim models, larger bedrooms with more storage needs |
Open vs closed: which bedside table suits you?
The choice between open and closed bedside tables affects both the look and function of the bedroom. Closed designs help create order and a quieter visual impression, while open designs feel lighter and give quick access to everyday items. The right option depends on how much storage you need and how streamlined you want the bedside area to feel.
- Bedside tables with drawers help keep the space beside the bed tidy. Small essentials such as glasses, a phone or charging cables can be stored within easy reach without disrupting the calm look of the room.
- Bedside tables with doors offer additional storage for larger items, such as books, a hot water bottle or a tissue box, while integrating elegantly into different bedroom styles.
- Open bedside tables with shelves allow quick access to favourite books and decorative objects. They feel especially light in small rooms, although a little styling discipline helps keep the overall look calm.
Choose the storage style that best suits your routine, from discreet drawers to open shelves for books and decorative objects.
| Variant | Benefits | Ideal for |
|---|---|---|
| Drawer | Easy to keep tidy, small items can be stored out of sight | Minimal bedrooms and anyone who prefers a clear surface |
| Door | More concealed storage, helps protect contents from dust | Books, electronics or personal items |
| Open | Quick access to books and objects, airy and light | Small rooms, open styling and minimal interiors |
Styling bedside tables in the bedroom
To be practical as well as beautiful, bedside tables should be chosen to suit the height and width of the bed. A table that is too low can feel awkward to reach, while one that is too high may interrupt the clean line of the bed. Matching pairs create a symmetrical, composed look, while two different tables can feel more individual and relaxed when linked by colour, material or lighting.
| Bed type | Mattress height | Recommended bedside table height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box spring bed | 55 to 65 cm | 50 to 60 cm | The tabletop should sit around mattress height or 5 to 10 cm below, ideal for lamps and comfortable access to drawers or doors. |
| Standard bed frame or upholstered bed | 45 to 55 cm | 40 to 50 cm | For everyday comfort, the table should finish slightly below mattress height |
| Standard bed frame or upholstered bed | 45 to 55 cm | 40 to 50 cm | For everyday comfort, the table should finish slightly below mattress height./td> |
| Low futon or platform bed | 30 to 40 cm | 25 to 35 cm | Choose a proportionally lower bedside table to preserve visual balance in the room. |
Explore beds to suit your home
For a cohesive bedroom scheme, the relationship between the bedside table, bed and accessories is key. Complete the look with bedside lamps, bed linen, cushions and decorative pieces chosen to harmonise with the material, colour and style of your bedside tables. Wooden and metal designs pair beautifully with neutral or soft-toned bedding, while marble and glass tables introduce a more elegant, modern accent. The result is a bedroom that feels practical, calm and inviting.
Craftsmanship, quality and timeless bedroom design
A bedside table should feel quietly refined, with balanced proportions, considered details and materials that suit the rhythm of daily life. Smooth-running drawers, stable feet, well-finished surfaces and secure wall mounting for floating designs all contribute to a more reassuring piece of furniture. Wood brings warmth and texture, metal adds a clean architectural note, glass feels light and marble creates an elegant accent. Westwing’s curated selection focuses on pieces that combine functional storage with design-led silhouettes, helping the bedroom feel calm, composed and personal.
Quality and care: looking after bedside tables
Bedside tables are used every day, so they should be both beautiful and easy to live with. Quality materials, stable construction and careful maintenance help preserve the look and function of the piece over time. Care needs vary by material, from robust wood and modern metal to more delicate surfaces such as glass and marble.
Cleaning and caring for bedside tables
Alongside quality materials and stable construction, regular care helps keep your bedside table looking polished and working well over time. Each material has different needs, but a few simple habits can protect the surface and support everyday use.
- Wood: Warm and tactile. Clean with a dry or slightly damp cloth and protect from excessive moisture.
- Metal: Robust and easy to care for. Wipe away dust with a dry cloth and use suitable care for glossy surfaces if needed.
- Glass: Easy to clean but sensitive to scratches. Use glass cleaner and a soft cloth to remove fingerprints and streaks. Avoid placing sharp-edged objects directly on the surface.
- Marble: Refined but sensitive to liquids. Remove spills immediately and use mild cleaners suitable for stone surfaces.
Recognising quality and supporting long-term use
When choosing a bedside table, look for stable construction, quality materials and neat finishing. Smooth drawer runners, steady feet and secure wall mounting for floating models all make daily use more comfortable. Accessories such as coasters, felt pads and trays can help protect surfaces, keeping the bedside area looking considered and well cared for.