Bedside Tables

A bedside table should sit at roughly the same height as the top of your mattress, typically between 55cm and 65cm for most standard beds. This makes it easy to reach items from a lying position without stretching. If you use a thick mattress topper, measure the total mattress height including the topper before choosing a table height.

The terms are used interchangeably in UK furniture retail. A bedside cabinet typically implies a unit with enclosed storage such as a drawer or door, while a bedside table can refer to any small table placed beside a bed. In practice most products described as either will include at least one drawer.

Matching bedside tables on either side of a bed creates a symmetrical, coordinated look that suits most bedroom styles. That said, using complementary rather than identical units is a popular contemporary approach. What matters most is that both units work with the bed frame and other furniture in the room, particularly the chest of drawers if you have one.

A standard bedside table is typically between 45cm and 60cm wide and 40cm to 50cm deep. For a king size bed with generous space either side, a wider table of 55cm to 60cm looks well-proportioned. For a single bed or a room with limited space, a compact unit of 40cm to 45cm wide is a better fit.

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