There are several styles of bedside table available, so which will work best in your bedroom?
Types of bedside
There are several terms for bedside tables. Often these are used interchangeably, but they do have slightly different definitions.
- Bedside chests or bedside drawers include two or three drawers and are mainly used to store things like socks and underwear.
- Bedside cabinets may still have a drawer but also include a cabinet section for storing larger items, making them an ideal solution for bookworms.
- Finally, nightstands are more focused on style and do not necessarily include much storage, only a top surface for those absolute essentials.
The kind of bedside you choose will depend on the type and amount of storage you need.
How many?
When it comes to double and king size beds, bedside tables look best in a pair. Not only are they easy to reach no matter which side of the bed you lie on, they also give the room a sense of symmetry. For single beds and more compact bedrooms, one roomy bedside cabinet will save on space and probably have all the storage you’ll need.
Woods and finishes
The wood and finish you choose for your bedside depends on the look you’re trying to create.
Oak
Oak bedside tables with a natural finish are a very versatile option, suiting both modern and more traditional style décor. A clear lacquer will bring out the natural grain of the oak, and the oak’s pale, neutral colour works well with most furnishings. The Kingsley oak 3 drawer bedside is a fantastic example of a bedside in this finish.
Pine
Pine bedside tables can be found in a variety of different wood finishes because pine is easy to stain. Naturally pine has a yellow colour when finished in a clear lacquer, but can be stained to a much darker colour, producing a dark wood bedside table like our Claverton small bedside cabinet.
Painted
Painted bedside tables are also an option. White, grey and cream bedside tables are common colours in contemporary ranges because they are easier to match with existing furnishings, with white bedside cabinets being the most versatile.
Woodwork
Because they are small and crammed with storage space, bedside cabinets and chests can look quite plain. There simply isn’t enough room to add bells and whistles.
Joinery and panelling can add lots of extra texture and depth so your bedside looks like more than a simple wooden block. The Suffolk buttermilk 3 drawer bedside is an excellent example, with its flat panel sides and breadboard ends, while the Bromley bedside showcases exposed tenon joints as a design feature.
If you are looking for a modern style, on the other hand, a bedside cabinet with no panelling offers a cleaner look. Bedsides without panelling, like Carolina 2 drawer bedside, may include a plinth instead of feet to add to its minimalist look.
Design features aren’t limited to the outside of your bedside drawers. Our Salisbury 3 drawer bedside includes dovetail joints in its drawer boxes, offering extra detail for a more intricate and thoughtful design. As well as looking great, dovetail joints also give the drawers extra strength, allowing them to stand the test of time.
Handles
Handles can also make all the difference to the style of your bedside cabinet. Cup handles and drawer knobs are common styles for modern painted bedsides, but more traditional bedsides may feature something more ornate, such as drop pull handles. Our Winchester 3 drawer bedside has bail pull drawer handles in antique metal, ensuring it is beautiful as well as practical.
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