Spend More Time in Bed ... With the Right Bedside Table
Don't rush out of bed so fast; surround yourself with the right stuff and you'll be induced to spend more time there – surely a good thing?
In days gone by, bedside tables consisted of a matching pair of drawers or little tables with just enough room for a lamp and a book – and perhaps a pair of false teeth. Now that dentistry is much improved, there are lots of lovely things you can do with yours that include fancy table lamps, mismatched op-shop finds and drawers to store all kinds of stuff. They don’t need to be a table as such and they don’t even have be beside the bed exactly; they can even be found behind or built in – just so long as they’re within arm’s reach. It’s really up to you and what you want to use them for.
Getting the height right
Here the tables are just at mattress height, making anything on them easily accessible from the bed. The lighting is well positioned for reading in bed, too.
Here the tables are just at mattress height, making anything on them easily accessible from the bed. The lighting is well positioned for reading in bed, too.
Floating on air
Keep your sleep undisturbed with an extremely minimal look – a simple floating shelf at your bedside and a bedside pendant that’s easy to access. Of course, consider the practicalities of this space – it’s not for anyone who needs to have lots of things to hand, but is ideal for those who don’t like lots of things cluttering up their bedside.
Keep your sleep undisturbed with an extremely minimal look – a simple floating shelf at your bedside and a bedside pendant that’s easy to access. Of course, consider the practicalities of this space – it’s not for anyone who needs to have lots of things to hand, but is ideal for those who don’t like lots of things cluttering up their bedside.
Another floating shelf against a gorgeous curved internal wall that acts as a bed head and lighting area. It still makes for a clean, uncluttered look but provides a little more room than the previous floating shelf.
Masses of storage
Alternatively you could create lots of storage by your bed if you have the room, as in the built-ins here. The advantage of the small chests of drawers with the cupboards above means you still have space to put things in between. The matching white cabinetry provides a clean, fresh look.
Alternatively you could create lots of storage by your bed if you have the room, as in the built-ins here. The advantage of the small chests of drawers with the cupboards above means you still have space to put things in between. The matching white cabinetry provides a clean, fresh look.
Mismatch
But of course, you don’t have to be matchy matchy with your bedside furniture. The advantages of mismatching is that you can use whatever furniture you have available. One can be for a lamp and perhaps a radio or alarm clock while the other can be for something else. One piece can comprise lots of storage; the other just a little.
But of course, you don’t have to be matchy matchy with your bedside furniture. The advantages of mismatching is that you can use whatever furniture you have available. One can be for a lamp and perhaps a radio or alarm clock while the other can be for something else. One piece can comprise lots of storage; the other just a little.
Or, as in this scene, you could mismatch an old packing crate that has room for a few things on top and have one piece that is more practical, such as a simple set of drawers. The mismatching adds interest to the scene and even the lamps are different. This could also be a way to reflect each partner’s tastes if they differ.
Pretty open shelving
Create a wonderful scene around your bed that reflects your taste. The open bedside shelving here gives you plenty of room to store things as well as put things on top. One bright coloured stool acts as a little extra space.
Create a wonderful scene around your bed that reflects your taste. The open bedside shelving here gives you plenty of room to store things as well as put things on top. One bright coloured stool acts as a little extra space.
Industrial
Or for the complete opposite look, go for a recycled and very functional set of old bricks. The openings mean you have room for lots of things. The plantings soften the very hard look.
Or for the complete opposite look, go for a recycled and very functional set of old bricks. The openings mean you have room for lots of things. The plantings soften the very hard look.
Consider lighting
This stool allows just enough room for some books. It doesn’t have to hold a lamp, as that has been mounted on the wall. Flexible lighting like this is ideal for the bedside to provide lighting where you need it.
This stool allows just enough room for some books. It doesn’t have to hold a lamp, as that has been mounted on the wall. Flexible lighting like this is ideal for the bedside to provide lighting where you need it.
Simple stools
A simple stool can work for a clean, uncluttered look. Just add a sprig of something from the garden.
A simple stool can work for a clean, uncluttered look. Just add a sprig of something from the garden.
You can use other pieces of furniture too. Here a lovely chair and a pendant light are paired together.
