It makes sense that as an adult, I take particular joy out of shopping for a nightstand. But with the variety of options available, it can feel overwhelming to pick the best nightstand for your space. To help, we compiled 5 tips from design experts to help you find the perfect fit.
1. Get the Nightstand Dimensions Right
The most important part of choosing the right nightstand is to make sure you pick one with dimensions that are in proportion to your bed frame.
“Unless you have a bed that’s very low to the ground, I always prefer my nightstand to be at least 30 inches tall to look proportional and maximize functionality,” says Heather Humphrey. “The nightstand should have at least one or two inches on each side of the bed and wall.”
Stefanie Cheng determines the proportions of her nightstand by comparing it to the height of her bed. “Your nightstand’s height should be mattress height or lower to create a sense of hierarchy,” says Cheng. “The bed should be the tallest item in the space, as tiny nightstands tend to look ridiculous next to huge beds.”
Nightstand Dimensions by Bed Size:
As a rule of thumb, the larger your bed is, the larger your nightstand should be. After all, you “don’t want tiny ‘dollhouse-sized’ nightstands flanking a King bed, especially if you have a large room and plenty of space,” says Rebecca West.
The following dimensions, provided by Molly McGinness, serve as a guideline for the nightstand size you should shop for depending on your bed size.
- Twin Bed: According to Molly McGinness, nightstands on either side of a twin bed should measure between 20 and 24 inches wide, but should be wider if you’re placing one nightstand between two twin beds.
- Queen Bed: For a queen size bed, McGinnes advises choosing a nightstand around 30 inches wide, if the room allows for one on each side. However, if you’re working with a small space, it’s worth choosing a small nightstand to ensure that there’s still room between the nightstand and the wall.
- King Bed: When choosing a nightstand for a king bed, McGinnes suggests two 36 inch nightstands if space allows. “I want the room to be big enough so it’s not overwhelmed with all bed,” says McGinnes.
How Tall Should a Nightstand Be?
The height of your nightstand also depends on the height of your bed frame. For example, platform beds require shorter nightstands, while elevated beds work best with nightstands that are equivalent to the height of the mattress.
Molly McGinness agrees. “The height of your nightstand should depend on the height of your mattress and the support that the mattress sits on,” she says. “I like the height of my nightstand to be roughly the same height as the top of my mattress, because you don’t want to be in bed and have to reach too high or low to grab something off the top of your nightstand.”
So, if you have a modern platform bed with just a mattress on top, the nightstand is going to follow suit and be low, possibly between 12 and 18 inches tall. If you have a more traditional bed frame, box spring, and mattress, you’ll want the top of the nightstand to match that height.
According to KD Reid, the height of the typical nightstand is between 23 to 28 inches. “These nightstands suit conventional bed frames perfectly because the top of most mattresses is 24 inches from the ground.”
Nightstand height is typically divided into three categories: low, standard, and tall. Use these categories as a guideline when shopping for your new nightstand.
- Low: Usually lower than 23 inches high, low nightstands pair best with modern platform beds.
- Standard: Standard nightstands are between 23 and 28 inches tall. These nightstands are perfect for the typical bed frame, as the top of most mattresses clock in at 24 inches from the ground.
- Tall: Tall nightstands are greater than 30 inches high and work best with lofted bed frames and beds that have box springs or thick mattress toppers.
How Wide Should a Nightstand Be?
While nightstand width certainly matters less than nightstand height, it’s still a factor to take into consideration while considering the proportions of the piece.
Kathy Kuo recommends considering your nightstand’s daily use while deciding how wide its surface should be. “Will you use your nightstand as a surface for just a glass of water and a book, or will you also want enough space for a bedside lamp and alarm clock?” Kuo suggests asking yourself. These details will inform the amount of surface area you keep in mind while shopping.
However, the width of your nightstand also influences how the dimensions of your space are perceived. While you might love the space an especially wide nightstand provides, it may not look proportional when paired with a twin bed. As Stefanie Cheng says, “make sure to balance out the size of your bed with a nightstand that visually helps to ground your bed in the space.”
Take into account the below guidelines for nightstand width while shopping for your new piece:
- Narrow: Narrow nightstands are typically between 12 and 18 inches wide, and pair best with twin beds.
- Standard: Standard size nightstands are between 18 and 24 inches wide, and are best for double and queen size beds.
- Wide: Wide nightstands are over 30 inches wide and pair well with king or California king size beds.
2. Consider Style and Design
When purchasing a new nightstand, consider the visual impact it will make in your bedroom. Heather Humphrey suggests asking yourself how much space you have to fill and what your storage needs are.
“Nightstands come in many different materials and colors that will compliment the space in different ways. For example, if you’re going for a glamorous vibe, a high gloss lacquer nightstand could be a good option. If you’re going for a more rustic look, however, you might consider a more textured solid wood nightstand,” says Humphrey.
Kathy Kuo likes to take into account the aesthetic of the rest of the room before purchasing a new piece of furniture. For example, “if your bed and dresser have a French country look, it’s a nice visual throughline to match your nightstands to the existing decor in the space,” says Kuo.
3. Consider the Proportions of the Room
Next, consider your space. While dual nightstands are always ideal, it’s important to consider the size of the room to ensure adding two nightstands won’t make the space feel small and cluttered.
Heather Humphrey says that she “tries to be mindful of the size and shape of the headboard along with other furniture needs so the room doesn’t feel overcrowded… but if you’re working with a tight space, utilize built-in headboards and nightstands, as it’s a great opportunity to be creative and maximize space.”