Decorating a nightstand goes beyond tossing an alarm clock, setting a flower vase, or a table lamp. It is an opportunity to bring style, functionality, and personality to your bedroom. A well-styled nightstand enhances the overall aesthetic of your space and caters to your needs while keeping essentials within easy reach.
Before you dive into decorating a nightstand, make sure you have the perfect base. An ideal nightstand is the first step toward achieving functional and stylish nightstand decor. Browse our nightstand collection page to find a nightstand that fits your style and storage needs.
Once you have the right piece, it’s time to go ahead and make it yours. From a minimalist, cozy, and layered approach to a chic, designer-inspired ensemble, there are several ways to decorate a nightstand and make it reflect your taste. Whether seeking simple yet impactful inspiration on decorating a bedside table, ideas to welcome a new season, or tips for decorating a nightstand, find a list of items to inspire your creative nightstand decor ideas.
What Should I Put on My Nightstand?
These 19 items, categorized into four functional groups, will inspire your nightstand decoration ideas.
1. Essential Lighting
- Table lamps
2. Natural Element
- Plant pot
- Flower Vase
3. Storage/Functional Accessories
- Trinket Dish
- Lidded Box
- Tissue Box
- Carafe or water cup tray
- Clock / Radio / Speaker
- Basket
4. Personal Benefits
- Candles or diffusers
- Books
- Collectibles
- Mirror
- Photos / Artwork
Decorate Nightstand with Essential Lighting
A well-lit nightstand is functional, stylish, and sets the tone for a cozy bedroom ambiance.
Nightstand Table Lamps
Always choose a lamp that complements your bedroom decor while providing sufficient lighting for reading or relaxing before bed. It is best to go for dimmable or warm-toned light bulbs for a soothing ambiance. Whether a Narrow, Standard, or Wide nightstand, choose a lamp with a base of about one-third the width of your nightstand, to ensure you have enough room for other relevant nightstand decor.
Decorate Nightstand with Natural Elements
Natural elements bring a special kind of warmth and freshness to your nightstand decor. Green plants and flowers not only serve to promote your nightstand's aesthetics, but they also help in purifying the air in your bedroom. Popular choices of natural elements in nightstand decor include:
Plant Pot
Small potted plants like succulents, ferns, aloe vera, pothos, eucalyptus, or snake plants enhance aesthetics and air quality in your space and are a good choice for nightstand decor.
Flowers
Depending on the type, color, and arrangement, a vase with fresh or dried flowers can bring a variety of ambiance from serenity and calmness to romance and intimacy into your bedroom. Common flowers used to decorate a nightstand include roses, lavender, orchids, and peace lilies.
Decorate Nightstand with Functional Accessories
While aesthetics is important, functionality is a key ingredient. To enhance the practicality of your nightstand, below are a few functional items;
Trinket Dish
Let’s be honest, getting out of bed after a tired day to take off your earrings because you forgot to take them off earlier could be the next most difficult thing after scaling Mount Everest. A stylish catch-all dish where you can toss your jewelry, keys, or small essentials will make life easier, and you don’t have to spend so much time finding your items in the morning. By using a trinket dish to decorate a nightstand, you can add visual interest, texture, and depth to your arrangement.
Lidded Box
A lidded box, also known as a covered box or storage box, is a container with a lid that can be closed to conceal its contents. It is perfect for keeping private items, valuables, and sensitive items like letters, photos, and mementos organized and out of sight.
Tissue Box
A tissue box is practical and essential in any bedroom, but it doesn't have to be boring. By selecting a decorative tissue box that matches your decor, you can add a touch of style and elegance to your home while keeping your tissues within easy reach.
Carafe or Water Cup Tray
A carafe or water cup tray nearby ensures that you can stay hydrated without getting out of bed or leaving the room. A chic glass set can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your bedside table while promoting convenience.
Clock / Radio / Speaker
A stylish timepiece, alarm clock, or smart speaker can be decorative and useful. From telling the time without having to get out of bed, to waking you up just in time or playing a vibey track, these bedside essentials bring style and utility, making them great nightstand decor items.
Basket
Woven Baskets bring a touch of natural, rustic charm to your bedroom and complement several themes from coastal to farmhouse. They are versatile and can store books, blankets, and even small items like remote controls.
Decorate Nightstand for Personal Benefits
Your nightstand should reflect your lifestyle and personal needs, setting the tone for rest. Here are a few items you can use to decorate a nightstand to reflect your lifestyle, promote a good night's sleep and set you up for a great day.
Candles or Diffusers
Scented candles and essential oil diffusers can create a peaceful and calming atmosphere, perfect for unwinding before bed. Certain scents, such as lavender and vanilla, can uplift and calm the mind, promoting relaxation and reducing stress. They are also known to improve sleep quality, duration, and depth.
Nighttime Books
Reading can be a calming and enjoyable activity, helping to clear your mind and prepare you for sleep. Having your current reads within reach saves time and effort, making it easier to unwind before bed, and keeping them organized in a neat stack helps maintain a clutter-free bedside area.
Family Photos
A framed photo of loved ones adds a personal and emotional connection to your bedside space. They create a sense of warmth and coziness, making your bedroom feel more inviting and relaxing. Displaying cherished memories by your bedside can serve as a reminder of happy times and loved ones who are both present and away.
Mirror
A small decorative mirror can add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your nightstand. It’s useful for quick touch-ups and checking your appearance before bed or in the morning.
Landscape Photos, Artwork, Collectibles
By incorporating landscape photos, artwork, or collectibles into your nightstand decor, you can add a touch of personality, style, and whimsy, making your space truly unique and reflective of your character.
How can I style my nightstand for a better look?
