How tall should your bedside tables be, and why does it even matter? In this ultimate guide, we dive deep into everything about bedside table size for your Australian bedroom. Bedside tables (also known as nightstands or bedside cabinets) are essential pieces of bedroom furniture that do more than hold your alarm clock – their height, width, and depth all impact your comfort and the room’s look. We’ll answer the big question, “How tall should a bedside table be?”, and expand into related tips with a friendly, thorough approach. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to choose the perfect nightstand size that fits your bed height, matches your room, and keeps your bedtime essentials within easy reach.
Why Bedside Table Size Matters
Size isn’t just a number on a spec sheet – it’s the difference between a convenient nighttime routine and constant frustration. A bedside table that’s proportioned correctly makes your bedroom flow. Here’s why getting the dimensions right is so important:
- Comfortable Reach: Ever stretched awkwardly from bed, trying to grab a glass of water? The right height means no more fumbling or straining in the dark. Your lamp switch, phone, or that cup of tea is exactly where your hand expects it to be.
- Visual Balance: A tiny bedside table next to a king bed can look lost, while an oversized table can overwhelm a small bed. Proper sizing creates harmony. The table should complement your bed’s scale so the whole setup looks put together, not lopsided or clunky.
- Space and Flow: Bedrooms Need Breathing Room. A table that’s too wide or deep might block pathways or make it hard to get in and out of bed. On the other hand, one that’s too small might not hold your nighttime essentials. It’s all about finding a happy medium that preserves open walking.
- Functionality: The right-sized nightstand offers adequate surface area and storage without becoming a clutter magnet. You want enough room for a lamp, book, or glasses, but not so much that it invites piles of junk. Drawers or shelves should suit your needs without making the piece too bulky for the room.
In short, size matters for both practical ergonomics and style. By choosing a bedside table with the proper dimensions, you ensure a seamless blend of form and function in your bedroom. (For a wide range of options in every style and size, feel free to browse our side tables collection to find your perfect fit.)
How Tall Should a Bedside Table Be?
Let’s tackle the main question: How tall should your bedside table be relative to your bed? The general rule of thumb is that a nightstand should be about the same height as the top of your mattress. This usually means the table’s surface is level with, or a few centimeters higher or lower than, your mattress height. Sticking close to the mattress height is key for comfort – you shouldn’t have to sit up awkwardly or dangle your arm to reach items on the table.
Most modern beds in Australia have a top-of-mattress height of around 60 cm off the floor (once the mattress is on the frame). It makes sense, then, that most bedside tables are designed to be roughly 55–65 cm tall to match. In fact, furniture experts often suggest keeping your nightstand height within about 5 cm (2 inches) of your bed’s height. This small tolerance ensures your lamp and alarm clock are within easy reach while maintaining a cohesive look. If the table is much lower than the bed, you’ll be bending or reaching down, not very comfy when you’re half-asleep. If it’s way higher, it can be hard to see or grab things, and it might visually dominate the bed.
A contemporary bedroom with the bedside table roughly level with the mattress. Keeping the nightstand height aligned to your bed makes it easy to reach the lamp and your phone without sitting up. It also creates a balanced, intentional look in the space.
So what does this mean in practical terms? Here are some quick guidelines for bedside table height relative to different bed profiles:
- Low platform beds: These sit lower to the ground (mattress height around 45–50 cm). For such low beds, a shorter bedside table of about 50–55 cm high works best, so it’s not towering over you. This way, even in a low-slung modern bed, your nightstand isn’t an awkward stretch.
- Standard beds: Most common beds (like ensemble or boxspring beds) have a mattress top around 60–65 cm high. Aim for a nightstand roughly 55–65 cm in height to line up with a standard bed. This is the typical range you’ll find in stores, because it suits the average bed height in many Aussie homes.
- Tall or luxury beds: Have an extra-thick mattress, a pillow-top, or a high frame pushing your bed to 70 cm or more? You’ll want a taller bedside table, around 70–80 cm high, so that it doesn’t feel dwarfed. With a very tall bed, a standard small nightstand can seem toy-like and force you to reach down uncomfortably far. A taller nightstand fixes that by meeting the mattress at a convenient level.
