Here’s How to Style the Nightstand of Your Dreams

Those who are constantly tinkering with their home decor will know that the poor, poor bedroom is often left for last. Hidden behind doors, it’s easy to put off giving this space the attention it needs, but I promise, it doesn’t take much to get it in tip-top, show-off-to-guests shape. Some simple bedding paired with a beautifully styled (and functional) nightstand will set you off in the right direction, and before you know it, your bedroom will be your favorite retreat in your home. Follow our simple formula below to get the nightstand of your stylish dreams.

A lamp on a nightstand is a no brainer for logistical purposes. After all, you kind of need to see when the sun goes down. But it’s important to properly scale the size of your lighting to your nightstand and bed. If you have a petite bedside table, an equally petite lamp would work best. Here, the sizable lighting commands attention but doesn’t fight with the scale of the substantial nightstand or headboard.

Everything looks more purposeful and put together in a tray. Here, we used a clear acrylic version to keep the vignette light and airy, but any tray will do that’s roughly the depth of your nightstand but shorter than its length. Add in books (whether just for looks or to actually read!), a small vase with colorful flowers, a candle for ambience, and if it fits, a little personal memento.

Keep a small, decorative bowl near your bedside to catch anything you take off prior to catching some Zzz, like jewelry or glasses. That way, they’re easy to find in the morning.

We are strong believers here at Apartment Therapy that no space is complete without art. It takes any space to the next level, and tells a story about a home’s inhabitants. Casually lean a smaller framed print or photography behind all your other elements to create a laid back-chic vibe.

Lamp: West Elm

Bowl: West Elm

Acrylic Tray: West Elm

Bed: (Similar) Wayfair

*Styling by Stephanie L. Yeh in collaboration with Arlyn Hernandez; special thanks to Nicole Sauma for sharing your beautiful home with us for this shoot.

-Re-edited from a post first published 06.17.2017