The right bedside table makes a bedroom work: somewhere for a lamp, a book and your phone, at a height you can reach without sitting up. This guide covers the measurements that matter, the styles that suit different rooms, and what to look for in a well-made piece.
What height should a bedside table be?
Aim for the top of the bedside table to sit level with the top of your mattress, or up to about 5 cm below it. Most beds put the mattress top at 55–65 cm from the floor, so a bedside table around 50–65 cm high suits most bedrooms. Measure your own bed before you choose: a deep mattress or a divan base can add 10 cm or more.
If the bedside sits much higher than the mattress, reaching for a glass of water at night becomes awkward. Much lower, and your lamp sits below your eye line and lights the floor instead of your book.
How wide and deep should it be?
- Small bedrooms and box rooms: 30–45 cm wide. Compact and wall-mounted bedside tables keep the floor clear and make a narrow room feel bigger.
- Double beds: 45–55 cm wide balances most double beds.
- King and super king beds: 55–70 cm wide, or a small chest of drawers, keeps the proportions right next to a wide headboard.
For depth, 30–40 cm is enough for a lamp and a few essentials. Leave at least 10 cm between the bedside table and the bed frame so you can make the bed easily, and check that drawers can open fully without hitting the bed.
Drawers, shelves or wall-mounted?
Drawers hide chargers, glasses and the clutter that builds up on a bedside. Two or three drawers give the most storage. Open shelves and slots keep books and magazines within reach and look lighter in a small room. Wall-mounted and floating bedside tables leave the floor clear, which makes cleaning easier and suits modern and compact bedrooms. If you go wall-mounted, fix it into studs or solid masonry with the fittings supplied, at a height that suits your mattress.
Matching or mixing?
A matching pair either side of the bed is calm and symmetrical, which suits most bedrooms. Mixing works too: pair two different designs in the same wood finish, or use a bedside table on one side and a small chest of drawers on the other. Keep the heights within a few centimetres of each other so the room still looks balanced.
Why solid wood?
Most of our bedside tables are handcrafted from solid mango wood, a dense hardwood with a strong natural grain. Solid wood is sturdier than chipboard or MDF, takes knocks better, and can be refreshed with wax or oil over the years. Because it is a natural material, every piece has its own grain and tone. Read our guide to caring for solid mango wood furniture to keep it looking its best.
Quick checklist before you buy
- Measure your mattress height and choose a bedside table within 5 cm of it.
- Measure the space beside the bed, leaving 10 cm to the bed frame.
- Check drawers can open fully in the space you have.
- Decide whether you need hidden storage, open shelves or a clear floor.
- Check whether the piece is in stock or made to order, so you know when it will arrive.
Browse our full range of bedside tables and lockers, including pieces in stock now, or see everything for the bedroom. Full dimensions are listed on every product page, and we deliver across Ireland and the EU. See our delivery charges by country.