Bedside Drawers

As a general guide, the top of your bedside table should be level with the top of your mattress, or within a few centimetres of it. For most standard beds this falls between 55cm and 65cm. The aim is to be able to reach items easily from a lying position.

A 2 drawer bedside cabinet is the most practical choice for most people, giving you one accessible drawer for everyday items and a second for things you want stored away. If you prefer a cleaner look, a 1 drawer unit works well. A 3 drawer unit suits anyone who wants more storage capacity at the bedside.

Matching bedside tables on either side of a bed creates a symmetrical, coordinated look that suits most bedroom styles. That said, mixing complementary units - the same finish but different sizes, for example - is a popular contemporary approach. What matters most is that both units work with the bed frame and other furniture in the room.

The terms are used interchangeably in UK furniture retail. A bedside cabinet typically implies a unit with at least one drawer or door for enclosed storage, while a bedside table can refer to an open unit without storage. In practice, most products described as either will include at least one drawer.

Yes, a compact 2 or 3 drawer chest can work well as a bedside unit in larger bedrooms, particularly if you need more storage than a standard bedside cabinet provides. Check the height aligns with your mattress level and that the unit isn't too deep for the space beside your bed.