The Complete Guide to Choosing the Perfect Bedside Table

The right bedside table transforms your bedroom from a simple sleeping space into a functional sanctuary that supports your nightly routines and morning rituals. Whether you need somewhere to place your reading lamp, charge your devices, or store your nighttime essentials, the perfect bedside table balances practical storage with aesthetic appeal that complements your room's design.

But here's what many people get wrong: they choose bedside tables based on looks alone, only to discover later that the height makes reaching for their water glass awkward, or the size overwhelms their small bedroom. The truth is, finding the right bedside table requires understanding proportion, function, and style in equal measure.

Key Points You'll Learn:

Understanding Bedside Table Basics

Finding Your Perfect Height Match

The height of your bedside table directly impacts how easily you can reach for items while lying in bed. The golden rule places your bedside table's surface level with the top of your mattress, or within 2–4 inches of that height. Most standard bedside tables measure 24–28 inches tall, which works well for beds with mattresses sitting around 24 inches off the floor.

When your bedside table height aligns properly with your bed, you can comfortably grab your phone, turn off your reading lamp, or reach for a glass of water without straining your arm or shoulder. Tables positioned too low force you to reach down awkwardly, while overly tall tables create an uncomfortable upward stretch that can disrupt your relaxation.

The Matching Dilemma Solved

Your bedside tables don't need to match your bed frame perfectly, and this opens up exciting design possibilities. Many interior designers actually recommend coordinating rather than matching, which means choosing pieces that share similar tones, materials, or design elements without being identical. This approach creates visual interest while maintaining harmony in your bedroom space.

You can also use two different bedside tables to add personality and balance to your room. This works particularly well when the tables share a common element like material, colour, or height, but offer different storage solutions or design details. The key is making sure both tables serve your functional needs while contributing to a cohesive overall look.

Size and Proportion Guidelines

Queen Bed Considerations

For queen-size beds, your bedside tables should typically measure 18–24 inches wide to maintain proper proportion without overwhelming the space. The depth can range from 16–20 inches, providing enough surface area for your needs while leaving clearance for movement around the bed. These dimensions make your bedside tables look balanced next to a queen bed's 60-inch width.

Small Bedroom Solutions

In compact bedrooms, width becomes critical for both function and flow. Leave 6–12 inches of walking space between your bed and bedside table to allow comfortable movement around the room. Consider narrower tables (12–16 inches wide) that still provide storage but don't crowd your space. Wall-mounted or floating options can also free up floor space while maintaining bedside functionality.

The Space Balance

Your bedside table shouldn't compete with your bed for visual dominance in the room. A good proportion guideline suggests your bedside table width should be one-third the width of your bed. For example, if you have a queen bed (60 inches wide), bedside tables around 18–20 inches wide will look proportionally correct.

Material Selection Guide

Wood vs Metal Comparison

Wood bedside tables offer natural warmth, durability, and the ability to age gracefully over time. Solid wood options like oak, walnut, or maple provide excellent longevity and can be refinished if scratched or damaged. Wood requires regular maintenance and typically costs more than other materials.

Metal bedside tables bring contemporary appeal and exceptional durability with minimal maintenance requirements. They resist scratches and dents better than wood and often cost less. The trade-off comes in aesthetics – metal can feel cold or industrial in traditional bedroom settings. However, modern designs have addressed this concern with warm finishes and mixed materials.

Current Material Trends for 2026

Natural and sustainable materials dominate 2026 bedside table trends, with solid wood, rattan, and stone leading the preference list. These materials connect your bedroom to nature while offering the tactile qualities and durability that modern homeowners value. Textured finishes like woven rattan and matte surfaces add depth and warmth to bedroom environments.

Mixed material designs combining wood with metal accents create sophisticated looks that bridge traditional and contemporary styles. Glass and acrylic elements appear in 2026 trends for their light-reflecting properties, making them ideal for smaller bedrooms where visual space matters.

Style Coordination Strategies

Modern and Minimalist Approaches

Clean lines, simple geometric shapes, and neutral colours define modern bedside table style. Look for pieces with minimal hardware, smooth surfaces, and functional storage that doesn't compromise the streamlined aesthetic. Materials like light woods, white lacquer, or brushed metal work well in minimalist bedrooms.

