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Keep your bedside organized with these sturdy and stylish picks. remote tv stand
While the bed might be the centerpiece of the bedroom, a nightstand is no mere sidekick. It can be tricky to imagine a streamlined nighttime routine without one — after all, it’s likely where you have your reading light, phone, and water carafe overnight. Along with giving you easy access to your bedtime essentials, a nightstand can expand your bedroom storage with shelves and drawers.
“Shopping for nightstands is a personal decision, so it’s important to consider functional needs as well as aesthetic needs,” says Melanie Millner, an interior designer and the founding principal of The Design Atelier. “Think about things like charging devices, books, lamps, caches to hold jewelry, [and other items] that you would typically have on a bedside table. That will help narrow things down so you can make a decision with confidence.”
Along with researching dozens of nightstand options on the market, we consulted Millner for expert insight on how to shop for this particular piece of bedroom furniture. If you’ve been searching far and wide for the nightstand of your dreams, we’re here to help you out with some recommendations. Whether you’re looking for a classic wood nightstand, or an elevated metal one with multiple compartments, we compiled a shortlist of our favorite nightstands across different styles and prices.
“Wood is the preferred option for nightstands, whether it is painted or stained,” Millner explains. She adds that people may choose it over metal because “it has a softer and warmer feel.” This warm vibe and its easy-to-match natural texture make wood a versatile nightstand material for many styles, including minimal, modern, rustic, and traditional bedroom designs. Solid wood is best for durability and longevity, but you may also consider engineered wood if you’re on a budget. Many mid-range options are built using a combination of both.
Made from solid and veneered wood, this handsome nightstand from Article touts a minimalist design with an open shelf and two soft-close drawers. Not only is it sturdy, but it also offers ample room for storing pajamas, body care, and other nighttime essentials.
Crafted with solid Meranti wood, Meranti and white oak veneers, and MDF, this vintage-inspired nightstand features two side-by-side drawers and a spacious open shelf at the bottom for holding and displaying items.
This affordable solid pine nightstand has a clean and versatile design, making it ideal for a timeless decor style. When it comes to functionality, its two smooth-running drawers can each hold 10 T-shirts or five pairs of pants.
Perfect for anyone who loves an ornate style, this elegant nightstand flaunts a rich dark wood, detailed metal hardware, and intricately carved bracket feet. For your storage needs, it has three roomy drawers.
Crafted from solid eucalyptus and engineered wood, this mid-century West Elm nightstand is built with two roomy drawers and one open shelf. In addition to its elevated silhouette, there’s also a version of this nightstand that features outlets and USB ports for charging your devices.
This acacia wood nightstand is a retro-inspired statement piece that stands out with its sculpted drawers and tapered legs. We also appreciate how its clear lacquered finish reveals its beautiful wood grain while protecting it against damage from moisture.
Metal nightstands work well with modern and industrial-style furnishings. Along with being sleek and minimal, metal also tends to be sturdy. If you plan on leaving any flower vases or glasses of water on your nightstand, make sure that it’s made from a rust-resistant material or has a powder coating. If metal leans too cool for your taste, Millner suggests nightstands that mix metal with other materials like wood.
Boasting a 200-pound weight capacity, this rustic nightstand combines a sturdy metal frame with a reclaimed wood top. To give you ample storage space, it has a wide single drawer with an open bottom shelf underneath it.
Channel an industrial vibe with this sturdy metal nightstand, which is available in both neutral and vibrant colors. Along with a trendy perforated cabinet and open cubby for your bedside organization needs, it’s also designed with a handy USB port for charging your devices.
Lend your space a touch of glam chic with this gold-painted steel nightstand, which flaunts a Nordic style with its polished edges and corners. While the piece runs small, it does offer two open shelves for displaying your favorite decor pieces.
Stylish yet relatively affordable, this nightstand features an iron frame with curved crowns and floral motifs for an elegant look. There are two shelves — including an upper one made of glass and a lower one consisting of metal slats — for showcasing bedroom decor and essentials.
Defined by sleek, clean lines, this metal nightstand is a worthwhile investment with its sturdy, powder-coated iron body and three spacious drawers. We also love how the gold-coated knobs contrast with the black metal and add a bit of warmth to the look.
Incorporate an industrial vibe into your bedroom with this sophisticated hot-rolled steel nightstand. You can stash your essentials in the two closed drawers and set decorative pieces on the wide top surface and open bottom shelf.
If you’re looking for a nightstand with a warm, natural texture but want something that’s not made of wood, rattan is an excellent material to consider. Rattan comes from a vining palm native to Asia, and it’s often used as a furniture material because it’s tough, flexible, and lightweight. On an aesthetic level, “rattan works well in coastal environments,” says Millner.
Millner recommends looking for a rattan nightstand with a glass surface or flat material on top. If you keep a glass or carafe of water by your bed, this ensures that it won’t tip over on a textured woven surface. It’s also worth mentioning that moisture can weaken rattan or encourage mold growth, so it’s best to keep a rattan nightstand dry.
Upheld by a sturdy mahogany wood frame, this coastal chic nightstand flaunts woven panels, wrapped rattan edges, and a tempered glass top. Although it’s a bit of a splurge, it comes fully assembled.
