A bedside table is a piece of furniture that often goes unnoticed when furnishing a bedroom. Generally speaking, this isn’t surprising, since the bed is usually the first thing people choose for their bedroom. After all, that’s where most of their time in the room will be spent. But you shouldn’t forget about the bedside table either. After all, every single day you place your phone and a book on it, and maybe even set down a cup of coffee in the morning.
The bedside table is the only piece of furniture in the bedroom that you touch several times a day: the last time in the evening and the first time in the morning. That’s exactly why it deserves careful consideration. And if you want to choose something perfect that will fit your bedroom specifically, in this article we’ll explore what to pay attention to first and how to style the surface so that your bedroom is both cozy and aesthetically pleasing.
The Sizing Rules Every Bedside Table Choice Should Follow
Let’s start with what’s most important and what people rarely think about when buying - size. First and foremost, you need to pay attention to dimensions such as:
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Height. The top of the bedside table should be level with the top of the mattress or 2-5 cm higher (but not lower). If the nightstand is too low, you’ll have to reach down every time you need to grab your phone or a glass of water. If it’s too high, it will look awkward next to the bed. Most mattresses with a box spring are 55-65 cm high, so this is the range you should aim for.
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Width. 40-60 cm is the classic range for most bedrooms. You can opt for a larger size only if you have a king-size bed or if the room allows for it. In compact Dubai apartments, a standard bedside table Dubai that’s 45 cm wide leaves enough space to walk to the bed while still holding everything you need.
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Depth. 35-45 cm is enough for a lamp, a book, and some small decor. Any deeper, and the nightstand will protrude too far into the room.
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Distance from the bed. Leave 5-10 cm between the edge of the mattress and the nightstand. We don’t recommend placing it any closer, because at the very least, it will be inconvenient to make the bed; if you choose to place it farther away, it will be awkward to reach across.
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Pairs. Matching bedside tables on both sides is a classic look. But deliberately mismatched, a rattan bedside table on one side and a wooden side table on the other, creates a more personal, curated look. For boho and modern eclectic bedrooms, the second option works best. The main requirement is that they be the same height, even if the materials and shapes differ.
Materials: Rattan, Wood, Travertine, and Metal Compared
The material of a bedside table isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s also about how the bedside table will hold up in one, three, or five years. Among the most popular materials in Dubai are:
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Rattan. Warm and textured, it instantly sets the mood of the room. For example, the Olivia Rattan Side Table Natural is a lightweight, sturdy option made of natural rattan. It’s one of our best-selling models specifically designed for use as a bedside table. The Andres Rattan Side Table, with its geometric weave, has a more distinctive character and is well-suited for spaces with a pronounced boho aesthetic. Rattan bedside tables hold up well in Dubai’s climate; they don’t crack from air conditioning and aren’t affected by changes in humidity.
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Wood. The most versatile material. Wooden side tables made of warm oak, walnut, or mango wood fit into any style, from minimalism to farmhouse. The key point: solid wood lasts for decades, while veneer lasts only 3 to 5 years under heavy use. The Boho Wooden Side Table Emilly, made from sustainable solid wood, is our example of a wooden side table that only gains character over time, rather than losing it. And its unusual shape makes it a real eye-catcher.
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Travertine. A natural stone with a warm, porous texture that looks luxurious without trying too hard. It holds up well in Dubai’s climate and only gains character over time. The Emma Travertine Table is a striking accent piece next to the bed, the Avery Travertine Small Round Table is a compact option for small bedrooms.
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Concrete. Modern, sculptural, and low-maintenance. The Aurora Concrete White Side Table, with its curved base and bowl-shaped tabletop, is a concrete side table that stands as a statement piece in its own right, rather than just a functional surface. The Salvadore Side Table White is a more understated white side table in matte concrete, for those who want minimalism without sacrificing character.
A rule of thumb based on frequency of use: active users (many items, frequent rearrangements) benefit from wood or concrete. Those who use a nightstand minimally can opt for rattan or marble without risking rapid wear and tear.
