A nightstand may be one of the smaller pieces in a bedroom, but it has a major impact on how the room looks and functions. The right nightstand gives you a convenient place for lighting, books, devices, water, decor, and everyday essentials while helping frame the bed and complete the overall design.
Choosing a nightstand is not only about finding a piece that looks good. Size, height, storage, proportion, material, and style all matter. A nightstand that is too tall, too short, too wide, or too small can make the bedroom feel visually unbalanced or less practical.
Whether you are furnishing a primary bedroom, guest room, or full modern bedroom furniture layout, this guide will help you choose nightstands that fit your bed, support your routine, and complement the rest of your space.
Start With the Height of Your Bed
The most important nightstand measurement is height. A nightstand should usually sit close to the height of your mattress so items are easy to reach while you are in bed.
If the nightstand is too low, reaching for a lamp, phone, book, or glass of water can feel awkward. If it is too high, the piece may overpower the bed and make the room feel out of proportion.
As a general rule, choose a nightstand that is:
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Level with the top of your mattress
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Slightly below the mattress height
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Only a few inches higher if the design still feels balanced
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Easy to reach from a lying or seated position
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Proportional to the bed frame and headboard
If you have a low-profile modern bed, you may need a lower nightstand. If you have a taller bed or thick mattress, a slightly taller nightstand may work better.
Measure the Space Beside the Bed
Before choosing a nightstand, measure the space on each side of the bed. This helps you decide how wide the nightstand can be without making the room feel crowded.
Measure:
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The distance between the bed and the wall
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The distance between the bed and nearby furniture
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The space needed for closet doors or room doors to open
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Walkway space around the bed
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The width of your headboard
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The overall wall where the bed is placed
A nightstand should fit comfortably beside the bed while leaving enough space to move around the room. If your bedroom is narrow, a slimmer nightstand may be better than a wide piece with extra drawers.
Choose the Right Nightstand Width
Nightstand width should be based on the size of your bed, the available space, and how much storage or surface area you need.
For larger beds, such as king or queen beds, wider nightstands often look more balanced. For smaller beds, guest rooms, or compact bedrooms, narrow nightstands may be a better fit.
General nightstand width considerations include:
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Narrow nightstands work well in small rooms or beside full-size beds.
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Medium-width nightstands are often a good fit for queen beds.
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Wider nightstands can balance king beds or larger headboards.
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Matching nightstands should feel proportional to the bed.
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A nightstand should not block doors, closets, or walking paths.
The goal is to choose a piece that feels useful without overwhelming the space.
Decide How Much Storage You Need
Some nightstands are simple tables, while others include drawers, shelves, cabinets, or a combination of storage options. The right choice depends on what you like to keep near your bed.
Think about whether you need space for:
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Books
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Reading glasses
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Phone chargers
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Medication
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Skincare
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Remote controls
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Journals
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Extra cables
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Tissues
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Personal items
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Small accessories
If you prefer a clean, uncluttered bedroom, a nightstand with drawers can help hide everyday items. If you like a lighter look, an open shelf or simple table-style nightstand may be enough.
Drawer Nightstands vs Open Nightstands
Drawer nightstands and open nightstands both have advantages. The better option depends on your routine and design preference.
A drawer nightstand may be best if:
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You want hidden storage.
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You keep several items beside the bed.
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You prefer a clean surface.
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You want a more substantial furniture piece.
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You are furnishing a primary bedroom.
An open nightstand may be best if:
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You want the room to feel lighter.
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You only need minimal storage.
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You like displaying books or decor.
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You are furnishing a guest room.
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You prefer a more airy modern look.
Some modern nightstands combine both, with one drawer and an open shelf. This can offer the best of both worlds by giving you hidden storage and a display area.
Match the Nightstand to the Bed
Nightstands should complement the bed, but they do not have to match it exactly. A coordinated bedroom set can feel polished, while complementary pieces can make the room feel more curated and personal.
If your bed has a strong design, such as a tall upholstered headboard or bold wood finish, choose nightstands that support the look without competing with it.
Consider:
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Bed height
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Headboard width
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Frame material
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Wood tone or upholstery color
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Hardware finish
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Overall design style
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Whether the bed feels light or visually heavy
For a low-profile modern bed, choose nightstands with clean lines and balanced proportions. For an upholstered bed, you may want nightstands that add contrast through wood, metal, lacquer, or textured finishes.
Should Nightstands Match?
Matching nightstands are a classic choice and work especially well when you want a balanced, symmetrical bedroom. This is common in primary bedrooms where the bed is centered on a wall with matching lighting on each side.
Matching nightstands may be best if:
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You want a cohesive bedroom layout.
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You prefer symmetry.
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You are furnishing the room from scratch.
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You have equal space on both sides of the bed.
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You want a polished, coordinated look.
Mismatched nightstands can also work beautifully when they are chosen with intention.
Mismatched nightstands may be best if:
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Each side of the bed has different space constraints.
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You want a more personal, designer-inspired look.
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One person needs more storage than the other.
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You want to mix materials or finishes.
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You already own one piece you want to keep.
If you choose mismatched nightstands, connect them through at least one common element, such as height, color, material, shape, or hardware finish.
Choose a Style That Fits the Bedroom
Nightstands should support the overall style of the bedroom. For a modern or contemporary space, look for pieces that feel clean, refined, and practical.
