It’s easy to let your nightstand become the place where chargers, books, and water glasses are discarded and forgotten.
In this guide, we’ll take a close look at 10 of the best nightstand decor ideas to give you the inspiration you need to spruce up this crucial part of your space.
What Are Some of the Best Nightstand Decor Ideas?
However, with some intentional planning, your nightstand can become a focal point in your bedroom. All it takes is a few thoughtful touches to take your nightstand from afterthought to all-star status.
Here are some of the best nightstand decor ideas:
1. Books
It’s no secret that scrolling on your phone before bed can result in less restful sleep and make it harder to fall asleep in the first place. That’s why having a carefully selected stack of books on your nightstand is a game-changer.
When you’re tucking into bed at night, the last thing you want to do is go rooting around in your purses and checking every corner of the house for your book. However, if you have several books artfully displayed on your nightstand, you’re much more likely to pick one up and read a few pages rather than check your email or flip through social media posts.
Remember, books are an ideal decor component because they’re both functional and beautiful. That said, investing in a few hardcover editions of your favorite books and making them a permanent fixture on your nightstand can give your space a thoughtful, personal touch.
2. Table Magazines
If books just aren’t for you, there’s no need to worry. Table magazines also make great decor additions to any bedside table. Like books, magazines offer a screen-free alternative to help you wind down before bed.
When choosing magazines, look for a variety that will keep you entertained, regardless of your mood. Having home decor, travel, cooking, and fashion magazines on your nightstand can help ensure that there is always something to pique your interest.
3. A Carafe
Another decor item that’s as useful as it is aesthetically pleasing is a water carafe. Having a carafe next to your bed, along with a few cups, will promote healthy hydration habits. Drinking water throughout the day — rather than in large quantities once or twice a day — is generally suggested.
The benefit of having a carafe by your bed is that it makes it easy to get a quick glass of water in before you get out of bed and right before you tuck in for the night.
In the morning, drinking water first thing can help your body rehydrate after a night of sleep, boost your metabolism, and improve your cognitive functioning.
4. Scented Candles
How your space smells can play a significant role in helping make your bedroom feel as cozy, comfortable, and relaxing as possible. That’s why a few scented candles on your nightstand can add a much-needed olfactory touch to enhance the overall ambiance.
At Snif, our scented candles are specifically formulated with high-quality ingredients so that they not only smell delicious but also look beautiful on your bedside table.
If you’re looking for a mysterious, dreamy fragrance, look no further than the Instant Karma candle. With a blend of cardamom, nashi pear, black plum, geranium, vetiver, cedarwood, and black tea, this candle is spicy and sophisticated in equal measure.
For an earthy, green fragrance, check out the Birds And The Breeze candle. Mimosa petals, galbanum, jasmine, cyclamen, orchid, musk, and cedarwood come together beautifully in this candle. The result is a delicate, grounding scent that will make you wonder if you’re in your home or at a beachside spa.
Off the Grid is the ambery, citrus scent that is tranquility in a candle. This candle is seductive, calming, and utterly irresistible, featuring a mix of lily of the valley, moss, cypress, tuberose, cedar, cistus amber, and sandalwood.
5. Decorative Tray
If you inevitably have a few essentials that get thrown onto the nightstand (like your phone, retainer case, or some hair ties), a decorative tray might be the perfect addition.
Placing a decorative tray on your nightstand gives you a dedicated space to put your essentials without risking them falling off while you sleep.
From a decor point of view, it will also help your space look more put together and less messy if you have a landing spot for your bits and bobs. When your space is more organized, it’s easier to relax and let go of any anxiety you felt throughout the day.
6. Picture Frames
Regardless of how much you’re leaning into the clean, minimalist trend in home decor, there’s no denying that a personal touch here and there will take your space to the next level. That’s why a few tasteful picture frames on your bedside table can make a world of difference.
Just think that the items on your bedside table will be the first ones you see everyday before you go to bed and right when you wake up.
With that in mind, you want them to be things that spark joy and make you excited for the day to come. Placing photos of your family, friends, pets, or favorite places can be a simple way to make sure you start each day on the right foot.
7. A Vase of Flowers
There’s something undeniably elegant about fresh flowers. Investing in a beautiful ceramic vase and filling it with your favorite flowers can make your bedroom feel like an energizing, fresh space, no matter how small or dark it actually is.
Just make sure to choose flowers with a pleasing smell that isn’t overwhelming, especially if your room is on the smaller side.
8. Table Lamps
Lighting plays an important role in creating the overall ambiance of your room.
When you’re trying to wind down, having a bright white or fluorescent light on can make it difficult to relax and help your brain shut off. That’s why a table lamp on your nightstand can be an important design element.
A small table lamp provides a more relaxing, warmer light source for reading before bed.
9. Potted Plants
Another way to integrate more natural elements into your space is to place a few potted plants on your bedside table.
Having real plants in your space is a simple way to improve the air quality in your bedroom and give the space a more calming appearance. It’s also thought that having plants in your room can improve your sleep quality and relieve stress.
If you love the sound of the benefits that potted plants can provide but don’t have a green thumb, there are a few beginner plants that are easy to care for and look fantastic. ZZ plants, aloe vera, money trees, pothos, snake plants, and cactuses are all great low-maintenance options for your bedroom.
10. Jewelry Dishes
Last but certainly not least, it’s a good idea to place a few jewelry dishes on your nightstand.
If you’re someone who wears rings, bracelets, necklaces, or earrings every day, then dedicating a spot for them on your bedside table will make your life easier and eliminate those moments of “Where is my favorite necklace?” panic.
Consider shopping around for cute jewelry dish options that can add a touch of whimsy or elegance to your space.
For example, if you want your room to feel a bit more playful, an upside-down ceramic umbrella that you can slip your rings onto might be the ideal touch. If you’re looking for something more minimalist, a simple gold plate might do the trick.
Make the Most of Your Space
Incorporating a few of these decor ideas when you’re planning your nightstand makeover can help you make the most of your space.
From a potted plant to a scented candle, making small adjustments to your bedside table can change the entire vibe of your room for the better.
Remember, your nightstand is often home to your essentials and is an integral part of your wake up and wind down routines. All that said, if you put thought and intention into its design, you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of your hard work at least twice a day every day.
FAQs
What looks good on a bedside table?
A blend of functional and aesthetically pleasing items looks good on a bedside table. This may include plants, candles, lighting options, organizational items, and personal photos.
How can I keep my nightstand from looking cluttered?
Having a dedicated spot for all of your sleep essentials is the best way to keep your nightstand from looking cluttered. Regardless of whether you use a decorative tray, bowls, drawers, or baskets, making sure you know where everything should go will make it look more organized.
Sources:
Screen Use Disrupts Precious Sleep Time | National Sleep Foundation