Nightstands are small but mighty. They’re also an essential piece of furniture in any bedroom. Nightstands balance pretty with practical, providing an opportunity to show off your interior design style while also offering a place to set a glass of water, that book you’ve been meaning to read, and — let’s face it — probably…
How Tall Should a Nightstand Be?
According to interior decorator and TikTok creator Kiva Brent (@kivabrent), there’s one key to nailing the look of a nightstand. It must reach a certain height in relation to your bed, or your whole bedroom’s design will feel off. In a recent TikTok, Brent shared a simple trick for balancing bed-to-nightstand proportions: Choose an option that’s the same height as your mattress (when it’s on your bed), with a little wiggle room in either direction — plus or minus 4 inches.
This is as much for practicality as it is for aesthetics. If your nightstand is too low, you may struggle to reach your blaring alarm each morning. A nightstand that’s too tall presents a similar problem; reaching up is equally uncomfortable. In either case, a nightstand that’s too short or too tall will also look out of place.
Width Matters, Too
The wider your bed, the wider your nightstands should be. This will ensure they feel proportional to your bed, not dinky or overpowering. Follow these general width guidelines:
• Twin bed: 17 to 21 inches wide
• Full or queen bed: 21 to 28 inches wide
• King bed: 24 inches wide and up
How To Make Your Current Nightstand Work
If a furniture shopping spree isn’t in your near future, there are plenty of easy and inexpensive ways to revamp your current nightstands. A too-short nightstand could be raised with the addition of feet. Another option is to top a petite nightstand with a stone slab, which is an elegant way to give it additional height and a totally new look. However, the easiest way to elevate a nightstand’s surface is to style it with a stack of books, topped with a catchall tray to organize everyday items such as lip balm and jewelry.
If your bed is so tall you’re having trouble finding a nightstand that reaches, try a three-drawer dresser instead. A dresser will provide height and storage. And can you ever really have enough storage?
When browsing nightstand options, consider how much surface area you’ll need. What will live on your nightstand — an alarm clock, a lamp, a framed family photo? You’ll want a nightstand with enough surface area to accommodate all of those bedside essentials.
