needs a bedside table. Preferably two, one on each side of the bed so you can pop on a
to create a relaxing night-time vibe as you prepare to sleep, and to house your handy overnight bits and bobs; a glass of water, pair of glasses, reading book, alarm clock and perhaps a favourite photo or scented candle. But as well as a practical nightstand, a beautifully dressed bedside is perfect for pulling a
together, helping you to create a stylish space at the same time.
There is definitely an art to dressing a bedside table. The right balance of handy items and statement pieces that reflect your personal style will make your sleeping space a pleasure to spend time in. Here are our top 5 bedside tables with some handy hints on how to style them.
1. THE CROMER BEDSIDE TABLE
Our popular
Cromer Bedside Table comes with elegant proportions, clean lines and a tough, clear glass top with matching shelf underneath that is ideal for storing books, reading glasses or any other useful items you like to have beside the bed. This
bedside table features a handcrafted steel frame that is available in any of our painted finishes and incorporates a toughened glass top and shelf that sits comfortably in a modern or traditional setting and looks splendid beside any sized bed.
HOW TO STYLE IT: VARY HEIGHTS
Proportions are everything when it comes to choosing the right bedside table, as well as what to put on it. Ideally, a bedside table should be the same height as the top of your mattress, so you can easily reach what you need in the dark. Arranging objects of the same size on it will create a flat looking ensemble, whereas if you find items of varying heights, it will look more interesting visually.
Arguably, the most important object on your bedside table is your
bedside table lamp. It is also the best item for making a style statement, so choose a tall or sculptural design for rousing high-impact and drama, or smaller, less imposing piece for a sense of balance and calm. Our new
Putney and
Ashmead table lamps make ideal bedside table lighting thanks to their iridescent, fluted glass bases that catch the light and draw your attention, while our popular
Higham Table Lamp with its decorative leaf embellishment and dainty proportions offers a smaller, less obtrusive option for those seeking pared down style.
2. THE HAMPTON TABLE
The Hampton is a charming, three-legged occasional table with decorative feet and an elegant silhouette that look fabulous placed next to a bed. Use it to add little extra space for a table lamp, vase of flowers or to pop down a reading book or cup of tea. Put it next to a sofa or armchair in a
living room for your guests to use, alongside a bed for handy
bedside lighting, or brighten up a dark corner as it is narrow enough to fit in the smallest of spaces.
HOW TO STYLE IT: PERSONAL & PRACTICAL
When choosing items to place on your bedside table, try to combine personal and practical elements. Bedside tables do not always have the most generously sized surface areas so its a good idea to keep your night time items to a minimum, or use stylish storage solutions like our
Bewley or
Mitford brass trays to keep precious trinkets safely in one place. Invest in double-duty items like our gorgeous Charles Farris candles that fill you room with an amazing aroma as well as complementing your interior scheme.
For lighting, why not opt for a
versatile wall light fitted above the bedside table rather than a
table lamp. This will keep your table free for smaller items or much needed space for a glass of water, reading books and an alarm clock. Our collection of
plug-in wall lights make ideal bedside lighting because they are so easy to install; just fix them into place, plug them in and off you go - instant light!
3. THE FAIRFORD
Like our Hampton,
the Fairford is a decorative, three-legged occasional table with a raised fretwork edge that adds a textured appeal to a bedside setting. At 74cm in height, it is ideal to place next to divan-style bed or metal Victorian bedstead that tend to be higher than many modern designs. Handcrafted from forged iron and available in a range of finishes to suit your interior, The Fairford brings a period touch to a space. Style it with one of our smaller table and desk lamps, or with a vase of flowers to add a personal feel.
HOW TO STYLE IT: TEXTURES
Consider the material your bedside table is made of and what kind of veneer this produces so you can use differing textures to curate your bedside tablescape and make it more interesting to look at. Different styles of bedside tables – whether they’re made from wood, mirrored glass or metal – call to be dressed with different textures. Smooth accents – think ceramic vases and table lamps – look incredible against high-shine veneers, and complement tables with a highly visible grain. More tactile accents such as hammered metals or those with an underlying patina such as our
stone, antiqued brass and polished finishes, draw the right attention when contrasted against a sleek glass surface.
Remember to include the fabrics that dress your bed when thinking about texture. The colour, tones and textures of your bedding,
throws, pillows and
cushions should influence the choices you make for dressing our bedside table so they create a unified, considered theme.
4. LINTON TABLES
Although more commonly used in living rooms, there is no reason why you can't use nesting tables as beside tables in a bedroom as they offer handy additional space when required and can be stored away when not in use. Our square
Linton Tables are designed with clean, strong, architectural lines that make a graphic statement in any style of home. Handcrafted from solid steel, they will sit neatly by your bedside where you can pull out the smaller table for additional space as required, and push it back in when not in use.
HOW TO STYLE IT: SYMMETRY
Bedrooms lend themselves to a symmetrical look that is always pleasing to the eye. Think about opting for a mirror image look with a near identical bedside arrangement on either side of the bed. As well as twin bedside tables for each side, opt for identical
bedside lighting whether wall sconces, table lamps or even better, an
articulated wall light or lamp that will add poise to a space and frame the bed beautifully.
Reflect this symmetry with matching
lampshades, or accents such as photo frames, posies of flowers or
candles to create a balanced look. And echo the colours of your bedding with your bedside table arrangements to bring a sense of flow and to a space.
5. ASHBURY TABLES
Like the Linton, our
Ashbury Tables offer a net bedside table setting but with a softer, elegant appeal. Handcrafted from hight quality steel and available in a choice of our popular finishes, these nesting tables give you a bit more space when you need it and store out of the way when you don't. Opt for our Clay finish as shown about for a gentle, country house feel, or our bold matt black for a stronger architectural lines.
HOW TO STYLE IT: LESS IS MORE
As bedside tables tend to be on the small side in terms of their surface area, a top tip is to remember less is more! You don't want to be fumbling around in the middle of the night trying to find something on a cluttered bedside table, so choose a table with some storage like draws, or a shelf to keep clutter at bay and keep your accessories to a minimum.
One or two essential items, or considered accessories will have more visual impact than a heap of books, tissues, photos, face creams or other night time paraphernalia! If space is in short supply, our collection of
wall lights with pull cords like the
Carrick are a great way of making more room on a bedside table by removing your lighting to the walls.
Finally, there is nothing like the sweet scent of a candle to evoke the right atmosphere at home, especially to help you drift off to sleep. Scents can make us feel grounded, relaxed and revived and connect us to deeply held memories and if you team them with a slow-burning candle, you can enjoy the aroma all year round. Our collection of
Charles Farris Scented candles combine the beautiful scents of their best-selling candles - Redolent Fig, Garden of Eden, British Expedition and Portobello - with beeswax and smart navy blue glass pot so they look at good as they smell.