Bedside tables: design, types, materials, colors, decor, interior photos

How to choose a bedside table for the bedroom?

When choosing, you should determine for what purpose the bedside table is purchased: do you need to fit as many items as possible in it or, conversely, creatively fill the free space next to the bed?

It is worth paying attention to the capacity of the structure, the dimensions and material from which it is made, as well as its compatibility with other interior elements. It is also recommended to choose a cabinet that is approximately level with the bed: this will make it more convenient to use.

What types of bedside tables are there?

It would seem that a bedside table is a simple piece of furniture, but modern designers are not limited in their imagination, so they offer options for every taste:

• On legs. The design, even slightly raised from the floor, looks lighter and more sophisticated, but does not lose its spaciousness.
• On wheels. A mobile bedside table that can serve as a mobile table.
• Hanging. The wall structure looks airy, as if floating above the floor.
• Soft. A bedside table with filling, upholstered in fabric: from velor to leatherette.
• Frame. An open cabinet without sides: there is only a frame and a base.
• Roll-out. It is part of a table or headboard and, if necessary, rolls out, becoming a separate piece of furniture.
• Transformable cabinet. A functional design that changes its appearance through a movable mechanism.

The photo shows a bedroom in a neoclassical style with a luxurious glossy nightstand with legs.

A cabinet is not always the free-standing structure we are accustomed to. For example, a table that can be pulled out from a bedside rack can serve as a bedside table:

Types of structures

According to the installation method, the bedside table in the bedroom is available in floor-mounted and wall-mounted versions.

The floor structure rests on legs, a plinth or wheels.

• The legs add elegance to the product, are complemented by a height adjustment function, and often serve as a decorative element. They are made of wood, metal, plastic. The last option looks too simple, and its strength characteristics are far from ideal.
• The wheel system allows the cabinet to move freely. This allows you to quickly and easily change the location of the product. An important point: you should choose casters with a lock to avoid spontaneous movement of the furniture. However, a bedside table on wheels looks more appropriate in a modern interior than in a classic design.
• The base is a kind of podium. More often there are structures formed by side walls and a front strip, which is shifted approximately 5-6 cm deep into the facade. The second version has the form of a box and is attached to the bottom of the cabinet. Its dimensions are slightly smaller than the lower horizon. The base provides good stability, but interferes with maintaining cleanliness. It is difficult to completely remove dust and small debris from a confined space.

The advantage of the mounted option is the visual lightness of the structure and space saving. The product is mounted to a load-bearing wall. For these purposes, use furniture fastenings or a mounting plate complete with hangers. The second option is simpler to implement and makes it possible to adjust the final position of the tube.

The use of furniture fastenings requires care and precision.

The disadvantage of mounted products is the complexity of installation and difficulty in moving.

Material

The material from which it is made plays an important role in the design of the bedside table: the style of the bedside area and the service life of the product depend on it.

• A wooden bedside table is always an excellent choice, since solid wood construction is much higher quality than furniture made from chipboard or veneer, and it looks respectable. It will fit perfectly into most styles: from Provence to classic, because wood is a popular material that can be given any shape. Bedside tables are made from both strong elite species (oak, beech, mahogany) and soft, more affordable ones (pine, alder).
• MDF cabinets can be indistinguishable in appearance from wooden ones, but are much cheaper. Plastic is also an inexpensive material, but a lightweight product is more suitable for children's rooms.
• A transparent bedside table made of glass will be, although not the most practical, but a very elegant option.

The photo shows a bedside table made of natural wood.

The photo on the right shows a glass bedside table in the interior of a snow-white bedroom.

• For eco-style interiors, the best solution would be a wicker rattan bedside table: it will definitely captivate connoisseurs of natural decorative elements.
• Metal is another common material for creating stylish bedside designs. Usually a frame is made from it, and wood or chipboard is used for the drawers.
• Leather or eco-leather is used in the decoration of facades, giving the product a luxurious look.

Frame

The frame of the bedside table consists of side walls, back panel, tabletop, and bottom.

Various materials are used for production.

