Gorgeous, Small Space-Friendly Nightstands Are Hiding in a Surprising IKEA Section

Studio apartment living requires an extra level of creativity. Items often need to serve multiple purposes and are generally more compact than if you were selecting pieces for a full-size home. Interior designer Marnie Salmon likely understands this unique conundrum better than most, as she experienced this need in the bedroom area of her 450-square-foot Toronto studio apartment. 

“I spent months searching for the right nightstands, trying to stay within a $100 budget and find a style that complemented my studio. In a small space, every piece must work seamlessly together,” Marnie explains. “I wanted nightstands of a specific height, with a solid front to the floor to hide the white receptacles beside the bed. This proved more challenging than I anticipated within my budget.”

Marnie searched high and low online (including Facebook Marketplace) and in local stores, but it wasn’t until a chance trip to IKEA that she spotted her future nightstands — and they weren’t exactly where you’d expect. She landed in the living room section and picked out two TOLKNING ottomans. They were the right size and height, and Marnie appreciated that they wouldn’t require any assembly. 

The benefits of the ottomans-turned-nightstands could be appreciated immediately. Marnie uses them as traditional bedside tables by placing items on top but also stores things inside (like extra bedding, towels, handbags, and electronics). In a pinch, the two ottomans could be used as seating, as there’s a metal frame under the lid. “This multifunctional approach maximizes both style and practicality in my room,” she says. 

The nightstands are not only practical, but they’re pretty, too. Marnie appreciates how the wicker complements the apartment’s hardwood floors and how the round shape makes the room feel bigger “by eliminating hard corners for your eyes to stop at,” she explains. 

Marnie’s unique solution to being unable to find what she was looking for in the traditional bedroom furniture section proves that with a bit of creativity, you can make just about anything work (and it’ll look good, too!). “I just love that I stumbled on these, as they have worked so well for a purpose they weren’t intended for,” Marnie explains. To see more of Marnie’s wonderful apartment and how she styled a smaller space, visit the full home tour.