While it isn’t a necessity, it’s sure nice to have extra storage space beside the bed. A small nightstand can hold glasses, clocks, any type of table lamp, books, and other essentials. I usually keep things like my iPhone and the TV remote there.
I will showcase several of each type, featuring a variety of materials, storage options, and shapes to give you an idea about the bedroom’s best small nightstands.
Best Small Nightstands: My Top 13 Recommendations
There are three main types of nightstand tables for your bedroom: bedside chests, cabinets, and traditional nightstands. Some bedside tables work best in primary bedrooms, while others are more suited for a room with less floor space, such as a kids’ or guest bedroom. Narrow nightstands are great in small bedrooms.
| Name | Type of Nightstand | Features |
| Lark Manor Corbeil Nightstand | Small Space Chest | Metallic handles complement the classic wood finish |
| Ashley Furniture Signature Design Juararo Nightstand | Small Space Chest | 30 inches in height, complements vintage decor |
| Verdugo Gift Co Nantucket Storage Cabinet Nightstand | Compact Cabinet | Designed for small spaces, great for kids’ or guest room |
| Beachcrest Home Gallinas 1-Drawer Nightstand | Compact Cabinet | Well-designed, handles easy-to-change |
| Alexandra Nightstand by Winston Porter | Compact Cabinet | Good size display area, reasonably priced |
| Sauder 418176 Nightstand | Traditional Nightstand | Large open shelf, high-quality finish |
| Prepac Sonoma 2-Drawer Nightstand | Traditional Nightstand | Warm cherry laminate, solid build |
| Homestar Central Park 1-Drawer Nightstand | Traditional Nightstand | Cool design, metal handles, sliding drawers |
| Andress 1-Drawer Nightstand by Charlton Home | Traditional Nightstand | Four-port USB charger, solid wood construction |
| Revere 1-Drawer Nightstand by Andover Mills | Traditional Nightstand | Open shelf, sturdy build, good for kids’ room |
| Home Styles Furniture Arts and Crafts Nightstand | Traditional Nightstand | Fun design, pullout tray for beverages |
| Casual Home Night Owl Nightstand | Traditional Nightstand | Four-port USB charger, solid wood finish |
| Winsome Curved Nightstand | Traditional Nightstand | Curved design, sturdy, expensive |
Nightstands should complement the style of your bed and other bedroom decor, whether that’s modern, traditional, rustic, industrial, bohemian, etc. Some modern nightstands come with USB ports and pull-out trays. If you have kids, consider nightstands with rounded edges and corners. Also, attaching taller nightstands to the wall can prevent them from tipping over.
Nightstands are available for various budgets and tastes. Finish and color options can influence the look. Hardware, such as knobs and pulls, can often be changed to meet style requirements. Matching nightstands might be preferred for primary bedrooms, while mismatched pieces work well as part of an eclectic scheme.
Lark Manor Corbeil Nightstand
The Corbeil from Lark Manor is ideal for small bedrooms with plenty of surface space for a lamp and other knick-knacks next to the bed.
The dimensions are 13 inches wide, 12.5 inches deep, and 4 inches tall. That gives you sufficient storage for a narrow nightstand in a small bedroom. The metallic handles complement the classic wood finish really well.
Pros
- No assembly required
- Cherrywood (not particle board)
Cons
- Fairly overpriced, considering the small size
Ashley Furniture Signature Design Juararo Nightstand
The Juararo from Ashley is a sturdy piece with a warm, rustic finish. It complements any vintage bedroom decor, but it can make its way into modern designs as well.
As it is with most small furniture tables, this one comes pre-assembled. What’s cool about the narrow nightstand is that it allows you to change the standard handles with new ones without modification.
It is almost 30 inches in height which makes it one of our narrow nightstands that will work with the mattress height of a king-size bed.
Pros
- Fully assembled
- Solid construction
Cons
- Drawers don’t slide easily
Verdugo Gift Co Nantucket Storage Cabinet Nightstand
Although it takes a few minutes to assemble, this narrow nightstand is worth the extra work. It has open and closed storage, which allows it to hold different items.
Its 13-inch width may not be enough of a spread for all your daily accessories, but it is more than enough for small bedrooms with very limited space.
Pros
- Narrow nightstand built for small spaces
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Flimsy construction
Beachcrest Home Gallinas Nightstand
This narrow bedroom cabinet is one of the best small nightstands. The rich wood veneer catches your eye instantly, and the silver knobs help keep the design simple.
What’s cool about the hardware is that it is easy to change. The knobs are screwed in, so you can replace them at any point.
The cabinet itself takes up about three-quarters of the total space. This makes it large enough to store many items in the storage space inside.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Very sturdy
Cons
- Drawers are tight to open (rub some soap on the railings)
3. Alexandra Nightstand by Winston Porter
Small nightstands made of manufactured wood and laminate are sturdy, too. A good example of this is the light Alexandra nightstand from Winston Porter. At just 18 lbs, this model can support quite a lot, and it’s not easy to tip over.
The square legs give the unit its stability. Narrow nightstands such as the Alexandra are perfect for a guest bedroom or small space.
Pros
- Fits perfectly in small spaces
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- Instructions not clear on how to assemble unit
Sauder 418176 Nightstand
This design from Sauder offers a large open display area beside the bed. Like many narrow nightstands, there isn’t much space, it’s still enough for some jewelry and other small accessories.
The small nightstand is 16.5 inches in width, 20.3 inches in depth, and 24.5 inches in height. While it clearly fits in almost any small space, small nightstands lose their appeal in large bedrooms.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Sturdy, finish is high quality
Cons
- Cheap railings
Prepac Sonoma Nightstand
This type of bedroom nightstand has display space on top and inside. Whatever doesn’t fit next to your lamp can go underneath, and you still have easy access. As small nightstands go, this one also has plenty of storage space next to the bed.
