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While the bed may be the centrepiece of any sleep sanctuary, bedside tables play a key role in anchoring the bed to create a restful and tranquil feel. Balancing both practicality and style, bedside tables are an important element to nail so you can maximise the functionality of your bedroom while also creating a beautiful space to be in.
Learn how to style your bedside table like a designer with our in-house stylist’s top tips and tricks in this article. From layout to lighting, personal touches, styling techniques and more, we’ll take you through bedside table styling step-by-step. Let’s jump into it!
Start With The Right Bedside Table For Your Space
To begin styling your bedside table it’s important to first decide on the size and scale. This will become the foundational piece of furniture that build upon, so it’s important to get the basics right! To help choose the best bedside table for your bedroom, ask yourself the following questions:
- How much space do I have either side of the bed for a bedside table?
- Do I have room for a wide bedside table? Or will a narrower bedside table suit the space better?
- Is there enough space for two bedside tables? Or will the shape of the room work better with only one bedside table?
- Do I have room for a bedside table? Or would a wall-mounted bedside table save floor space?
- What will I need to keep on the bedside table?
- Do I want to add a few styling elements, or do I need drawers for storage?
After answering the above questions, you will hopefully have a better idea of the type of bedside table that will work best for your bedroom. But if you’re still stuck, here’s a couple of other considerations to think through:
Small vs Large Spaces
For larger spaces, a wide bedside table is a great option for functionality and form, creating another feature focal point in your sleep sanctuary. While smaller spaces may benefit from a narrow bedside table or a wall-mounted option to save space.
Feature vs function
If your bed frame is already a statement piece in your space with a chunky or thick frame, a more substantial bedside table will need to balance this. While minimalist bed frames will work best with a sleek bedside table to create a cohesive look and feel.
Storage vs styling
For spaces with little storage, a functional bedside table with drawers or open-storage shelving will provide room to organise everyday items. While a stool or bench-style bedside table can provide more of an aesthetic look for styling decorative touches.
Once you have an idea of the type of bedside table that you are after, you then can make more informed decisions for your space.
Should Your Bedside Tables Match?
Now you’ve decided on the perfect bedside table for your bedroom, it’s time to decide whether you want to mix or match bedside tables if you are opting for two in your space!
The age-old question of “should your bedside tables match?” is one often debated by interior designers. Moving away from symmetry and traditional styling in today’s modern era, many stylists these days prefer the ‘sisters not twins’ approach to bedside table styling. This is where the bedside tables are similar but not the same and are tied together using the same materials, textures, tones or even shared decor (like the same table lamps!). However, matching bedside tables has its purpose in interior design too!
Don’t know what would work better for you? We’ve provided some style theory below to help you make your decision:
Matching bedside tables
Matching bedside tables are a great option for those who prefer a traditional, classic and minimalist interior design style. Offering a sense of harmony, balance and refinement, matching bedside tables are an easy way to create a tranquil sleep sanctuary. It provides visual symmetry, looks clean and cohesive and is simple to style.
Mixing bedside tables
Mixing bedside tables is perfect for uniquely shaped-spaces and eclectic design styles, creating a lived-in look with a sense of personality. It provides the flexibility to adjust to tight corners or asymmetrical bedroom layouts, which is great for smaller spaces. By mixing bedside tables you can also cater to different needs, where one bedside table can accommodate storage while the other is used as a design feature.
Layer With Lighting To Add Ambience
Let there be light! Lighting is crucial to creating a dreamy sleep sanctuary for rest and relaxation. So, choosing the right bedside table lighting can truly make or break your experience in the space.
Bedside lighting should provide functional task lighting for reading but also create a warm, inviting glow for a tranquil feel. A bedside table lamp is the classic choice, but for smaller spaces and narrow bedside tables consider sconces, floor lamps or pendant lighting to create the same restful atmosphere.
Start styling your bedside table by adding a table light or accent light to your sleep sanctuary. Then, add ambience and layer lighting by placing a scented candle on your bedside table to complete the look. Or, if a candle isn’t quite your style switch this out for a reed diffuser!
Bedside Table Styling Techniques
Now it’s time to add the accent elements to your bedside table! Our in-house stylists have pulled together their favourite tips and tricks for making styling arrangements simple and stress-free.
Start by placing the largest element on your bedside table. This is typically a table lamp, or if you don’t have lamp, a large vase or vessel that is similar in height is recommended and work your way down in height. Place this toward the back of your bedside table and play around with arranging it in an aesthetic way that complements the side and shape of the table. Next, layer two more pieces of decor of your choosing from the list below to complete the styling set-up. The most common items to style on a bedside table include:
- Table lamps
- Stack of books
- Vases
- Small plant pots or flower arrangements
- Personal decor and momentos
- Candles or Diffusers
- Catch-all bowls & jewellery dishes
- Decorative boxes
- Picture frames or small artwork
We recommend using complementary colours and textures for added depth and visual interest.
