To create a balanced atmosphere in your bedroom, finding the right nightstand is essential. It can be tricky to visualize how the bedside tables that appear in your browser would look next to your bed when you're online shopping for the best deal. Luckily, this nightstand buying guide gives you all the information you need to determine how to buy a nightstand that brings you closer to the bedroom of your dreams.
A nightstand
is an end table for the bedroom. In almost every case, it stands beside your bed as a useful space for storing and displaying the things any good end table might: a table lamp, an alarm clock, a book or magazine, a pair of glasses, a small plant, a drinking glass, a framed picture. All night stands are built with your basic bedside requirements in mind, but there are important distinctions in nightstand utility and style. But with a firm grasp on the basics, choosing the ideal night stand for your bedroom will be a snap.
Match your nightstand to your bed. It almost goes without saying, but the most overlooked part of buying a bedside table online is the bed. A low-profile platform bed needs a low nightstand whereas a tall sleigh bed would do better with tall nightstand. In any case, your nightstand height should ideally fall within a few inches of the level you sleep at.
Nightstand table area is another issue. If your bed is in the corner but sleeps two, find a single nightstand with room enough for both of you. If you're interested in the sleek, pared down look of a small nightstand, but you're wondering how to make best use of its diminutive size, outfit your bedroom with accoutrements that will keep your nightstand uncluttered.
For example, find a tidy, wall-mounted bookshelf or a bookshelf headboard to keep volumes off the bedside table. Get a floor lamp with a goose-neck reading attachment and park the table lamp that usually sits on your nightstand in the living room on the buffet. Do whatever you can to keep your nightstand from becoming overloaded. That way, you can have all the beauty of a svelte nightstand and enjoy it, too.
Whether your nightstand matches your bedroom set or makes an interesting accent piece, the nightstand material is important, and all wood nightstands are not created equal when it comes to your bedroom. Your wood nightstand's species, finish and color has a big impact on the feel of your bedroom's dimensions and space.
As you consider one piece or another, keep in mind this color palette rule of thumb: Dark colors absorb light while light colors reflect it. That means that a black nightstand or walnut nightstand will tastefully anchor a bright room with a lot of light while a white nightstand, oak nightstand, maple nightstand or cherry nightstand will add brightness to an otherwise dark room. Metal nightstands are less common, but a polished, reflective metal surface can fulfill the same space-enhancing principles of a white nightstand. That goes for mirror-top nightstands as well.
As a nightstand material for your consideration, metal is more of a factor in drawer pulls and nightstand hardware.Contemporary nightstands are accented with modern metals like polished chrome and brushed stainless steel. Traditional nightstands and antique nightstands are distinguished by brass and antiqued iron hardware. For your kids' bedrooms, consider nightstands that are buoyant and youthful; that means details like novlety drawer pulls and whimsical paint finishes.
When you're half awake at 6 o'clock in the morning, you're probably less concerned about how your nightstand looks than how you use it. No matter your sleeping habits, there's a nightstand style out there that's right for you. These tips will help.
Nightstand table space for early-morning risers: If you're used to being up minutes before the alarm goes off and "snooze button" isn't part of your vocabulary, you might appreciate a nightstand that's as on the ball as you are. Wake up next to a CD alarm clock playing your favorite wake-up tunes, a fresh vase of gardenias and a full glass of water. In other words, if you have a lively morning routine, then keep an eye out for a nightstand with table space in spades.
Nightstand shelf space for late-night readers: If your bedtime ritual includes poring over a page-turner, make sure you have enough nightstand shelving to hold your essential bedside non-fiction, novellas and magazines. If shelving alone doesn't cut it, find a smart, cardboard magazine holder for your periodicals or a bookshelf headboard. You may prefer to keep your nightstand shelves free for holding tray organizers, boxes of facial tissue, media storage and extra bed linens.
Nightstand drawers and cabinets for anytime storage: If the idea of tucking in everything from your wrist watch to your television remote control at night appeals to you, then make sure your nightstand has plenty of drawers. Be on the watch for nightstand drawers and cabinets with personality; that includes small storage for your bedside jewelry, mid-level storage for your underclothes and large-scale storage for sheets and linens.
Keep it simple. Your nightstand is the most useful when it's more or less clear. If your nightstand is a clutter magnet, consider decorating with a robust plant or large accent piece to ensure you don't overload the lower or upper shelves.
Part of a set. It's a smart move to get nightstands that are part of a bedroom set. A strong, cohesive furniture set lets you take full advantage of your other decorating items. If you prefer to mix and match your bedroom furniture, then it's a good idea to at least go with a matching pair of nightstands, no matter how far they stray from your other bedroom furniture.
True colors. Nightstands are ideal pieces for bringing life into bedroom furniture. Use your nightstand to showcase a vibrant table lamp and home decor that shakes up your bedroom, lest your nightstand becomes a yawn.
I have the perfect nightstand in mind, but everything I see online is either too expensive or a near miss. Help!
Luckily, nightstands are some of the easiest pieces of furniture out there to alter. With a half gallon of paint, some basic hardware and a bit of imagination, you can transform an inexpensive nightstand you find online into a one-of-a-kind designer piece. Wax the corners and recoat a black nightstand in mariner green for a weathered, antique look. Add chrome legs; remove cabinet doors; install upholstered paneling or bright wallpaper. If you can spare a few hours and some elbow grease, bring out the potential that's lurking in the perfect nightstand.
How do I pick out nightstands for the kids' room?
First and foremost, kids' furniture needs to last. Depending on how old your kids are, you might want to choose a plastic chair or kids' table instead of a traditional nightstand. A lightweight, colored chair can be a great place to stack picture books, adding a fun accent to a bright kids' room. If your kids share a room, consider bridging the space between two twin beds with a long nightstand that has dresser drawer space and table space for both of them.
What does Feng Shui have to say about nightstands?
If you suspect your bedroom is throwing your chi out of whack, it's time for a quick Feng Shui cure. Buy a nightstand for either side of your bed to balance your ideal sleeping direction. Some other quick fixes include the use of soothing colors, clean, ordered arrangements and multiple sources of soothing light.
Brighten up with bedside lamps
Now that you have a nightstand, add a bit of illumination with a bedside reading lamp. Learn how to find exactly the right kind by reading Overstock.com's Lighting Buying Guide.
Fill the room with bedroom sets
If you need a fast, failsafe bet for transforming your bedroom into an instant success, check out Overstock.com's assortment of bedroom sets. And thanks to Overstock.com's flat-rate shipping guarantee, you can have all your bedroom furnishings delivered directly to your door for no more than $2.95 shipping.
Storage solutions
Nix the clutter with Overstock.com's bedroom furniture storage solutions. From dressers to armoires to storage beds, we have all the high-quality furniture you're looking for at prices other retailers can only dream about.
