HOW TO DECORATE A NIGHTSTAND
Here are some savvy and easy nightstand decorating ideas! For most of us, our nightstands are more utilitarian than pretty. But they don’t have to be cluttered with just our essentials. They can be styled to bring beauty to our bedrooms too! Here’s where fabulous meets function!
Today is 20-minute decorating!
We are in the master bedroom styling a nightstand! As you can see I have round glass nightstands that are not very big, but they work great because they have a bottom shelf.
This post will give you two views of how I styled the same nightstand. One from StoneGable and one from our Tanglewood House. I hope this will give you more ideas to style your nightstand!
If you would like to see our master bedroom and sources for things in it including these pretty nightstands go HERE.
Even a small nightstand can incorporate a few items that make happy to see it when you wake up in the morning!
And today we are going to decorate our nightstand in just a few minutes!
Here are my best designer tips for decorating a nightstand…
KNOW HOW YOUR NIGHTSTAND FUNCTIONS
First and foremost, know what essentials you need to be at your fingertips every night, through the night and in the morning before you jump out of bed.
Most of us have a cell phone and more that usually will find a home at night on a nightstand!
My cell and my readers are always on the nightstand!
Here are other things to consider that might belong on your nightstand…
- glasses
- a place for rings
- medicine
- tissues
- remote controls
- an iPad or reader
- a computer
- a book (or two or three)
The larger items might be best stashed in a drawer or on the shelf of your nightstand if you have one. And in a basket beside your bed if you don’t!
This is my way of keeping my nightstand from getting cluttered. I keep an extra pair of glasses, remote controls, hand cream, lip balm and more in a little lidded basket on the bottom shelf of my nightstand!
Know what things you will need to put on a nightstand every night and start there!
Here’s a StoneGable tip: If you are sick and need to take medicine like cough medicine cold tablets, etc put them on a little tray. That way it is not scattered all over the tabletop!
CHOOSE A PRETTY AND FUNCTIONAL LAMP
A lamp is a must on a nightstand or on the wall above it. Choose a lamp that works with your nightstand. Too small and a lamp may not give you the right amount of task or reading light. Too big and it may take up too much space on your nightstand.
We installed sconces above our nightstands to free up space on the table itself. We did not hardwire them into the wall but plugged them into a socket behind the bed.
If you like this idea here are some of my favorites!
ADD SOMETHING ORGANIC
Even if it’s the tiniest bloom in a wee little vase, add a something organic to your nightstand! Something made of organic material will bring your table to life!
The organic element on my nightstand changes with what I can bring in from the garden, get at the grocer’s and have in my basement! Today I cut and brought in these pretty moppy-headed hydrangeas. You might like to see how I cut and care for cut hydrangeas so they don’t wilt HERE.
I love flowers and plants and leaves but here are a few other organic ideas…
- moss balls in a pretty dish
- a faux topiary
- willow balls in a small wooden dough bowl
- succulents in a small shallow bowl
- a preserved boxwood ball in a small urn
DECORATE A NIGHTSTAND WITH SOMETHING PERSONAL
For me, the best “something personal” are pictures of my family! No matter what time of day or night when I see faces I love I always smile!
For you it may be a piece of art or a a collectable. No matter what it is, add something that makes your heart sing to your nightstand!
BOOKS BELONG ON A NIGHTSTAND
Keeping books at hand is a great way to use that prime real estate on your table top!
Use them as risers and put pictures, personal items and organics on top of them!
As most of you know, I cover all my decor books with burlap so they work with my decor. Here are a trio of my favorite decorating books I use as references!
OTHER NIGHTSTAND DECORATING IDEAS
Get creative when it comes to adding things to your nightstand. Just don’t add too much and make room for the essentials!
ADD A BASKET TO STASH THINGS
My very best tip if you don’t have drawers in your nightstand but have a shelf it to invest in a pretty lidded basket or box big enough to hold everything you need!