Common bedside table style rules
There are a couple of basic bedside table styling rules and formulas professional interior designers and stylists use to make decorating a space easy to nail every time. Take a read below to get some inspiration for the best way to style your bedside table:
The Rule Of Threes
Mixing bedside tables is perfect for uniquely shaped-spaces and eclectic design styles, creating a lived-in look with a sense of personality. It provides the flexibility to adjust to tight corners or asymmetrical bedroom layouts, which is great for smaller spaces. By mixing bedside tables you can also cater to different needs, where one bedside table can accommodate storage while the other is used as a design feature.
Back To Front
This rule states you should style your bedside table from the back to the front, placing the larger elements down first. For example, adding a table lamp or picture frame first and then working your way forward to the final touches such as a candle or diffuser.
Triangle Layout
For round bedside tables, use the styling method of a triangle layout. This uses the tallest item placed at the back of the table to create the base of the triangle such as a lamp or vase. Then, place the medium sized item in the middle in front of the base item such as a small picture frame, decorative vase of stack of books. Finally, finish with the front and add a smaller item to complete the triangle such as a tray, jewellery fish or small plant.
Grid Layout
For square or rectangular bedside tables, use the styling method of a grid layout. This involves mentally dividing the surface space into thirds or quarters and placing decor in alignment and with spacing. Similar to the triangle or back-to-front method, this involves the back section having the tallest item, the middle to front having the mid-height piece and the front section having the smallest object.
Add The Essentials
Now you’ve nailed the styling, it’s time to infuse functionality and personality back into your bedside table. Consider what essentials you will need to have within arm’s reach of your bed such as a phone charger, book, tissues or glasses. These will need to either work with your styling elements or be placed in a drawer or storage basket underneath the bedside table.
Outside of the practical items, it’s also important to infuse your own personality and interests into your bedside table design. This is what makes your sleep sanctuary truly feel
like a piece of you! Consider adding personal touches such as framed photo, keepsake or meaningful object and incorporate this into your bedside table styling.
Finally, a bit of greenery can go a long way in bringing a piece of the outdoors in to create a calming feel. Try adding a small pot plant or a single stem flower if you’re short on space!
Bedside Table Styling Ideas
Still need inspiration? Try these bedside table styling ideas to tie your sleep sanctuary together:
- Minimalist – lamp, book stack and tray
- Coastal – white-washed wood lamp, dried coral/shells and book stack
- Hamptons – blue lamp, candle and trinket dish
- Luxurious – glass vase, scented candle and small art print
- Mid-century modern – small plant and wooden accents
- Bold – bright decor and a neutral bedside table
- Cottage Chic – botanical touches, wooden accents, pastel tones
Your Dream Bedside Table Styling Starts Here
To start your bedside table styling, explore our premium range of home decor, table lamps, vases and vessels. These timeless pieces can help to bring your dream bedside table look to life! Browse online or head in-store to get tailored advice from our friendly staff on how to style your bedside stable like a professional.
Bedside Table FAQs
To start your bedside table styling, explore our premium range of home decor, table lamps, vases and vessels. These timeless pieces can help to bring your dream bedside table look to life! Browse online or head in-store to get tailored advice from our friendly staff on how to style your bedside stable like a professional.
What to put on bedside tables?
The most common items to style on a bedside table include:
- Table lamps
- Stack of books
- Vases
- Small plant pot or flower arrangement
- Candles or diffusers
- Catch-all bowls & jewellery dishes
- Decorative boxes
- Picture frames or small artwork
- Personal decor and mementos
How to decorate a bedside table without a lamp
To decorate a bedside table without a lamp, choose another design element with a similar shape, size and height to become the focal point instead! Place a vase or picture frame at the back of the bedside table and style with smaller elements such as a candle and tray to complete the look.
How high should a bedside table be
There is no set rule for how high a bedside table should be as it depends on the desired look and feel you are after. However, a good rule of thumb is a bedside table should be within 5cm of the mattress height. This ensures the table can be practical for providing task lighting for reading as well as visually appealing with the rest of the room.
What to put in a bedside table?
The most common items to put in a bedside table include:
- Phone chargers and charging cables
- Sleep masks and earplugs
- Tissues and face wipes
- Books
- Reading glasses and contact lenses
- · Notepads and pens
- Hand creams and lip balms
- Medications, supplements and pain relivers
- Heating pads and water bottles
- Hair ties and claw clips
- Nail files and clippers
- Jewellery
