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.

This post contains affiliate links.  You won’t pay any more when you use these but I will earn a small commission on any purchases you make after clicking on them and I greatly appreciate it.  Thanks for helping support my little blog!!!

{{{ Sign up for my DIY/home decor email list & have all my future projects sent straight to your inbox! }}}

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

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:

These bloggers show you step-by-step how to do it.  Not all their bedside table styling formulas are exactly like mine but they’re close enough.

This first video shows two different tables, including how to style a small bedside table.

I love Emily’s design quirkiness in this next video. She uses a lot of vintage items that you could find at thrift stores in her bedside table examples.

This last video also shows how to mix vintage, new, and useful items on your nightstand.

I hope these little videos helped you get a better idea of how to put this styling formula into practice.

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.

‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim

Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Etsy | YouTube

We share at these blog parties.  Featured on Swing into Spring.