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There are many reasons you may find yourself bedbound.
Sickness, recovering from surgery, and being postpartum can all mean extended spells between the sheets. Yet for the bone idle, bedrest is less of a prescription and more of a lifestyle choice.
For whatever reason you find yourself laid up in bed, boredom is never far away. There are only so many reruns of Friends or The OC that one can feasibly watch without feeling like your brain cells are heading out the door.
Bed may be one of our favourite spots in the house, but it’s also a terrifically unsuitable setting for doing any actual living.
The same soft sheets you love slipping into after a hard day out and about in the world can’t handle the strain of propping up your laptop. Snacking is also out, not just for the crummies that no one wants rolling underneath when they’re trying to drift off, but for the rodents they may attract (two per head in London, according to certain sources).
Whether you’re stuck in bed because of illness or laziness, there are certain things you can get to help make the experience even more enjoyable.
A high-volume water bottle, like the lauded Stanley Quencher, will keep you hydrated. Lip balm and hand cream are essential for soft skin. And if you’re trying to do any work at all, an overbed table will make things infinitely more comfortable.
Ideal for browsing, streaming, placing plates of food or playing a game of poker with visitors, an overbed table gives you a place to work and play from without having to get out of bed. They’re also excellent aids for anyone with mobility issues, helping them to get stuff done from the comfort of their bed.
We’ve rounded up the best-looking options for a range of budgets to buy now.
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This adjustable bed table is set on silent rollers for squeak-free movement when you need it.
As well as six levels of tilt - ideal for reading, writing and puzzling - it can be raised or lowered too. It can extend up to 210cm in length, which should be wide enough to slip over a king-size mattress, but do measure first to take into account your bed frame dimensions.
A built-in magazine rack keeps reading materials where you need them when you need a break from screen time.
An over-bed design that doubles up as a bedside table, simply swivel the top level across your side of the bed/ sofa/ bath when you need a stable surface. Not only is it height adjustable, but it's set on castors too for easy wheeling around across all surfaces.
Essentially a tray with legs on rollers, this simple design is perfect for occasional use. It can hold up to 10kg and is laminated to make cleaning a breeze. Rails on either side of the surface ensure no essentials will roll away and clatter to the floor, causing extra trip hazards.
Enjoy breakfast in bed without worrying that you’ll upend scrambled eggs over the duvet with this overbed table. With legs low enough to slide even under a divan, it’s simple to adjust both the angle and the height while supporting a maximum weight of 15kg. Comes with a one-year manufacturer’s guarantee.
This sleek black table may be part of the basics range, but it’s nice enough to pass as a side table, meaning it's as useful in the boudoir as it will be in the living room. While the plastic frame isn’t as sturdy as steel, it can hold up to 5kg - perfect for a cuppa and some biscuits.
This secret desk swivels out from an unassuming nightstand, making it the perfect choice for proud homeowners who don’t want an overbed table eating up precious space in their bed chamber. The adjustable surface can be used to safely accommodate laptops, or be used for reading, writing, drawing, eating and more. The base has plenty of storage, plus a magazine rack on the side to keep essential books and magazines.
Having an over-bed table outside of a hospital setting can be jarring, however useful they prove to be at home. Argos’ design folds flat so you can stash it out of sight under the bedframe when it’s not needed. This model sits on the covers and offers a partial tilt that’s perfect for tapping away comfortably on your laptop.
Need more space for boxset marathon snacks? This bamboo-crafted table offers 20 x 15 inches of surface area to accommodate all your bits and pieces. This stand doesn’t come on wheels but instead uses stability pads to heighten its grip on your floors. Give it extra staying power by sliding furniture on top for extra anchoring.
Overbed Table For Disabled With supreme levels of adjustability, Ejoyous Mobility's Over Bed Table offers a sturdy surface to do just about anything from your nest. It won't slip over a superking though, so if you've got one of those, one of the C-shaped designs in our list may be a better fit.