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Photo: Mytour / Alli WaatajaWhile the bed may take center stage in your bedroom, the nightstand is far from just an accessory. It’s hard to envision an efficient nighttime routine without one, as it’s often where you place essentials like your reading light, phone, and water. Beyond offering easy access to these items, a nightstand also enhances your storage with its shelves and drawers.
“Choosing the right nightstand is a personal journey, so you must think about both functionality and style,” advises Melanie Millner, interior designer and founder of The Design Atelier. “Consider factors like charging stations, books, lamps, jewelry trays, and other bedside essentials. This can help you streamline your choices and feel confident in your selection.”
In addition to evaluating countless nightstands on the market, we sought Millner’s expert guidance on how to navigate the search for this vital piece of bedroom furniture. If you’ve been on the hunt for the perfect nightstand, we’re here to help with some top recommendations. Whether you're after a timeless wooden nightstand or a modern metal one with added storage, we've curated a list of our favorites in various styles and price ranges.
Top Wooden Nightstand Picks
“Wood is often the top choice for nightstands, whether it's painted or stained,” Millner shares. She explains that many people prefer wood over metal because “it has a softer, warmer vibe.” The natural texture and warmth make wood a versatile option that complements various bedroom styles, including minimal, modern, rustic, and traditional designs. For durability and long-lasting use, solid wood is ideal, but if you're working within a budget, engineered wood is also a good choice. Many mid-range nightstands combine both materials for the best of both worlds.”
This stylish nightstand by Article is made from solid and veneered wood, offering a minimalist design with an open shelf and two soft-close drawers. Not only is it durable, but it also provides plenty of space for storing pajamas, body care products, and other nighttime essentials.
Constructed from solid Meranti wood, Meranti and white oak veneers, and MDF, this vintage-inspired nightstand features two side-by-side drawers and a spacious open shelf at the bottom, perfect for holding and showcasing your favorite items.
This budget-friendly nightstand made of solid pine offers a sleek and timeless design, making it a perfect fit for any classic decor. Its two smooth-gliding drawers are spacious enough to store 10 T-shirts or five pairs of pants each.
If you’re drawn to ornate designs, this sophisticated nightstand is a perfect choice. It showcases a rich dark wood finish, detailed metal accents, and beautifully carved bracket feet. For your storage needs, it offers three spacious drawers.
Made from solid eucalyptus and engineered wood, this mid-century inspired West Elm nightstand features two large drawers and an open shelf for added storage. It also comes in a version with built-in outlets and USB ports to conveniently charge your devices.
This acacia wood nightstand is a retro-inspired piece that makes a statement with its sculpted drawers and elegant tapered legs. Its clear lacquered finish showcases the wood's natural grain, while also providing moisture protection to ensure its longevity.
Top Metal Nightstands
Metal nightstands complement modern and industrial-style décor. In addition to their sleek, minimalist look, metal is durable and strong. If you plan to place vases or glasses of water on your nightstand, be sure it's made of rust-resistant material or features a protective powder coating. If metal feels too cold for your taste, Millner recommends choosing nightstands that blend metal with other materials such as wood.
This rugged nightstand, with a 200-pound weight capacity, combines a robust metal frame with a reclaimed wood top. It offers generous storage with a spacious single drawer and a bottom shelf for added convenience.
Embrace an industrial aesthetic with this durable metal nightstand, offered in both neutral and vibrant shades. It features a stylish perforated cabinet, an open cubby for convenient bedside storage, and includes a built-in USB port to charge your devices.
Add a touch of glam to your space with this gold-painted steel nightstand, which showcases a Nordic design with sleek, polished edges and corners. Though compact, it features two open shelves perfect for displaying your favorite decorative pieces.
This elegant and budget-friendly nightstand features an iron frame with graceful curved crowns and floral accents. It includes two shelves — one made of glass and the other formed from metal slats — ideal for displaying bedroom decor and essentials.
This metal nightstand is defined by its sleek, minimalist design. It features a durable powder-coated iron frame and three spacious drawers. The gold-coated knobs stand out beautifully against the black metal, adding a touch of warmth to the overall look.
Add a touch of industrial style to your bedroom with this elegant hot-rolled steel nightstand. It offers two concealed drawers for storage and features a spacious top surface and an open bottom shelf for displaying decorative items.
Top Rattan Modern Nightstands
If you're searching for a nightstand with a warm, organic texture but prefer something other than wood, rattan is a great option to consider. Rattan, derived from a climbing palm native to Asia, is commonly used in furniture making due to its durability, flexibility, and light weight. Aesthetically, “rattan complements coastal-themed spaces,” according to Millner.
Millner suggests opting for a rattan nightstand featuring a glass surface or a smooth material on top. This is particularly useful if you place a glass or carafe of water by your bedside, as it helps prevent spills on woven textures. Additionally, moisture can damage rattan or foster mold, so it’s advisable to keep a rattan nightstand dry.
This coastal-inspired nightstand stands tall on a strong mahogany wood frame, showcasing woven rattan panels, rattan-wrapped edges, and a tempered glass top. While it is an investment, it arrives fully assembled, ready for use.
