Our last condo had a strange layout to the bedroom and there was barely any space for the end tables we had, so we had shelves just like the ones in the second photo. It's actually easier just to stash a low basket under the bed for books and magazines.

FYI, if anyone is looking for something more ....mobile... try the CB2 table: http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=400&f=5317

I'm hoping they'll make it in something other than chartreuse, and drop the price a little.

we have normal nightstands by our bed, but a small floating lack shelf above mine for books- I plan on using that for a 'floating' stand in our 3rd eventual bedroom- which is teeny tiny!

http://www.cozylittlecave.com/2009/09/master-bedroom.html

I like this one:
http://www.scandinaviandesigncenter.com/Products/nok0/Trademark/Northern Lighting/10758/Sunday wall light&VariantId=02

Sorry about the link. Correct one (I hope):
http://www.scandinaviandesigncenter.com/Products/nok0/Trademark/Northern Lighting/10758/Sunday wall light&currencychanged=1

@Solvi - interesting design and very minimalistic. I kind of like it, but it reminds me of the metal bookends I'm used to seeing in many public libraries in the US :)

Don't forget bookcase/storage headboards.

As our Californian commenters always say, "earthquakes!!!", but for the rest of the country, they're a good storage solution. Most of the ones you'll find online look a little too much like they came from the 80's, but I snagged a cute, shabby chic one on craigslist.

I love this! Using the space above your bed as additional storage space.

With the exception of the bed in pic #3, all these rooms appear to have space for a table of some sort on both sides of the bed...
...the rooms would be far more comfortable and useful if they did.

@Pi, I didn't even think about that, but I agree that it looks a bit like library bookends. It's probably why I like it, I'm a librarian and we have similar bookends at work ;-)

I will never put shelves above my bed again after I once came home from work and found a shelf collapsed right onto my pillow! Imagine if I had been sleeping there!!!

http://www.notyourgoddess.blogspot.com/

I guess these are not for water drinkers, I must have a place to set my carafe and glass on.

@b77 - I'm definitely a water drinker, but if you don't have space, you don't have space. There are very narrow spaces to accommodate tables, and if you can find one that can fit in that space (like the CB2 one I linked to), that can alleviate some of your problems. But if not, a shelf is the best you get.

I don't have a nightstand, specifically - I use the end of a low bookcase for my alarm clock, glass of water and small reading lamp. Works like a charm.

here in Seattle, we have earthquakes too, so to me, nothing above the bed, especially not heavy, or even pictures framed with glass.
my bedroom is so small, one side of the bed is up against the wall, the other right next to the doorway, no space for bedside tables there. I removed the closet door, and put a tiny one there instead. it works, even though it's at the foot of the bed instead.

I like most the second option from the ones above, the one with the tiny shelf beside the bed... I was looking for solutions because i really don't have place for nightstands in my bedroom so this post just made my day! thanks:)

I couldn't stand not having any nightstands - we have tiny ones that are just big enough for a small lamp and a place to put a book and my glasses at night. I don't understand why people need a whole carafe of water since you are going to be asleep - a simple glass of water should be sufficient.

Gotta have something to keep my gun in easy reach. And for my book.

I would put a low bookshelf behind the bed, an adjuct headboard. You need somewhere to set down your glass of wine while you're wiping your glasses and changing the channel.

Hello :)

This is my first post and in a funny way, I just solved my first problem, night stands !!!

I have an IKEA MALM series bed and a bedroom that's so small i have to leave just to change my mind...

I only had 18 inches on either side of the side and with the bed being quite big, i wanted something small. Well, i bought 2 IKEA SOLSTA PÄLLBO footstools. They are just 15 inches wide, have a removable cover for easy washing. I replaced the cushion underneath with a piece of wood cut the same size so its perfect !!! I plan to have a piece of glass cut for the top, to protect the fabric.

It was a cheap and nice-looking solution :)

Mario :)

http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/80109317

I'm a big fan of shelves in place of bed-side tables, even where there is space (I'd be unlikely to place one above the bed). The advantage for me is that my bed is quite high and tables that are too low get pillows falling on them and glasses of water inevitably knocked over! Whereas shelves can be placed at any height (slightly above mattress height for me) and are much easier to vacuum under! Cord management is needed, but little boxes work well in place of drawers (unless you're a bedside hoarder!).

Oh, and I keep two glasses of water by the bed, a high ball glass for me and a filled up tumbler-style glass for my cat (learnt that lesson the hard way heh).

I bought two tall, Asian-styled stools ($27 at Ross and they look just like the $60-a-piece ones from Target!) and two canvas-covered baskets to go between the legs of each stool. They look great, match the Asian theme in our bedroom, and they don't accumulate as much clutter because there is less space. I plan on buying two parchment paper lamps to hang on the wall on either side of the bed.