6 Tips to Choose a Nightstand That Fits Your Bedroom in 2025
You roll into bed at night, you reach for your phone and a glass of water, and you notice that your nightstand is either too high, too low, and just doesn’t hold what you need.
You might feel that this tiny piece of furniture suddenly becomes the most annoying thing in your room.
You should know that most people pick a nightstand just because it “looks nice,” and they only realize later that it doesn’t work for their daily routine.
You have to make sure your nightstand matches your bed height, fits your space, and gives you the right mix of style and function.
You will learn exactly how to choose a nightstand in this article, and you will see how the nightstand choice matters to you.
Let’s find out!
Why Does Your Nightstand Choice Matter?
Your nightstand is not just another piece of furniture, you rely on it every single night, and you will notice when it doesn’t work for you.
You might find that if it is too short, you stretch uncomfortably to grab your phone. If it is too tall, you can bump into it and knock things over.
You may also go too small and run out of space for your lamp, book, or glass of water, or go too big and you will see how it swallows your room.
You should know that the right nightstand keeps your essentials within easy reach, helps you balance your bedroom visually, and lets you cut down on clutter.
How to Choose a Nightstand? 6 Tips
Following are the 6 ways to choose a night stand.
1. Get the Size and Height Right
The first thing you should check is height, and you will see how much it changes your nightly routine.
Your nightstand should be level with the top of your mattress, and just a couple of inches lower so you can reach everything easily.
If it is too high, you will feel awkward, too low, and you will strain every time you grab something.
You have to remember that standard nightstands fall between 23-28 inches, but you should always measure your own bed first so it works perfectly for you.
Width matters too, you can pick slimmer tables for smaller beds, and a queen or king bed looks better with wider stands.
2. Pick the Width and Depth for Your Bed
You should let the size of your bed guide how wide your nightstand is, and you will see how much it helps your room feel balanced.
You can pick a slim table around 12-18 inches wide if you have a twin bed so it fits perfectly.
For a full and queen bed, you should look for something 18-24 inches wide so you can make your space feel balanced.
If you sleep on a king bed, you can go wider at least 24-30 inches, so you will see that the proportions feel right for you.
You should also think about depth. You can aim for 14-18 inches to leave enough space for your lamp and water glass without taking up too much room.
In smaller bedrooms, you should choose narrower depths so you can keep your walkways clear and easy to move through.
3. Match the Style to Your Room
You should make sure your nightstand feels like it belongs in your bedroom, and you will see how much it improves the room when it fits your style.
You can pick clean lines and simple finishes if your bed has a modern frame, so you can keep the look cohesive.
If your bed is traditional, you can choose wood tones and details that echo your bed’s style so you can make everything feel intentional.
You might think you have to match both nightstands, but you don’t – you can mix designs as long as you keep the height the same, and you can tie them together with one element, like color and hardware.
You can think of it as blending, not copying, and you will see how this creates balance so your room feels pulled together without being too stiff.
4. Choose Storage That Works for You
You should think about what you actually keep beside your bed, and you will see how much easier your nights get when your nightstand works for you.
If you like a clean surface, you can choose a nightstand with drawers so you can hide your chargers, glasses, or medicine.
You can go with open shelves if you want to stack your books and keep baskets underneath so you can grab what you need quickly.
You can also pick designs that combine both, giving you hidden storage plus display space so you can have the best of both worlds.
In small bedrooms, you will notice that even one drawer can make a big difference in reducing clutter.
If you share your room, you can make sure matching storage keeps each side neat and fair.
You will see that the right setup makes your nightstand work for your routine, not against it.
5. Think About Tech and Cables
You probably charge your phone, tablet, and smartwatch at night, and you will see how much smoother your routine feels when your nightstand handles your tech well.
You can pick designs with built-in USB ports and outlets, and you should make sure they are UL-listed so you can be safe.
If your nightstand doesn’t have them, you can use a small charging station and cord organizer so you don’t have to deal with tangled cables.
You might look for grommet holes and back cutouts so your wires pass through neatly, and you will notice how much cleaner your space looks.
You can keep cords hidden so your nightstand stays functional without turning into a cluttered mess.
6. Pair It with the Right Lamp
You should know that a nightstand is not complete without good lighting, and you will see how much it improves your space.
You can pick a lamp that is tall enough so you can read comfortably, but not so tall that it looks awkward.
You have to follow a simple rule: choose a lamp about 2-3 inches taller than your nightstand so it works perfectly for you.
You should make sure the bottom of the shade sits around your eye level when you are sitting up in bed, so you can get light where you need it without glare.
If your space is tight, you can try wall-mounted sconces so you can free up your nightstand surface.
You will notice that the right lamp makes your whole setup both practical and stylish.
When Should You Spend More on Quality?
You don’t always need a high-end nightstand, and you will see how much easier it is to pick one that fits your life.
If you rent, move often, and like to change styles, you can go with a budget-friendly option and still get what you need.
You should save money on trendy colors and shapes that you know you will swap out in a few years.
But if you want something that lasts, you should look at solid wood and timeless designs, and you will notice how much longer they hold up.
You should also think about how much you actually use your nightstand; your main bedroom deserves a sturdier piece than a guest room.
You can spend where durability matters, and you can save where flexibility works better for you.
Conclusion
You should know that choosing a nightstand is not just about picking something that looks good in the store, you want one that actually works for you.
You can find a piece that fits your space, matches your bed, and makes your nights easier.
When you get the height, size, storage, and style right, you will notice the difference every single day.
You will see how a good nightstand keeps your essentials within reach, helps you cut down on clutter, and ties your room together.
You should take a few minutes to measure, plan, and think about your routine, and you will end up with a piece you’ll be glad to use for years.
FAQs
Do both nightstands have to match?
You don’t have to match your nightstands exactly, and you will see how mixing styles can still work for you.
You can keep the height the same and make sure there is one shared element like a similar finish, hardware color, and lamp, so you can tie them together.
You will notice that this approach keeps your room balanced without making it feel too uniform.
What if I don’t have space for a nightstand?
You still have options if a traditional nightstand doesn’t fit your space, and you will see how flexible you can be.
You can use floating shelves, wall-mounted cubbies, and even a sturdy stool as your bedside storage so you can keep your essentials close.
You should make sure your lamp, phone, and water is always within reach, and you will notice how much cleaner and less cluttered your room feels.
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