The key to modern bedside styling lies in restraint – choose pieces with purpose and avoid decorative elements that don't serve a function. Built-in charging stations, hidden cable management, and soft-close drawers are examples of thoughtful design details that elevate modern bedside tables.

Natural Material Appeal

Rattan and natural wood bedside tables remain popular because they bring organic texture and warmth to bedroom spaces. These materials work particularly well in bohemian, coastal, or Scandinavian-inspired bedrooms where natural elements create a calming atmosphere. The imperfections and variations in natural materials add character that mass-produced pieces often lack.

Finish Coordination Tips

Match your bedside table finish to other wood tones in your bedroom, but don't worry about perfect matching. Similar undertones – cool or warm – matter more than identical stains. If your bedroom features mostly cool-toned furniture, choose bedside tables with similar cool undertones, even if the wood species differs.

Practical Functionality Features

Floating Table Advantages

Floating bedside tables offer significant space-saving benefits by freeing up floor area underneath, making your bedroom appear larger and airier. They allow for custom height placement, creating perfect alignment with your bed and mattress combination. Cleaning becomes much easier without furniture legs collecting dust and debris.

Installation requires wall mounting, which creates a permanent placement decision. Weight capacity limitations mean you can't load floating tables as heavily as floor-standing options. Consider your storage needs carefully before choosing floating designs.

Storage Requirements

Assess your bedside storage needs before selecting a table style. Do you prefer hidden storage with drawers for a clean look, or open shelving that keeps items visible and easily accessible? Some people need substantial storage for books, medications, and personal items, while others require only surface space for a lamp and phone.

Built-in features like USB charging ports, cord management systems, and adjustable shelving add convenience to modern bedside tables. These functional upgrades reduce clutter and streamline your nighttime routine.

Styling Your Bedside Table

Creating Visual Balance

Professional designers recommend the "rule of thirds" for bedside table styling: use roughly one-third of your surface for functional items (lamp, clock, charging station), one-third for decorative elements (small plant, picture frame, decorative object), and leave one-third open for visual breathing space.

Layer heights with your items to create visual interest. A tall lamp provides a vertical element, while books or a small tray add medium height, and a small decorative object provides low-level interest. This layering prevents your bedside table from looking flat or one-dimensional.

Lighting Considerations

Your bedside lamp should provide adequate task lighting for reading without overwhelming your table's proportions. The lamp shade's bottom should align roughly with your eye level when you're sitting up in bed. This positioning provides optimal reading light while preventing glare.

Consider the lamp's style relationship to your bedside table – a sleek metal table might pair well with a contemporary ceramic or glass lamp, while a wood table could accommodate either modern or traditional lamp styles.

Symmetry vs Asymmetry

Both bedside tables don't require identical lamps and decor. Asymmetrical styling can create more visual interest while still maintaining balance. Use different lamps of similar scale, or vary decorative objects while keeping functional items consistent.

The key to successful asymmetrical styling lies in maintaining visual weight balance. If one side has a larger decorative object, balance it with multiple smaller items on the other side, or use a slightly taller lamp to even the visual scales.

Small Space Solutions

Compact Design Ideas

Narrow bedside tables (12–16 inches wide) provide necessary functionality without overwhelming small bedrooms. Look for vertical storage solutions that use height rather than width to maximise storage capacity. Tall, slim designs with multiple drawers or shelving levels work well in tight spaces.

Consider bedside tables with built-in storage that serve double duty. A table with magazine racks, book storage, or even a small wine rack can eliminate the need for additional bedroom furniture.

Wall-Mounted Options

Wall-mounted bedside tables eliminate floor footprint while providing surface and storage space. They work particularly well in very small bedrooms, rooms with unusual layouts, or spaces where floor cleaning needs to be effortless.

Installation height flexibility allows you to position wall-mounted tables at precisely the right height for your bed, regardless of standard furniture dimensions. This customisation creates ergonomic advantages that improve daily usability.

Shopping and Selection Tips

Quality Indicators

Examine drawer construction and hardware quality when evaluating bedside tables. Dovetail joints, solid wood drawer boxes, and smooth-operating slides indicate better construction than stapled corners and plastic components. Quality hardware will operate smoothly for years without becoming loose or difficult to use.

