9 Smart Nightstand Alternatives That Save Space and Look Great

A traditional bedroom setup typically consists of a bed and two drawer-style nightstands, which is very practical.

Unfortunately, many homes today have limited space in their bedrooms, making traditional nightstands impossible to fit. Without them, it's difficult to organize everyday items near the bed, which can be quite frustrating.

In fact, beyond the conventional options, there are many clever and space-saving nightstand designs. In this issue, we'll explore nine designs that are also quite aesthetically pleasing.

1. Hidden Nightstand

This design hides the nightstand in the closet, allowing it to be pulled out when needed and pushed back when not. It's ideal for bedrooms with a bed and closet side by side.

It provides ample storage space and privacy. When pulled out, all items are clearly visible and easily accessible. When pushed back, dust doesn't accumulate, the floor is easy to clean, and it's extremely space-saving.

However, because it requires wheels or rails at the bottom, the hardware requirements are high. If low-quality hardware is used, frequent opening and closing can easily damage it.

If you don't need to store a lot of items at the bedside, just small items like a cup or phone before bed, a simpler pull-out shelf design is more convenient.

2. Wardrobe + Nightstand

This design incorporates the bedside table as part of the wardrobe, with drawers that don't need to be pulled out. There are currently two styles:

① Floating style: The drawer chest is "suspended" in mid-air, not touching the ground. It's typically around 20 cm thick and can be adjusted to fit flush or slightly lower depending on the bed height.

This offers a beautiful visual effect, a simple and elegant look, and is easy to maintain. However, with only one drawer, the space inside the chest is limited and requires storage boxes to keep it tidy.

The biggest advantage of the floating style is that even without a wardrobe, the drawer can be installed separately at the bedside, making it more versatile.

② Floor-standing style: This design integrates directly with the wardrobe, creating a traditional nightstand look.

Storage space is more plentiful, with the bottom drawers, side cabinets, and overhead space all effectively utilized.

If the surface is clear of clutter, you can also tuck your clothes in before bed to avoid clutter on the bed or bay windows, helping to keep the bedroom clean and tidy.

3. Wardrobe Holes + Pull-Out Shelves

Reserve one or two compartments in your wardrobe: one for pull-out shelves to store items you frequently use before bed, such as phones, cups, and tissues, and the other for clean clothes.

The advantage is ample storage space, which doesn't affect hygiene. The disadvantage is that pull-out shelves aren't suitable for storing heavy items, but generally, you don't need to store heavy items at the bedside, so they're sufficient.

Furthermore, all clutter is hidden, eliminating the clutter you see when you enter the bedroom.

4. Bedside Alcove

This is suitable for families who originally planned to have storage space at the bedside. Storage compartments or drawers can be added on either side or above the bed.

Open-plan designs make accessing items more convenient, but they also have drawbacks: items are exposed and easily collect dust. If you don't know how to organize them, they can also appear cluttered, requiring frequent tidying.

If you don't want to opt for the above cabinet styles, you can consider the following simpler options.

5. U-shaped small side table

No need to customize; you can simply buy one ready-made. This is particularly suitable for families who already have a wardrobe with hinged doors and find that they can no longer fit a nightstand at the head of their bed.

It has a hollow center and wheels at the bottom, allowing the cabinet door to snap perfectly against the bedside when opened, eliminating the awkward problem of obstructing the door.

The overall aesthetic is also good, with a Nordic style that is simple and durable.

6. Floor lamp with storage

Buying a floor lamp with a storage tray or drawer not only meets basic storage needs but also serves as a bedside lamp, killing two birds with one stone.

They are also cheaper than cabinets, typically costing around 300 to 400 yuan.

However, there are drawbacks. The base of this type of lamp is usually made of stone, making it heavy, and the lampshade is pleated, making it generally difficult to clean.

7. Trolley

Using a metal trolley as a bedside table is also a good option. Its three-tiered shelves provide ample storage space. The upper shelf can hold tissues, cups, and phones, while the lower shelf can accommodate books, skincare products, and more.

The wheels on the bottom allow for easy relocation for cleaning and replacement if needed.

8. Minimalist Bedside Rack

This is perfect for those who don't need a bedside table at all and just want a temporary place to store cups and phones.

This simple rack clips directly under the mattress to store cups, phones, and more.

It also features a slot for organizing charging cables, preventing them from becoming a tangled mess. It's both stylish and practical.

An even simpler option is to purchase a bookshelf that clips under the mattress for easy storage.

It's also very affordable, costing just over ten yuan.

9. Stool

This is the simplest solution. Simply placing a stool at the head of your bed will also serve as storage.

However, be sure to coordinate it with the color of the headboard to avoid looking cheap.

That's all for this article. Feel free to discuss in the comments section. How useful do you think bedside tables are in your home?