Of course before you set out you have to know your nighttime needs. For some people, a surface for a bedside lamp and a glass of water is sufficient, while for others nothing short of a library of shelves and a host of drawers will do. But whatever your situation, there is a solution waiting for you!
• 1. Chair A perfect solution for chair hoarders like myself who can't seem to pass up a cute lone chair. Since I don't like a lot of clutter to accumulate around the bed, the simple surface and interesting shape is perfect for my bedroom.
• 2. Stack of suitcases They're great for storing items that you don't need on a regular basis like out of season blankets/clothing while still providing a stylish surface for everyday items.
• 3. Ladder. Stepping ladders, especially those decked out with deep steps make great shelves. You can use clamp lights as bedside lamps.
• 4. Crates. A stack of crates, or a crate turned on its side and decked out on casters makes a great and creative bedside table alternative.
• 5., 6. Floating shelves. Perfect for people who don't want a bulky piece taking up floor space but still need a place for a book and a glass of water.
• 7., 8. Dresser/Bureau If storage is key for you, don't settle for a whimpy nightstand, use a whole dresser!
• 9. Bookcase. All you earthquake area dwellers, don't try this at home. Admittedly this solution is not for everybody, and I debated whether to include it at all, but it could be perfect for a studio apartment inhabitant who happens to be a very tame sleeper and likes to keep everything close at hand. Thoughts?
What's your favorite alternative bedside table solution?
Images: 1: Nate Berkus, 2: Home Life, 3, 8: Martha Stewart, 4: Skona Hem, 5: Magnus Anesund via Emma's Blogg, 6: Living Etc., 7: Elle Decor, 9: Country Home
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I love the idea of using ladder!
^ha!
A chair next to a bed always reminds me of a hospital room where someone would sit holding the hand of a loved one who's dying...
I love the crate with wheels.
Here's another great idea from Chez Larsson for those with minimal carpentry skills - works great in a very small space.
http://chezlarsson.com/myblog/2009/11/bedside-table-howto.html
I kinda' got tired of the "novelty" of using suitcases, chairs, bar stools, and even small ladders as nightstands. I found the wall mounted cabinets and cube very calming, sleek and inspiring. I have been thinking of replacing the very nice, yet not very useful, small round garden tables we have in our bedroom with something stronger (in terms of both statement and construction). Very useful topic, indeed.
@bepsf...with that connotation and negative feelings attached to it, a bedside chair is obviously not a good choice as you'd be reminded of that death ch'i every time you looked at it.
i don't mind different, but they should be balanced and i don't think two bedside ladders or two bedside chairs are going to work out to look great visually or be good feng shui.
I use two yellow Ikea Muddus tables for nightstands and it looks really cool (for the price). Nice splash of color and I can use them for large dinner parties if need be.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gQMChxMH7_Q/Su3jSgQOR_I/AAAAAAAAQkA/2oMJ7DrrMxk/s1600-h/0094941_PE233011_S4.jpg
I don't llike chairs next to the bed. It just seems weird.
I'm pretty sure my house is a feng shui nightmare. Good thing I don't believe in it.
@Pi, i didn't believe it until odd things started to happen after I positioned my bed directly towards the door. So that, is one of the things I'd never do again...
Ha. I can completely see me knocking down half the things during the night as I sleep on the bookshelf "nightstand!"
I use my half of the top of the storage headboard, just overnight, plus a corner of the drawer under my half of the bed. I don't have a nightstand. This helps to free floor space in the 10' X 11' bedroom so it doesn't feel cramped by the king size bed.
deja vu much?
@bepsf I nixed the chair idea after I read your post...
We don't have good bedside tables anywhere in our house. I bought two wooden stools with flat, square seats that I painted and have those in my bedroom (I saw similar ones sold as bedside tables later in The Company Store catalog), but the surface is small and there are (obviously) no shelves or anything.
I don't mind a chair. We have a table on one side and a chair on the other in our guest room. Both are painted the same color, and the chair can be moved if the guest needs a place to sit (it's also a handy spot to drape clothes). Besides, wouldn't you want the chair beside and facing the bed, rather than at the head of the bed facing the foot if someone were dying? At any rate, it's handier than having nothing there.
I am currently using a series 7 chair as my nighstand. It works alright. However, I've grown accustomed to using tall nightstands so I'm considering using my desk as my night stand. My room is small so I figure that it would open up things a bit.
Ugh, I just don't get the chair idea..it just winds up looking like you couldn't afford a decent nightstand, so you cluttered up a chair next to your bed.
I love that little dog bed!!
Really enjoyed all of these for the imaginativeness (is that a word?). Also, the color themes are all so relaxing! I'd like to say a word of warning, though, based on the fact that once in a dark motel room I came within a half inch of seriously injuring my eye when I turned over toward the nightstand which had a corner jutting out at the exact WRONG height. For that reason, #'s 4, 6, and 7 are, I believe, safety hazards. Plus, you're so right about needing to consider earthquakes. I'll keep that in mind and NOT try the bookcase idea "at home," LOL! I've also recently seen bedrooms with framed pictures sitting on a single shelf above the bed, not affixed to the wall... not a good idea in any situation, IMO.
Chair seats are very rarely perfectly flat, and I've found that they make awkward bedside tables.
I use stacked wooden IKEA shoe racks as bedside tables. They cost very little, look good and are EXACTLY the right size for my bedroom. Sadly IKEA has discontinued them.