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When designing your bedroom, don’t overlook your nightstand. It’s where you keep all of your essentials, but it’s not always the first place we think of to style. In order to style this area of your sleep space like a pro, you will want to read on to hear interior designers’ top six tips for how to elevate a bedside table so that it’s both functional and stylish.
Meet the Expert
- Corinne Back is an interior designer and the founder of Corinne Victoria Design.
- Lauren Waldorf Mendenhall is the founder of Lauren Waldorf Interiors, a firm with clients across the US and the UK.
- Danielle Domingues is the owner and principal designer of Collins & Co Interiors,
Prioritize Space for the Essentials
@houseofchais / Instagram
While you will of course want your nightstand to be visually appealing, it should also serve a distinct function: providing a home for the items that you will need to access every evening. For that reason, Corinne Back, the founder of Corinne Victoria Design, recommends taking a “less is more approach” and ensuring that you have plenty of room to set down a glass of water and position your phone to charge overnight.
Lauren Waldorf Mendenhall, the founder of Lauren Waldorf Interiors, likes to “keep tech minimal and nicely contained” and suggests placing your phone in a leather or suede charging tray for a streamlined look.
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Don’t Forget a Lamp
Unless you have wall sconces hanging above each nightstand, you will want to be sure to adorn each of your bedside tables with a lamp.
“Table lamps should be bigger than you think,” Back says. For nightstands, she recommends purchasing styles that are at least 30 inches high.
Feel free to think a bit outside the box when it comes to specific lamp styles to add a bit of character to your sleep space.
Danielle Domingues, the founder of Collins & Co Interiors, has been enjoying decorating with alabaster lamps.
“They have the most beautiful glow at night that can’t be recreated,” she says. “It’s a natural stone, so no two look exactly alike and that gives the room elegance and character.”
Bring in Fresh Blooms
AGA Interior Design / Photo by Sarah Winchester Studios
Nothing makes a room or vignette feel more pulled together than a vase of flowers, so don’t forget to place one on your nightstand.
“Fresh flowers are an absolute must, even if I’m the only one who sees them,” Mendenhall says. “They just make me happy and feel luxe and elevated even the simplest space without spending much.”
Of course, you don’t have to go quite so literal—if you prefer branches or other clippings from the backyard, standard greenery works well, too, Mendenhall adds.
“It sounds a bit basic, but I’m always amazed at how even a few stems can bring life to a space when styling,” the designer says.
Display a Book or Two
Brianna Untener, the founder of Brianna Scott Interiors, always likes to style a nightstand with a book or two, be it a few novels or a larger coffee table book. Doing so, she says, will keep the nightstand from looking too bare. Of course, this tactic also serves a function—you’ll always have reading material nearby without having to get out of bed!
Set out a Tray
You can never own too many trays, whether trinket sized or more spacious, and Mina Lisanen, the founder of ML Interiors, recommends placing one on the nightstand, where it can truly serve a multitude of purposes.
“A chic tray is perfect for keeping things like jewelry, candles, or your favorite hand cream organized,” she says. “It keeps everything tidy and adds a polished look.”
Add Finishing Touches
A nightstand is a wonderful opportunity for a good styling moment. It doesn’t need to be anything complex, but you will definitely want to weave in a few accent pieces beyond just the practical.
“Accessories transform a room because they give it life, make it feel lived in and warm,” says Malorie Goldberg, the founder of Noa Blake Design. “Something as simple as adding a candle on top of a coffee table book or a picture frame layered with a small plant on your nightstand will immediately make your bedroom feel well-designed.”
Goldberg also likes the idea of weaving in accessories such as trinket dishes, photo frames, candles, coasters, and books.
The best part is that these types of items are easy to source anywhere and at a range of price points.
If you’re on a tight budget, keep in mind that are items that you can easily acquire at your local thrift store. They also make for fun souvenirs to look for during your travels.