In all cases, the ideal bedside table height = mattress height (give or take ~5 cm). Many designers actually prefer the nightstand to be just a touch taller than the bed if possible, rather than lower. A slightly taller table means you won’t knock your water glass or phone off the edge when reaching over. It also prevents that common annoyance of dropping things between the mattress and the nightstand – we’ve all been there, fishing for a fallen phone at 2 AM! A taller nightstand can even make your bed feel more “enclosed” and cozy, framing it nicely. Conversely, if the table is lower than the mattress, not only is it harder to reach, but it can look a bit out of proportion (almost like it’s shrinking away next to the bed).
That said, we’re only talking about a difference of a few centimeters. You don’t want a huge disparity in height. If your table is much higher (say 10–15 cm above the mattress), it starts to look like a high dresser and can be awkward to use. Much lower, and it feels like it belongs to a different low-profile bed. So aim for that sweet spot where your bedside table and mattress line up neatly.
Tip: Before buying, measure from your floor to the top of your mattress. This is your target nightstand height. Most mattresses in Australia (on a standard base) will be about 60 cm high, but yours might differ. Use that measurement while shopping – it’s better than guessing. If you can’t find an exact match, err on the side of a couple of centimeters taller rather than shorter for ease of use. And if you already have a nightstand that feels off, you can get creative – for example, adding riser legs to a too-low table or using bun feet to slightly elevate it.
Ideal Bedside Table Width and Depth
Height is crucial, but let’s not ignore the other dimensions. Width and depth determine how well the bedside table fits your space and meets your storage/display needs. So, how wide and deep should a bedside table be?
Width (Left to Right): This largely depends on your bed size and the room layout. As a rule of thumb, your nightstand should look proportional to the width of your bed. You don’t want a tiny sliver of a table next to a big king bed, nor a giant cabinet overpowering a single bed. A good guideline is to choose a bedside table that’s roughly about 1/3 to 1/2 the width of your bed (including any headboard width). For example, one interior design guide suggests approximately 45–50 cm wide for a twin/single bed, about fifty to seventy-odd cm for a queen, and 80 cm or more for a king-sized bed. In practice, many bedside tables fall in the range of 40 cm to 60 cm wide for single to queen beds, and you might go up to 70 or 80 cm wide for a large king bed or a very spacious room. This ensures the table has enough presence next to the bed without feeling either lost or overbearing.
Keep in mind the available space on either side of the bed. If your bed is pushed against a wall on one side, you might have room for only one nightstand – in that case, you could opt for a slightly larger one on the open side to balance the visual weight. If you have a door or closet opening near the bed, measure to be sure a wider table won’t block it. Always leave at least a little breathing room between the table and other furniture. In fact, don’t shove your nightstand directly against the side of the bed – leaving about 5 cm of space between the mattress and the table is recommended. This gap prevents the bedside from scraping your bed frame or pinching your blankets, and still keeps items close enough to reach easily.
Depth (Front to Back): Most bedside tables aren’t extremely deep, as they need to sit neatly against the wall without protruding too far. A typical nightstand depth is around 35 cm to 45 cm (approximately 14–18 inches). Standard designs often fall in the 40–50 cm deep range at mostwayfair.com. This is usually plenty to hold a lamp and some items on top, and perhaps a drawer or two, while not eating into your walking space. When considering depth, think about the clearance between the bed and other elements in the room. Do you have enough space to comfortably walk past the foot of the bed or around the side? Ensure there’s at least about 50–60 cm of clear walkway beside your bed and table for easy movement. In small bedrooms, you might choose a shallow nightstand (say 30 cm deep) to keep the room from feeling cramped. There are floating shelves or wall-mounted bedside boxes that are very narrow in depth – these can be great alternatives if floor space is extremely tight.
On the other hand, if you have a large bedroom, you could consider deeper nightstands (some go 45+ cm deep), which offer more storage and surface area. Just be cautious: a very deep table might stick out and become a shin-bumping hazard when you get up! Always measure the space from the wall to where the edge of a deep table would be, and visualize if it impedes your path. The goal is a bedside table that’s deep enough to be useful (hold your lamp, phone, book, maybe a plant or photo frame) but not so deep that it blocks access or feels like a looming piece of furniture.