Check weight capacity specifications for items you plan to place on or in your bedside table. A well-constructed table should easily support typical bedside items like lamps, books, and personal electronics without wobbling or showing stress.

Measurement Best Practices

Measure your available space carefully before shopping, including height clearances around windows, door swings, and walkways. Create a simple floor plan sketch, noting your bed position and available wall space to guide your selection process.

Consider your mattress height in your measurements, as this affects the ideal bedside table height. Measure from floor to mattress top, then look for tables within 2–4 inches of that measurement for optimal functionality.

Maintenance and Longevity

Material Care

Wood bedside tables benefit from regular dusting and periodic conditioning with appropriate wood care products. Protect surfaces from water rings and heat damage with coasters and trivets. Minor scratches in solid wood can often be repaired with wood markers or refinishing.

Metal tables require minimal maintenance but benefit from regular cleaning with appropriate cleaners for their finish. Powder-coated surfaces resist scratches and corrosion better than painted finishes.

Investment Considerations

Quality bedside tables represent a long-term bedroom investment. Consider your changing needs over time – will your current storage requirements remain consistent, or might you need more or different functionality as your lifestyle changes? Neutral styles and quality construction provide flexibility for future bedroom updates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How tall should my bedside table be compared to my bed?
A: Your bedside table should align with the top of your mattress or be within 2–4 inches of that height. Most standard bedside tables measure 24–28 inches tall, which works well for typical bed and mattress combinations.

Q: Do my bedside tables need to match my bed frame exactly?
A: No, bedside tables don't need to match your bed frame perfectly. Coordinating elements like similar materials, tones, or design styles often creates more visual interest than exact matching while maintaining bedroom harmony.

Q: Can I use two different bedside tables in the same bedroom?
A: Yes, using different bedside tables can add personality and visual interest to your bedroom. Make sure they share some common elements like height, material, or colour to maintain balance while serving your storage needs.

Q: What's the ideal width for a bedside table next to a queen bed?
A: For queen beds, bedside tables should typically measure 18–24 inches wide to maintain proper proportion. This width provides adequate surface and storage space without overwhelming the bed or room.

Q: Are floating bedside tables practical for everyday use?
A: Floating bedside tables work well for many people, offering space-saving benefits and custom height positioning. They have weight limitations and require wall installation, making them less suitable for heavy storage needs.

Q: Which material is better for bedside tables – wood or metal?
A: Wood offers natural warmth, durability, and aging character, but requires more maintenance and typically costs more. Metal offers contemporary appeal, exceptional durability, and minimal maintenance at a lower cost. However, it may feel cold in traditional settings.

Q: How much space should I leave between my bed and bedside table?
A: Leave 6–12 inches of walking space between your bed and bedside table to allow comfortable movement around the room. This spacing provides access for bed-making and general movement without feeling cramped.

Q: What bedside table features are trending in 2026?
A: 2026 trends favour natural materials like solid wood and rattan, curved edges, sustainable construction, built-in charging capabilities, and textured finishes that add depth and warmth to bedroom environments.

Q: How can I style my bedside table without creating clutter?
A: Use the rule of thirds: allocate one-third for functional items, one-third for decorative elements, and leave one-third open. Layer different heights and use trays to organise smaller items while maintaining a clean, balanced appearance.

Q: Should both bedside tables have identical lamps and decor?
A: No, identical styling isn't necessary and can look overly formal. Asymmetrical styling with similar scale items or coordinating elements often creates more visual interest while maintaining balance between both sides of the bed.

When you're ready to find your perfect bedside table that combines style, functionality, and quality construction, explore our carefully curated collection. At Shopica, we understand that the right bedside table does more than hold your items – it completes your bedroom sanctuary. It supports the peaceful, organised lifestyle you deserve. Our range features everything from space-saving floating designs to luxurious solid wood pieces, all selected with the Australian home in mind.

Disclaimer: All information provided in this guide is based on research and design expertise. Individual needs and preferences may vary. If you have questions about bedside table selection for your unique situation, please reach out to our knowledgeable team for personalised guidance.