Bedside tables, also called nightstands, are often challenging to decorate and style since you want them to be functional yet beautiful.
You don't want them too bare so that they look plain & boring, but you need some open space to put things, like your glasses, a drinking glass, and/or a book.
Here are a few ways to decorate your nightstand or bedside table to look like it was styled like a professional designer.
Tall, Medium, Short
If you have a smaller rightstand, consider using only 3 decorative items on your bedside table or nightstand.
The items often look best if one is taller in height, another is medium sized, and the third is a bit shorter. This configuration creates a dynamic display that looks pleasing to the eye.
If you have two accessories of a similar height, consider putting a stack of books or another decorative item under one of the accessories to elevate it a bit.
If you have a larger nightstand or bedside table, or love a maximalist aesthetic, you can add more than 3 pieces of decor.
The most common tall item to decorate your nightstand with is a lamp.
Lamp
Most people like to read in bed or at least have access to a light without having to walk across a dark room to turn on the overhead light switch.
You can have a freestanding lamp on your nightstand or bedside table, or you can have a wall mounted or pendant lamp with a switch within arms reach while laying in bed.
Your bedside table lamp should be approximately 18 to 36 inches tall. The height will be dependent on the height of your headboard, the size of your nightstand, and the height of your ceilings. The bigger the room and stuff in the room, the taller your lamp should be.
Ideally, your bedside table should be about the same height as the top of your mattress and your lamp should be a few inches taller than your nightstand, but no more than 1 & 1/2 the height of your nightstand.
Your lamp shade should not be wider than your nightstand.
Plant or Flowers
The second most common item used when decorating nightstands is a plant and/or flowers.
Fresh flowers and living plants are always preferred to faux ones.
If you are not interested in purchasing cut flowers weekly, consider planting flowering plants in your backyard that you can take cuttings from to bring inside your home. Cut greenery is also a nice touch if you don't have any flowers currently in bloom.
If you cannot keep a plant alive, you can use a faux plant or faux flowers, but make sure to invest in the highest quality that you can afford. Avoid buying faux plants and flowers from your local big box store or discount home accessory store because they look plastic and cheap. Of course, you must keep your faux plants and flowers dusted at least once a week for them to look the most life-like.
Scented Candle or Essential Oil Diffuser
Many people love to relax at the end of the day with a calming fragrance.
Two of the most common ways to add fragrance to your bedroom is to add a scented candle or essential oil diffuser #ad.
When selecting a candle for your bedroom, focus on the beauty of the candle container and the color of the candle wax as well as its scent. Try to get a candle that burns evenly. Opt for smokeless candles with a long burn time (don't assume that a cheaper bigger candle will burn for longer than a higher quality smaller candle). Most importantly, ensure that it is made of non-toxic materials.
If you prefer to use an essential oil diffuser to add fragrance to your bedroom, select a diffuser that complements your color scheme and design style. When selecting an essential oil, first research the company that you are purchasing from to ensure that their oils are of the highest quality. Next, research the properties of each oil as well as its fragrance. Finally, make sure that the essential oil that you plan to use is safe to use around pets and infants because not all are.
Clock
Most everyone used to have an alarm clock on their nightstand that was usually pretty ugly.
It seems that now everyone just relies on their cell phone to check the time and set alarms.
You might still want a clock on your nightstand so you can take a quick peak at the time at night or whenever you don't have your phone in your hand.
Instead of an ugly old fashioned alarm clock, opt for styling your nightstand with a pretty one that is more decorative and perhaps vintage looking (or actually vintage).
If you prefer to use one that has many functions but is not very attractive, consider hiding it behind another object on your nightstand or bedside table.
Decorative Tray and/or Box
Trays are wonderful for containing a collection of little items, whether decorative or everyday items (your wedding ring, a pen, car keys, watch, etc).
Also consider using a specially made valet tray #ad to hold items that you normally keep in your pockets, such as your cell phone or wallet.
Decorative boxes, whether small or large, serve many functions as well as being beautiful.
They can hold jewelry, remote controllers, hand lotion, lip balm, hair ties, reading glasses, an everyday pen, your checkbook, or other items you wish to disguise.
Sometimes decorative boxes are so pretty that you can use them as decor without anything inside.
Accessories
There are many different accessories that can be added to a nightstand or bedside table to make it more appealing.
You can add a ring holder #ad or small bowl for your wedding ring, sculptural figurines, hardback books, a drink coaster, a picture frame (which can also be used to frame around a message with the WiFi password in your guest room), a box of tissues in a decorative tissue holder, a bluetooth radio, a smart speaker, framed artwork, or whatever appeals to you.
Make sure that whatever accessories you select complement the decor style and color scheme of your bedroom.
If you prefer a more minimal aesthetic, you can opt for just one item on your night stand or bedside table - a lamp.
Underneath
Most people prefer nightstands with as many drawers as possible to maximize storage, however some nightstands have a shelf on the bottom or tall legs and only 1 drawer.
If your nightstand or bedside table has an open shelf underneath or tall legs, make sure that whatever is underneath looks neat and tidy.
Such items commonly found underneath bedside tables and night stands include decorative boxes or wicker baskets to hold non-decorative items (perhaps your pajamas, dog toys, your purse, or your laptop), decorative hardback books, magazines, extra linens, or the decorative pillows that you remove from your bed before going to sleep.
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