This content was originally published on OldHouseOnline.com and has been republished here as part of a merger between our two businesses. All copy is presented here as it originally appeared there.
There are numerous ways people set up their bedrooms, and while most people choose to have a full bedroom set, others don’t like the clutter. You may even have seen bedrooms with only a bed and a cupboard with a mirror. If you aren’t accustomed to simple and minimalistic living, you may need a little more furniture than just a bed.
Speaking of bedroom furniture, if you are a person who likes to put their phone, alarm clock, or glass of water by your bed, then you may need a nightstand to put alongside your bed. If you have a king or queen-sized bed, you may also consider having nightstands on each end.
Nightstands are usually made of wood and can match your bed’s design and color. If you think you need a nightstand with your bed, let us make your work easier for you. We have handpicked and gathered some of the top nightstands of 2023 by evaluating countless models out there. Along with the reviews, we have also included a buyer’s guide at the end to help you choose the best product for your bedroom.
Buying Guide for the Best Nightstands
Why Do You Need a Nightstand?
The first and foremost reason you need a nightstand is to place your table lamp, especially if you aren’t used to sleeping in a room that is too dark or too bright. Plus, a bedside lamp is also useful for a little nighttime reading, and you can switch it off when you are ready to sleep. Speaking of reading, you can also use the nightstand to place your books, particularly those you want to read while in bed.
You can also use a nightstand to place your smartphone and other electronic devices on. Even if you read something on a tablet or e-reader, you can simply place it beside you and go to sleep, rather than getting up and putting it on a table.
Additionally, you can place your medicines, emergency supplies, or even a glass of water on a nightstand so that you don’t have to get out of bed during the night. Last but not least, a nightstand can also allow for great aesthetics in your bedroom, and you can choose one that matches your decor or furniture.
Things To Consider Before Buying a Nightstand
A nightstand is a highly useful and functional piece of furniture that not everyone knows they need. Still, it can really help upgrade bedroom decor while also providing sufficient storage space and a surface to place lamps, books, devices, medical supplies, and much more. Although we have handpicked five of the best nightstands available, making a choice can still be difficult. So, it would help if you considered the following factors while exploring different options for nightstands.
Materials
You should always opt for a high-quality nightstand with a solid and durable build. So, considering the materials from which it is made is important. Generally, nightstands are made from engineered wood, which is quite durable and can easily withstand a weight of up to 100 lbs. This makes it suitable for storing different items, such as a table lamp, books, devices, etc.
Most of the nightstands you find will have wooden slabs attached to a frame made from a different material, one of which is metal. This looks even more luxurious than a fully wooden nightstand, and it adds class to your bedroom decor. Some nightstands also feature PVC tubing to hold the wooden shelves together.
Size
Another important consideration while choosing a nightstand is the size, and for this, you should have a measurement of the space on your bedside. Then, you can choose an option that fits perfectly well in the provided space. Generally, measuring the length and width would be good. However, you should also measure the height in case you have a bed with a low height, or you have set up your mattress on the floor. This way, you won’t have to stretch your hand while placing your phone on the nightstand or reach out to turn off the table lamp.
Style
The nightstand style you choose will also play a major role in the process. Mostly, it would help if you considered buying a nightstand that goes well with your bed’s style so that the two blend in together. Plus, you can also choose rounded or soft edges and different colors and shades of wood, such as mahogany, oak, espresso, etc.
By choosing the right style for your nightstand, you will have something that is pleasant to look at and complements your other furniture. Therefore, you should spend time on this choice before moving on to other factors.
Ease of assembly
The ease of putting together your nightstand is also of great significance. This also depends on how good you are at comprehending instructions and putting different components of furniture together. Most nightstands come with their components apart, and you have to put them together. While some will only require putting the legs on the bottom, others will have more instructions that can take up a great deal of your time.
So, ensure that the nightstand you choose will be easy to assemble and comes with its own instruction manual and any tool needed to put it together.
Storage
Storage refers to whether the nightstand you choose has a drawer or drawers. As you may have noticed in the previous section, not all nightstands come with drawers. If you think you need a drawer, then your search will automatically be narrowed down to fewer results. You will need drawers if you want to store your medicines, emergency supplies, important documents, checkbooks, etc.
