Nightstands and TV stands

Start with the height of the bed

Height matters most for a nightstand. The top surface has to be easy to reach from the bed, so before ordering compare the height of the nightstand not with the bed frame but with the actual height of the sleeping surface, mattress included.

If the nightstand is much lower, you will be reaching down for things. If it is much higher, using it while lying down can be awkward too.

For some models the dimensions on the product page may not be complete. In that case, check the width, the depth and the height before ordering, especially if the space beside the bed is tight.

Check the space beside the bed

Before buying, measure the gap between the bed and the wall, the wardrobe, a door or other furniture. Allow not only for the body of the nightstand but for the room needed to open its drawers or doors.

If you want nightstands on both sides of a double bed, check each gap separately — they are not always the same.

It helps to mark the future dimensions on the floor with masking tape beforehand. That shows whether enough room is left to walk past.

Open or closed storage

Choose the kind of storage by what you actually keep beside the bed.

Closed sections and drawers keep chargers, medicines, cosmetics and other small things out of sight. Open elements give quick access, but ask for more attention to tidiness.

Before buying, think about what will really go into the nightstand. If all you need is a surface for a lamp and a phone, a lot of storage may be unnecessary.

A nightstand does not have to match the bed exactly

Some nightstands may be designed as a continuation of the matching VENETO beds. That makes a coherent set easier: the proportions, the materials and the decorative decisions already agree with each other.

All the same, a nightstand is not obliged to repeat the bed completely. The two can be tied together by colour, texture, shape, material or particular details.

What matters is that the nightstand suits the bed in height and in scale, and does not get in the way of using it.

Materials and finishes

The construction and the materials differ from one nightstand to another. So the specification of one piece should not be carried over to the whole category.

Before ordering, check on the current product page:

• the material of the body and the fronts;
• the material of the legs or the base;
• the type of decorative finish;
• the colours or finishes available;
• the construction of the storage inside.

If the nightstand is being matched to a bed you already own, compare not just the name of the colour but the actual shade and the texture of the materials.

One nightstand or two

Beside a double bed, two nightstands make a symmetrical composition and give each side its own place for things. But it is not a rule.

In a compact bedroom a single nightstand can be the more practical answer, if the second one narrows the walkway or gets in the way of a wardrobe or a door.

So decide the number by the real plan of the room, not by the look of the interior alone.

Built-in light and lighting beside the bed

Think about the lighting before choosing the nightstand. If a table lamp is going to stand on it, check how much surface will be left for a phone, a book or a glass of water.

Among VENETO nightstands there may be versions with built-in light. That reduces the number of separate light sources beside the bed and frees up part of the top surface.

If you use a wall light or other separate lighting, the surface can stay clearer. Take the position of sockets and cables into account as well, especially if a phone, a watch or other devices are charged beside the bed regularly.

Care

How to clean it depends on the material and the finish of the particular nightstand.

• Dust with a soft dry or slightly damp cloth.
• Wipe up spilt liquid straight away.
• Do not use abrasive sponges or aggressive products without checking that they suit the finish.
• Do not stand hot objects directly on the surface unless the maker states that the finish allows it.
• Check the fixings and the working of moving parts from time to time.

Questions and answers

How high should a bedside table be?

It is often convenient when the top of the bedside table is roughly level with the surface of the mattress. So before choosing, measure the height of the bed together with the mattress and compare it with the height of the bedside table on its product page.