Whether it is nobler to have a bedside table or not is actually a very personal matter. There are many people who don’t like the look of bedside tables and have instead opted for shelving units by their beds that will hold everything that would fit on a bedside table for example.

There are even bookshelves with built-in tables that you simply pull down, making a desk for you to use, but in this case making a nightstand for you. Within that space can be your watch, your books and your nightly nostrums if you wish. By hiding it all, your bedroom stays clean and uncluttered and the things you want to keep in there away from the prying eyes of children or perhaps nosy guests.

Now the same “hidden” nightstand could be there, perhaps with a drawer and sliding doors to keep your privacy as to what’s on your nightstand. Interestingly, there are some rooms that are so small that even having a nightstand is space prohibitive. So those people tend to hang lamps from the ceiling or mount them on the wall if feasible, as I have often found in efficiencies. The clever decorator of the room will have some kind of table that works as both a side table for the sofa and a nightstand at night. These are usually on rollers so it’s very easy to make the transition. This works great with a Murphy bed as you can imagine.

However, there are still people who wish to have matching nightstands for their bedroom with one on each side of the bed, like sentinels to protect good sleep. A totally Edwardian bedroom set looks ‘just right’ with two matching bulky Edwardian nightstands. It was the fashion back then, and is easily accepted today if you like Edwardian style furniture.

Readers will want a nightstand that has room for a good reading lamp, as well as perhaps a shelf for the “to read” books that readers seem to want to hoard. This is just one of the reasons why I consider the need for a nightstand to be a very personal thing.

A really “funky” nightstand can be made with two brass serving platters with hidden brackets under the platters to hold it all. This, along with the dark wood legs that are laced together, creates a great Middle Eastern look, paired with other eclectic furniture if desired.

Imagine, if you will, a bed that has a large amount of wood on each side of the bed, covering the mattress as it were. This uniquely styled type of bed will likely have drawers in its base for ample storage space, and the edges of the bed will act as nightstands for small items needed for sleeping. This type of bed also eliminates the need for a nightstand.