How to Choose Bedside Tables: Height, Storage and Style for Australian Bedrooms
, by Lorna, 8 min reading time
A bedside table is one of the smallest pieces of furniture in a bedroom, yet it can make an enormous difference to how the space feels and functions. The right one keeps your everyday essentials within reach, gives a lamp a natural home and helps your bed feel thoughtfully framed.
If you are shopping for bedside tables in Australia, start with three practical questions: How high is your mattress? How much space is available beside the bed? And what do you genuinely need to store? Once those details are settled, choosing a finish and silhouette becomes much easier.
1. Start with bedside table height, not appearance
The most useful reference point is the top of your mattress, not the top of the bed frame or headboard. Measure vertically from the floor to the mattress surface, including any topper you normally use.
As a practical starting point, look for a bedside tabletop that sits roughly level with your mattress, within about 5 cm above or below. This is a guide rather than a fixed rule. The best height allows you to reach a book, lamp switch or glass of water comfortably from your usual sleeping position.
A simple height example
If your mattress surface is 58 cm above the floor, a bedside table around 53–63 cm high is a sensible range to investigate. Check exact product dimensions before ordering, particularly if you have a low platform bed or a thick mattress on a tall base.
For an upholstered bed with a generous headboard, a visually substantial bedside table may feel balanced. A low timber platform bed often looks more considered with a slimmer, lower profile.
2. Measure width and depth before choosing a design
A bedside table needs enough surface area for daily life without crowding the room. Many designs fall around 40–60 cm wide and 35–45 cm deep, but these are shopping guidelines rather than universal standards.
Before buying, measure the space between your bed and the nearest wall, wardrobe or doorway. Remember to allow room for walking, opening drawers and making the bed. If a wardrobe door swings into the area, check its full arc rather than measuring only the empty floor.
For a smaller Australian bedroom
A compact table with one drawer can be more useful than a broad cabinet with a large decorative top. Choose a shallow footprint, keep the tabletop edited and consider wall-mounted lighting to free up surface space. Where floor space is especially tight, a wall-mounted shelf may be an alternative, provided it is installed safely and can support what you intend to place on it.
For a queen or king bed
A wider bed can carry a more generous pair of bedside tables, but the tables do not need to be oversized. Look at the whole composition: bed width, headboard shape, available wall space and the scale of your lamps. Proportion matters more than matching a particular number.
3. Choose storage for the way you actually live
A beautiful bedside table should still make your evenings and mornings easier. Think about what typically collects beside your bed: glasses, a phone charger, a book, hand cream, tissues or medication.
One drawer is often enough for a calm, pared-back bedroom. It hides small items that create visual clutter while leaving a clear surface for a lamp and a book.
Two drawers may suit anyone who wants more concealed storage or shares a bedroom with limited other furniture. The extra compartment can separate frequently used items from those you reach for less often.
Open shelving can feel light and airy, although it rewards careful editing. A stack of books and a small tray may look inviting; an accumulation of cables and packaging rarely does.
Check the internal drawer space as well as the outside dimensions. A cabinet that looks generous in a photograph may offer less usable storage than expected.
4. Match materials without making everything identical
A restful bedroom does not need a perfectly matching furniture suite. A little contrast often makes a space feel more personal.
Warm minimalism and Wabi-sabi
Pair soft linen, textured upholstery and warm neutrals with a timber bedside table. A walnut-toned finish adds depth to cream, oat and taupe bedding without making the room feel busy. Keep styling simple: a lamp, a ceramic vessel and one favourite book.
Neo-Chinese influences
For a quieter interpretation of Neo-Chinese style, combine a restrained timber form with natural fabrics, subtle ceramics and a considered balance of empty space. The effect should feel composed rather than themed.
French-inspired elegance
A softly coloured bedside cabinet can work beautifully with a curved upholstered headboard, gentle symmetry and a classic bedside lamp. A tactile finish introduces interest while keeping the overall palette understated.
If your bed is timber, you can mix wood tones deliberately. Look for a shared warmth or undertone rather than trying to find an exact colour match from different materials and finishes.
5. Do bedside tables need to match?
Not necessarily. Matching tables create an easy sense of symmetry, particularly with a centred bed and two similar lamps. This can be a lovely approach in a main bedroom.
Mismatched tables can be just as successful when there is a clear visual connection. Try keeping their heights close, repeating one material or colour, or using lamps with a similar scale.
A compact drawer unit on one side and a lighter side table on the other can also suit different storage needs. The aim is balance, not perfect duplication.
6. Three bedside table styles to explore at Magico Home
If you are refining your bedroom layout, these are useful starting points from the Magico Home range. Always check each listing for the latest dimensions, finishes and options before choosing.
Walnut Ash Wood Two Drawer Bedside Table
For a bedroom built around warm timber and natural texture, the Walnut Toned Ash Wood Nightstand offers a two-drawer storage format and a timber-led look. Compare its dimensions against your mattress height and available floor space.
Elegant Modern Leather Bedside Table
If you prefer a softer, more tailored appearance, the Elegant Modern Leather Bedside Table combines a leather-upholstered exterior with two drawers. It is worth considering alongside upholstered bed frames and refined contemporary schemes.
Beige Bedside Cabinet
For a light, understated palette, the Beige Bedside Cabinet offers a soft neutral finish and concealed storage. Its restrained appearance can sit comfortably beside linen bedding, pale timber or a gently curved headboard.
Browse Magico Home bedside tables to compare styles and finishes.
7. A five-minute checklist before you order
- Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress, including any topper.
- Record the maximum width and depth that fit beside the bed.
- Check access to drawers, wardrobes, power points and walking paths.
- Decide whether you need one drawer, two drawers or open storage.
- Review the exact listing dimensions and product images, rather than relying on a styling photograph alone.
A bedside table should be easy to live with. When the height feels natural, the storage works and the finish complements your room, even a small bedroom can feel more complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high should a bedside table be compared with the bed?
Aim for a tabletop roughly level with the top of your mattress. Within about 5 cm either way is a useful starting point, but comfort and ease of reach matter most.
What is a good bedside table width for a small bedroom?
A compact width of around 35–45 cm may be worth exploring, depending on your available space and storage needs. Measure the room first, then check the exact product dimensions.
Should I buy one bedside table or two?
Two tables can create symmetry and provide storage for both sides of a shared bed. One table may be the better choice where a doorway or wardrobe makes a pair impractical.
Can I mix a walnut bedside table with an upholstered bed?
Absolutely. Warm timber can provide a pleasing contrast with cream, beige, grey or taupe upholstery. Repeat a similar undertone elsewhere in the room to help the combination feel intentional.
Are bedside tables with drawers better than open shelves?
Neither is automatically better. Drawers hide small everyday items, while open shelves can make a room feel visually lighter. Choose according to your storage needs and preferred styling.
Explore bedside tables at Magico Home and choose a piece that feels right for your room, your routines and your sense of style.
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