Styling a nightstand is crucial in elevating its overall aesthetic. However, many people overload their nightstands with unnecessary decor, but in reality, they only use a small percentage of what's there (e.g., a lamp, a book, or a glass of water).
Before you start exploring your nightstand decoration ideas, it is important to consider the 80/20 rule. 80% of the time, you likely only use 20% of your belongings. Keeping this in mind helps to prioritize functionality and decluttering, ensuring that only the most useful and meaningful items remain. Here are simple tips you can follow on how to style or decorate a nightstand:
1. Start with a clean slate
Clearing everything off your nightstand gives you a fresh start and allows you to reassess what you need and want to keep on your nightstand.
2. Choose a unifying theme
Whatever your bedroom style is, select key pieces that fit a unifying theme, such as a coastal vibe, boho, or a minimalist aesthetic.
3. Limit your Nightstand decor to five items or fewer
Have you heard that less is more? Keep the number of items on your nightstand to five or fewer, and avoid over-accessorizing it to prevent clutter while allowing for a balanced arrangement. For example, you can choose a table lamp for lighting, a flower vase, an essential oil diffuser, and a trinket tray or lidded box. What you choose would depend on your needs.
4. Balance height and texture for visual interest
The 60-30-10 rule creates a balanced composition with different heights, textures, and colors. Allocate 60% of your nightstand decor to a dominant texture or height, 30% to a secondary element, and 10% to an accent piece. A mix of tall, medium, and low objects prevents the arrangement from looking boring or monotonous. For example, pair a tall lamp or vase with a shorter stack of books or a decorative bowl, and a scented candle to complement it. This creates a natural flow and keeps the eyes moving across the display. Additionally, grouping items in a set of three, also known as the "rule of three", creates a balanced and visually appealing composition.
5. Aim for a balance
When decorating a nightstand, creating a balance is essential. To achieve a visually appealing space, ensure that each nightstand decor serves one of the following purposes: lighting, storage/functional benefit, natural benefit, or personal benefit.
6. Personalize your nightstand
Displaying personal items creates an emotional connection to your nightstand and bedroom, making it feel more like your own space. Decorating a bedside table with these items adds a unique character, reflecting your personality, interests, and values. They can include family photos, artwork, personal mementos, or sentimental objects like heirlooms or inspirational pieces, to make your nightstand feel more personal.
7. Don't forget about negative space
Leave some empty space on your nightstand to create a sense of calm and visual balance.
8. Experiment and adjust
When it comes to your nightstand decor ideas, don't be afraid to try different combinations and adjust them until you find a balance that works for you and your unique space.
This 8-step nightstand styling order moves from preparation to styling and final refinements, making it easy to implement within any space.
How to Enhance Your Nightstand Decoration with Surrounding Decor
A beautifully styled nightstand isn’t just about what sits on top; it also includes the elements around it. The surrounding decor plays a key role in enhancing the nightstand’s look and seamlessly integrating it into the overall bedroom aesthetic. Thoughtfully decorating the space around your nightstand can create a more cohesive and visually appealing design. Here are some ways to elevate your nightstand by incorporating surrounding decor.
1. Add a Pretty Wall Sconce
If you have a small nightstand or generally want fewer things on your nightstand, a wall sconce might be a better lighting choice than a table lamp. A wall-mounted sconce frees up valuable nightstand space, making it ideal for small bedrooms or nightstands. Before picking a wall sconce, decide the lighting you need, whether ambient, task, or accent light, and then choose a sconce that matches your bedroom's style and decor.
2. Incorporate a Wall Mirror
Mirrors are beautiful decorative pieces that reflect light and give the illusion of space. They can add a touch of glamour and sophistication to your bedroom, creating a relaxing and calming ambiance. For mirror placement ideas, you can either hang a mirror above the nightstand or place a mirror behind the nightstand. This decor technique on both sides of the bed can create a cohesive and eye-catching look.
3. Add a Decorative Piece of Wall Art
Hanging art above the nightstand can serve as a focal point, drawing the eye upwards and creating a sense of visual interest. Depending on what you choose, it can set the tone for the entire room, influencing the mood and atmosphere. Types of wall art include painting, photographs, prints, etc.
4. Balance Nightstand decor with Bed Size for a Proportional Look
It is important to consider the size of your bed when decorating a nightstand. A larger bed calls for a more substantial nightstand, except in smaller spaces, while a smaller bed pairs best with a more compact option. Picking a nightstand size that suits your bed brings about proportionality and increases its aesthetic appeal. The size of your bed influences not only the size of your nightstand but also the scale of the decor you choose.
For instance, a twin or full-sized bed with a smaller nightstand requires more delicate decor, like a petite lamp, a single book, and a small vase or candle to maintain balance and avoid overwhelming the space. To choose the best nightstand size for your space, refer to our comprehensive guide on how to choose an ideal nightstand size.
5. Balance Nightstand Decor with Bedroom Proportions
When decorating a nightstand, consider the size of your bedroom to ensure balance and functionality. opt for compact nightstands with minimal decor to prevent overcrowding in smaller bedrooms, while larger spaces can accommodate more substantial nightstands with layered decor. Also, choose colors, textures, and materials that align with your bedroom’s style to create a cohesive and well-proportioned look.
Conclusion
Effectively decorating a nightstand can create a beautiful and functional space that reflects your style and promotes relaxation. By incorporating lighting, natural elements, functional accessories, and personal items, you can create a bedside space that is both stylish and useful. Remember to pick and arrange items thoughtfully, avoid over accessorizing for minimal clutter, and integrate the nightstand decor that complements your bedroom’s overall aesthetic for a harmonious and inviting space.