Do You Need Two Nightstands?

At a Glance:

A wide view of a bed with two matching nightstands

They may be small details, but having a place to set your morning coffee on the weekend or the latest novel your reading before bed is a small luxury that can often be taken for granted. It’s one of the many reasons nightstands continue to be one of the many bedroom pieces everyone agrees is a must-have in any sleep space. The real question is, “do I need one or two nightstands?”

The short answer? Yes. For the longer answer, you’ll need to weigh the positive and negatives of both design options, and luckily for you, we’ve done the work for you. Whether you need more room for storage or you’re looking to give you bedroom that finished look, nightstands are handy tools that can help you achieve that.

See what we mean inside this quick guide, where we lay out the details and provide some interior design inspiration to help you reimagine the role of the nightstand in the bedroom.

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Nightstands

Reasons to Buy Two Nightstands

Besides being the traditional layout for a bedroom, there are several other reasons buyers seek to purchase double nightstands. The big buzzword interior designers love to throw around is Feng Shui or the ancient art of creating balance and flow in a space. Complementary nightstands help achieve that parallelism by staging the bed — which is the natural center of the bedroom — with two anchoring bedside tables. Whether or not this symmetry has an actual effect on the chi, there is some true science behind the human brain’s desire for balance, and having a duo of nightstands surrounding a bed checks that box.

What’s less complicated is the simple fact that bedrooms where couples sleep benefit the most from having two personal nightstands. Instead of sharing one place to store bedroom essentials, each person can:

Store items that each individual needs the most
Reach for items without disturbing their partner
Decorate with pictures and décor that reflect each sleeper’s unique style

Pros & Cons of Two Nightstands

Using two nightstands in the bedroom is pretty common, but the design choice is still met with some criticism. Let’s lay out the good and the bad for you.

PRO: Matching nightstands provide a professional look

PRO: Two nightstands = means more storage = less clutter

PRO: Nightstands are a cost-effective way to fill out larger bedrooms

CON: Of course, two nightstands take up more space

CON: Twice the nightstands also means twice the cost

CON: You might not have the same taste as your partner

Reasons to Buy a Single Nightstand

Symmetry and psychology aside, the fact of the matter is that 23 percent of women sleep alone, while a staggering 42 percent of men sleep solo, according to recent studies. So, then are two nightstands really necessary? If you have the space and are aiming for that balance thing, go for it! But it’s not a concrete rule by any means.

In fact, a single nightstand in the bedroom can be better if you have a smaller sleep space. Additionally, sticking to one bedside table frees up space for larger bedroom pieces like a dresser or chest, which provide substantially more storage. And as far as balance goes, there’s always the option of a floor lamp on the other side of the bed — function and fashion all in one!

With that said, there are a few tips you’ll want to keep in mind in terms of the type of nightstand you should buy if you only plan on using just one in the bedroom:

Aim for nightstands with more drawers
Open shelving is a great way to increase storage
If you have a bed taller than 30 inches, save square footage with a skinny nightstand

Pros & Cons of a Single Nightstand

Here’s the flipside to using one nightstand vs. two nightstands.

PROS: Purchasing a single nightstand is more affordable

PROS: Bedroom sets usually come with a single nightstand

PROS: One nightstand saves space in the bedroom

PROS: A single nightstand can be a statement piece that doesn’t have to match

CONS: A single nightstand doesn’t provide symmetry

CONS: If you sleep with a partner, one will have less access to storage

CONS: Less bedroom storage overall

3 Nightstand Ideas for the Bedroom

Whether solo or in a pair, these three bedroom nightstands are full of storage to organize your bedroom essentials, but are easy on floorspace, just in case you’re designing for a smaller bedroom. Take a look!

Best Nightstand for Tall Beds: Signature Design by Ashley® Zelen Warm Gray Nightstand

Front view of Signature Design by Ashley Zelen three-drawer nightstand

Fans of bedrooms full of natural charm will love the raw and organic look the Signature Design by Ashley two-drawer nightstand adds to a sleep space. The “drawers have an excellent amount of storage space,” writes AMH36703, just one of the many product reviewers who give this wooden nightstand a 5-star review. Aside from a spacious bottom drawer, warm wood finish, and transitional design, this nightstand is also space-friendly, measuring just 16 inches deep ideal for bedrooms both cozy and large.

Signature Design by Ashley Zelen Nightstand Reviews

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Best Nightstand for Storage: Aspenhome® Peyton Cello One Drawer Nightstand

Front view of Aspenhome Cello one-drawer nightstand

While this rustic nightstand only has one drawer, it still offers plenty of space to keep other belongings nearby. Use the felt-lined top drawer for your most prized items such as jewelry, watches, or a smart device while two open shelves below are perfect for showcasing novels, pictures, and other bedroom extras. This nightstand with charging port also comes with ambient lighting from a three-way built-in light, meaning you can even skip the nightstand lamp and use the surface for even more storage. Two discreet side panels also open up to keep additional belongings neatly organized.

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Best Nightstand with Pull Out Tray: Modus Furniture Yosemite Nightstand

Front view of Modus Furniture Yosemite two-drawer nightstand

The rugged character of this farmhouse-style nightstand fits right in with masculine bedrooms, but can easily be played up with softer bedroom elements for a beautiful and high-end contrast of farmhouse chic design. Pull out the slim upper tray for an impromptu surface for morning coffee, bedside water, or to even enjoy breakfast in bed. You’ll have all you need with two spacious drawers below in two sizes for flexible organization.

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At the end of the day, we agree that it’s better to have a nightstand in the bedroom than to not. They’re extremely convenient for keeping bedside essentials within reach a bedroom looking tidy. As one of the more affordable bedroom pieces, nightstands are a great place to start if you plan on redecorating your bedroom, and the best place to start that journey is at Colder’s.

FAQs

At Colder’s, we get a lot of questions about nightstands, despite being one of the smaller pieces in the bedroom. If you’re like any of our shoppers, you might be wondering…

Is a nightstand necessary?

Not at all! While they’re handy to have around, nightstand substitutes can provide the function of these bedroom pieces in a pinch.

Other nightstand ideas include:

A chair table
A short bookcase
A stack of books
A chair

Your creativity is your greatest asset when it comes to makeshift nightstands.

What is the standard size of a nightstand?

The average height of a nightstand is between 24 and 28 inches tall. Keep in mind, the average bed stands 25 inches tall when it’s on a frame, and the ideal nightstand to bed ratio should be the same height but no more than four inches taller.

Is it okay for a nightstand to be lower than the bed?

Ideally, a nightstand should stand parallel to the top of your bed. Any lower, and it becomes difficult to access, and it could even place unnecessary strain on the back and neck.

Why Trust Colder’s?

Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.

Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee.

Shop Nightstands at Colder’s

Don’t put off happiness — shop bedroom furniture online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you decide if one or two nightstands suit your bedroom, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!

Learn More: Bedroom Furniture Buying Guide