A bedside table should make the space beside your bed easier to use. Its height, depth and drawer access matter just as much as whether its colour matches the bed frame.
This bedside table buying guide explains what to measure and compare before choosing from our bedside tables collection.
Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress with the bed set up as you normally use it. A bedside surface close to mattress height is a useful starting point, then adjust your choice to what feels easy to reach.
A table that works beside a low bed may feel awkward beside a high frame and deep mattress. If replacing both the bed and bedside tables, calculate the expected mattress-top height before choosing the tables.
Consider the items you reach for most often. You should be able to reach a lamp switch, glasses or phone without stretching across a large gap or leaning over a sharp corner.
Measure the available floor area on each side of the bed, allowing for skirting boards, curtains, power points and the bed frame itself. There is no universal bedside-table width that suits every bedroom.
Check the full product dimensions rather than estimating from an image. Mark the footprint with removable tape and make sure it does not crowd your route into bed or block a wardrobe.
Allow extra space for drawers and doors to open. Also check that bedside tables will not block any drawers built into your bed frame.
An open shelf can keep books easy to see and reach. Drawers conceal smaller items, while a cupboard may suit taller objects. Choose the arrangement around the items you use, rather than simply the number of compartments.
Where available, compare internal drawer dimensions as well as overall cabinet size. Decorative fronts and thick framing can make usable storage smaller than expected.
Think about the tabletop too. A lamp, phone, drink and book can fill a compact surface quickly. Check the stated surface and drawer load limits, and do not assume features such as soft-close runners are included unless specified.
Look at the actual construction stated in the listing. A timber-look finish does not necessarily mean solid timber, and a glossy surface does not identify the material underneath.
Choose a finish you can maintain using the manufacturer’s care instructions. Use suitable protection beneath drinks and avoid assuming that a surface is waterproof, scratch-proof or resistant to every household cleaner.
If selecting a matching pair, confirm whether the listing is for one table or a set of two. Product photographs may show a styled bedroom with items that are sold separately.
If you want built-in charging, read the exact port and power specifications. A USB socket, wireless charging pad and mains power outlet are different features; their presence does not guarantee compatibility with every device.
Check whether an adaptor, cable or power board is included and whether your phone needs a compatible charging standard. For LED lighting, compare the controls and available settings described for that model.
Plan where cables will run so they are not trapped behind the furniture, pinched in drawers or stretched across a walkway. Follow all supplied electrical instructions.
Place the table on a suitable level surface and assemble it as instructed. Install any required anti-tip restraint with fixings suitable for your wall. Keep heavy items low and discourage climbing or standing on drawers.
Check the supplied safety information even for a compact cabinet. For further guidance, see the ACCC’s toppling furniture advice.
Browse our bedside tables, review the delivery policy, or contact us if a product detail needs clarification.