Small Bedside Tables for Compact Bedrooms and Apartments
Compact bedrooms in Dubai apartments present a unique challenge. A standard bedside table with a large footprint turns the narrow space next to the bed into an obstacle.
Small bedside tables up to 40 cm wide and 35 cm deep solve this problem. Among our options, we offer the Nomad Wooden Side Table, which is just 23 cm in diameter - perfect for a small bedroom. Its round shape adds visual softness to a space where every other object might otherwise appear as a sharp corner. If you need more storage space, you can add wall-mounted shelves to provide extra storage without cluttering the bedroom.
A small bedside table doesn’t mean sacrificing storage. A single drawer or an open shelf is enough for a book, a charger, and a small tray. Compact size doesn’t have to mean boring: a vibrant material or an unconventional shape on a small piece makes an even stronger statement than on a large one (the eye notices the details).
Bedroom Side Tables With Storage vs. Open Designs
The question of storage determines the practicality of a bedside table in everyday life, and it’s best to decide this before you buy, not after:
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Drawers hide what shouldn’t be in plain sight: medications, cables, and personal items. One deep drawer holds more than two shallow ones.
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Open shelves are best for books, decorative baskets, or stacks of magazines. They make the bedroom side table appear lighter, keeping the bedroom airy.
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No storage is a great option for those who have nothing to hide and value a clean look. It works well in minimalist bedrooms where order is key.
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Combined solutions (one drawer plus an open shelf) offer maximum flexibility. The lower open shelf also solves the age-old problem of “where to put your slippers and the basket for your chargers.”
The main rule of thumb: choose storage based on what will actually end up next to your bed, not on an idealized version of your daily life.
Matching the Bedside Table to Your Bed and Bedroom Style
The bedside table should complement the style of your bed and the overall style of your bedroom:
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Contemporary minimalism. The nightstand echoes the material and color of the bed frame: walnut with walnut, white lacquer with white lacquer. Clean lines, no visual conflicts. The Handmade Monet Round Side Table next to a white upholstered bed is an example of this approach: same color scheme, different materials.
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Boho and natural interior. The Olivia Rattan Side Table White next to a rattan headboard is a rattan bedside table that reads as part of a unified natural aesthetic, rather than as a separate piece. Here, the materials themselves provide texture and character; surface styling can remain minimal.
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Contemporary luxury. A marble tabletop with a wooden or brass base next to a bed upholstered in linen or velvet. A Dubai bedside table in this style speaks to thoughtful design rather than a random choice.
General rule: if the bed is the room’s focal point, choose a simpler nightstand. If the bed is understated, then the bedside table can have more character.
Bedside Table Styling: What to Put On Top and What to Hide
A beautiful bedside table in Dubai loses all its potential under a pile of remotes, chargers, and random knickknacks. Here’s what should be on the surface (and what shouldn’t):
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Must-haves on the surface: a lamp with warm light (2700K, with the shade at eye level when sitting in bed), a stack of two or three books, a small tray for a watch or jewelry, a candle, or a small vase with a single stem. Three items maximum; the rest should go in a drawer or a decorative box.
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Out of sight: chargers, water bottles, medications, and cosmetic packaging. If there’s no drawer, buying a beautiful woven basket for the bottom shelf solves this problem.
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The formula for the perfect nightstand: 40-60% of the surface should remain empty. It’s the space that makes the stylized items look intentional rather than chaotic.
For couples’ nightstands in Dubai, vary the styling between the two sides: a lamp and books on one side, a lamp and a small plant on the other. Perfect symmetry looks like a hotel; slight asymmetry looks like a lived-in home.
Where to Buy Bedside Tables in Dubai
A few things to check before buying a bedside table, rather than after delivery. Drawers should slide smoothly and quietly. Joinery: dowel and mortise-and-tenon joints last for decades, while staples and nails last significantly less time. The wood should feel noticeably heavy - a lightweight piece almost always indicates veneer on particleboard. The surface should be level; check it simply with a glass of water.
At our Home and Soul store, you’ll find a wide variety of side tables and bedside options. Check out the end- and side-table section. If you’d like to find a specific model that matches your bed and bedroom style, just write to us, and we’ll help you find the perfect fit without any guesswork.
