How Far Should A Nightstand Be From The Bed?

A nightstand is a small low table designed to stand beside your bed. It is a great piece of furniture that will not only make your bedroom look good but will hold crucial items that you use frequently. 

A nightstand is also equipped with drawers that you can use to store your items safely.

So, if you’ve just purchased a nightstand and want to know how far it should be from your bed, here’s a quick, straightforward answer:

A nightstand should be placed at least 2-3 inches from a bed. This distance is comfortable and convenient to use. The closer the nightstand is to the bed, the easier it is to reach for commonly used items.

Of course, this is just a general rule but you can personalize the nightstand according to your needs.

 If you need the nightstand to be situated farther, this should be fine. As long as you can easily grab what you need or turn the lamp off without stretching too far, you’re good to go.

In this article, we’ll dive a bit deeper into how far your nightstand should be from the bed, factors to consider when choosing a distance, and a few common questions you may have.

The Exact Distance a Nightstand Should Be From the Bed

The distance between a nightstand and the bed should be between 2-3 inches. 

The reason why most people buy nightstands is that they want to store items that they use frequently like an alarm clock, a glass of water, a cell phone, and much more. 

It is therefore recommended that you keep your nightstand close to your bed. Ideally, a nightstand should be within arm’s reach when you are lying on your bed. 

This piece of furniture should be close enough to help you grab a glass of water from the comfort of your bed but far enough not to knock your head while sleeping.

Factors That Determine How Far A Nightstand Should Be From the Bed

Size of the room 

One crucial factor that determines how far your nightstand should be from your bed is the size of your room. If you have limited space in your room, then you have no choice but to place the nightstand very close to your bed.

On the other hand, if your bedroom has a lot of space, then the space between them can be a bit wider, provided it is within your arm’s reach.

How frequently you use the nightstand 

Another very important factor that should influence how far your nightstand is from your bed is how frequently you use it. Nightstands are purchased for different purposes.

Some people purchase them for decoration purposes while others buy them to store items that they use frequently.

If your nightstand is for decoration purposes, then it can be far away from your bed.

However, if you are planning to use it to store items that you use frequently like your alarm clock or glass of water, then the distance between it and your bed should be close for easy access.

The height of your bed 

The average height of a bed is between 24- 26 inches tall while the average high of a nightstand ranges between 25 and 28 inches.

Ideally, the best height for a nightstand should be the same as the height of your mattress. Unfortunately, that is not often the case.

If your nightstand height is higher than your mattress, then it should be a little far from the bed (3 inches).

On the other hand, if the height of the nightstand is lower than your mattress, then you should keep your nightstand close to your bed (1-2 inches).

Read also: Should Nightstands Be Taller Than The Bed?

Other Essential Questions You May Have

Is it really necessary to leave a space between the nightstand and your bed?

YES! It is very important to leave a space between the nightstand and your bed. Failure to do so will increase the risk of knocking your head on the nightstand at night when turning. Additionally, having your nightstand too close to your bed will also make it difficult to make your bed.

How many nightstands should I have?

The number of nightstands to have in your bedroom largely depends on your personal preference. Some people prefer having only one nightstand while others prefer having two.

If you have a spouse, then it is recommended that you have two nightstands.

This way, each partner will have ample space to store what they like and also have easy access to them when they need it.

Having two nightstands in your bedroom is also ideal for people who want to maintain overall symmetry.

Two nightstands will make the bedroom look more attractive and balanced. It will also increase your storage space.

See also: Do Nightstand Lamps Need To Match? (Answered)

What should I display on my nightstand?

Decorating a nightstand is easy and fun but the main thing you should keep in mind is that less is more. A nightstand should have only the essentials or items that will increase its appeal to avoid the display from looking cluttered and messy.

The best items that go on a nightstand are a lamp, a small flower vase or pot plant, a few books, a tray, a picture frame, and a personal item or two. You don’t need to have all these items displayed on your nightstand but you can pick and choose. 

Recommended read: What Do You Put On Your Nightstand? (8 Popular Items)

Nightstand Alternatives

If you’re thinking about having a different style of the nightstand, there are alternatives you can consider.

It’s always good to have this in the back of your mind when decorating a room as you may find a better-suited option that will make your room look even better.

Some of the best things you can use instead of a nightstand include:

A chair /stool/table

Using a stool or a chair will add a unique appeal and aesthetic to your bedroom.

It can serve the same purpose as a nightstand and you may not even need to purchase an expensive nightstand if you already have a chair that is suitable.

This alternative is also a fun way to add a personal charm to your space. 

If you’d like to have a similar table like the one above, grab this one over here on Amazon.

You could always paint the top half of the legs white to match the exact look.

Freestanding nightstand

If you want to completely do away with a typical nightstand that takes up too much space next to your bed, there is a freestanding nightstand that latches onto the side of your bed.

This is a great way to necessities like your devices, bottle of water, pills, or sleeping mask. 

For those who prefer to go with this more creative and unique option, the same rule regarding distance should apply. 

Floating shelf

For a modern and contemporary look, installing a floating shelf next to your bed is a great option.

You could even get one with a drawer to store your essentials but this is ideal for small bedrooms if you want to free up floor space.

The great thing about a floating shelf is that you can have them right next to the bed and installed according to your preferred height or keep it a wide distance. 

Bookcase

Place a small bookcase next to the bed as a creative nightstand. In the bookcase, you can have the collection of your favorite reads with easy access before bed while the top of the bookcase can be used as a normal nightstand would. 

Bottom Line 

If you have been debating how far your nightstand should be from the bed, we hope this article has answered your question. 

To reiterate, the recommended distance between a nightstand and a bed is between 2 and 3 inches. 

However, if your nightstand is purely for decoration purposes, then the distance between them can be a bit longer.

The distance may vary from person to person but you can definitely try this recommended length and see what works best for you.