After choosing a quality mattress and a good-looking, sturdy bed frame, the best nightstands are sleep companions that can pull the room together and keep your space clutter-free. These bedside tables also quietly infuse the bedroom with some interior design personality by way of their accessories (think decorative table lamps, catchall trays, or high-design alarm clocks).
Read on to learn more about the multifunctional nightstands that our editors use to elevate their nighttime setup across aesthetics, from maximalist metal picks like a bright yellow USM Haller side table to handsome wood and coastal cane options. Now, get ready to turn on the light, pick up a book, and get cozy in bed.
Our Top Picks
Best Minimalist Style
Specs
- Dimensions: 20"L x 20"W x 15"D
- Material: Solid wood
- Storage: One drawer
Thuma's bedroom furniture has been a top seller among AD readers and staffers like contributor Andrea Lewis— for a few years now. Lewis called the brand’s nightstand “suave and cool,” plus as easy to assemble as you’d expect from the brand known for their lock-in-place Japanese joinery techniques. No hardware is needed–each pull-out drawer slides into place without metal tracks.
The clever touches don’t stop there. Need more height? Optional cork-padded legs can be tacked on. If you’re worried about your belongings slipping and sliding off the smooth wood surface, beveled edges also keep things in place. Another perk is the added storage: The subtle bottom shelf makes it easy to stack anything you might need within reach. “I wanted something simple and refined to gracefully elevate the art and objects I love most,” says Lewis. “I choose to not use the attachable legs because I enjoy the elegance of the square shape.”
Best Coastal-Inspired Design
Specs
- Dimensions: 25"H x 25"W x 18"D
- Material: Rattan and mahogany wood
- Storage: Shelf and top-level tray
The sweet scalloped details on this wicker side table make it a charming addition to our bedside table roundup. It’s all about style and storage with this piece, which is versatile enough to be placed in a living room, patio, or entryway. Whether you’re a coastal grandma or just want a slightly bohemian touch with natural fibers, this side table would make for a lovely nightstand. Tiffany Matthews, founder and lead designer of Motif Homes in Greensboro, North Carolina, recommends this particular table for a guest room and advises her clients to “avoid open shelving in primary bedrooms for a tidy appearance.”
Best Storage Style
Specs
- Dimensions: 18.25"w x 18"d x 26"h
- Material: Solid mango wood
- Storage: Four soft close drawers
Another West Elm favorite, this four-drawer burl wood piece is “basically the sole reason my bedroom can ever be clean—all six square feet of it,” says commerce writer Julia Harrison, who notes that this particular piece functions as a bookcase, a storage solution for all her random accumulated chargers, and a medicine cabinet in one. This is an easily convertible piece if you’re looking instead for an end table in your living room or elsewhere, as its capability to host junk in the most attractive way possible carries from room to room.
Best Design Classic
Specs
- Dimensions: 22"H x 20"W x 14"D
- Material: Chrome frame, powder coated steel panels
- Storage: Cubby and drawer
The Haller collection by USM may not be the cheapest option on the list, but it’s a classic of modern design beloved by designheads the world over. The form dates back to the early 1960s (designed by Fritz Haller and Paul Schaerer) and is still made in Switzerland today, coming in smaller sizes like the one seen here and longer shelving units with open and closed storage options. “Even on gloomy days, my USM Haller P nightstand is a sunny spot in my space,” says commerce editor Audrey Lee of her happy yellow companion.
Best Modern Style
Specs
- Dimensions: 12.75"W x 23"H x 12.75"L
- Material: Plastic
- Storage: Interior storage split into three compartments accessible via sliding doors
This storage unit is one of Kartell’s most iconic designs and comes in a smattering of rich colors, from moss green and blush pink to a vibrant yellow and toffee brown. While it can quite literally be used in any room or corner of the house, it works wonders as a three-drawer nightstand with plenty of storage potential. This lives as a guest room side table for contributor Erika Owen. Another lives in her dining room as easy access storage for items like candles and napkin rings, and a third can be found in her home office. “It's the hardest working design in my apartment, by far,” she says. Organizers will love this option for its versatility and discreet storage that opens and closes for privacy.
Best Designer Nightstand
Specs
- Dimensions: 22"W x 18"D x 22"H
- Material: Mango wood, engineered hardwood
- Storage: One drawer
Lulu and Georgia’s Merrit nightstand lets you copy a piece of Mandy Moore’s Altadena home, designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel, in your own space. The Art Deco-inspired design pairs an angular base with a curved tabletop in one compelling silhouette. Moore seems to share our appreciation for practicality since the nightstand is also equipped with a drawer that provides generous storage for your collection of silk eye masks and melatonin gummies. Add on the Irregular Grid Hand-Knotted Wool Rug from Samuel’s collection to your purchase if you want to get even more matchy-matchy with Moore’s space.
More AD-Approved Nightstands
Specs
- Dimensions: 24"H x 18"Diameter
- Material: Birch veneer
- Storage: Two drawers
This modern, rounded silhouette from Arhaus has us thinking about nightstands beyond the bedroom. We could easily see this working as an end table in your living room, a deskside companion, or even as unexpected bathroom decor. Its glossy lacquered finish brings a polished look to the surrounding real estate (even when your bedroom is littered with laundry), as do the sophisticated brushed brass knobs. Double decker drawers make the build one of the best designs on this list for discreet storage-maxxing.
