The bedside table next to the bed is one of the most important surfaces in the bedroom. It is a storage place for books, photo frames, and sleep essentials such as eye masks and earplugs. Most of us opt for the classic version: a small square table with drawers and a matching table on the other side of the bed. But this functional area doesn’t have to be so square.
Swapping out a classic bedside table for non-bedroom furniture can add personality and functionality to your bedroom. Here are 10 unique alternatives to the classic bedside table. What’s the best part about these options? They’re so common that you probably already have them. If not, you can buy them at a garage auction or flea market for a reasonable price.
1. Bookshelves. Bookshelves are a reliable storage option for more than just fiction and non-fiction books. If there is enough space on one side of the bed, try leaning the bookshelf against the bed wall. It can hold books (of course) as well as decorative boxes for personal items such as earplugs and eye masks. If it has an open back or a hole for threading out the wire, then the shelf can also store a small table lamp.
If your bedroom door is in the corner of your bedroom (which is common), then a bookcase may look best placed in the corner furthest from the door. This layout will make the room appear more balanced when entering. This rule does not apply if your door is in the middle of the room.
Tip: Mix books with decorations to keep your bookshelves neat and stylish. Try to coordinate the colors of the spine and alternate their positions from horizontal to vertical. Both of these strategies will help create a well-designed look.
2. Toolbox. The toolbox isn’t just for ease of use. They can be a sturdy piece of furniture with plenty of storage space. They typically range in size from 18 to 48 inches wide and come in a variety of heights and depths that can easily fit into bedside space. Most toolboxes are glossy colors – red and black are the most common – and can be purchased for less than $100. Or maybe you have one in your garage waiting to be repurposed. Either way, a toolbox is a versatile storage piece that can add personality and quirkiness to your bedroom.
Tip: Try using your toolbox as a bedside table in your child’s room. Bright colors, multiple drawers, and small sizes can add useful storage space and pops of color to your child’s or teen’s room.
3. Desk. Some tables are just larger and wider versions of the bedside table. The flat surface of the table can be used to place lamps, books, and other nighttime essentials. If you have enough space, you can add a chair to create a bedside table that doubles as a workspace while also being used as a workspace.
Tip: If your bed is placed in the middle of a wall and you add a table on one side, be sure to place another piece of furniture on the other side that is at least the same height as the mattress. And use lamps of the same height on two pieces of furniture – they don’t need to be the same style. These things prevent one side of the room from looking overly furnished.
4. Chairs. Embrace your whimsical side and choose a chair to use as your bedside table. This look works especially well when there’s plenty of room for a bedside table on one side of the bed – although it also looks lovely when you have chairs on either side of the bed.
Tip: To increase interest, choose a chair with a different texture than the other textiles in the room. For example, you can choose velvet instead of silk. It’s also fun to choose a color that’s different from the other colors in the room, but that harmonizes with it, like in this bedroom. Add a hard tray or a book to the top of the chair to create a sturdy surface for your bedside knick-knacks.
5. Dresser or wardrobe. Instead of limiting your bedside table to small or low-key, you can be bold with relatively large furniture, such as a dresser or chest of drawers. This can provide much-needed extra storage space, especially in cramped bedrooms.
The key to larger pieces is to create balance. When the bed is placed in the middle of the wall, add a large piece of furniture on the other side, and a second dresser or table is usually fine. Make sure both pieces are similar in height and width to create a more symmetrical look.
When the bedside tables don’t match, adding lights of the same height on both sides of the bed can add a harmonious effect.
Tip: If you choose two different lights and they are not exactly the same height, place a book or two underneath the shorter lights to add their extra height.
6. Console. A sideboard table is a versatile piece of furniture that can be used in many rooms of the house. It is slim, airy and offers a small drawer for personal belongings. In the bedroom, the entryway table can double as a bedside table and desk, or a bedside table and dresser, as its open space allows you to place a stool, footstool, or chair underneath.
Tip: If you don’t have a matching table, make sure that the other bedside table is at least the same height as the bed and similar the width of the entryway table.
7. Floating rack. If your headboard space is challenging, or if you prefer a minimalist style, try using floating shelves as an alternative to your bedside tables. Nowadays, the design of the floating frame goes beyond the simple white or wooden rectangle as we know it. Stylish shelves come in glossy shades and come in a variety of shapes, and can also offer useful storage options. The shelves on either side of the bed are usually built-in and look best when the size and style are the same.
Find a shelf that is wide or deep enough to hold a small bedside lamp and book, and hang it at the same height as the top of the mattress.
Tip: Secure the shelf to the wall with anchors and screws that can hold a weight of 40 pounds, or at least the load recommended by the shelf instructions. Make sure that the total weight of the bedside items is less than the maximum load on the shelf.
8. Step stool. The repurposed step stool is a smart, economical and space-saving alternative to bedside tables. Whether designed for a children’s room, kitchen, or garage, stools are typically smaller in size and fit into tight spaces. A typical step stool size is 15 to 18 inches wide and about 21 inches high, making it ideal for many beds.
Tip: Since a table lamp may take up most of the surface area of a step stool, consider installing a wall lamp above it. In this way, there is room on the stool for books, reading glasses or vases. If space in your bedroom allows, pair the stool with similarly sized furniture on the other side of the bed.
9. Suitcases or suitcases. To add a vintage touch to your bedroom, buy those old, weathered suitcases that you see at thrift stores. Stack them on top of each other and place a sturdy tray on top to make a fun DIY nightstand. Choose a variety of colors to create a design feature in the room, or subtly paint your suitcase the same color for a more shabby-chic look, as shown in this photo.
Again, pull the old box out of the attic. The large surface area can easily accommodate lamps and other decorative items. Bring the vintage style of your suitcase to the rest of the room by scattering small accessories such as old photo frames or antique mirrors.
Tip: The storage space inside the suitcase is the perfect place to store extra blankets.
10.Ottoman。 The footstool can be easily adapted to life on the bedside table. They can be upholstered, leather, or wood. They also come in a variety of shapes: round, square, rectangular, octagonal. Choose a mattress that is the same height as the top of the mattress and the width that fits the bedside space. For an upholstered footstool, you may want to place a tray or a large book on top to create a flat surface for lamps and other bedside items.
Tip: Look for a footstool that has extra storage inside. Many shoe cabinets have compartments dedicated to storing shoes – a perk for shoe lovers.