Dutch Night Stands

Nightstands are traditionally designed with functionality in mind. Prior to the advent of indoor plumbing, early nightstands contained a porcelain chamber pot in a cabinet that provided a convenient and private alternative to visiting the outhouse. Today, this piece of furniture — often called a bedside table — is typically a low-profile table that is positioned alongside one’s bed or elsewhere in a bedroom. A nightstand is mainly used to store or support objects that may be needed at night, such as a phone, a book or a small carafe of water. But nightstands can easily be personalized.

"I’ve got a huge vintage lamp, and when I’m lucky, I’ll have fresh flowers in a bud vase," Chicago interior designer Summer Thornton tells The Study about styling a nightstand.

Whether you take a minimalist approach to bedside table decor or prefer to top it with stacks of books and other essentials that you'd like to have at arm's length — this furniture can also change the look and feel of a room, rendering any interior more comfortable and cozy.

Practicality plays a prominent role in perfecting your bedside space, but the decision to furnish your bedroom with a cherrywood mid-century modern nightstand or an antique mahogany piece can have an impact on how you start your day. Take the first step in setting the perfect tone of your morning — browse the wide selection of antique, new and vintage nightstands at 1stDibs now.