How to Decorate a Nightstand

Your nightstand reflects your personal style. That’s why you’ll want to make sure that it is adorned with all of your favorite things and brings you joy. With a few common household items, you can turn your nightstand into an inviting space that reflects how you see yourself.

Pick a Nightstand that Shows Your Style

The first step to decorating a nightstand is, well, making sure you’ve chosen the right nightstand. If you have an antique or vintage night table, there are no limits to how you can style it. You could forgo placing any objects on top of it and simply enjoy the beauty of the wood. However, if your nightstand is made from more modern material, you won't want to cram your space full of baubles. Instead, choose a few special items that represent how you see yourself and how you like to spend your time.

Light the Way

A lamp should be the main source of lighting for your nightstand. You’ll likely be using it to read before falling asleep, so you’ll want to make sure that the light is bright enough and is able to switch between multiple settings. Thinking intentionally about your lamp will also give you a sense of how the electrical outlets fit into the space.

Fresh as a Daisy

A small vase with fresh flowers makes an excellent way to decorate your nightstand. Not only will it smell great, but the bright colors are sure to boost your mood when you wake up in the morning. You can switch out how you decorate your vase each day so that every day of the week brings you new energy and joy.

The Big Picture(s)

There are a few different ways to display personal photos around your nightstand. One way is to use a photo album or picture frame to display your photos. Another is to use a photo collage or a photo board. You can also use a photo display box to showcase your photos, or use a digital frame that cycles through several photos. Whichever way you choose, make sure that the photos are of people and things that you love.

Keep It Organized

You’ll want to make sure that your nightstand is organized in such a way that everything has its place, and you aren't struggling to find what you need in the morning. This can be difficult if you have a lot of knickknacks, but there are ways you can keep everything neat and tidy. For instance, you could use a box or other organizer to contain any loose jewelry and/or other miscellany so they don't get lost in the shuffle. Utilizing organization techniques and products can help you make the most of the small amount of space a nightstand has to offer.

Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment

You can explore new ways to decorate your nightstand so that it fits your specific style. For instance, if you have a lot of plants and greenery at home, adding some to your nightstand could be a perfect way to decorate the area beside your bed. Plants can bring a sense of comfort when you wake up in the morning. Obviously, if you hate plants, try picking out different accessories instead! Regardless of how you want to decorate a nightstand, you should experiment with various styles until you find what fits your life and your space best. Make sure that how you decorate your nightstand brings you comfort and happiness. It’s well worth the patience it takes to find that perfect decor.

How Can Acima Help?

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Common Questions About Decorating a Nightstand

Do you need two bedside lamps?

Two bedside lamps are not required, nor are they necessarily recommended. If you currently have one lamp and would like to add a second that’s OK, especially if the additional lamp does double duty as a task or ambient light. However, there is something to be said for the symmetry created by matching bedside lamps on either side of the bed.

How close should your nightstand be to your bed?

It’s a good idea to keep your nightstand as close to the bed as possible. This way you don't have to get up and walk across the room in order to turn off a lamp or put down the book you’re reading before going to sleep. In most cases, obviously, how close your nightstand is to your bed will be determined by how much space you have in the bedroom.

Should the nightstand be taller than the bed?

The height of your nightstand should be determined by how tall your bed sits on its frame. This is because your nightstand will sit next to your bed so you want the two pieces of furniture to look proportional to each other. Most beds sit around the same height as a nightstand, so this often won’t be not an issue, though if you have a custom bed it may be worth measuring just in case. In addition, platform beds can often be lower to the floor than beds with box springs, and this could affect your decision.

Do nightstands have to match dressers?

While you may want to match your nightstand to your dresser, it isn't a requirement. As long as your nightstand doesn't clash with your dresser, then you're good to have a nightstand that isn't an exact match. If you’re going for a more bohemian style, you might even consider tastefully mismatching them.

Can nightstands go in front of windows?

Some nightstands can go in front of windows; others cannot. If your nightstand has a shelf and/or open space underneath, then you shouldn’t have any issues. However, if your bedside table is flush against the wall with no storage underneath then it would probably be best to move it, as it can look awkward against a window.

What types of plants can go on your bedside tables?

There are a few plants that are great for bedside tables. One is the aloe vera plant, known for its medicinal properties. It can be used to treat sunburns, skin irritations and even acne. Lavender is another plant that's great for bedside tables. Lavender is known for its calming effects, and it can be used to help relieve stress and anxiety.