• Natural wood is still the best choice. It has high performance indicators, visual appeal, will provide a long service life, can be repaired, and is environmentally safe. Wooden surfaces are varnished or painted. However, such models are quite expensive, have significant weight, and look massive.
• The use of wood fiber boards (MDF) makes it possible to reduce the material component while maintaining decent characteristics. This material has good density and is reliable. There are no compounds hazardous to health involved in its production. Exterior finishes include paint, laminate, natural veneer, and a pleasing variety of shades and textures.
• Chipboards (chipboards) are the most affordable option in terms of price. However, their strength characteristics are lower than those of MDF. For gluing wood waste, resinous substances are used that release formaldehyde. When choosing, you should check the availability of a certificate confirming the safety of the material (category E1 or E0), and the protective finishing of the end part. The decorative layer is created by laminating or gluing with PVC film.
• Metal is rarely used on its own. It is usually combined with wood, glass, mirror, and wood boards. The metal frame can withstand significant loads. To prevent corrosion, it is chrome-plated, nickel-plated or coated with polymer-based paint.
• Glass has the properties of making a product light, making it less noticeable, increasing the space of a room, and adding light. Disadvantages: glass surfaces quickly become dirty, so they require frequent cleaning and are sensitive to impact.
• The plastic is lightweight, practical, capable of taking unusual shapes, and can be painted in any color. Its disadvantages: fragility, limited load, looks ridiculous in certain interior styles.

Curved cabinets can be separated into a separate category. Their characteristic difference is the finishing made of natural or artificial leather, textiles, and fur. Between the body and the coating there is a layer of soft filler: foam rubber, padding polyester, holofiber, etc. The advantage of such models is 100% safety and original design. However, such finishing requires careful handling, since if damaged, a complete replacement will be required.

Sizes and shapes of the cabinet

Bedside tables differ not only in materials, but also in shape. The standard height of the product is flush with the bed, but high or low cabinets add originality to the decor, playing on the unusual dimensions of the product. Narrow mini-bedside tables serve the same function: although they don’t fit a lot of things, they look incredibly sophisticated.

Small or corner designs are useful in a room where there is little space left for a regular bedside table, but the need for a comfortable night's sleep does not disappear.

In the photo there are two black high tables on the sides of the bed, giving a feeling of privacy and comfort.

Bedside tables of non-standard shape are very popular: round and oval. By placing such furniture in his bedroom, the owner is guaranteed to add uniqueness and completeness to the atmosphere. Designs with rounded corners work to create a soft interior with smooth lines.

The photo shows magnificent semicircular bedside tables, the shape and decor of which echoes the chandelier and lamps.

Vintage figured designs are in particular demand. Featuring a carved lid and curved legs, as well as intricate fittings, they fit perfectly into sophisticated, sophisticated interiors.

Deciding on the size

Size, as they say, matters. A miniature bedside table would not look appropriate in a huge bedroom, and a bulky one in a small one. Therefore, we follow the rule of the golden mean.

The height of the bedside table in the bedroom should be at the same level as the top surface of the mattress. But some people like it higher. Well, it's a matter of taste and preference. However, before purchasing, be sure to measure the distance from the floor to the top of the mattress.

Colors of the bedside tables

There are no rules for choosing a specific color, there are only recommendations and examples of successful combinations:

• Compatibility with the furniture in the room: for example, a white bed and a bedside table.
• Play with contrast: a white cabinet against a dark wall (for example, blue) or a classic black and white color scheme.
• Harmony of bedside table and decor: colored fronts can repeat the pattern of bedspreads, pillows, photo frames, and the colors of paintings.

• Using accents against a neutral background: a bright yellow or green nightstand in a gray setting.
• The color of the product harmonizes with the finish, as if dissolving in it: for example, turquoise on a blue background or wenge on a brown background.
• Chrome details combined with a gold or silver bedside table.

The photo shows a green lacquered cabinet that serves as an accent spot in a neutral interior.

• Pastel palette, when exclusively light colors are used: beige, mint, pink.

The photo shows a light wooden cabinet in a delicate setting.

Purpose and functions

In fact, a hanging bedside table has a number of advantages and functionalities.

This is a mini-locker that is always at your side, literally at hand. From here you can get everything you need at the right time, and also store there:

• telephone;
• watch;
• alarm;
• Charger;
• table lamp;
• book;
• towel;
• bed dress;
• cosmetics;
• socks, stockings, etc.

In addition to practicality, cabinets also carry a solid aesthetic function, acting as an element of room decor.

Photos of bedside tables in various styles

Bedside tables can serve as indispensable elements that support the chosen direction.

Loft

Metal and wood are frequent guests in the “industrial” interior style. Combined bedside tables are at the height of fashion today. The pleasant texture of wood and the roughness of metal fit well into a setting where deliberately raw textures predominate.

