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The early history of bedside tables and how it came into existence is a bit unusual. Then, the sole purpose and the main function of having a bedside table was to contain a chamber pot (portable toilet). That is the reason why the early bedside tables were small in size and have a compact cabinet. But over time it became apparent that it offers more functionality. Slowly with the popularity of the indoor toilet, people started to think differently about the usage of the bedside table and ultimately it became an important design element for interior designing.

Bedside tables are called by many names including ‘nightstand’, ‘night table’, ‘daystand’, ‘bedside cabinet’. Modern bedside tables are a small cabinet with one or sometimes more drawers or shelves. Today, we will discuss 3 different types of bedside tables and their benefits.

Benefits of a bedside table

Bedside tables are amazing at boosting the aesthetics of your bedroom. They are also astounding when there is a need for adding functionality to the room. Here are some benefits of having a bedside table in your bedroom.

  • A bedside table can support many things including a table lamp or alarm clock. This is useful if you have a habit of reading books before bed or you have difficulty wake up early in the morning. Or you can just use it to put a glass of water, books, phone, or any other items.
  • After using the laptop you can easily place it on a bedside table. For many people, a bedside table may seem like an ideal place for putting their gadgets including laptops, phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices. Some modern bedside tables are termed as ‘smart’ and come with a built-in charging station, power sockets, and USB port to charge your electronic devices overnight.
  • If you have children, then you can place a bedside table in your kid’s room and use it to store all their storybooks and other items. These are also perfect for storing medicine for your elderly parents as well.
  • Along with being functional, a bedside table is also used as a design element. A well-designed bedside table helps create a cozy atmosphere; thus, placing books, photographed frames, and other decorative items can enhance the beauty of your room.
  • If you are looking for additional functionality and convenience, look for designs that feature drawers. There are different types of bedside tables that can cater to your specific needs. This will give you extra storage space to put all your essentials such as wallet, watch, keys, documents, and so on.

Different types of bedside tables

Design-wise there are three different types of bedside tables. Although their look and usability are a bit different, ultimately they provide almost the same functionality. Here are the categories

Bedside Chests

Bedside Chests
The height of the bedside chest should be similar to the bed

Often called the ‘Chest of Drawers’, a bedside chest is a table with a collection of drawers. Typically they feature 2 to 4 drawers depending on the height of your mattress. Speaking of which, it is ideal to have a bedside chest that levels with or slightly higher than your mattress. This is actually the main difference between a bedside chest and a typical dresser. These also have a flat surface on top for putting frequently used things right before going to bed. Among the other types of bedside tables, this one is the most popular.

Bedside Cabinets

Bedside Cabinets
Bedside cabinets are similar but have more space compared to bedside chest

Bedside cabinets are similar to bedside chests but offer more storage space than the chests. In addition to a flat surface at the top, they may feature a drawer or two chests. But what makes them unique is that they also have a handy cabinet with a door, which is useful for storing larger items.

Nightstands

Nightstands
Nightstands are different from both bedside chests and bedside cabinets. They are more focused on aesthetics

Nightstands are different from both bedside chests and cabinets. They focus more on aesthetics and style than storage capacity. Some nightstands may feature a drawer or two for storage purposes but their primary function is to provide a stand to put things on the top.

Beyond the functional categories, these bedside tables come in different styles, shapes, materials, and, of course, colors. There are bedside tables that are built in different design styles including Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco, Contemporary to go with your interior. So before you fix your mind on purchasing one, check if that matches the interior design of your home or not.

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