This sculptural, ‘70s-inspired nightstand will add fun visual interest to your space with its looped design and chevron-weave rattan drawer. You can use the drawer to store your belongings and the spacious bottom shelf to show off statement decor pieces.
Elevate your space with this nightstand’s clean and minimal lines. Along with a sturdy MDF body and metal legs, it features two roomy cane drawers made from natural rattan.
Organize your bedroom essentials with this budget-friendly rattan nightstand, which comes with a woven drawer and slatted bottom shelf. This compact piece is small but mighty, boasting a 50-pound weight capacity.
Traditionally, nightstands tend to feature clean, straight lines. However, a round nightstand might appeal to you if you want a softer feel in the bedroom. But round doesn’t necessarily have to mean circular or cylindrical. If you don’t prefer round tables, Millner also suggests looking into rectangular nightstands with more rounded corners.
Made from solid and veneered oak, this Scandinavian-inspired side table is visually striking with its cylindrical silhouette and fluted design. We love how there’s a door built into the fluted part of the table so that you can discreetly stash away your miscellaneous items.
Built for displaying items rather than storing them, this budget-friendly side table has three round, wood-texture shelves for showing off your favorite books, plants, and decor pieces. The reinforced metal frame lends this piece stability, but bear in mind that the open shelves are made of particleboard rather than solid wood.
With gorgeous metal hardware and a handsome cherry finish, this elegant nightstand is just right if you love traditional decor style. Although it’s compact, it offers storage space with a drawer and closed bottom cabinet.
This modern cylindrical nightstand from Pottery Barn costs a pretty penny, but it’s artfully crafted and constructed from a beautiful solid oak material. Moreover, it features two convenient drawers with soft-close glides.
The just-right material for your nightstand will depend on many factors, including how you plan to use your nightstand and your personal decor style. Most nightstands are made of wood, which is durable and suits most interior designs. Solid wood is typically more expensive than engineered wood, but the upfront cost is worthwhile for a long-lasting piece that can hold a lot of items.
For an alternative natural texture, rattan is a stylish and lightweight option. It does need careful maintenance, though, as it is sensitive to moisture. Plus, note that it might not be able to handle as much weight as wood.
Metal nightstands can make for sturdy, long-lasting picks for modern and industrial styles. Just keep in mind that metal can be heavy, and some metals may be prone to corrosion and scratches. You want to use mats and coasters on a metal nightstand to avoid direct surface contact with wet or sharp objects.
There are many nightstand styles out there, whether your taste leans modern, ornate, or somewhere in between. “The style of the nightstand should work with the design of other elements in the room,” Millner advises. For example, if you’re into a modern vibe, you typically want to search for nightstands with clean lines and neutral tones. These simpler details also pair well with mid-century modern and Scandinavian interiors. If you’re partial to an ornate look, search for details like extra hardware and intricate carving. Ornate features work perfectly with many interior styles, including farmhouse, Art Deco, and French country.
No matter your preferred aesthetic, there are certain nightstand design elements that can make your bedroom feel warmer and cozier. “Softer lines and rounded edges are always best next to a bed,” Millner says. You can look for round styles as well as rectangular ones with rounded corners.
For a material that lends your space an especially warm feel, Millner also recommends seeking out a nightstand made from wood or a wood and metal combination. If you specifically have a coastal vibe in mind, rattan can also be a great alternative to wood, as it’s also a natural material with a cozy feel.
Nightstand costs can vary widely between different retailers and designers. At a major big-box store such as Walmart or Target, you may find affordable nightstands between $50 to $200. For upscale furniture retailers such as West Elm and Pottery Barn, expect to spend around $500 to $2,000. The Design Atelier, Millner’s high-end interior design firm, often sees even higher prices for investment pieces. “On average, our clients spend anywhere from $2,500 to $5,000 for a quality nightstand,” says Millner.
Other than the retailer or designer that you look at, the material will also dictate your nightstand’s cost. Solid wood nightstands usually cost more than ones made out of engineered wood. Generally, they tend to be pricier than rattan but on par price-wise with similar metal designs. Additionally, you may encounter steeper costs if you’re looking for pieces that go above and beyond the standard one- or two-drawer model. Intricate carving, special hardware, and custom designs are factors that might increase your nightstand’s price tag.
With nightstands, the two main features to keep in mind are dimensions and compartments. Millner recommends paying attention to the height of your piece. When you reach for bedside items, you don’t want your bed to be too high or too low compared to your nightstand. “I like to align the top of the nightstand with the top of the mattress, so be sure to choose your bed and mattress prior to selecting your bedside table,” Millner notes. Also consider your nightstand’s depth and width to make sure that you have enough space by your bed to accommodate it.
With nightstand compartments, determine whether you want open shelving, closed drawers, or both. Drawers are convenient for putting away things that aren’t aesthetically appealing or might look too cluttered on an open surface (think health items and flashlights). On the other hand, you can use shelves to display books, lamps, and decor. “I typically like at least one drawer and an open shelf below so things do not accumulate in dead space over time,” says Millner.
tv table stand This article was written by Stacey Nguyen, a Real Simple contributing writer who has also been published on sites such as POPSUGAR, Buzzfeed, InStyle, and HappySprout. To find the best nightstands, she researched dozens of options, taking into account factors such as material, style, price, and features. For tips on how to shop for nightstands, she consulted Melanie Millner, an interior designer and the founding principal of The Design Atelier.