A nightstand aka night table is a small piece of furniture, which may be in the form of a cabinet or table, commonly placed beside or near the bed. Contemporary nightstands include drawers or shelves, and in rare models, a small door. Nightstands are used to keep objects that a person needs to have handy while in bed such as reading glasses, mobile phones, a glass of water, book, tissues, or medicine.
What was the Initial Function of the Nightstand?
Prior to the invention of in-house toilets, the nightstand functioned as storage for the chamber pot. The earliest nightstand then included a small cabinet, a drawer, and lower storage closed off by doors to house the chamber pot. The nightstand was sometimes called a commode during that time.
What are Common Types of Nightstands?
The main categories of nightstands according to function are:
- Bedside chest- consisting of two to three drawers with a flat top
- Bedside cabinet- provides more storage compared to a bedside chest featuring doors to house bigger objects
- Bedside table- usually only features a flat top and base, used more as design furniture
- “Smart” nightstand- modern nightstands with USB ports, outlets, Bluetooth speakers, and wireless charging pads. Some “smart” nightstands even feature white noise machines, motion-activated night lights, and refrigerated drawers.
Go to LA Furniture Store for a wide selection of modern Nightstands.
What are Nightstand Designs to Choose From?
Popular nightstand designs to choose from are:
- Baroque or Louis XIV- thick, heavyset nightstands with claw feet that feature detailed carvings and painted designs
- Rococo or Louis XV- characterized by curved, S-shaped legs which may or may not have drawers and a built-in cabinet
- Bombe or Bombay Chest- takes some features from the Baroque and Rococo designs, this nightstand provides significant drawer storage and comes in a tasteful curved form
- French Provincial- have more natural hardware with scalloped edges and curving stands
- Chippendale- typically made of mahogany, this type of nightstand is more conventional but grand in value
- Shaker- a simplistic and minimalist design classically having only one drawer and lengthy legs
- Modern Mid-Century- focuses on form and utility using natural materials and earthy hues. Modern mid-century nightstands have generous storage and sleek lines with various colors to choose from.
- Art Deco- features a lacquer finish, lustrous metals, and special ornaments such as jade, ivory, and onyx. Marquetry and parquetry are also common in art deco nightstands.
- Contemporary- is in common with modern mid-century in featuring a minimalist and clean design but makes use of metal, glass, and concrete-based materials. The contemporary design is also typically bolder than the modern mid-century.
- Vintage, Retro, or Antique
