How to Pick Bedside Tables That Fit Your Room
A bedside table can look right in a showroom and still be frustrating at home. If it sits too low beside the mattress, has nowhere for a book or glasses, or makes a narrow bedroom feel crowded, it will not earn its place. Knowing how to pick bedside tables comes down to a few practical checks: bed height, available floor space, storage needs and the overall look of your bedroom furniture.
Start with the height of your bed
The most useful bedside table is usually close to the height of the top of your mattress. This puts a lamp, water glass, mobile and reading material within easy reach while you are in bed. As a general guide, aim for a tabletop that is level with the mattress or up to around 5 cm higher or lower.
Before shopping, measure from the floor to the top of your mattress, not just to the top of the bed base or frame. Modern mattresses vary considerably in depth, particularly when you add a mattress topper. A table that appears standard in size may be too short next to a tall upholstered bed or too high beside a lower timber frame.
If you share a bed, check both sides. In most bedrooms, matching heights create a more settled and practical arrangement, even if you choose two different bedside table designs. Where space is tight, a slim table at the correct height will usually work better than a larger option that crowds the walkway.
How to pick bedside tables for the space available
Measure the wall space on each side of the bed before deciding on width and depth. Leave enough room to walk around the bed comfortably and to open nearby wardrobe doors or drawers. In a compact room, a bedside table that is 40 to 50 cm wide may provide all the surface area you need without making the layout feel cramped.
Depth matters as much as width. Deep bedside tables can project into the path around the bed, especially when placed beside a queen or king bed in a standard-sized room. A shallower design is often a better choice if the table only needs to hold a lamp and a few nightly essentials.
Consider the visual weight of the piece too. A solid, wide bedside cabinet can suit a generous master bedroom with a substantial bedhead. In a smaller guest room, tables with slimmer legs or an open lower shelf can make the room feel less boxed in. This is not only about appearance - lighter-looking furniture can help preserve useful floor space and make cleaning easier.
Decide what you need to store
Bedside storage should match how you actually use the bedroom. A simple one-drawer table suits someone who only needs a place for chargers, tissues and a book. Two or three drawers are more useful if you prefer to keep medication, skincare, reading glasses, notebooks or personal items tucked away.
Open shelving is handy for books, baskets and larger items, but it does require a little more organisation. If you like a tidy, uncluttered bedroom, drawers are often the easier option. They hide everyday items and leave the tabletop clear for a lamp, clock or decorative piece.
Think about drawer operation before buying. A bedside table may fit between the bed and a wall, but its drawers still need room to open fully. Also check where power points sit. If you charge devices overnight, choose a table that lets cables reach the outlet without being stretched across a walkway. Some households prefer a table with an open back or enough clearance underneath to manage cords neatly.
Match the style to the bed, not every detail
Your bedside tables do not need to be identical to the bed frame, but they should look intentional beside it. Start with the biggest furniture piece in the room: the bed. A timber bed frame pairs naturally with timber bedside tables, while upholstered beds work well with timber, painted, metal or textured finishes depending on the room's colour scheme.
Matching bedroom furniture gives a coordinated result and can make furnishing a new home simpler. However, a matched suite is not the only good choice. Complementary pieces can add character, provided there is a clear connection in colour, material, shape or hardware. For example, warm oak-toned tables can work alongside a cream upholstered bed, while black handles can tie bedside drawers to a black metal bed frame.
Avoid choosing a bedside table purely because it matches one finish exactly if the proportions are wrong. A well-sized table in a complementary finish is more useful than a perfect colour match that is too high, too bulky or short on storage.
Consider the finish for everyday use
The finish should suit both the bedroom and the household. Timber and timber-look finishes bring warmth and are practical for many homes, though pale surfaces may show marks more readily. Painted finishes can create a clean, classic look, while darker colours can make a strong contrast against light walls and bedding.
If the table will hold drinks, check that the surface is easy to wipe clean. A tray or coaster helps protect any finish from water rings. In family homes, durable materials and easy-clean surfaces often matter more than a delicate finish that needs constant care.
Choose the right tabletop area
It is easy to focus on drawers and forget the top surface. Make sure there is enough room for the things you use each night. A bedside lamp takes up more space than many people expect, particularly if it has a wide base. Add a book, a glass of water and a charging mobile, and a very narrow tabletop can become impractical.
A larger table is worthwhile if you read in bed, use a substantial lamp or need regular access to medication and other essentials. On the other hand, a compact surface can be the right answer for a guest bedroom, apartment or smaller room where the bed is the main priority.
Wall-mounted lighting can free up the tabletop, but it is a more permanent choice and may not suit every rental, renovation plan or room layout. A smaller lamp with a narrower base is often the simpler solution.
Do you need matching tables on both sides?
Matching bedside tables create balance, particularly with a queen or king bed positioned centrally on a wall. They are a reliable choice for main bedrooms and give each person equal storage and surface space.
Different tables can work when one side of the bed has less room, such as beside a wardrobe, window or ensuite door. The key is to keep their heights close and their overall scale similar. You might use a narrow drawer unit on one side and a small open table on the other, with matching lamps or similar timber tones to bring the arrangement together.
For a single bed, one bedside table is usually enough. In a child's room, consider whether drawers, rounded edges and a stable base are more useful than a large tabletop. In a guest room, a simple table with a lamp, drawer and accessible power point will cover most needs.
Check quality and practical details before buying
Look beyond the front view. Check whether the table feels stable, whether drawers run smoothly and whether the handles are comfortable to use. A bedside table is opened and closed daily, so construction and hardware matter. If it has legs, make sure it sits firmly on your flooring and does not wobble.
Confirm the full product dimensions, including handles, overhanging tops and drawer clearance. It is also worth measuring access through your hallway, stairwell or lift if you live in an apartment. For online purchases, knowing the measurements before delivery helps avoid a table that is difficult to place or returns that could have been prevented.
When furnishing a bedroom, Home About offers bedside tables alongside beds, drawers, mirrors and lighting, making it easier to compare pieces that suit the same room. Whether you are replacing a tired pair or setting up a whole new bedroom, begin with the measurements and daily use rather than the finish alone.
A bedside table is a small piece of furniture with a very regular job. Choose one that meets your hand at the right height, holds what you need and leaves the room easy to move through, and it will feel right long after the bedroom is finished.
- Admin