Eames moulded plastic armchair
Eames moulded plastic armchair
Recycled
Or fashion a bedside scene from whatever you have to hand. If space doesn’t allow, just one piece of bedside furniture might suffice and here the recycled pallet bed head acts as a place to hang a few more items.
More: Nifty Thrifting: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
Or fashion a bedside scene from whatever you have to hand. If space doesn’t allow, just one piece of bedside furniture might suffice and here the recycled pallet bed head acts as a place to hang a few more items.
More: Nifty Thrifting: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
Tree trunk
How about that for reusing something from nature? A simple tree trunk acts as a bedside table and also matches the bedside armchair.
How about that for reusing something from nature? A simple tree trunk acts as a bedside table and also matches the bedside armchair.
An old drinks trolley
This one makes great use of a repurposed drinks trolley – plenty of room on both levels for everything you need by the bedside.
This one makes great use of a repurposed drinks trolley – plenty of room on both levels for everything you need by the bedside.
Luggage
Remember when luggage was luggage? Now vintage luggage sets are being used as all kinds of things, including a bedside table. Useful to put things on and for storage – just make sure the bottom one has stuff you don’t want to access too often; love letters from an ex, for instance?
Remember when luggage was luggage? Now vintage luggage sets are being used as all kinds of things, including a bedside table. Useful to put things on and for storage – just make sure the bottom one has stuff you don’t want to access too often; love letters from an ex, for instance?
Add shelves
The floating shelves complement the small bedside table, providing a little bit of extra space for book lovers.
The floating shelves complement the small bedside table, providing a little bit of extra space for book lovers.
Dual purpose
A nice idea, especially if space is an issue. Put your desk next to the bed and use it for both your work and your bedside.
A nice idea, especially if space is an issue. Put your desk next to the bed and use it for both your work and your bedside.
Floral fantasy
Consider using a beautiful coloured object that contrasts with the rest of your decor to create a beautiful bedroom scene, and add freshly cut flowers to complete the picture. This will bring both visual beauty as well as a delicious scent as you drift off to sleep…
Consider using a beautiful coloured object that contrasts with the rest of your decor to create a beautiful bedroom scene, and add freshly cut flowers to complete the picture. This will bring both visual beauty as well as a delicious scent as you drift off to sleep…
Built in
This amazing combination of double bed and extra beds built on top makes great use of space at a beach house. Bedside storage can be found in the little recessed shelves by the side of each bed, as well as on two matching timber chairs.
This amazing combination of double bed and extra beds built on top makes great use of space at a beach house. Bedside storage can be found in the little recessed shelves by the side of each bed, as well as on two matching timber chairs.
Surrounding shelves
Shelves wrapping all around the bed are a perfect way to maximise space in a room, plus you can claim a little shelf as your bedside table.
Shelves wrapping all around the bed are a perfect way to maximise space in a room, plus you can claim a little shelf as your bedside table.
Create a world
This in-built bed doesn’t have bedside tables exactly; just a little strip of space acting as a ‘bedside table’ to place some atmospheric lighting.
TELL US
What does your bedside look like? Please tell or show us in the Comments section.
MORE
Bedside Tables With a Difference: 11 One-of-a-Kind-Ideas
Light Up Your Night Life With the Perfect Bedside Lamp
Breakfast in Bed … And Other Important Activities
7 Clever Ways to Create the Illusion of Space in a Small Bedroom
This in-built bed doesn’t have bedside tables exactly; just a little strip of space acting as a ‘bedside table’ to place some atmospheric lighting.
TELL US
What does your bedside look like? Please tell or show us in the Comments section.
MORE
Bedside Tables With a Difference: 11 One-of-a-Kind-Ideas
Light Up Your Night Life With the Perfect Bedside Lamp
Breakfast in Bed … And Other Important Activities
7 Clever Ways to Create the Illusion of Space in a Small Bedroom
I could spend a lot of time here – I’m thinking of all the coffee cups and toast and novels I could have sitting on that shelf behind me.
Of course that would detract from how good this looks – the dramatic effect of the corner bed and the layered neutrals of the fabrics is beautiful. But it’s also really functional with lots of storage space located behind the bed for trinkets and other things, as well as a little on the side.
Corner bed: Fimes Italy Wokai Design Australia