Although it may not be the star of the show when it comes to bedroom furniture, a bedside table is still an important – and practical – component in bringing a room together. Not only does it have to adequately serve its purpose as a storage unit or a place for lamps and alarm clocks, but it must also compliment your bed style and height as well as the look of the room.
Perhaps you need a solution for a small space, or maybe you can't decide whether to go for a traditional wooden look, a modern glass top or a contemporary metal design – either way, we'll run through the basics so you can find the most fitting option for your home and your budget, as well as sharing our top picks from Amazon, Argos, John Lewis and eBay.
Quick List - Top Bedside Tables
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Table of Contents
A bedside table is unlikely to be the first thing you buy for your bedroom, and even if it is, you'll also need to make sure that it goes with the rest of your decor. And whilst it's a low-cost item that might not get as much attention, this can work in your favour when revamping a room on a budget. Here's how to get it right!
The material from which your bedside table is made will affect various things, ranging from the cost to the overall look of the piece of furniture. This is not to say that all tables made from the same material will have the same feel and price, but the tips below should give you an indication.
Wood is a very common choice for bedside tables and with good reason. It can look both modern and traditional whilst always being very pleasing to the eye. It can be treated or painted in a variety of colours that will instantly transform the look of the material, even by yourself as you redecorate or fancy a change.
The drawbacks of wood are that it is vulnerable to water, so you have to be fastidious with coasters if you want to avoid condensation rings. Light can also damage and change the look of wood over time, so this is also something to consider.
Bedside tables can comprise of metal, but it doesn't always make up the whole piece of furniture. This might be due to the fact that, although it can look very sleek if used in moderation, too much metal might appear too heavy and industrial. Then again, that might be exactly the look you're after!
Metal is a sturdy material which is why it is often used to provide legs or handles, and a metallic look can add a modern touch to a room whilst being easy to clean.
The use of glass in a bedside table isn't as common as wood and won't necessarily suit everyone, particularly if it is being bought for a kids room. Usually, it won't make up a whole bedside table but may be used as a top or shelf.
If you do like the idea, glass can look contemporary whilst also being unobtrusive and can make a bedside table look less solid, which is a clever trick to open up rooms with less light or space in general.
There's plenty of choice when it comes to selecting a colour for your bedside table. A metallic look may range from gold to silver and wood could be light, dark or painted an interesting shade.
This being said, most bedside tables tend to stick to more classic colours and finishes such as polished wood or white, which never go out of style. Sticking to these themes will allow you more flexibility if you want to change a room's colour scheme in the future.
Bedside tables never tend to be huge, which is great if you're working with limited space. Some will be bulkier than others, so it is essential to check the dimensions of the product you are interested in beforehand.
It may also be worth seeing how high the table is compared to your bed as it will not only look a bit off if it doesn't match but it will also be inconvenient to use.
You can get a bedside table without any storage options, but one of the main reasons to have one is to neatly store your things. There are a few solutions that a bedside table can offer: drawers, shelves, or even a combination of the two.
We all have those bits and bobs that we can't – or would rather not – throw away, but are difficult to store. Plus, you don't always want all of your stuff on show, but still want it to be accessible.
In this case, bedside tables with drawers are brilliant. They can add to the style of the table alongside improving the functionality of it.
All bedside tables have a sort of shelf as the table top, but if you want yours to take up less space and feel like less of a block in the room, go for one that has more shelving in the main body of the table.
Shelves will allow you to display things you want to show off and make things easier to find and access, such as books, eReaders or other devices.
The vast majority of bedside tables and cabinets will need to be constructed at home, either fully or partially.
You shouldn't find any of them too difficult to assemble, particularly as they are a small piece of furniture, but it's worth checking what's involved as you might need to invest in a screwdriver and hammer if you don't already have one.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Habitat Minato 1 Drawer Beside Table | ![]() | A Versatile Table for Any Bedroom | |
2 | John Lewis & Partners Rattan Storage Bedside Table | ![]() | A Supremely Stylish Piece to Love for Years | |
3 | Hoobro Bedside Table With Louver Door | ![]() | Industrial-Style Storage Perfect for Small Spaces | |
4 | Mercers Furniture Corona 3 Drawer Bedside Cabinet | ![]() | A Traditional Pine Option for a Great Price | |
5 | Goldfan Wood Side Table | ![]() | This Dainty Table Combines Old and New | |
6 | Argos Home Short 1 Door 2 Shelf Locker | ![]() | A Pop of Colour to Brighten a Modern Bedroom | |
7 | Homfa Bamboo Bedside Tables |Set of 2 | ![]() | Versatile Bamboo Tables to Stack or Separate | |
8 | Habitat Otto 1 Drawer Bedside Table | ![]() | A Compact Scandi-Style Table on a Budget | |
9 | Vasagale Round Side Table | ![]() | A Simplistic Yet Chic Side Table | |
10 | BedShelfie Plus+ Bedside Shelf | ![]() | An Attachable Bedside Table That Can Move Anywhere |
This table's fairly simple design means it can be added to most rooms without feeling out of place. It manages to bridge the gap between being traditional and modern and comes in at a very reasonable price, especially considering the high quality of Habitat's products.