Popular nightstand styles include:
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Modern wood nightstands
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Upholstered nightstands
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Floating-style nightstands
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Nightstands with drawers
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Nightstands with open shelves
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Minimalist bedside tables
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Lacquer nightstands
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Metal-accented nightstands
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Mixed-material nightstands
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Contemporary storage nightstands
A modern nightstand should feel simple but not plain. Look for quality finishes, useful storage, and proportions that make the room feel complete.
Consider Materials and Finishes
The material of a nightstand affects both the look and maintenance of the bedroom. Choose a finish that works with the bed, flooring, dresser, chest, and other furniture in the room.
Common nightstand materials and finishes include:
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Wood
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Veneer
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Lacquer
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Glass
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Metal
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Stone-inspired surfaces
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Upholstered finishes
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Leather-look details
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Textured finishes
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Mixed materials
Wood nightstands can add warmth and natural texture. Lacquer or glass can create a sleeker contemporary look. Metal accents can help connect the nightstand to lighting, mirrors, or hardware elsewhere in the room.
If you already have dressers or chests, choose nightstands that complement those storage pieces without making the room feel too matched or too busy.
Think About Lighting
A nightstand often needs to support a lamp, so surface space matters. If you use table lamps, make sure the nightstand is wide and deep enough for the lamp base, along with any other items you keep nearby.
When planning lighting, consider:
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Lamp size
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Lampshade width
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Outlet placement
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Cord management
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Whether you need charging access
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Whether wall sconces would save surface space
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How much light you need for reading
If your nightstand surface is small, wall-mounted sconces or pendant lights can help free up space while still giving the room a polished look.
Plan for Charging and Devices
Many people use their nightstands as a charging station for phones, watches, tablets, or reading devices. If that is part of your routine, choose a piece that makes charging easy and keeps cords from becoming messy.
Consider:
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Access to nearby outlets
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Drawer space for cables
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Cord openings or cable management
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Surface area for devices
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Hidden storage for chargers
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Whether you need a power-friendly setup on both sides of the bed
A modern bedroom should feel calm, so it helps to plan where devices and cords will go before choosing your nightstands.
Choose Nightstands for Small Bedrooms
In a smaller bedroom, the best nightstand is usually compact, functional, and visually light. You may not have room for a wide piece with multiple drawers, but you can still choose something useful and stylish.
For small bedrooms, consider:
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Narrow nightstands
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Open-shelf designs
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Wall-mounted options
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Round bedside tables
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Nightstands with one drawer
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Light finishes
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Raised legs to create visual openness
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Wall sconces instead of table lamps
Small spaces benefit from pieces that serve more than one purpose. A compact nightstand with a drawer and open shelf can provide storage without taking up too much room.
Choose Nightstands for Large Bedrooms
Larger bedrooms can usually handle more substantial nightstands. If the bed is large or the headboard is wide, small nightstands may look out of scale.
For larger bedrooms, consider:
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Wider nightstands
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Two or three-drawer designs
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Larger table lamps
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Coordinated storage pieces
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Stronger materials or finishes
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Nightstands that match the scale of the bed
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Pieces that connect visually with a dresser or chest
In a spacious room, nightstands should feel intentional and proportionate rather than secondary.
Coordinate With Other Bedroom Furniture
A nightstand should not be chosen in isolation. It needs to work with the rest of the bedroom furniture, including the bed, dresser, chest, mirror, wardrobe, and bench.
For a cohesive layout, consider how the nightstand relates to:
The pieces do not need to be identical, but they should feel like they belong in the same room.
Common Nightstand Buying Mistakes
Nightstands are easy to overlook, but the wrong choice can make a bedroom feel awkward or incomplete.
Common mistakes include:
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Choosing a nightstand that is too tall or too short.
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Buying nightstands without measuring the space.
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Choosing pieces that are too small for a large bed.
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Choosing pieces that are too wide for a narrow room.
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Forgetting about storage needs.
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Not planning for lamps or charging.
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Choosing a finish that clashes with the bed.
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Buying matching pieces when each side needs different storage.
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Choosing style over function.
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Forgetting about drawer clearance.
A nightstand should make the bedroom easier to use, not just add another piece of furniture.
Nightstand Buying Checklist
Before choosing your nightstands, use this checklist:
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Measure the height of your mattress.
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Measure the space on each side of the bed.
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Decide whether you need one or two nightstands.
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Choose a width that fits the room.
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Decide how much storage you need.
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Choose between drawers, shelves, or open designs.
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Make sure there is space for a lamp.
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Plan for phone charging and cords.
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Choose a finish that complements the bed.
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Coordinate with dressers, chests, and other bedroom furniture.
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Confirm drawer clearance.
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Make sure the scale feels balanced.
This process can help you choose nightstands that are both attractive and practical.
Shop Modern Nightstands for Your Bedroom
The right nightstand should feel useful, balanced, and connected to the rest of your bedroom. It should be easy to reach, proportional to your bed, and practical for the items you use every day.
At Bova Contemporary Furniture, you can explore modern nightstands, beds, dressers, chests, mirrors, benches, wardrobes, and complete bedroom furniture online or visit our Dallas showroom to compare finishes, proportions, materials, and storage options in person. Our team can help you choose pieces that bring comfort, organization, and contemporary design into your bedroom.