How To Choose Your Bedside Table?
Are you fed up with searching for your alarm clock in the dark or seeing your books pile up on the floor? It's time to adopt a bedside table that makes your life easier.
In the world of bedroom furnishing, every detail counts. And among the elements often underestimated, yet essential, the bedside table holds a prominent place. Functional, aesthetic, and tailored to your needs, it accompanies your nights and mornings. So, how to choose the right bedside table? Here are our tips to help you make the right choice!
Why Is a bedside table Essential?
Much more than just a support for your alarm clock or your favourite book, the bedside table is a true pillar of organising your sleeping space. It allows you to keep everything you need within reach without getting out of bed. In a move towards comfort and space optimisation, it provides visual balance around the bed, especially when chosen to harmonise with other furniture elements.
In addition to its practical aspect, the bedside table fully contributes to the ambiance of the room: it can reinforce a minimalist decor, add a vintage touch, or even accentuate a contemporary style. Its role is therefore as much aesthetic as it is functional.
The right height for a bedside table
For your bedside table to be truly practical, its height must be well considered. Ideally, the top surface should be level with your mattress or slightly below, allowing you to reach your belongings easily. This promotes ergonomic use, especially if you use it frequently during the day or in the evening.
For a bedside table, the average height is between 50 and 65 cm, but it should be adapted to your bedding. A low bed will require a shorter table, while a higher bed frame will need a taller model. Before purchasing, measure precisely the difference between the floor and the top of your mattress to avoid any surprises.
What bedside table dimensions should you choose based on your bedroom?
The dimensions of the bedside table should harmoniously fit the size of your room while meeting your specific needs. In a small bedroom or studio, a compact model (around 40 by 30 cm) with one or two drawers can provide an effective solution without cluttering the space. Wall-mounted or hanging versions are also interesting for optimal space-saving.
Conversely, in a large bedroom, you have more freedom. A large bedside table (up to 70 cm wide) can accommodate an impressive lamp, several decorative objects, or books and accessories that you like to keep nearby.
It is also important to consider the depth. A table that is too deep can hinder circulation around the bed, especially if it is placed near a door or passage. In general, a depth of 30 to 40 cm is sufficient to leave space.
Styles and Materials: How to Choose?
The style of your bedside table should blend perfectly with your room's decor. For a harmonious and elegant look, it is advisable to match the same materials or the same shades as your other furniture: bed, chest of drawers, wardrobe, etc.
Here are some inspirations:
- Wooden Bedside Table : timeless, warm, and versatile. Light wood complements Scandinavian atmospheres well, while dark wood adds a classic or rather vintage touch.
- Metal Models : perfect for an industrial or contemporary style.
- Glass or Mirror : ideal for a chic and modern decor. They create a lighter visual impact in your room.
- Rattan or Cane : very trendy, these natural materials evoke a bohemian or Mediterranean universe.
A light wood hanging model will pair beautifully with a Nordic decor, while a black metal bedside table will highlight a loft or industrial interior. Also consider the finishes: handles, legs, wood or coating textures—every detail can turn a simple piece of furniture into a focal point.
Storage and Practical Features
A bedside table is not chosen solely for its style; its everyday functionality is just as essential. Before falling for a particular model, ask yourself a simple but important question: what do you actually expect from this little bedroom furniture?
If you like to keep your personal items close at hand without exposing them, opt for a bedside table with closed drawers. Discreet and practical, they allow you to store glasses, books, chargers, a notebook or even some medication, all while maintaining order and visual clarity in the room.
Conversely, open models, with niches or exposed shelves, are perfect for creating a more airy atmosphere. You can slide a lovely basket made of natural fibres to organise your belongings, or simply display your current reading, some magazines, or a refined box.
The upper surface, for its part, should be wide enough to hold the evening essentials: a bedside lamp, a glass of water, an essential oil diffuser, a plant or a decorative object to personalise the space.
Some models go further by integrating modern features: discreet USB ports for charging your devices, sliding trays to save space, or even built-in wireless charging stations. These innovations make the bedside table smarter and more suited, especially in a room with connected devices.
Tip : in a shared bedroom, consider harmonising the bedside tables while taking each person's needs into account. A model with a drawer for one, a shelving version for the other.
How Do I Pair It With The Rest Of The Room?
The bedside table, no matter how discreet, plays a key role in the visual balance and atmosphere of a well-furnished bedroom. Beyond its utility, it helps to structure the space around the bed and to reinforce the decorative style of the room. For a harmonious composition, several approaches are possible.
The most classic, yet always effective, approach is to opt for two identical bedside tables, placed on either side of the bed. This symmetry creates a sense of balance and serenity, especially appreciated in a master bedroom. Matched to the headboard or the bed frame, they form a cohesive and elegant ensemble, ideal for contemporary or minimalist interiors.
Conversely, if you prefer a more creative and personalised atmosphere, do not hesitate to experiment with combining different codes. Pairing two different yet complementary models is a strong trend in decoration. You can play with shapes (a round table on one side, a square table on the other), materials (wood + metal, rattan + glass), or even heights to introduce visual rhythm. The key is to maintain a unifying thread, whether it’s the colour palette, the overall style, or a detail element (same handle, similar finish…).
For a successful integration, also consider creating echo with the other furniture in the room. A light wood bedside table will echo a Scandinavian chest of drawers, a cane model will naturally pair with a bohemian headboard, while a black metal base will reflect a lamp or mirror in the same style.
Decorating Ideas and Current Trends
Among the major current trends, the hanging bedside table is mentioned most often! Mounted on the wall, it frees up floor space, makes cleaning easier, and enhances the minimalist character of a room. This type of model, often sleek, integrates perfectly into small spaces or rooms with a zen style.
Other trend: furniture détournement. A vintage wooden chair with a patina, a small teak stool, or even a stack of old suitcases can be transformed into unique and personality-filled bedside tables. These alternatives give your room a distinctive character.
In terms of materials, there is a strong enthusiasm for matte finishes, powder pastel colours (rosy beige, sage green, greyish blue) and structures in black or gold metal, which bring both a graphic and elegant touch. Mixing different materials is also very fashionable: wood and metal, rattan and fabric, caning and glass… These combinations allow for the creation of hybrid bedside tables, halfway between natural style, industrial or bohemian chic.
The bedside table, a detail that makes all the difference
In summary, the choice of your bedside table depends on many criteria: height, dimensions, style, materials and functionalities. By taking into account both your practical needs and your decorative desires, you can create a sleeping corner that is both aesthetically pleasing, organised and perfectly suited to your lifestyle. To inspire you, explore our full collection of bedside tables, designed to adapt to all spaces and all tastes.
