Bedrooms
April 13, 2021
20+ Ways To Style Your Nightstand Like A Designer
Yes, our bedside tables can be catch-alls for hand lotion, glasses of water and miscellaneous chargers, but what if you could make them pretty, too? It just takes a few simple steps (and a whole lot of decluttering). We rounded up 20+ ways to style your nightstand like a designer. Scroll down and get inspired!
Make it multifunctional. This petite bedroom’s only nightstand doubles as a makeup table, thanks to a faux fur-topped stool, narrow mirror and space-saving sconce. A good-looking perfume bottle makes a pretty accent.
Create contrast. Set against a backdrop of Farrow & Ball’s Railings, a rustic wood side table and brass sconce in this moody bedroom add warmth. A vase of deep red blooms ties in the abstract painting by Aboudia.
Layer in sculptural shapes. Designer Ali Budd kept the accessories simple in this bedroom, to ensure the focus is on the sumptuous velvet headboard. A curvaceous, modern sconce and some fresh stems are all you need.
Reflect your surroundings. In this summer home on Prince Edward Island, a guest bedroom is accented with a nautical striped lamp, miniature model rowboats and a vintage-look map to reference the coastal setting.
Complement your bedding. Don’t over think it: Here, ikat accent pillows and block print–style bed linens feel right at home with a chinoiserie lamp in an identical palette. It really can be that simple (and impactful)!
Try a statement lamp. If creating a layered look seems overwhelming, focus on one piece that does all of the talking. In this case, a graphic lamp with a Cubist fish motif mimics the tattoo-like lines on the wall.
Be unconventional. “Instead of two small nightstands, the chinoiserie dresser is a more beautiful piece of furniture,” says designer Richard Ouellette of this sumptuous bedroom. He layered artwork, objets and books on top for a collected-over-time feeling.
Display what you love. There’s no need to hide your treasures in a drawer! On a gold tray, add your favorite candle, a vase of fresh flowers and a trinket or two with your prettiest jewellery for a personalized vignette.
Keep it simple. Minimalists, rejoice! Keep your bedside table uncluttered with a trio of coordinating ceramics. Finish the look off with some greenery and an understated sconce — and that’s it. Sometimes, less is more.
Create symmetry. In fashion guru Mario Grauso’s stylish London flat, a pair of whimsical bird lamps is pleasing to the eye. The uniform theme is repeated in the matching side tables and striped wallpaper and bedding.
Add global flair. Snob shop owner Denise Zidel honored her South African heritage by adding a few tribal masks over the pink marble bedside table, which was crafted from a slice of her in-laws’ old dining table.
Turn your nightstand into a workstation. Perfect for answering emails or finishing up an essay for school, this desk doubles as a bedside table. A collection of Ugandan baskets look graphic mounted on the wall.
Create a pair of gallery walls. Find a handful of prints that speak to you (and your design aesthetic) and layer three over each side of the bed for an instant dose of personality. Bonus tip: storage baskets nearby keep books, beauty products and extra chargers out of sight.
Look to nature. If you’re lucky enough to have a gorgeous view outside your bedroom window (think: lush trees and a ravine), bring the outdoors in with fresh-cut flowers and an oil landscape painting.
Create a monochromatic look. A blown-up Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds album cover makes for affordable statement art, while a rustic table and neutral accessories keep this farmhouse bedroom calm and charming.
Pay homage to the past. For a 19th-century vibe, swap out your nightstand for something with a little more heritage, like this antique secretaire. Layer it with vintage trinkets, books, an old world lamp, an oil painting and more.
Make it personal. A picture of your family, friends or pets is a nice touch. Put it in a modern frame, so it coordinates with the rest of the room. Stick with one or two pictures or it will start to look cluttered.
Tell a story. In this Victorian farmhouse‘s guest bedroom with identical twin beds, an antique English chest and glossy black–shaded lamps with opulent bases create a sense of history.
Go bold. This teenage girl’s bedroom gets major style points with sleek black accents, hits of brass and framed fashion prints that tie in the playful pillows.
Think about the essentials. What do you need at bedtime? For shop owner Lysanne Pepin, a glass of water (and more in the bottle for an easy refill) and a good book sit atop a quirky tree stump side table.
Have a little fun. Designer Ben Leavitt opted for a dizzying, geometric nightstand with miniature figurines and a funky lamp in this edgy bedroom.