It has both shelving and a drawer so you can decide what to have on show and what to hide. This also makes the cabinet look less solid, which works with the nice, light white finish. Although not pre-assembled, the table is easy to build, so you'll have it up and running in no time.
Another big look in home design at the moment is rattan, and we particularly commend how John Lewis have used it as a contrasting accent to the black finish on this oak table. There's no denying this one will add a stylish flair to your bedroom!
The soft curves and natural cane manage to create a look that's contemporary yet classic, and the drawer is the perfect size for stashing your bedtime essentials. Invest in one or two of these high-quality tables and they're sure to spark joy every time you enter the room.
This smart bedside table will definitely give your space an industrial feel with its dark wood effect and black metal frame. Owing to its taller, slimmer form, it's also a really practical choice for small spaces that may not have so much room on either side of the bed.
As you can see, there's plenty of storage too, so you'll have plenty of room to store your things both on display and hidden from view. The brand have lots of other affordable furniture in this style that's worth checking out if you want to revamp your entire sleeping space.
With a very classic bedside table look, this is a great choice if your room is more traditional in its feel. The solid pine is sturdy and reliable, although you will have to be careful with cups and glasses to avoid condensation rings.
The three drawers in this cabinet offer plenty of room for storage and allow you to keep any knick-knacks and personal items close by but out of sight. Plus, it's very affordable, so even buying a pair wouldn't break the bank!
The mixture of white wood and glass combines both modern and retro looks which means this table will look great in most rooms. Plus, the rounded edges not only make this table look sleek but also safer for children as they won't go banging their heads on any sharp corners.
The tempered glass that makes the middle shelf is thick and strong so shouldn't be too much of a safety hazard, and the entire thing is easy to wipe clean. Thanks to this design, the table feels more open without limiting storage space.
These locker-style cabinets are everywhere at the moment, and this option from Argos is the perfect choice if you're looking to inject a bit of colour into a room. As well as this dusky mid-blue, it's also available in a daring mustard and a muted grey.
It might be somewhat of an acquired taste design-wise, but the biggest benefit is surely the more than ample storage space – and the fact that you can stuff whatever you like inside and close the door!
We love the idea behind these tables – they come as a pair that can either be stacked to form a taller, double-shelved nightstand or kept separate as two matching ones. And if your needs change or you move house, you can switch it up as and when.
Another plus is the beautiful natural bamboo they have been crafted with, which, unlike most other woods, is completely waterproof. Of course, anything you put in or on them will be on display, but if you don't mind that, this well-priced, flexible pair is a great pick.
This simple, Scandinavian-inspired table is perfect for someone who doesn't want anything fussy and would rather not spend a fortune. This splayed-leg style is as trendy as ever in the world of home decor, and with this option, there's a choice of classic white, grey or pale pink finishes.
Whilst it doesn't have as much tabletop space or storage as some of the other options on this list, it does offer compact dimensions, so if fitting furniture into a small space is a priority, this solid wood table is a sturdy bedside choice.
This table lacks shelving, but it more than makes up for it with its striking design. The round shape is bang on trend and makes it a bit different, plus the gold is more eye-catching than other metallic shades and will suit both classic and modern decors.
The lack of storage might be an issue for some, and the glass top means that you have to take care of it, but if style is number one, you can't go wrong with this affordable table.
Although not strictly a traditional table with legs, this bedside shelf is a very clever way of having somewhere to put your things that takes up as little space as possible and can be easily moved.
If you're looking for a complete piece of furniture, then this is not for you, but if you are working with limited space, this innovative solution comes in more sizes and colours and can hold up to a whopping 9 kg of stuff!
Upgrading smaller pieces of furniture and textiles in your home is a crafty way of revamping a room without spending a fortune. Find some more of our suggestions below alongside our helpful buying guides.
Refurnishing a room is always an exciting, albeit slightly daunting, endeavour. Even though a bedside table might seem like a small piece of the puzzle, finding an item with the right material, colour and style to finish off a bedroom will add to the whole feel and flow, making it more stylish and more practical as a result.
Author: Emma Cramp
No. 1: Habitat|Minato 1 Drawer Beside Table
No. 2: John Lewis & Partners|Rattan Storage Bedside Table
No. 3: Hoobro|Bedside Table With Louver Door
No. 4: Mercers Furniture|Corona 3 Drawer Bedside Cabinet
No. 5: Goldfan|Wood Side Table
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