How to Choose a Bedside Table: Size, Storage & Style
By Timeless Furniture, Lighting & Homeware | Rowen & Wren | Published: 2026-10-28
Category: Buying Guides
Learn how to pick the right bedside table for your bedroom. We cover size, storage, and style with practical decision rules and honest trade-offs.
Quick answer
Choose a bedside table that matches your bed height (within 2–3 inches of the mattress top), offers the storage you need, and fits your room's style and layout.
Size matters more than you think
A bedside table that is too tall or too short is awkward to use. The ideal height is roughly level with the top of your mattress, so you can reach a lamp or a glass of water without stretching or leaning. For most standard beds, that means a table around 24–28 inches tall.
Depth is equally important. A table that sticks out too far into the room can block walkways or make a small bedroom feel cramped. Measure the space beside your bed before you shop. Allow at least 18 inches of clearance between the table and any wall or furniture on the opposite side.
Storage: drawer, shelf, or both?
Think about what you actually keep by your bed. If you only need a place for a lamp and a book, an open shelf or a small tabletop may be enough. For glasses, chargers, and nighttime essentials, a drawer keeps things tidy and out of sight. A cupboard can hide larger items like a tablet or a stack of magazines.
The Latham Bedside Table offers both a drawer and a cupboard, giving you flexible storage without sacrificing style. The dovetail joints and carved solid oak frame add durability and a classic look that works in many bedrooms.
Style and material trade-offs
Wooden bedside tables bring warmth and longevity, but they can feel heavy in a very small room. Painted or light wood finishes help keep the space airy. Solid wood and veneer combinations, like the Latham's oak frame with oak veneered plywood, offer stability at a more accessible price point than all-solid construction.
Metal or glass tables can feel more modern and take up less visual space, but they may show fingerprints and scratches more easily. Your choice should also complement your bed frame and other bedroom furniture.
Your bedside table decision rules
- Measure your bed height first: Use a tape measure from the floor to the top of your mattress. Your bedside table should be within 2–3 inches of that height. If your bed is very high or low, look for tables with adjustable feet or a custom height option.
- Check the available floor space: Measure the width and depth of the space beside your bed. Leave at least 18 inches of clearance on the walking side. For tight spaces, a narrower table (under 18 inches wide) or a corner table may work better.
- Match storage to your habits: If you keep a phone, glasses, a book, and a lamp by your bed, choose a table with at least one drawer and one open shelf or cupboard. If you only need a lamp, a simple tabletop may be enough. Avoid buying a table with more storage than you actually use. Drawers hide clutter; open shelves keep things accessible. A mix of both is the most versatile.
- Choose a style that complements your bed and room: Wooden bedside tables work with most decor styles. A carved oak table like the Latham suits traditional or country-style bedrooms. For modern rooms, look for clean lines and minimal hardware. Painted or light finishes help small rooms feel bigger.
Product highlights
- Latham Bedside Table: Carved solid oak frame with oak veneered plywood aspects for stability You get the look and strength of solid wood where it matters most, while the veneered sections keep the table lighter and more affordable.
Latham Bedside Table
Who is this for?
Best for
- Anyone looking for a classic wooden bedside table with practical drawer and cupboard storage
- Bedrooms where both tidiness and easy access to essentials matter
Not for
- Minimalists who want only a small shelf or no storage at all
- Very small rooms where a 16-inch wide table would still feel too bulky