This sculptural, '70s-inspired nightstand brings playful visual appeal to your room with its looped design and chevron-woven rattan drawer. The drawer is perfect for storing essentials, while the spacious bottom shelf offers ample room for showcasing bold decorative pieces.
Add elegance to your space with the minimalist, clean lines of this nightstand. Featuring a sturdy MDF frame with metal legs, it includes two spacious cane drawers crafted from natural rattan.
Keep your bedroom tidy with this affordable rattan nightstand, featuring a woven drawer and a slatted bottom shelf. Despite its compact size, it can support up to 50 pounds, offering both functionality and strength.
Top Round Nightstands
Nightstands are typically known for their clean, straight lines. However, a round nightstand could be a great choice if you're aiming for a softer, more inviting atmosphere in your bedroom. Keep in mind that round doesn't always mean circular or cylindrical. If you’re not fond of round tables, Millner recommends exploring rectangular nightstands with gently rounded corners as an alternative.
This Scandinavian-inspired side table, crafted from solid and veneered oak, stands out with its cylindrical shape and fluted texture. We love the design feature of the built-in door within the fluted area, offering a hidden space to store your belongings.
Designed for display rather than storage, this affordable side table features three round shelves with a wood-like finish to showcase books, plants, and decor. Its reinforced metal frame ensures stability, though it's important to note that the open shelves are made from particleboard rather than solid wood.
Featuring elegant metal hardware and a beautiful cherry finish, this classic nightstand is perfect for fans of traditional decor. Despite its compact design, it provides storage with a drawer and a concealed bottom cabinet.
This sleek, cylindrical nightstand from Pottery Barn comes with a hefty price tag, but its exquisite craftsmanship and solid oak construction make it worth the investment. It also includes two practical drawers with soft-close mechanisms for added convenience.
Expert Tips for Shopping Nightstands
Material
The ideal material for your nightstand depends on several factors, such as how you plan to use it and your personal decor style. While most nightstands are made of wood, known for its durability and versatility in various designs, solid wood tends to be more expensive than engineered wood. However, the higher upfront cost is justified for a long-lasting piece that can hold a significant amount of items.
For an alternative natural texture, rattan provides a lightweight and stylish option. However, it requires careful upkeep as it is sensitive to moisture. Additionally, rattan may not support as much weight as wood does.
Metal nightstands are great choices for modern and industrial aesthetics due to their durability. However, keep in mind that metal can be heavy, and certain types of metal may be prone to rust and scratches. To protect the surface of a metal nightstand, always use mats and coasters to prevent direct contact with wet or sharp objects.
Style
With so many nightstand styles to choose from, whether modern, ornate, or something in between, Millner suggests that “the nightstand’s style should complement the rest of the room’s design.” For example, modern nightstands typically feature clean lines and neutral tones, which pair well with mid-century modern and Scandinavian designs. On the other hand, ornate nightstands with additional hardware and intricate carvings are ideal for interiors like farmhouse, Art Deco, or French country styles.
No matter your preferred style, certain nightstand design elements can make your bedroom feel warmer and more inviting. According to Millner, “Softer lines and rounded edges work best next to a bed.” You can look for round designs or rectangular ones with rounded corners to achieve this effect.
For a material that creates a particularly warm atmosphere, Millner suggests choosing a nightstand made from wood or a wood-metal combo. If you're aiming for a coastal look, rattan offers a natural and cozy alternative to wood.
Budget
Nightstand prices can vary greatly depending on the retailer and designer. At larger stores like Walmart or Target, you might find affordable options priced between $50 and $200. For upscale retailers such as West Elm and Pottery Barn, expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2,000. High-end interior design firms like Millner’s Design Atelier often see even higher prices for luxury pieces. “On average, our clients spend between $2,500 and $5,000 for a quality nightstand,” Millner shares.
The cost of your nightstand will also be influenced by the material. Solid wood options typically cost more than engineered wood nightstands. While wood tends to be pricier than rattan, it usually aligns in cost with similar metal designs. Additionally, special features like intricate carvings, custom hardware, or designs beyond the standard one- or two-drawer model can significantly raise the price of your nightstand.
Features
When choosing a nightstand, two key features to consider are the dimensions and compartments. Millner advises paying close attention to the height of the piece. To make sure it fits well with your bed, you’ll want the top of the nightstand to align with the top of the mattress. “I like to have the top of the nightstand even with the mattress,” Millner suggests. It’s also important to consider the nightstand’s depth and width to ensure it fits comfortably beside your bed.
When it comes to compartments, decide if you prefer open shelving, closed drawers, or a mix of both. Drawers are great for storing items that aren’t visually appealing or could clutter the surface, like health products or flashlights. Shelves, however, are perfect for displaying books, lamps, and decor. Millner shares, “I typically like at least one drawer and an open shelf below so things don’t pile up in unused space over time.”
Take Our Word For It
This article was written by Stacey Nguyen, a contributing writer for Mytour whose work has also appeared on POPSUGAR, Buzzfeed, InStyle, and HappySprout. To find the best nightstands, she researched many options, considering factors like material, style, price, and features. She also consulted Melanie Millner, an interior designer and founder of The Design Atelier, for expert shopping advice on nightstands.
