Bedside Table Design

Questions About Bedside Table Design

• What is a bedside table called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021

  A bedside table is also known as a nightstand. It is a small table or cabinet designed to stand beside a bed, but it can also be placed elsewhere in a bedroom. Find a variety of vintage and antique bedside tables on 1stDibs.

• How tall should bedside tables be?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021

  There's no standard height for bedside tables. However, it should typically be the same height as the mattress.

• What can you replace a bedside table with?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023

  You can replace a bedside table with many things. Some ideas include a desk, metal trunk, bar cart, stool or floating wall shelf. To ensure that you can easily access items, choose something that is as close to the height of your bed as possible. Shop a range of bedroom furniture from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.

• What do you put on a bedside table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021

  The most common items to put on a bedside table are lamps, clocks, candles and catch-all trays. What you put on your bedside table is totally up to you. People tend to put items they think they may need throughout the night and in the morning.

• What is the best size for a bedside table lamp?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024

  The best size for a bedside table lamp is between 24 and 27 inches tall. Finding the best table lamp for your nightstand depends on variables such as the shape of your bedside table, the size of your nightstand's tabletop and personal preferences when it comes to styling your nightstand.
  
  Albert Hadley–trained designer Harry Heissmann says this about creating a bedside haven for his clients: “A reading lamp is essential and needs to be on a dedicated outlet. I like to keep clients’ nightstands edited, with a carafe for water and an alarm clock, and sometimes a landline phone for emergencies.”
  
  Find a range of antique and vintage table lamps and other lighting on 1stDibs.

• Can you use a chest of drawers as a bedside table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023

  Yes, a chest of drawers can be used as a bedside table, provided that you have enough space beside your bed to accommodate it. If you want to be able to easily reach items on the top of the chest, choose a piece that is about 2 to 4 inches taller than your mattress. Shop a variety of bedroom furniture on 1stDibs.

• What makes a table lamp a collectible design piece rather than a generic one?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026

  A documented maker, original glass or ceramic components, and period-correct wiring hardware all add to a lamp's collectibility.