To summarize typical dimensions: Most bedside tables in stores fall around 55–70 cm in height, 40–60 cm in width, and 35–45 cm in depth. These ranges have proven to “fit” the average bed and room. But you can deviate from the norms to suit your particular needs – just keep the proportions with your bed in mind. A delicate, narrow table can look chic next to a smaller bed (and also works as a side table elsewhere), while a broad nightstand with multiple drawers might complement that grand king bed in a master suite.
Should You Have One or Two Bedside Tables?
Once you’ve determined the right size, another question might pop up: do you need one nightstand or two? This really depends on your bed size, room size, and personal preference, but here are some pointers:
- Single or King Single Bed: In a small bedroom or a kids’ room with a single bed, often only one bedside table is used (usually placed on the open side of the bed). That’s perfectly fine – one is enough to hold essentials for one person. In very tight quarters, you might even skip a traditional table and use a wall shelf or a headboard with built-in storage on one side.
- Double/Queen Bed: For a bed that sleeps two (or even one person who just wants symmetry), having two matching bedside tables is common. One on each side of a double or queen bed creates a balanced look and gives each sleeper their own surface and storage. It frames the bed nicely in the room. If space allows, two tables make a bedroom feel complete and evenly weighted.
- King Bed: King beds are quite wide, and typically you’ll want two bedside tables as well – not only for symmetry, but also because a king bed practically demands two for practical use (each side of the bed is pretty far apart!). Without two nightstands, one side of the bed ends up without any place to put things, which can be inconvenient. So, for king beds, plan for a pair of nightstands if you have the room.
That said, you don’t absolutely have to have two. In a guest room or a multi-use space, you might choose to place the bed against a wall and use only one table. Or you could use one larger nightstand chest with multiple drawers on one side to serve both occupants (though that can be less convenient). Just know that for resale or a “styled” look, bedrooms with two sides accessible typically are expected to have two bedside tables as a design standard.
If you do opt for two, they don’t necessarily need to be identical, which brings us to the next point.
Do Your Bedside Tables Need to Match?
Traditionally, bedroom sets came with matching nightstands, but today there’s more freedom to mix and match. You might wonder if your bedside tables should match each other or match the bed. The answer: not strictly, but keep some consistency in size and scale.
- Matching Tables: Using a matching pair of bedside tables (same design, color, and size) will create a cohesive, symmetrical look. This is the easiest route to a polished design – it automatically balances both sides of the bed and ties into the bed frame style. In many cases, especially for master bedrooms or formal styles, matching tables on each side of a queen or king bed look very elegant and intentional. If you love a uniform look, feel free to get two of the same. Just make sure whatever you choose is appropriately sized (as we’ve discussed) for your bed and space. Two matching tables that are each the right height and width will frame the bed like a picture.
- Mismatched Tables: It’s also completely okay to mix things up! Perhaps you found two unique nightstands you love, or you want to use an antique side cabinet on one side and a small bookshelf on the other. This can add character and personality to the room. Designers often mix bedside tables to avoid a too “matchy” look, especially in eclectic or boho styles. The key in this case is to maintain some common element so they still relate to each other. That common element could be height, color family, or overall volume. For instance, you could have one wooden nightstand and one painted one – different finishes, but if they are both around 60 cm tall and similarly wide, they will feel like a deliberate pair. What you want to avoid is one table significantly taller or larger than the other, which would not only look odd but also be less practical for one side of the bed. Keep both tables within a few centimeters of the same height, even if they differ in design. Also, having roughly the same depth/width will ensure one side doesn’t feel more cramped than the other. As long as the bedside tables share a similar scale and visual weight, your bed will still feel balanced. You can then enjoy the fun of having two different pieces – say, a small round side table on one side and a two-drawer nightstand on the other – without sacrificing functionality or aesthetics.
