A Buyers Guide: The Bedside Table

                 

Bedside tables are a must-have bedroom staple, yet it seems when it comes to selecting the perfect one for your space it is easy to become more than a little bamboozled. Achieving bedside table nirvana needn't be all that difficult. At Interiors Online we've got you covered with our expert answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding bedside tables. Follow our easy buyers guide to ensure that your bedroom is styled to chic perfection in every way.

When selecting the right height for a bedside table it is vital to consider the visual lines of your interior. Whilst you don’t want a bedside table so low you fall out of bed trying to turn your lamp on you also don’t want one so high that it interrupts the cohesion and flow of your bedroom interior. The best height for a bedside table is one that sits at the same height as the top of your mattress thus meaning your lamp and bedside table ephemera sits at easy reach when you are lounging in bed and also that your visual aesthetic flow remains intact.

This is one of the most common misconceptions about bedside tables, that they need to come in pairs! You are more than welcome to only have one bedside table, in fact, the choice is entirely yours. Stylistically bedrooms do tend to look chicer and more visually pleasing when they are styled symmetrically, however, if you have a smaller space or the need for only one bedside then choosing to go solo is more than fine. If you are only selecting one bedside table, do ensure that it is big enough to cater for all your bedside needs plus hold any extra ephemera you may want to stow beside your bed. Why not make a style statement and use your solo bedside to your full advantage by choosing something a little left of centre, whether it be a hanging bedside bench or a vintage mirrored treasure. 

Bedside table trends for the year ahead are breathtakingly gorgeous and there are styles aplenty to choose from no matter your aesthetic preferences. For a modern glam look, we are seeing a move towards flashy cocktail type tables with gleaming metal finishes and marble or glass tops. Bar carts are also having a moment in the spotlight and are an ingenious way to add a little extra shelf space to your bedroom. The interiors world is seeing a real move towards natural finishes and materials and the bedside table is the perfect way to add this trend into the bedroom. Think wooden stumps, cane, rattan or plywood bedsides that are sure to suit a scandi, minimal, modern rustic or boho bedroom interior style. Currently, we are seeing a shift towards open plan bedsides rather than ones with many cupboards and drawers, this is fabulous news at it signifies the need for a less is more, streamlined, no clutter approach to the bedroom… We have Marie Kondo to thank for this!! Whatever style bedside you select, always keep in mind any preexisting interior style you have in your bedroom and also any dominant colour schemes or furnishings so as not to create confusion or visual jarring in your space.

Who doesn't love to read in bed by the soft glow of a lamp before dozing off for the night and what better way to do it than with a beautiful, practical and ever so stylish bedside table lamp. How do you choose the right lamp for your bedside? Firstly you need to consider the style you are furnishing your space in..are you a modern minimalist with a lust for chrome or matt black Japanese steel or an eclectic bohemian with a penchant for rattan and coloured glass? This will determine the general style of finish and look of your lamp.

Secondly, take note of the height of your bedhead, you want a bedside lamp that will sit level too or just higher than the top of your bedhead (if it is a standard height and not oversized or undersized) The general rule of thumb is that you want a lamp height that will comfortably provide you with illumination without any glare whilst you are seated in bed, always work with the ideal of function first when selecting the perfect bedside table lamps.

Thirdly take into consideration the room available on your bedside table for a lamp base. Is there room for an oversized base and all the other bits and bobs you want to place on your bedside, or are you better off opting for a low profile and small base footprint style that will ensure plenty of left over room for cups of tea and late night chocolate treats. You never want to overwhelm your bedside table so ensure that your lamp choice fits within your bedside table space parameters without being over or under dominant. Always work with the ideal of function first when selecting a bedside table lamp!

Shop our exclusive collection of bedside tables or view our wide range of occasional tables here.