If you are in the process of bedroom decorating or refurnishing, you are probably wondering if your nightstand should be taller than your bed.
A nightstand is an essential part of your bedroom, and although it is a small piece of furniture, you want to ensure that it is giving your space the best level of comfort.
Your nightstand should generally be the same height as your bed. Or, at the very most, it should be 1 to 3 inches taller. Ultimately, you should decide how tall you want your nightstand to be based on where it feels most comfortable and accessible.
When you move into a home and start decorating your space, it is important to give every detail an appropriate amount of thought and attention.
At the end of the day, you are setting up your comfort zone. Odds are, you will be spending a lot of time enjoying your home, so why not make it feel as relaxed and personalized as possible?
Your bedroom is a particular part of your home that needs to represent you, and your nightstand is something that should always be within reach from your bed.
After extensively researching home decor and furnishing, I have been able to gather enough information to determine how tall a nightstand should be.
Pairing a Nightstand With Your Bed
If you are shopping for furniture for your bedroom, you want to ensure that everything is cohesive and complementary.
You will find that even the smallest details can make a huge difference in how comfortable your living space is, which is why it is best to give everything the attention that it deserves.
With that being said, properly pairing your nightstand with your bed is an easy thing to overlook.
Let’s take a closer look at how to pair a nightstand with your bed.
Nightstand Types
Before you begin gauging the perfect height for your nightstand, you should first decide on the type that you want to put next to your bed.
Not all nightstands are made equal, and one design is likely going to suit your bedroom better.
These are the most common types of nightstands:
- Bedside cabinets
- Bedside table
- Bedside chest
Each nightstand that you look at will be a slightly different height, but you can narrow down your options by picking out a specific type that you like.
Choosing the Right Size Nightstand
When you weigh out your options, the most common heights that you will see for nightstands are 24 – 28 inches.
The reason for this is that this is the approximate height level of most beds, and designers generally aim to make furniture that goes well with surrounding decor and furniture.
With that being said, bed sizes do vary and you can easily find nightstands that are anywhere from 20 to 30 inches depending on the design that you’re looking at.
You ideally want to pick out a nightstand that is going to be about the same height level as your bed.
Alternatively, you can get one that is 1 to 3 inches higher, as some people prefer a nightstand that is a bit taller than their bed.
Oftentimes, an easy solution to get the perfect nightstand for your bedroom is to get a furniture set, as these have been made to match one another.
Interior decorators and designers prioritize comfort and cohesion, which is why they tend to pick an appropriate height for nightstands so that you don’t have to.
Take Measurements
Before you go out shopping for a nightstand, you should use a tape measure to get an accurate height for your bed.
This way, you can easily shortlist the best nightstands that you look at without wasting time on those that are incompatible with your living space.
If you are unsure which height is going to be better for you, try putting a cardboard box next to your bed and test it as a nightstand for a few days.
Change up the height level and see which elevation feels more natural for you.
Once you have found your ideal height, take a measurement, and keep that number in mind when you go out furniture shopping.
With that being said, it is important to note that the height of your nightstand should always be chosen based on what feels most comfortable and natural for you.
Although the majority of homeowners prefer a nightstand that is equal in height or slightly taller than their beds, this is a subjective feature, and there is no right or wrong way to approach this.
Summing Up How Tall Nightstands Should Be
Figuring out what height your nightstand should be can be confusing, but generally speaking, they should be around the same height as your bed for the best accessibility and ease. However, they can also be 1-3 inches taller than your bed, depending on your preference.
This is subjective, however, and you can ideally choose whatever height you’d like for your nightstand, as long as it works for you.
