Small rooms need their storage as much as (or more than) their larger counterparts. Which means that when a small bedroom needs to prioritize between a dresser and a bedside table, the dresser often wins:
Here is another bedroom that sneaks in storage by using dressers as bedside tables. These are a good height for use beside the bed, but even when dressers are a little too tall, the storage they provide outweighs their slightly awkward height.
One tip: A lamp placed atop a too-tall-dresser-as-bedside-table can be fitted with a cord switch so you can turn it off without getting out of bed.
Do any readers use a dresser as bedside table? How have you made it work for you?
Image: Nuevo Estilo
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Small dressers as bedside tables are a great option, both in function and style, especially if the dresser is as beautiful as the one in the picture.
I'm looking for some right now - haven't had any luck finding the right pieces, though.
I like the Ikea Rast as a bedside table. Not quiet dresser sized, but inexpensive and easily stainable or paintable.
I plan to do this in my daughter's room..either a dresser or a desk with a chair.
I use a helmar - so not quite a dresser but lovely drawers to fill with bedside essentials!
I've done it once, but it seems a lot easier when it's only one person. When you're a couple, both people need to put their things somewhere and then there's an unevenness I don't like if there's one dresser and one night table.
I would totally do it... if my very small bedroom weren't too small for a dresser. :(
We have a white IKEA Malm chest with three drawers on each side of the bed. It is just the right height to use as side table for our bed, has nice clean lines and it's amazing how much stuff you can hide in it!
I've got a dresser on one side ... it usually ends up covered in stuff that would find another home if the surface were smaller. Of cooourse, the problem could just be that it's not on my side of the bed. Grumble.
I've got two dressers as bedside tables, one tall and one short (helps that I mostly sleep alone). They don't match, but I've painted them the same color so they do coordinate. My bed is a little taller so there's not an issue with a too high lamp, and frankly, I wouldn't have nearly enough clothes storage without the two dressers.
although a 3 drawer dresser works well next to a bed, nothing looks worse than a tall 5-drawer (or more) dresser next to a bed - as a bedside table, it's about useless.
That's me ... dresser on one side, desk on the other. I've long wondered how people find space for both of those plus bedside tables in their apartments.
I had a normal size dresser as my bed side table. I needed clothing storage, and that was the only place for a dresser. I'm planning on getting rid of lots of clothes, at which point if possible I'll downgrade to an ikea rast. Its perfect and I use one now at BF's house as my bed side table. Its the perfect side for a beside table with the added storage, and so easy to customize.
I use the small pine dresser my mom had made for me when I was an infant. Sentimental and keeps jeans, jammies, tshirts and underthings just fine. On top is my stack of books. Reading light for both of us is an adjustable brass desk light centered on the bookcase headboard of our bed. On DH's side is a small drop down desk. I like it because it hides all his bedside clutter.
I have two IKEA dressers as my bedside tables (the Vallvik 3-drawer and the Hemnes 2-drawer). They provide so much more storage than a traditional nightstand, which I need. I particularly like the Vallvik - it has a LOT of space for a small dresser and is the same height as my bed (Hemnes bed + box spring and mattress), so it works really well.
We just moved to a house with a large master, which is perfect for our very tall King captain's bed. I've been trying hard to find tall (33"+) nightstands or end tables we can use as nightstands. Looks like I may have to choose matching dressers instead! Even the Raska is too short. :(
I use the Malm 4-drawer dresser as my bedside table, and I use a floor/reading lamp for the lighting. My bed is quite tall, so the height of the dresser is not a problem.
I have a large master bedroom so space isn't an issue, but I use two small dressers (mismatched but similar to the style in the photo) for my bedside tables. I love that they're slightly larger than a typical nightstand, and the drawers are perfect for all the things that tend to clutter up the top of a nightstand.