How to Style a Nightstand or Bedside Table {VIDEO}

A couple of years ago I found a pair of matching bedside tables.  We’ve been living with them just the way we found them.  I’ve decided that this is the year I’ll give them a makeover.  Not only will they get a new paint job but I also want to style them so they’ll look nice and be useful.  Most of the time I just play around with items until they look right but I wanted to find a formula for how to style a nightstand.  First, let me share the formula I came up with, then watch the videos to see them put into practice.

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How to Style a Nightstand

The secret to making your nightstand look professionally styled is layering.

Lamp

Lighting is a must on a nightstand.  Even if you don’t have any of the other layers, you must have light.  Finding a lamp with a usb port  is a bonus.  You can charge your phone without climbing around under the bed trying to plug in your charger!

Kristi shared a great article asking the question, “Should bedside lamps match?”  What do you think?

Either way, I love her little typewriter table used as a bedside table.

Large Mirror or Piece of Art

Next, either hang or lean a large mirror or piece of art on the wall at the back of the nightstand.

Smaller Mirror or Piece of Art

The next layer is a smaller piece of art or a photo.  You can either lean it against the larger piece of art/mirror or put it in a frame with a stand.

Tchotchkes

What’s a tchotchke?  It’s “stuff”… books, figurines, doo-dads, etc.  These can be useful or just decorative.

Tony added a unique tchotchke on her cute Ikea nightstand makeover:

Tray, Dish, or Ring Holder

Find a cute vintage dish (or make one!) for when you take off your jewelry at night.  I have a small glass coaster that I keep tucked in the corner of my nightstand drawer.

I’m not sure how I feel about hanging nightstands but I do like how Crystal layered the jewelry box on the books on hers.

Plant

If you don’t have much light in your bedroom add a fake plant or flowers.  I like faux succulents “planted” in a vintage pitcher or mug.

• 24 DIY Faux Succulent Planters
• Assorted Faux Succulents
• 12 Plants for Your Bedroom
• 17 Houseplants that will Clean the Air in Your Home

Basket

Baskets are great for extra storage if your nightstand has an open shelf.  Or you can add a basket under or beside your nightstand.  You don’t even have to use a nightstand as a nightstand… use a little side table and add a big basket like this:

Racheal hit ALL the points in her styled nightstand:

If you enjoyed seeing how to style a nightstand, you might also like these articles:

• 10 Easy Ways to Update Your Bedroom for the Summer
• How to Care for Your Pillows
• 12 DIY Headboard Ideas
• 43 Small Bedroom Ideas
• 5 Rustic Master Bedroom Ideas

Thanks for reading.  Leave a comment and let me know what you have on your nightstand. Featured on Swing into Spring.

‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

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