PUT A SMALL BOX OR A DISH ON A NIGHTSTAND
A small dish or lidded box is the perfect place to tuck away rings or other small objects.
ADD A LOVELY AROMA WITH A CANDLE OR A DIFFUSER
If you have a little extra space on your nightstand add a candle or like me, a diffuser!
I keep my diffuser behind a picture and it fills my bedroom with the most lovely aromas of lavender and tangerine, my favorites for sleeping!
MORE NIGHTSTAND DECORATING IDEAS
- framed pictures or sayings
- prop up a small mirror or picture on the back of the nightstand
- use a small tray to corral items
- bottle of water with a spill proof top
- alarm clock
GUIDELINES TO KEEP IN MIND
Like almost any other horizontal surface in our homes, a nightstand can be a clutter magnet! So remember these simple guidelines…
- less is best
- stash away in drawers and baskets on shelves all but the most necessary things
- never leave things that don’t belong on your nightstand laying around
- create a beautiful little space worthy of being next to your bed
Now you know how easy it is to decorate your nightstand! And do it in under 20 minutes!
StoneGable | How to Style a Functional and Fabulous Nightstand
Thistlewood Farm | Ideas for Decorating with Lamps
Designthusiasm | 6 Simple Steps to a Lovely Summer Table
French Country Cottage | 20 Minute Decorating Ideas for 4th of July
On Sutton Place | Simple Round Coffee Table Styling Ideas
My nightstand has a radio,a small lamp sitting on a book,a dish for jewelery a little vase for fresh flowers and that’s about it. I have two drawers for stashing other items so it stays pretty neat. My phone ,tablet and laptop stay out of the bedroom.
Thanks, for sharing! A radio is a blast from the past. How fun!!!!!
You always have the BEST ideas, my friend! Love reading your posts, and these tips are so worth reading! Can’t wait to see you in a couple and a half weeks! 😉
Your bedroom is stunning! Great idea to decorate in 20 minutes.
Happy birthday,
Kippi
I love this post, because it’s help me to refocus, and keep things clean and simple. Yet, elegant. I thank God for you.
where is the round nightstand from?
Here you go: https://rstyle.me/+-RGJ4WtW4QytwIb2euSWDA
What is the source for your lovely pom pom quilt and pillow shams – these are so pretty.
Hi Anne Marie, I found them at Ballard Designs
I, too, love the quilted pale blue quilt and shams – please tell us where we can buy them. Love your website – thank you for bringing back the weekly recipes, too, Yvonne!
Hi Peggy, Thank you for your sweet comment. I found the quilt on Ballard Designs.
I have two drawer nightstands so it’s easy to keep them looking pretty. My side has a lamp, alarm clock so I can see the time at a glance, phone and a mirrored tray that holds my readers, hand cream & lipsil. My husband’s has the same lamp, a picture of his beautiful wife ? and a charger for his cellphone.
Can I ask why you picked two small glass tables instead of a bigger one with drawers?
I’m a super busy lady but always make time to read your beautiful blog. So far I’ve made moss balls, chalk painted my decor riser books and also wrapped some in burlap. I love your ideas!
Jennifer, I am so honored that you make time in your day to read StoneGable! I cherish my readers! Thanks for letting me know.
I so wish I could have uncluttered nightstands. Mine isn’t bad, but my husband has his CPAP on it and it is not attractive. Oh well.
I know what you mean Susan, but I bet you are so thankful for your husband getting a restful night’s sleep.
I do enjoy your blog…so inspirational! Searching hi & low for the taupe/white basket weave coverlet that is in the pictures. I absolutely LOVE it! Looks exactly like it would be perfect in my guest room…..please advise. Thank you!
Most people need an alarm clock on their bedside table. I am surprised you didn’t mention a clock. Maybe you didn’t mention it because it is extremely hard to find a functional alarm clock that is also pretty.
Many people just use the alarm on their phones. Yes, of course, a clock is a very important thing if you don’t use your phone. Thanks for the reminder.
Thanks for all these outstanding ideas. Wow, amazing.