Should a Nightstand Be Higher or Lower than a Bed?

Posted on March 3rd, 2022 by Grossman Furniture.

Today we answer the biggest design question when talking about your bedroom! Should a nightstand be higher or lower than a bed? With so many options available to us, some nightstands are built into our bed frame!

But, what if this design detail is not for you? If you prefer a detached nightstand, how do you know the perfect size to purchase?

Below we have some get tips and tricks to get you the perfect measurement for your bedroom. You’ll learn that it’s more about you, and less about design!

Recommended Height:

Most know, in today’s society you generally want to keep the tabletop of your nightstand at equal height to your mattress. The so-called rule of thumb with many design techniques.

Not all mattresses have the same height, so it’s vital to measure if you’d like to stick to this rule.

Tabletop Talk:

Nightstands can be used for various purposes. The ordinary uses are:

1. Charging your Phone at Night

2. Lighting

3. Displaying Pictures

4. Indoor Plants. Books and more!

What you choose to use this bedroom piece for will help you determine should a nightstand be higher or lower than a bed!

Let’s talk comfort for a second. When you are laying in bed, scrolling through an article on your phone no one wants to bend and break to put it away for the evening. This leads us to function and flexibility.

Function and Flexibility:

A nightstand that is lower than your bed has both positives and negatives.

1. Easier to reach for your lamp

2. Closer to your alarm (this could also be a negative, ha!)

3. Easier to reach built-in plugs or USB ports for your electronics

However, it does make it difficult to reach items if you own a cabinet or chest-styled nightstand. If you enjoy keeping the clutter to a minimum, your nightstand being lower could cause more reaching and distort your already relaxed body.

This idealism proves that flexibility and function are a must-have on the list of nightstands.

Key Measurements:

Why is measuring important? It helps you save time when shopping for the furniture you love. No one wants to fall in love with the perfect furniture and realize it’s too big or small.

Be sure to measure your bed from floor to mattress top. Traditionally, mattresses are between 24”– 28” tall. Which makes the ideal nightstand size between 24”-30”.

Another great option is to customize your furniture and choose the size that fits you best. Not all factory furniture is one-size-fits-all. Your furniture should fit your personality and style.

Nightstands that “Could” be Lower:

While there are several bedroom pieces on the market, the nightstands in Philadelphia pose a great option for all-size bedrooms. The list below showcases nightstands that look fantastic when lower than a bed.

1. Bedside Table

These are simple and save space beside the bed. A traditional design with plenty of table space and 4 legs. Allowing easy access and a modest reach to gather those must-need items before bed.

This is one design that could do well being lower or higher than your bed.

2. Nightstand Cabinet

These modern-style nightstands have at least one drawer and cabinet drawers at the bottom. They are great for hiding away items when guests visit or just extra storage when needed.

This style could also work better if it was higher than your bed.

3. The Smart Nightstand

These are extremely popular because of their functionality. They can provide up to 3 or 4 USB ports for charging, and even have built-in book nooks. When these nightstands are lower than your bed, it makes it easy to access the ports for charging.

This is another style that could be better if it was higher than your bed.

Higher is Better:

Sometimes higher is better. We are noticing more and more nightstands purposely made to be taller than a mattress.

From a design angle, it’s a good idea to measure at the exact height of your bed or at least 2 to 3 inches higher. It makes life easier. And in this day and age, who doesn’t want easy?

Having a nightstand lower than your bed has only one purpose. It’s easier to see the tabletop.

A nightstand at equal height or higher than a bed provides more function. When you have furniture beside your bed that is eye level, it can make your bed look bigger.

Enhancing your bedroom space while styling a modern nightstand is a fresh way to decorate your room. So, should a nightstand be lower or higher than a bed? We say, higher could be better! Without excess reaching, dropping items between your mattress and nightstand (we all do it) portrays a simple modern design.

What To Look for in a Nightstand:

When buying a nightstand (or two) you want to keep a few things in mind.

First, what is the primary function of your nightstand? Think about the tabletop space you’ll need. How many items you’ll need to fit in a compact area.

Second, think of the style you want. What type of material is your bed frame made out of, and are you going for a tailored look or mix/match?

Lastly, keep in mind the storage you’ll need. Are you a collector of books or have multiple electronics to charge? Opting for a nightstand with drawers and cabinets could be a great decision for your bedroom!

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 3rd, 2022 at 10:00 am and is filed under Bedroom Furniture. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.