Both narrow compartments are fitted with safety stops. The metallic knobs are the only non-wood components that show. However, the choice of silver works really well and complements the cherry finish. It’s not a timeless piece, but the small nightstand accomplishes a lot with limited room.
Pros
- Solid build
- Less than 30 minutes to assemble
Cons
- Satin black finish can easily scratch
Y&M Nightstand
Nothing says contemporary, like using metal on wood. The sleek legs and base on the Y&M nightstand make a fashion statement. The 23.4-inch tall unit has a good amount. ofspace and storage for all your bedtime accessories.
The narrow design comes with one compartment on top and an open shelf at the bottom, both roughly the same size.
The cool factor is the extended edges on top of the nightstand. They are raised on the sides and in the back and provide protection against tipping anything over by accident. There is no safeguard in the front so that you have easy access.
On top of all this, it also includes 2AC standard outlets and 2 USB ports so you can charge multiple devices directly on the stand.
Pros
- Attractive design
- Safety features
- Charging station for your electronic devices
Cons
- Prone to nicks and scratches
Andress Nightstand by Charlton Home
Most small nightstands come with a drawer and some display space or open storage. Few nightstands, however, come with an aired-out design like the Andress nightstand. Solid wood construction gives narrow nightstands durability. The lack of closed-up sides in this unit will help it blend in with different types of wall decor.
The low open shelf is nice, and you can stack up plenty of books, but it’s not anything you haven’t seen before in narrow nightstands. What is impressive is the way this solid wood nightstand integrates technology. It has a 4-port USB charging station with easy access from the top.
The narrow unit doesn’t require assembly and comes with its own power cord. The integration of the USB charging station turns this simple nightstand into a must-have item.
Pros
- Good for small space
- Includes a USB charging port station
Cons
- Scratches easily (add a coat of varnish for extra protection)
Revere Nightstand by Andover Mills
This narrow nightstand is a simple wood and pressed wood combination. It comes in multiple color and finish options. The rectangular features and the single round knob are a timeless pairing for any decor.
The one drawer is 12 by 12 inches and 4 inches in height. It’s not a lot of room but perfect for small spaces.
Pros
- Finish options, color options
- Traditional style, but very sturdy
- Small surface area great for a kids’ room
Cons
- Comes in a lot of different pieces, which are not that easy to assemble
Home Styles Furniture Arts and Crafts Nightstand
If you just finished art school and don’t have time to decorate your bedroom, the Arts and Crafts nightstand screams art major. It looks a bit unconventional, but all accessories are where they are for a reason.
There’s a pull-out tray that extends a few inches from the top and gives the narrow nightstand two shelves. The tray is stain-resistant so that you can keep your beverages next to your bed with no worries.
The narrow nightstand looks mostly rectangular, but it does have some rounded accents. These little details make it a fun piece of furniture to look at.
Pros
- Fits perfectly in small rooms
- Stain-resistant pullout tray
Cons
- Nothing is pre-assembled, so there are about 25 pieces to put together
Casual Home Night Owl Nightstand
The four-port USB charging station that comes with the Night Owl nightstand is a good example of how the traditional designs of narrow nightstands can be made for the modern age.
The figured nightstand still fulfills its original role by providing a small slide drawer and an open shelf. The latter has open sides, which makes it better suited to display items rather than storing them away.
The charging station comes with its own power cord and a 3-in-1 USB cable. This lets you charge everything simultaneously. Even better, it also supports Apple devices.
Pros
- Four-port USB charger
- Instructions are clear to assemble
- Solid wood finish with tapered legs
Cons
- The USB cover is flimsy
Winsome Curved Nightstand
The curved nightstand from Winsome has a well-rounded design. It has nice curvatures on the tabletop, the face, and the shelf. There is a lot of space under the foot length for easy care. The legs are square and straight with good stability.
The narrow nightstand weighs around 20 lb which is a lot given that the open shelf has no sides to it. This speaks to the quality of the wood. The contemporary design will make it work in most bedrooms.
Pros
- One of the best small nightstands
- Sturdy and functional
- Fits perfectly in an area with a limited space
Cons
- Quite expensive
Frequently Asked Questions
What Can I Use as a Small Bedside Table?
When thinking of an alternative for a nightstand, consider the height of the piece in relation to your bed, the stability (especially if placing a lamp or drinks on top), and the storage options. In a guest room, I’ve repurposed two old tables by adding glass shelves, brass legs, and handles.
In a kid’s room, we’ve got an antique marching bass drum with a removable top as a nightstand. Vintage stuff, such as wine barrels, crates, and other items, can all work well as new nightstands.
What Is the Best Height for Nightstands?
The best height for nightstands depends on the height of your bed. The nightstand should be roughly the same height as the top of your mattress. Most nightstands range from 24 to 28 inches tall. Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress height. Your nightstand should be within a couple of inches (either above or below) of this measurement for easy access.
What Are the Most Common Materials Used in Nightstands?
Nightstands come in a wide range of materials, reflecting various styles, functionality, and budget. Wood is the most common material used, but in contemporary design the sky’s the limit: metal, glass, stone, marble, mirror panels, rattan, and plastic or acrylic all find their place in nightstands.
Conclusion
When considering nightstands for your bedroom, there are several factors to keep in mind to ensure they suit your needs. Nightstands should be close to the same height as the top of your mattress. Open shelving offers space for books, baskets, or decorative items. Some nightstands have cabinet doors that can conceal stored items for a tidier appearance.