- Matching the Bed: What about the bedside table matching the bed frame or headboard? This is not a hard rule either. It can look lovely if the tables are in the same wood tone or style as your bed – for example, a walnut bed with mid-century nightstands in the same color. But contrast can work well too (like an upholstered fabric bed with mirrored glass nightstands for a glam touch). Focus more on matching the proportion of the bed rather than the exact materials. A heavy, grand bed might pair well with substantial nightstands, whereas a light, minimal bedframe might look best with sleek, open-legged tables. As long as the size is right, you have leeway to get creative with the design.
In summary, your bedside tables don’t have to be twins, but they should be friendly siblings. Consistency in height and appropriate size relative to the bed will keep the overall look harmonious, even if the pieces differ in style.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Choosing Bedside Table Size
We’ve covered the dos—now for some don’ts! When selecting the size of your +, watch out for these common mistakes:
- Mistake 1: Ignoring height alignment. A nightstand that’s too tall or too low compared to your bed can make everyday life awkward. If it’s too low, you’ll strain to reach down for things, and if it’s too high, you risk knocking items over, and it just feels disproportionate. Always measure and aim for that mattress-level height range we discussed.
- Mistake 2: Choosing a table that’s too large for the space. People sometimes fall in love with a chunky bedside cabinet with tons of storage, only to find it barely fits next to the bed. If it’s too wide, it can block access or make your room feel cramped. Make sure there’s enough clearance around it – ideally, at least half a meter of walkway beside or at the foot of your bed. Similarly, an overly deep table might stick out past the bed or cover a floor vent, etc. Measure your room and bed placement before buying.
- Mistake 3: Going too small or skimpy. The opposite can happen, too – a table that’s undersized for your bed. Tiny nightstands can look cute, but if you can’t fit a lamp or your book on it, it’s not very functional. Visually, a very small table next to a big bed can appear out of scale, almost like it’s an afterthought. Don’t be afraid to use a wider nightstand (or even a small dresser as a nightstand) for a king or queen bed, so it fills the space nicely and provides enough surface area.
- Mistake 4: Not considering your needs (functionality). Size isn’t just about fitting the room, it’s about fitting your stuff. Think about what you like to keep by your bedside. If you have a CPAP machine, a pile of novels, or lots of gadgets, you might need a larger table or one with shelves/drawers. If you only have a glass of water and your phone, a slimmer design will do. Choosing a stylish but tiny table with no storage, when you actually needed drawers, is a mistake in sizing for your lifestyle. The best solution is often to strike a balance: a moderately sized table with at least one drawer can suit most people’s needs.
Finally, remember to observe the ergonomics of your setup. After placing your bedside tables, test them out: lie on your bed and pretend to turn off an alarm or grab something from the tabletop. Is it smooth and easy? Or did you have to twist and reach uncomfortably? Adjust placement or height (if possible) to fine-tune the convenience. Sometimes, even shifting a table a couple of centimeters closer or further from the bed, or adjusting the lamp position, can improve your experience.
Conclusion: Finding the Perfect Bedside Table Size
Choosing the right bedside table size is a blend of practicality, comfort, and style. By now, we’ve learned that the ideal bedside table height is roughly equal to your mattress height (around 60 cm for many Australian beds) so that everything is within arm’s reach. We’ve also seen how keeping your nightstand’s width proportional to your bed (wider tables for king beds, narrower for single beds, etc.) maintains visual balance in the room. Don’t forget to consider depth and space around the table – a piece that fits snugly and leaves room to move will make your bedroom feel open and relaxing.
Ultimately, there’s some flexibility in these guidelines to account for personal preference. Maybe you like your table a tad higher so you never spill your coffee, or you prefer a smaller table to force yourself to avoid clutter. That’s okay! Use the rules as a starting point and adjust to what feels best for you. Just keep the core principle in mind: your bedside table should serve you (making your nightly routine easy and comfortable) and suit your bed (complementing its size and style).
With these tips in hand, you’re ready to find your Goldilocks “just right” nightstand. No more guessing “How tall should my bedside table be?” – you know the answer, plus how wide, how deep, and why it all matters. Here’s to a perfectly proportioned bedroom setup that looks great and works beautifully for your needs. Sweet dreams!
