Bedside Cabinets: Small Furniture, Big Impact

The bedside cabinet is the piece of furniture you use first thing in the morning and last thing at night. It holds your lamp, phone, glass of water and the book you have been meaning to finish since August. Because it is small it is easy to pick on looks alone, but a few measurements make the difference between one that works and one that annoys you.

Getting the height right

The most important measurement is height. The top of a bedside cabinet should sit roughly level with the top of your mattress, or a few centimetres either side. Too low and you are reaching down in the dark. Too high and you knock things off when you sit up.

Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress, not the top of the bed frame. A deep mattress or a mattress topper can add more height than you might think, and ottoman and divan beds often sit higher than a standard frame. Then compare that figure with the height on the product page of each cabinet.

Width, depth and the space beside the bed

Next, measure the space between the side of the bed and the wall or wardrobe. Leave enough room to get in and out of bed comfortably, and check that any wardrobe or door beside it can still open fully.

• Width. In a small room a narrow cabinet stops the space feeling cramped. In a larger room a wider cabinet balances a big bed and headboard.
• Depth. A cabinet that is too deep sticks out past the headboard and gets in the way of your legs. Shallow designs suit tight spaces.
• Drawer direction. Make sure drawers open towards you, with room in front of them, not into the side of the bed.

If floor space is very tight, a wall-mounted bedside is worth a look. Our bedside cabinets collection includes wall-mounted pairs that leave the floor clear, which also makes the room feel bigger and easier to vacuum.

How much storage do you need

Bedside cabinets come in a few common layouts. Here is how they compare:

Think about cables too. A cabinet with an open shelf or a gap at the back makes it easier to run a charger and lamp lead without having them dangle across the front.

Matching, pairing and mixing

A pair of matching bedsides either side of a double bed gives a calm, balanced look. Several of our ranges sell bedsides as a pair, which is often simpler than buying two separately. If you buy single cabinets, check that the two finishes match exactly, since the same range can come in more than one colour.

Matching does not have to mean identical. Many people pick bedsides from the same range as their wardrobe and chest of drawers, so the room feels joined up. If you want everything in one go, our bedroom sets bring the pieces together. If your bed sits in a corner with space on only one side, a small table from our lamp and side tables range can stand in for a bedside on the other.

A few final tips:

• Choose a lamp with a base that fits the top of the cabinet with room to spare for a phone and a drink.
• Put felt pads under the feet on hard floors so the cabinet does not scrape when you open a drawer.
• Keep the top clear of clutter. A small tray for jewellery and keys does wonders.
• In a child's room, choose a cabinet with rounded edges or a low height, and keep heavy lamps away from the edge.
• If you read in bed, a wall light or a tall lamp frees up space on the top for books and a drink.

For help with the rest of the room, read our guides to choosing a wardrobe and dressing tables. Delivery is free to England, Wales and most of Scotland and usually takes 1 to 2 weeks.