We Designed a Nightstand Setup for Every Type of Person

Life is stressful right now, and sometimes your only respite from the chaos comes from crashing into bed. While thread count and mattress type are certainly important when creating a sleepy-time space, there’s one piece you may be overlooking: the bedside table. Keeper of tchotchkes and catchall for evening essentials, the trusty nightstand does it all. It’s also a great place to show off your personal style.

Part of creating a cohesive space is making sure everything, from your tissue box to your hairbrush, feels distinctly you. The options are endless, so we went ahead and broke it down by four unique styles to help you figure out yours.

Feeling Groovy 

For those who need to gear up to wind down, bold decor is the way to go. Start with a bright base, like this saturated acrylic side table (it can also be flipped over to create a stand if you’re working with a tighter squeeze), and build upon it with unexpected shapes, color-blocked hues, and futuristic materials. A transparent tissue box, planet-esque reading lights, and a squiggly pitcher pairs well with a smartphone-controlled lightbulb with millions of color options and a graphic rug underfoot for tactile comfort.

Zen Den 

Meditating every night? This setup might just be the one for you. This look is all about calming simplicity, favoring objects for their function over form. Made from handmade washi paper and bamboo ribbing, an iconic Noguchi light sculpture sets the harmonious scene: a pint-size analog alarm clock (no blue light here!), an intricate bamboo-woven basket for holding your jewelry, and a tortoiseshell hairbrush with a side of scalp massage. All of these belong on a versatile folding table that’s as chic as it is refined, on top of a zen garden–inspired rug. Light a candle in a splatter-paint dish and you might not even need that Headspace session after all. 

Natural Whimsy

If connecting with nature is your favorite way to relax, bring greenery into your bedtime space. An aged terracotta planter is practically begging to be paired with a pothos plant and a simple wood nightstand (with a bit of shine thanks to a mirror-paneled drawer). A Grand Canyon–inspired raw clay mug makes the perfect sleepy-time tea vessel, and a sandalwood-scented room spray will leave your space smelling like you live in a garden. Complete the vignette with a rattan wall sconce with a solid brass backplate; a delicate, handwoven, naturally dyed wool rug; and flora-inspired print overhead. 

Sleek Chic 

Think of this elegant, luxurious style as the little black dress of bedside tables. A simple table in a neutral hue sets the scene (like this metal option from Hay, inspired by paper origami), and combined with a marble-based, exposed-bulb table lamp; a handmade, minimalist ceramic vase; and an embossed silver notebook, you’ll bring the hotel vibes home. A brass tablet stand with a shelf for propping a late-night read and a deep-black sheepskin rug below round out the look. 

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