How to Style Your Nightstand — A Designer’s Tips
The importance of bedroom design cannot be overstated — it’s the room we spend, by far, the most cumulative time, and the quality of our sleep impacts our health and wellness in a wide variety of ways. Not only do your mattress and linens affect your rest, but the space around your bed matters too. Here, I’m sharing all my thoughts on designing one of the smallest yet most important spots in your home: the nightstand.
Bedroom Lighting (aka The Most Important Part!)
No matter how well you’ve designed and styled your bedroom, none of it matters if the lighting ruins the vibe. The lighting should provide a soft, ambient glow (the kind that’s perfect for reading or relaxation), but there’s no one right way to do so. I love a bedside lamp, a sconce, or a pendant over the nightstand — and if you can use a dimmer, that’s even better.
Bedroom lighting is different from other areas in the home because it’s all about creating a cozy, relaxing, and versatile atmosphere. Unlike kitchens or bathrooms that need bright, task-focused lighting, bedroom lighting should be soft, layered, and adjustable to set the perfect mood for rest and comfort. In the bedroom, I typically recommend 2700 – 3000k bulbs, and in other rooms, I’m more likely to suggest up to 4000k. A small lamp adds coziness, or a sconce can light one side of the bed when one partner goes to sleep early and the other decides to finish their book. There’s no single solution — so long as the result is dim and moody!
Accessorizing Your Bedside Table
In addition to a lamp (or in place of one, should you opt for a sconce instead), the nightstand offers space for the miscellaneous items you want on hand. Don’t worry — I’m not going to tell you that you need to keep the entire nightstand clean. I understand the need for lip balm or hand cream, but I like to add a dish or tray to catch these items instead of allowing them to clutter up the space. A small dish for jewelry, a catch-all for beauty items, or a small stand for your charging phone — all of these are more aesthetically pleasing than a pile of clutter.
I’d also count books and magazines as functional accessories — you’ll never find me saying no to reading material! And of course, I’d also never turn down a personal touch like a framed photo or other keepsake. Top it off with a candle (I like lavender and lemongrass before bed), and you’ve got a chic, functional nightstand.
Incorporating Wellness Into Your Nighttime Routine
You likely already apply your skincare in the bathroom, pour a glass of water in the kitchen, and unwind with a book or TV show in the living room — but your bedroom deserves to be treated as a vital part of your wind-down routine too! Your sleeping environment offers ample opportunity for prioritizing wellness.
Personally, I love having an air purifier in my bedroom. I live in a building from the 1920s (as many people in Chicago do), and it has not been designed with modern ventilation systems. Older buildings tend to have a build-up of allergens, dust, and pet dander, but I have never slept better than I do with my air purifier. In addition to that, I have a few other sleep-enhancing elements in my arsenal: a white noise machine, a weighted blanket, blackout curtains, and a cooling or heating mattress topper. Of course, as I said before, a candle or aroma diffuser would work well in this space as well — and your favorite comfy blankets and pillows add the finishing touch.
Keeping the Whole Room Clean
As mentioned, clutter should be kept to a minimum on the nightstand, and that applies to the rest of the room as well. I know you don’t need another task to accomplish before bed, but taking a few minutes to tidy up can truly make all the difference. I love nightstands with drawers — but if that’s not an option, I like ottomans with hidden storage at the foot of the bed. Hanging organizers can be added to a closet, and I even love a coat rack in the bedroom. Functional, stylish, and a little different!
And Finally, The Books to Add to Your Nightstand
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: one of the best things you can have on your nightstand is some good reading material. Each month in my newsletter, I share what I’ve been reading — but if you need a suggestion right now, see below for the books I’ve read in the past few months:
- The Wedding People by Alison Espach
- Cher: The Memoir, Part One by Cher
- The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
- The Midwife’s Revolt by Jodi Daynard
- The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
- James by Percival Everett
- Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono
To Continue Reading:
How to Refresh Your Space for 2025, Without a Full Redesign
