How to Style your Nightstand

After years of designing residences, I’ve learned the importance of styling. Most people want that “wow” moment when they walk into a finished space, and sometimes even a room full of new furniture isn’t enough to elicit the response I want my clients to have. The little details like flowers, artwork, picture frames, and lamps pull a room together making it truly feel like a new and finished space.

One of the most neglected areas in a home, when it comes to styling, is the nightstand. It’s a place to set a glass of water, a lamp, and an alarm clock, but it can serve a much greater purpose, a space filled with personality. Think about it. You wake up with it staring you in the face every morning and go to bed next to it every night. The nightstand can exude an atmosphere of clutter and unattractiveness or organization and beauty. A well-styled nightstand can set a positive mood that starts and ends your day.

There are no steadfast rules for styling a nightstand, but there are certainly design elements that will make a nightstand stand out. The most important thing to remember is that your bedside table is your personal space and, as such, it should reflect your style and needs. For example, a bedside table in a master suite will look different than one in a child’s room because they serve distinct purposes; however, you can apply the same design approach to each.

When styling a chic, functional bedside vignette, I use lighting, accessories, personal items and finishing touches to make it work. Some of my favorite “go to” items include:

1. Lighting. Lamps, sconces, and pendants not only fill the vertical space above the nightstand, but also provide functional light for reading and ambient light for relaxation. After all, it is a bedroom right? Who wants to get out of bed and turn a harsh overhead light on and off? Not me.

2. A tray, decorative bowl or box provides the perfect space to store jewelry, remote controls, eye glasses, or other items that need a hiding place. A solid, horizontal item will ground the collection on the night stand. A stack a books is another idea if you don’t need the tabletop storage.

3. A sculptural item, whether it be a figurine, natural element, or a artsy alarm clock will soften the difference between the vertical and horizontal items as well as add interest and a playfulness to the space.

4. Accessories, such as a candle, flowers, or plant are the final touches needed to complete the space. A bit of nature and a nice aroma provide just the right finishing touch.