Does your bedroom have a matching nightstand? My bedside table is made for each room.

This post is in partnership with Wayfair

Nightstands come in various shapes and sizes (width and height) and colors and prices, sometimes it’s hard to know if you have the right nightstand for your bedroom. Last year I picked up some bedside tables for Polly’s room at the right price, but as soon as I brought them into the space, I knew the shape (too sturdy a box), the size (too short and narrow) and the color (too dark!) were all wrong.

I jotted down “bedside table for Polly’s room” in my notes app — I keep a list of things that aren’t terrible to buy right away, but should keep an eye on — and last week I came across the cutest nightstand from Wayfair that ticked all the boxes (including the price !).

Beckett wooden bedside table with one drawer

Creamy wood grain, whimsical legs… Just the right height and width for her double bed. I love the storage and airiness of the design. (I’m including a reminder of what she had below.)

If you’ve been looking for a new nightstand, Wayfair has a wide selection. They ship in DAYS, not weeks. Their white glove delivery is FREE. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorites right below — including my picks under $150. (And if you’re not sure what you need… and I’m sharing my bedside table rules!)

1. Beckett wooden nightstand with one drawer $169 Just what Polly’s fairytale bedroom needed.
2. Amberlyn 2 Drawer Nightstand $246
3. Celine 2 – Nightstand $520
4. Mid Century Modern Nightstand $103
5. Angeletta wooden nightstand with one drawer $149 I ordered these as well but haven’t decided where they go yet!
6. Essie Solid Wood Nightstand $450
7. Rossiter nightstand $163
8. Lundgren 2-Drawer Nightstand $239 The wood and legs on this made me pass out.
9. Hubbard Nightstand $505 Yes, the brass ring pulls.
10. Julina Metal Nightstand $210
11. Gray Solid Wood Nightstand $349
12. Bade Nightstand $309

My nightstand rules aren’t hard and fast, but nightstands are definitely a must-have piece of furniture, so let’s get it right!

In the early years, it is easy to use another piece of furniture as a bedside table. Maybe it was a desk in your dorm or a plant stand you found at the grocery store. It probably took me eight years of marriage to realize that a good nightstand is worth the money. And that doesn’t mean it has to cost a lot! There are so many options for every budget. Nightstands really make your room feel more “put together”.

Choose the right height and width of the bedside table

When choosing a nightstand, you’ll want to choose something that feels good height and width for your bed. I recommend that your nightstand be 2″-4″ above the height of the top of your mattress. Honestly, our nightstands are a bit tall for our space, but we bought them for our last bed which was taller. It’s on the list.

In terms of width, if you have a the king or California King bed, you can go with a wide nightstand that is up to 29 inches wide. You need something heavy to balance the size of the bed. If you have a the queen– or full-large bed, goes with the standard size (which ranges from 21″ to 28″.) a twin beds, you can have narrow individual trestles (less than 21″ wide) on the outside of each bed, or you can go with a standard or wide nightstand as a shared area between the beds, which can be fun.

Choose the color of the bedside table

My only advice here is to not get caught up in the “proper set” look. It’s much more interesting to combine with other pieces in the bedroom instead of perfectly complementing your headboard. If you have a wooden bed, choose a lighter or darker wood tone or even a solid black or contrasting color.

We have an upholstered bed, so we have plenty of options. I love a good black nightstand so I chose that for our room and Faye’s room as she has a wooden bed. And then Greta has a gray bed, so we chose a blue bedside table.

I think every room needs a wood tone, so if you don’t have it in your bedroom, a wooden nightstand would be a great choice as it adds so much warmth. If your bed is made of wood, choose something else!

Choose a bedside table with storage

In my opinion, every nightstand needs storage. Even a bedside table in the guest room (nice to have small items for guests). It’s so important to have a place near your bed that can be a place for those little things—your Kindle or book, your phone, water—to reach for before bed.

The little drawer is so useful for keeping notebooks, pens and my favorite lip mask at the ready. But since it’s out of sight, be careful what you put inside or you’ll end up using your nightstand as a glorified junk drawer. (A lesson to myself as much as anyone else. I don’t even know what’s in my two drawers…they’re full to the brim!)

Another way to hide clutter if you don’t have a drawer in your nightstand is to cover it with a small tablecloth or a round of fabric. Not only can this add a dose of pattern to a room, but it can also dress up a space, especially if you’re working with mismatched tables you’ve been thrifting or a piece you got as a handiwork without drawers. Tuck a small basket under the tablecloth and you have the perfect little storage space.

So here it is! You’re ready to find the nightstand of your dreams. Check out all my picks below from Wayfair for any style and budget.

One more thing before you go, you’ll also want to see how I style a nightstand for a guest room or even just for myself.

Shop Nightstands Wayfair