Comparing the Best Nightstand of 2023
– Best Overall
Our first pick is the VASAGLE Nightstand, which features a pair of quality side tables with a rustic appearance. It consists of an industrial black frame with an engineered wooden top in rustic brown, charcoal gray, greige, hazelnut brown, and brown honey options. Beneath the wooden top, two mesh shelves can be arranged flat or in a slanted position. They provide enough clearance for you to place books, magazines, and other items easily.
The top of this nightstand can easily bear up to 44 lbs, and the mesh shelves can each bear up to 11 lbs. It comes in different components, but you can put it together using the instruction manual and the Allen key.
Pros
- Highly durable and smooth finish
- Can be put together within a few minutes
- Has a weight capacity of up to 66 lbs
Cons
- Doesn’t have drawers for personal items
Furinno Nightstand
– Runner Up
If you are a fan of simple and minimalist furniture, you can check out the Furinno Simplistic End Table. It also comes in a pair and features a beautiful French Oak grey finish, and works well with all kinds of bedroom furniture. It consists of two slabs of engineered wood held together by PVC tubes, giving it a total weight capacity of 13 lbs. Therefore, you can use it to place a small lamp, a book or two, an alarm clock, and also your smartphone. It is perfect for small spaces as well.
This nightstand comes disassembled and packaged into a compact box for easy transportation. Also, you can easily put it together in no time at all.
Pros
- Compact and durable design
- Can be assembled within five minutes
- Provides sufficient clearance between both slabs
Cons
- Doesn’t feature any drawers
ZINUS Nightstand
– Honorable Mention
The next best nightstand that you can buy is the ZINUS Dane 20 Inch Black Frame Side Table. ZINUS is known to provide high-quality furniture, and this nightstand is no exception. It comes in two different options: rich black wood grain and red mahogany wood grain. It features a durable and high-quality black metal frame with two wooden surfaces that you can use to place all your belongings. It is known to have a weight capacity of 100 lbs.
This nightstand works well with all kinds of bedroom furniture, and it can be used in small spaces. Plus, you can also assemble it in no time with the help of the included instruction manual.
Pros
- Can bear up to 100 lbs. of weight
- Has a functional and refined design
- Can be easily assembled in minutes
Cons
- Doesn’t come in pairs, so you will have to buy two separately
– Also Consider
Another stellar option that you would love is the Casual Home Owl White Night Stand with USB Port. It has a durable and high-quality wooden frame with a rectangular design. It features two wooden tops that you can use to place several items easily. There is also a drawer where you can conveniently place your valuables and personal belongings. The top surface of the nightstand also has four built-in USB charging ports that can be used to charge electronic devices.
This nightstand has a solid and functional design, and it provides you with sufficient space for all your essentials. It comes in different finishes, including white, espresso, warm brown, etc.
Pros
- Eliminates the need for chargers or sockets
- Can easily fit into small spaces
- Can be easily assembled quickly
Cons
- The LED charging light can be too bright
Prepac Nightstand
– Also Consider
Last but not least, you can explore the Prepac Fremont 2 Drawer Nightstand with Open Shelf. This nightstand has a beautiful appearance and can blend in perfectly with all types of bedroom decor. It is crafted from engineered wood and is designed in the Fremont style, but you can also choose the Salt Spring, Monterey, or Sonoma style for your bedroom. It has a square top with curved edges and an arched base panel. It has enough space for your lamp, alarm clock, a glass of water, smartphone, and a couple of other items.
This nightstand also features two drawers with antique bronze-finished knobs. The drawers open and close effortlessly due to the top-quality metal slides.
Pros
- Refined and top-quality finish
- Comes in black, cherry, drifted grey, espresso, washed black, and white finishes
- Has a durable MDF backing
Cons
- Comes as a single unit only
Nightstand FAQ
Q: How close should the nightstand be to the bed?
A: Generally, your nightstand shouldn’t be too far from the bed; otherwise, you will have to reach out to grab your stuff or to turn off the lamp. It would be best to keep the nightstand two or three inches away from the bed.
Q: Do I really need two nightstands?
A: You can have a nightstand on each side of your bed, especially if you have a larger bed. Most nightstands come in pairs, so you can explore those options.
Q: How can I keep my nightstand decluttered?
A: Over time, you may have accumulated many items on your nightstand. Clear out the top of your nightstand, dust off the surface, and only put back items you need daily or at night.
