Bedside table ideas that are more than just a supporting act

The humble bedside table is an essential feature in most people’s bedrooms.

Whether you prefer a matching pair, individual items or something altogether quirkier, they serve as important resting places for those bedtime essentials we can’t do without.

According to Kirsty Roper-Hall, beds and bedroom furniture expert at John Lewis, it’s also an item we still love to buy.

“Bedside tables continue to prove popular with customers and remain a bedroom staple,” she told Saga, sharing her top tips when it comes to choosing one.

“Whether it’s for storing your book or somewhere to place your morning tea, we encourage customers to consider their use for the product. For customers prioritising storage, we’d suggest a two-drawer option, whereas we’d recommend something more open for those looking for a decorative piece.”

But if your bedside table has seen better days and is looking decidedly more snoozy than stylish, it could be time for a new one.

From space-saving to upcycling, a stylish new purchase or a quick and easy DIY project, here are 10 bedside table ideas to boost your bedroom décor.

1. Paint a bedside dresser to match your bedlinen

Choose bright colours and a floral theme

Love shabby chic style but also after a burst of dopamine décor? Pick a boldly patterned bed set and upcycle an existing cabinet to match.

If you’re not sure your artistic skills are up to the job, you don’t even have to replicate the design entirely. Simply use the same colours and a similar motif – in this case floral – to tie the scheme together.

Those who have the space can pick a larger sideboard for extra storage and dress it with some fresh flowers from your garden. It’s guaranteed to make you smile as soon as you open your eyes.

Opting for painted furniture will put you right on trend, according to Roper-Hall, who told Saga:

“Sales of our painted bedside tables are up +48% on last year and sales of our rattan range are up +18%, showing that customers want to experiment more with textures and colours when it comes to their bedroom furnishings.”

If you prefer to buy new products rather than upcycling, we love this green painted table from John Lewis. As well as boasting a slick painted finish, it’s green, ticking two another current interior design trend.

2. Splash out on an integrated solution

Free up floor space with a headboard-and-table combo

For a bright and airy bedside table that won’t hog precious floor space in a small bedroom, purchase a new headboard that includes shelves.

Pick a design with more than one shelf included so that there’s ample space to store glasses, books, a drink and even a decorative item such as an oxygen-producing plant. It’s also a design you could try replicating if you are looking for a pallet furniture project.

3. Select a suitable side table

Bedside tables don’t always need to have drawers or cupboards

Perfect for a guest room, or even as an extra addition to your own bedroom, a simple side or end table can be a quick and easy bedside table solution.

Providing a large enough flat surface for storing your nighttime essentials, you can also free up the tabletop by hanging a pendant light above, instead of using a more traditional table lamp. It’s a great small bedroom lighting idea.

We asked Rikke Blaeside, design and range manager at JYSK to share his thoughts on what customers should consider when choosing a bedside table. He says:

“The right bedside table can serve as a beautiful piece of furniture that adds personality to your bedroom, whilst having a great function at the same time.

“A modern bedside table is not a traditional bedside table with four legs and drawers. It can be dynamic in shape, colour, and material so that when it comes to what you can use as a bedside table, the sky’s the limit.

“A round side table, a small coffee table or a bench can easily be used as a bedside table. Don't be afraid of choosing a table that mixes materials such as steel, wood, laminate, and marble.”

If opting for a side table, choose a pendant fitting with the same colouring or materials and it will be a great example of considered interior design.

4. Paint a shelf to match your wall

Blend your bedside shelf into your surroundings

Take a tip from the interior design world and adopt a colour-blocking approach to your green bedroom décor. Painting a simple wooden shelf and brackets the same colour as your walls will make the accessories and décor the main focus of the room, rather than the furniture.

Add a simple bedside light, reading material and decorative items such as colour co-ordinated candlesticks. When choosing items such as clocks, opt for ones that can be wall hung to free up shelf space for items you need closer to hand. Using the walls for shelving is also ideal for smaller rooms says Blaeside.

“There are plenty of possibilities if you have a large bedroom and need ideas for decorating. However, in a small bedroom it can be difficult to make room for a bedside table,” he says.

“Many of us don’t have that big master bedroom with a bed in the centre and space around it. One idea is to think of vertical space instead and hang narrow shelves on the wall for both storage and décor.”

5. Use the same design but in different sizes

Maximise storage by replacing bedside tables with drawer units

If you’re keen to increase storage but simply don’t have the space to add extra furniture, switch your bedside tables for drawer units in varying sizes. To create unity, pick the same design for each unit.

Handle-free versions will help to create a streamlined finish and remove any risk of bumping your leg on handles if you need to pop out for a comfort break in the middle of the night.

6. Use a bird box

The perfect nesting place for bedside possessions.

Use your imagination and think outside the box for your bedside table. Why not try a perfectly shaped bedside table – a bird box with a roof.

Mounting a simple design on a pole and base will give you all the storage you need and create a great design talking point. Choose a box with an open front and back for easier access and if the nesting box can open – even better.

You can hide away personal items or even pop tissues inside and use the hole as a handy dispenser.

7. Decorate with a touch of gothic glamour

Pick opulent reds and golds for a romantic and sophisticated scheme

If your interior design style leans towards richer colours and darker tones, take a gold leaf out of the book of previous artist in residence for Annie Sloan, and winner of BBC series Interior Design Masters, 84 Square, Monika Charchula.

Upcycling has never looked so glamorous as this set of bedside cabinets that were revitalised with rich maroon-red paint and a gold leaf heart design motif and detailing to the legs.

The effect was created by combining two colours of chalk paint to make the rich one-off colour and then using a stencil to apply gold size (the glue used to apply gold leaf) before applying gold leaf. Following this method would allow you to create your own bespoke bedside table.

8. Choose a white Scandi-inspired bedside table

Create a light and airy feel with a simple white design

Nothing says light, bright, fresh and Scandi more than a simple white wooden bedside table. Its clean lines and understated elegance bring a sense of timeless design to a calming bedroom scheme.

Although it works exceptionally well when paired with items from the same range, it works equally as well with other schemes and colours, making it a great versatile bedside table idea.

9. Use an attachable shelf

The ultimate space saving bedside table solution

If your guest room is more bijoux than bountiful but you still want to provide them with somewhere for a glass of water and essentials, consider popping on an attachable shelf.

Although compact and smaller than most bedside tables, it will still provide enough space for anything your guests might need on an occasional overnight stay.

With everything in sight, it’s also easier for them to make sure they’ve packed all their belongings when they leave.

We love this option which lets you attach it to the side of the bed frame or the headboard which is ideal if you need to place one side of the bed against the wall.

10. Hang a swingside table

Never worry about having to move the bedside table to vacuum underneath

Our final bedside table idea comes from Ikea, which transformed a simple wooden chopping board into a quirky swingside table.

As well as giving space for the all-essential morning cup of coffee, it also features an integrated test tube vase – perfect for holding a single garden-picked bloom (or faux flower lookalike) to brighten your day.

We can just imagine a pale pink billowy bloom, such as a peony or hydrangea, making the perfect addition to this simple design.