I Upgraded My Old Nightstand with Article’s Stylish Side Table (It Has So Much Storage!)

If the state of your nightstand says a lot about you … then consider me a frazzled mess. I barely saw the surface of my old nightstand because it was always covered with stacks of books, journals, craft supplies, my water bottle, hand cream, and even last night’s sheet mask. The drawers were stuffed with socks and underwear, so all of my bed-rotting supplies had nowhere to go. But after a hefty decluttering session and some reorganizing of my dresser drawers, I was ready to retire my old nightstand in favor of something with smarter storage — specifically, Article’s Maren Storage Side Table.

Not only was the Maren Storage Side Table a huge aesthetic upgrade from the nightstand I had before, it also offers concealed storage for all the random items on my nightstand. My side of the bed feels put-together in a way it never has before. It looks like a grown-up setup! 

The Maren Storage Side Table from Article is a stylish drum-shaped side table with a secret: a roomy storage compartment hidden behind a soft-close door. Inside, there are two spacious shelves — perfect for all the items that would normally litter its tabletop. It’s crafted from a hefty mix of solid and veneered wood and designed in compact dimensions (20.5 inches high and 17 inches wide and deep), making it a perfect fit for small spaces. Its curved silhouette looks soft and unobtrusive anywhere you put it, whether it’s beside your sofa or, in my case, next to my bed. And the plinth base makes it look like it’s floating, which adds to its airy Scandinavian feel. 

The Maren Storage Side Table comes in three finishes — walnut, smoked oak, and natural oak (I opted for natural oak), and it arrives already assembled, so you can leave your screwdriver alone.

I have limited square footage to work with, but the Maren table’s small footprint and cylindrical shape makes it fit perfectly in the narrow space between my bed and bedroom wall without feeling too bulky. I also love knowing that the table can fit almost anywhere in my apartment if I ever get the itch to switch things up (it’s hefty, but manageable for one person to move). Compact dimensions aside, the table’s 17-inch-wide surface area still offers plenty of room for the things that actually belong on my nightstand, like my table lamp, alarm clock, hand cream, and a candle. The shelf space inside is bigger than it looks, too! I was able to fit large pouches of craft and journaling supplies, my chargers and cables, and journals underneath, and there’s still room to spare. 

There’s also something to be said about the cabinet model versus a traditional nightstand with drawers. Granted, the door opens towards my bed, which makes reaching in to grab something while I’m lying down a touch more challenging. However, I find it less cumbersome than the drawers on my old nightstand. It’s also a lot quieter. Unlike drawers that screech as they open, I can discreetly open the cabinet and stash my journal without waking my husband up if he’s already asleep. And the door truly is soft-close; it makes a whisper-quiet click sound so I never have to worry about slamming it by mistake. 

I’m telling you, my nightstand looks more put-together than I could ever hope to be, and it’s all thanks to this stylish, space-savvy side table. And while it’s not what I’d call inexpensive, I think it’s totally worth it and well made for the price. So if you’re willing to invest in a design-forward solution to your cluttered nightstand, the Maren is the upgrade for you. 

Additionally, if you like the look of the Maren Storage Side Table, but are looking for something else, there are other pieces in the Maren collection, including a storage coffee table, storage shelving unit, and media unit.

Buy: Maren Storage Side Table, $449