I Put a Nightstand in My Closet, and It Was a Practical Small-Space Storage Hack

If there’s one adage I live by, it’s that there should be a place for everything, and everything should be in its place. I’m a typical “Type A” eldest daughter, and the thought of not putting things back where they belong as soon as I’m done with them is simply beyond comprehension. Normally, this dedication to organization is a positive trait. 

But I’m here to report that there are actually times when being less orderly is preferred — particularly when I’m exhausted before bed, or when I’m looking for the perfect outfit but I really need to get out the door. I know I could simply toss items haphazardly and move on, but that’s not how I operate. I needed a more relaxed system and, surprisingly, a nightstand in my closet provided just that.

I experimented by putting a nightstand in my bathroom a few months ago, and it was a great solution for storage in a tiny space. So the idea of using a nightstand yet again was top of mind and, sure enough, it turns out this was the solution I needed. While you might add storage into a closet for additional organization, I was looking for something to give myself permission to be a little less organized — but in a tidy way.

I placed the small nightstand right in the middle of my closet. There are shelves nearby, but those have an organization system that I adhere to strictly so I always know where everything is. The purpose of this nightstand is not to have a system. Instead, it’s a holding pen. It’s the inbox-outbox of my closet. Of course, you can also use a nightstand as traditional added storage in your closet if you’re in need of that, whether you want an additional surface, shelves, or drawers without installing anything.

My nightstand is where I’m letting myself set items that don’t need to be returned to their home right this minute. It’s where I can put a few pieces of jewelry, a purse, or even a shirt that I decided not to wear. It’s where I can throw my belongings when I come in after a dinner out, and my husband’s already in bed with the lights off (because, truly, why am I rummaging around in the dark to put things away at midnight? They’ll be there in the morning!). 

If it’s on the nightstand, it’s not in its respective spot, but it’s in a spot that will serve as a waiting room until I have time to put it away. I’m considering it as a bit of a catch-all for items that I’ll put away when I get to them. A piece of furniture might not be able to solve all of my eldest daughter tendencies, but for now a 14-inch-wide nightstand has made my mornings and evenings a little less “Type A” — and a lot less harried.