My Mother has filing cabinets from CB2 in her bedroom as nightstands. Not only does she love them but they look great too!

I was recently looking for the same and I found Kartell's Componibili was a good option to hide some things, be stylish, and not go over budget.

I have a Helmer (but I use it for tools, not as a nightstand). It's nice and sturdy, nothing's falling apart - if that was what you meant by "it's Ikea". I like that it's very space-efficient since the metal is a lot thinner than wood. As for the drawers being shallow, well I guess that depends on what you want to put in them. My powerdrill fits in the drawers...

Helmer seems a little high (at around 30") for a nightstand. But should work fine if your bed is high too.

I'm using a standard 2-drawer file cabinet as a nightstand right now. Mostly because I live with a roommate and I have no other place for it - but it works well enough.

I spray painted it but it got scuffed in the move, and the top is a little dented, so I was thinking about looking for a new one. Hopefully one with 3 drawers so I can use the top one as an actual drawer. There's plenty of surface space for a lamp, small box of tissue, a couple of drinking glasses, pill bottles, tv/dvd remotes, my phone, and a box I keep misc. stuff in like extra buttons, cough drops, nail polish remover, etc.

I LOVE the Helmer (thanks for posting about it!) but I still need spaces for files and papers :(

Other than the fact that it's IKEA, I don't see the issue.

If a file cabinet is the right size for the space and fills your storage needs, it's a whole lot better than some other solutions we've seen here such as chairs.

I can't help but wonder what people are storing in their nighstands that can't fit in that filing cabinet.

I have the Ikea Helmer also, it's been 4 years and it still looks new and works perfectly so the quality shouldn't be an issue for you! I can't speak to the drawer depth since I don't know what you need to keep in it.
I like the CB2 one also, but I don't see much of a design difference for the cost... better to use the extra $110 for something else.

not really sure if I like this from a design or Feng Shui aspect.

I have a white Helmer. It's lived many lives, and held up pretty well - was filled with bathroom stuff in a previous apartment, and then art supplies and tools in another. Now married with kids, it is my nightstand. I've got reading books on top, and childproof "stuff" inside for toddler fingers including my socks. Holds a good amount of stuff and also looks good!

If you're worried about the one pictured having too shallow of drawers, you could just use a regular file cabinet from an office supply store. They'll definitely run you a lot cheaper. I bought a little two drawer one a few months ago on sale at Staples and it was only $30.

thanks so much for the comments - this was actually my question. i'm not worried about the drawers on the cb2 (the one pictured) being too shallow, just on the ikea. for those who have the helmer, how deep are the drawers?

I find no problem with the feng shui of file cabs as bedside tables as long as you use one on either side of the bed for perfect balance. Since they are made of metal, I suggest mixing other elements into the room. IE: Earth / ceramic based ---round shaped---matching lamps on each "table", do not use white color as it represents metal, instead bring in red for fire or black for water. It's also better to keep things in those drawers than under your bed! Good luck!

I use a helmer as a night-stand. I don't find it too shallow, and the fact there's loads of drawers is good. I have mine on castors, so I can wheel it out of the way to reach under the bed.
As for the "it's ikea" factor, if you google around, people say the new ones are more flimsy than the old ones (mine is an old one), so might be worth trying to look on craigslist for an old one.
I love mine, love the look, love having six drawers, love the narrow profile.

the drawers are 3 or 4 books deep... sorry, not sure of the exact measurements! can check later!

The Container Store has a couple of Bisley cabinets; they are pricier than IKEA files but worth the extra $$$ as they are a better quality. They also have a very nice, sleek metal storage cabinet with multiple drawers that comes in a platinum color, won't take up much room, and doesn't look like it wandered in from the office! I think it would be a great alternative to a filing cabinet. Here is the link to the 5-bin storage tower - http://www.containerstore.com/shop/storage/drawers?productId=10018713&green=1180823490

I have the Helmer (in white) and it's the best bedside cabinet I've ever had. The drawers are the perfect depth for about three paperbacks (as someone mentioned) or a box of tissues. I love that I can toss stuff like my lip balm, painkillers, travel alarm clock and what not into the top drawer every morning so now I don't lose those small things off the edge like I used to.

As regards the height, I can lie on my side in bed and open my eye(s) to see the time on the alarm clock without lifting my head from the pillow, so in my book it's perfect :)

I've used file cabinets as nightstands, closet cabinets, and side tables. They're conveniently sized and maximize storage. The wood ones are prettier, but break down before the metal ones do. They can be made less plain with a cloth or a surface treatment. Get a locking one for a nightstand to keep curious preschoolers from dragging out things.

P.S. I found that a lateral file cabinet also can make a good terrarium stand. In any case, do whatever works to keep it from tipping forward when the drawers are opened.

I think the idea could work but please don't spend any money on this. I always see the old school metal filing cabinets for FREE on Craigslist. I actually think the older ones are better looking. The newer ones are just knock-offs. Free, free, free.

You can also paint the old ones.

I've had Bisley cabinets forever and they're still in perfect shape. I suggest that you check out Bisley USA instead of the Container Store because (1) there are two heights of pinths, which make the top of the cabinets different heights (2) you can get non-locking casters (3) there are file drawers and multi-drawers with all different configurations (4) the multi-drawers [and maybe the files] come in different widths and depths. They are expensive but last forever and give you all sorts of storage options that standard drawers don't - plus they come in a bunch of colors.

My HON metal file cabinet has proven durable.

I use two white Ikea Helmers as night stands-- I've only had them for 6 months, but they don't seem flimsy at all to me. They're very good if you only have a narrow space between your bed and the wall, and I actually really like the shallow drawers for a nightstand, as I only keep fairly small things by the bed (pajamas, pill bottles, lotions, books etc. can each have their own drawer).

My cabinets measure 11x16x26 (3/4" higher with the casters on) and each drawer is 9x15x3 1/2.