Scandinavian style

Cozy, light-filled Scandi style involves the use of natural materials. Wooden furniture with white or contrasting black doors looks great against a light background.

The photo shows a spacious bedroom with a black square bedside table, which adds a graphic touch to the room.

Provence

Unobtrusive white nightstands, as well as antique items with scuffs and curly elements, fit perfectly into a bedroom in a provincial French style.

Art Deco

Glossy art deco is replete with mirror surfaces and geometric lines. Nightstands with glass or decorated with rhinestones will come in handy here.

Classic

Timeless classics, like baroque, are filled with luxurious materials and flowing lines. Here, bedside products are characterized by patterns, gilding, and curved shapes, which are in perfect harmony with the traditional carriage screed.

High tech

This fashionable trend is characterized by strict and ergonomic decorative components: cabinets built into the headboard with reflective surfaces and spot lighting.

Minimalism

This direction is characterized by restraint, which means that the furniture should not draw attention to itself. Laconic straight cabinets without decorations are the best choice for maintaining style.

Design options for bedside tables in the bedroom interior

Don’t forget about the functionality of bedside structures. Wide cabinets with a mirror can be used as dressing tables for perfumes. Bedside tables with shelves will be convenient for storing books and phones, and a rotating or extendable table will allow you to comfortably have breakfast right in bed.

In the photo there are two cabinets with mirrors, which are located in a niche and add depth to the room.

Particularly worth noting are the unusual nightstands, which give a characteristic mysterious shine to the bedside area: these are designs with frosted glass on the top panel, as well as “metal” products with patina. Reflective surfaces bring lightness to the environment; Products with a forged frame serve the same function, adding airiness to the interior.

Types of facades

The front part is responsible for the appearance of the cabinet: doors and shelves. Their design can be solid or frame.

• The first type is made of one material and has a smooth, uniform surface. It is characterized by: durability, reliability, significant weight, and too simple a design.
• Frame models consist of a frame and an insert. The frame has special grooves into which the panel is secured. In the production of such a facade, different materials are combined, which provides ample opportunities for the implementation of bold ideas. A positive point is also the low weight, thus reducing the load on the frame.

Bedside models use hinged and retractable opening systems.

• Hinged doors are durable, simple, and highly reliable. The doors are mounted on the side walls with furniture hinges. To get to the contents of the cabinet, you need to pull the door towards you. It is able to deviate from its original position by 130°, therefore providing good visibility.
• The boxes move along roller or ball-type guides. Both types are quite functional, but the ball mechanism is able to cope with higher loads, does not create noise, and provides 100% opening.

A selection of children's bedside tables

Wardrobes for children, especially for girls, are distinguished by light or rich shades.

The photo shows an American-style children's room. Red facades serve as one of the bright accents.

The design in a boy's nursery is more restrained and usually has a minimum of details.

Unusual nightstands in the bedroom interior

Often, designers creatively use ordinary objects as bedside tables: chests, drawers, suitcases, or even all together.

The photo shows a country-style bedroom with an original headboard design that forms a single composition.

Even a simple stool or... a kitchen table on wheels in a retro style can help in decorating the bedside area.

Additional equipment

A very convenient option for a bedside table can be a model in the form of a table.

Different materials are used to make it: wood, metal and glass.

The combination of wood and glass is suitable for classic and modern interiors. A high-tech bedroom will be decorated with metal and glass products. The furniture may include a drawer or shelf. The design will be favorably emphasized by special lighting, which will act as a night light. The table can be equipped with a wheel system, which allows you to move it closer to the bed, and after breakfast or finishing other things, move it back to its original place.

If there is a catastrophic lack of free space, you can use a regular shelf by placing it at the head of the bed. By painting graceful legs and an openwork table on the wall, you can get the illusion of a full-fledged table.

Some models of cabinets are complemented by retractable tabletops. It is better if this element is made of glass, which will avoid damage to the material in the event of a liquid spill (tea, coffee or other drinks). This configuration increases the usable surface area.

Decor ideas for bedside tables

You shouldn’t limit your imagination when choosing a bedside table, because it’s not only a place to store an alarm clock, but also a bedroom decoration.

Internal filling of bedside tables

The cabinet is equipped with open and closed shelves and drawers.

What to store in the bedside table, everyone decides for themselves.

In the open compartment it is wise to keep things that are constantly used: a mobile phone, a book or magazine, a TV or air conditioner remote control.

The contents of the closed compartment consist of linen, cosmetics, and clothing.

The top drawer can store a charger, sleep mask, earplugs and more.