Most everyone keeps a reading lamp and alarm clock next to their bed, but not everyone wants a traditional bedside table or nightstand.
Here are some non-traditional and unconventional bedside table and nightstand alternatives.
photo courtesy of Nicolas Huk flickr.com/photos/128359034@N07/25885184552/Log
A log that is cut to a length the same height as your mattress is a great nightstand alternative.
You can cut the log yourself or buy one already cut.
The logs are quite heavy, so be careful lifting them.
It is one-of-a-kind and all natural.
You might want to keep the bark or scrape it off.
Make sure that all bugs are gone from the log before bringing it inside your home.
Consider covering the log in polyurethane or another sealant to keep the log looking its best.
Floating Shelf
A small floating shelf does not take up any floor space yet provides a storage platform for your necessities instead of using a bedside table.
You can even have your reading lamp wall mounted so the shelf won't need to be large at all.
Stacked Items
You can stack storage boxes, vintage suitcases, or books to create a nightstand alternative.
Make sure the stacked items will not fall over if you accidentally knock into them in the middle of the night.
Trunk or Suitcases
You can use a vintage trunk or a stack of suitcases as a bedside table.
The best part is that there is storage inside.
Overhead Shelf
If your bedroom is small and you do not have any space beside your bed, you can have a nightstand above your bed.
Just mount a floating shelf above your head, high enough that you will not hit it when you are sitting up in bed.
Chair or Stool
If you have an unused or interesting chair or stool, you can use that as a bedside table.
You can even use a folding chair that can be hung on the wall when not in use to take up less space.
Crates
If you have several crates, you can use them as a bedside table.
Paint the crate to match your decor and (if it is large enough) set it on the floor next to your bed.
If your crate is not very large, you can stack several crates together or attach it to the wall so it does not take up floor space.
Bookcase
If you need lots of storage, consider using a bookcase as a nightstand.
The bookcase can hold your alarm clock, book, glass of water, reading glasses, and more.
You can even mount a lamp to the side of the bookcase so it directs light on the bed.
Desk
If you have a small bedroom, you can use a desk as a bedside table.
The desk can serve double duty as a home office during the day and a night stand or bedside table at night.
Tips
If you don't like the way your night stand or bedside table looks, simply cover it with a piece of fabric. You can easily lift the fabric to get to the storage space below.
The height of your night stand or bedside table should be close to the height of the top of your mattress. If you get a new low profile mattress or high profile mattress, your night stand may no longer look proportional.
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