9 Quirky Ideas for Bedside Storage
Need a spot for your book and alarm clock? Forget a traditional table and try one of these ideas
Given the time and research that goes into choosing the perfect bed, it’s strange that most of us give so little thought to our nightstand. The default tends to be to buy from the same range as our bed or pick standard, inoffensive boxy cabinets. But the right piece can add so much to your scheme – so it’s worth spending a little time and effort on finding it. Here are some unusual ideas to suit every style.
Go back to nature
There’s no need to stump up (excuse the pun) for a designer table when a rustic log looks this good. It’s the ideal choice for adding rich texture and character to a country scheme.
There’s no need to stump up (excuse the pun) for a designer table when a rustic log looks this good. It’s the ideal choice for adding rich texture and character to a country scheme.
Pick a storage combo
If you can’t help letting clutter stack up on your bedside table, this one’s for you. Wardrobe-cum-bedside units like these will keep everything neatly contained, giving only the essentials a home. These were designed especially by the homeowner, but similar designs are available at high street furniture retailers.
If you can’t help letting clutter stack up on your bedside table, this one’s for you. Wardrobe-cum-bedside units like these will keep everything neatly contained, giving only the essentials a home. These were designed especially by the homeowner, but similar designs are available at high street furniture retailers.
Go boho
This distressed folding chair is just large enough for a lamp and maybe a glass of water and brings a laid-back, boho vibe to the bedroom. Gorgeous.
This distressed folding chair is just large enough for a lamp and maybe a glass of water and brings a laid-back, boho vibe to the bedroom. Gorgeous.
Mix styles
Instead of trying to match your table to your bed, create an eclectic effect with a piece in a dramatically different style. Here, an antique architect’s chest creates a lovely contrast with the contemporary bed. And if that’s not enough, it packs in masses of storage, too.
Instead of trying to match your table to your bed, create an eclectic effect with a piece in a dramatically different style. Here, an antique architect’s chest creates a lovely contrast with the contemporary bed. And if that’s not enough, it packs in masses of storage, too.
Add a stately feel
A decorative corbel brings a sense of period grandeur to a room, and is a great choice if your space is lacking in interesting architectural features. Whether you need two or not, positioning a corbel on each side of the bed will be the most visually pleasing arrangement. The other bonus of this type of bedside table is that you can mount it at the exact height you want.
A decorative corbel brings a sense of period grandeur to a room, and is a great choice if your space is lacking in interesting architectural features. Whether you need two or not, positioning a corbel on each side of the bed will be the most visually pleasing arrangement. The other bonus of this type of bedside table is that you can mount it at the exact height you want.
Free up floor space
In a small bedroom, go for wall-hung pieces to leave the floor space as clear as possible and make the room look less crowded. This metal design, with its clever book slot underneath, is just big enough for the essentials, especially as the ceiling lights do away with the need for a lamp.
See more ideas for compact bedrooms
In a small bedroom, go for wall-hung pieces to leave the floor space as clear as possible and make the room look less crowded. This metal design, with its clever book slot underneath, is just big enough for the essentials, especially as the ceiling lights do away with the need for a lamp.
See more ideas for compact bedrooms
Choose a double-duty piece
If your bedroom’s on the compact side, consider incorporating your bedside table into your headboard to save on space. This unit has plenty of space for all those night-time essentials in one neat piece.
See more dreamy headboards
If your bedroom’s on the compact side, consider incorporating your bedside table into your headboard to save on space. This unit has plenty of space for all those night-time essentials in one neat piece.
See more dreamy headboards
Think outside the box
A vintage trunk can be picked up fairly cheaply at a car-boot sale or online and provides plenty of storage for spare bed linen or out-of-season clothes. A stack of vintage suitcases would work, too.
Where to you stash your night-time essentials? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
A vintage trunk can be picked up fairly cheaply at a car-boot sale or online and provides plenty of storage for spare bed linen or out-of-season clothes. A stack of vintage suitcases would work, too.
Where to you stash your night-time essentials? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
How’s this for an unusual idea? In place of traditional tables, galvanised metal trays have been suspended from the ceiling to hold bedside paraphernalia. A word of warning, though – choose trays with high edges if you don’t want your glass of water to end up all over the floor.