Specs
- Dimensions: 21"D x 21"W x 21"H
- Material: Hinoki wood
- Storage: One drawer
The Citizenry partnered with an Okawa-based Japanese design house on this simple and elegant solid wood nightstand. Contributor Zoë Sessums was immediately smitten with the locally-sourced hinoki construction. “The light hue and structured elegance fits in perfectly with the rest of my bedroom decor, which includes a lot of lighter woods and linens,” she says. “The single drawer, which is an optional addition, is also great for removing visual clutter and stashing the sorts of things you either use occasionally (tissues) or find a bit unsightly (such as chargers or ear plugs).”
Specs
- Dimensions: 28.5"W x 18"D x 22"H
- Material: White oak, leather
- Storage: Two drawers
Here’s a mixed-material, Brigette Romanek-designed nightstand that boasts a modern U-shape and tons of drawer space. The frame itself is substantial and solid, with a white oak base and matching leather side panels for added texture. The front drawers feature a thoughtfully placed cutout that doubles as a pull for storage access, but also feels like an emphasis point on the sculptural piece.
Specs
- Dimensions: 22"H x 23"W x 16.75"D
- Material: Veneered wood
- Storage: One soft-close drawer, cubby
Contributor AD’s social media manager Rebecca Grambone was impressed by the storage space and elegant design behind this Article nightstand, saying that “the wood of the Nera is super rich in color and smooth to the touch.” It also features a soft-close drawer that allows you to slide it shut late at night without waking up your bedfellow.
Specs
- Dimensions: 24"H x 24"W x 18"D
- Material: Walnut wood
- Storage: One drawer, cubby
Contributor Lila Allen is a fan of Avocado’s bedroom nightstand, calling out its spacious design and “grown-up” feel. “The drawer is amply sized (mine holds a shoebox of smaller items, a travel steamer, cords, and a few hand creams), and the opening on the bottom offers handy storage for books, shoes, or whatever else might need stowing away,” she says. And for the environmentally conscious, Avocado is a B-Corp brand that uses renewable energy at their factories and purchases carbon offsets for shipping.
How We Chose
Over the years we’ve been testing bedside tables, we looked for pieces that embodied great style, had a fair amount of storage, and felt modern and functional. If construction was involved, we also considered how easy each piece was to setup and use (no sticking joints, no squeaky legs, or the like). Most of the picks on this list feature some kind of storage component, and many have been tested by AD editors themselves, though we sprinkled in a few more additions from some of our favorite retailers to consider if you want more options. Whether you favor closed or open storage, something louder or more subdued, there’s something for everyone on this list.
FAQs
What to Consider Before Purchasing Your Nightstand
Your nightstand could be the inspiration for an entire bedroom or an accent piece that completes a space. Before you add one to your cart, here are a few considerations, courtesy of professional interior designers:
- Purchase your nightstands in tandem with other essentials. “There are three focal furniture pieces in every bedroom design: the bed frame, nightstands and dresser,” says interior designer Galey Alix of Galey Alix Design. Alix tries to source all of these at the same time to create as much cohesion as possible, starting with the bed frame. “Once I find a bed frame I love, I’ll keep it in my cart and source nightstands and a dresser that complement it.”
- Keep it level with your mattress. Take note of the dimensions of your potential nightstand, which should be the same or similar height to your mattress, says Brady Tolbert, a creative director and interior designer in Los Angeles. If the heights are off, it could make your nightstand more difficult to access or awkward to use.
- Explore non-traditional nightstand options. “If you’re adding a nightstand to a guest bedroom (or even your bedroom) mix it up by using a pedestal table versus a traditional nightstand,” Tolbert adds.
After you’ve made your purchase, Tolbert says it’s time to think through the details. “Layer in soft lighting with a table lamp or wall-mounted sconces that have diffused light (meaning no exposed bulbs), and style with intentional pieces like a catchall tray or a box to house nighttime essentials,” he says.
Should You Always Have Two Matching Nightstands?
While you want complementary pieces in your home, two matching nightstands aren’t necessarily required. In fact, Matthews recommends selecting two cohesive yet different pieces. Her favorite combo? Pairing Serena & Lily’s Chesapeake Nightstand with their Driftway Chest.
It’s possible that a room might only call for one nightstand. Matthews’s pro tip: Queen- and king-size beds should have two nightstands, while twin and full beds usually only need one.
Tolbert says two nightstands are generally preferred, but there are some exceptions to the rule.
“For tighter spaces or asymmetrical layouts, a single statement nightstand can work beautifully, paired with a floor lamp or alternative storage piece on the other side,” he says.
What is the Difference Between a Nightstand and Side Table?
The term “nightstand” generally connotes a table with drawers and other storage, while bedside or side tables often take up less space. There are also end tables, which tend to be even smaller than side tables and are placed on one side of a couch or accent chair. These products can be discussed or used interchangeably, though, depending on how you’ve arranged the room.
“While it may be a controversial take, not all nightstands need to be what we would think of as a traditional nightstand!” Tolbert says. “I love using sculptural pedestal tables in place of nightstands for a more curated, unexpected look. This marble version brings interest and sophistication with its marble composition while keeping a room feeling airy and playful.”