7 tips for choosing a bedside table

A watch, a phone, a book, glasses, a cream, a framed photograph, a glass of water, a pen and a crossword puzzle - these and other little things are conveniently stored in the bedside table. It serves as an integral part of the bedroom, has a decorative and purely functional value. Someone needs it just to put a smartphone and put a cup of coffee, someone decides to store bedding and sleepwear in it - for different requirements manufacturers have created countless options, and they differ not only in size and equipment, but also in color, style and material. How to choose a bedside table when your eyes literally run up?

No. 1. Bedside table size

Clear choice of bedside table size helps clear definition of a scenario for its use adjusted for bedroom area. If this piece of furniture is supposed to be used only as a stand for lamp and a mobile gadget, and the bedroom is not large in size, you can opt for a compact nightstand or even a bedside table. When the area of ​​the bedroom allows and there is a need to store bedclothes and clothes in the nightstand, the choice falls in the direction of roomy models with a mass of drawers.

Regardless of what functions are assigned to the bedside table, it should respond basic ergonomic requirementsto use it was really convenient:

• height - the most important parameter of the bedside table. If it is high, it will block the view of the room, and from a too low curbstone it is easy to knock over a glass of water. Perfect option - bedside table. Firstly, this makes the bedroom symmetrical and balanced, and secondly, it is in this case that the bedside table will be most convenient to use;
• width selected according to bed options. If we are talking about a standard double or single bed, then a bedside table with a width of 50 cm or less is perfect. Near huge bed a small cabinet will look inharmonious, therefore, in these cases, choose models with a width of 50-100 cm;
• depth it is selected depending on the usage scenario, but it is advisable not to purchase models where this parameter exceeds 50 cm, since they can complicate access to the bedroom.

In the first place when choosing the optimal parameters for the bedside table principle of proportionality with the bed. If the latter has a massive headboard and looks solid, then the cabinets should not be light and airy.

No. 2. Bedside table material

An equally important parameter when choosing a bedside table is the material of manufacture, and here the market pleases us with a sufficient variety:

• tree - the most environmentally friendly material, which has an enviable durability, strength, has a warm surface, retains a pleasant aroma. Such a piece of furniture will serve faithfully for more than a dozen years. The tree is plastic and pliable, so often the cabinets are decorated with beautiful carved patterns. The disadvantage of wooden products is their high price, but it can vary considerably depending on wood species. Products from oak, birch, beech, ash, mahogany will cost much cheaper than similar ones from pine. This is explained by the lack of strength of the latter.Pine is a soft breed, so over time screw connections can become loose, causing deformation of the product;
• MDF cabinet It will cost much cheaper, but it’s difficult to call it natural. Make MDF board from wood chips, urea resins act as a binder, which allows us to talk about the environmental friendliness of products and the almost complete absence of formaldehyde emission. On top of the plate can be painted, veneered with a thin cut of valuable wood or laminated with a film that allows you to simulate any kind of material - the range is huge. In terms of price and quality, this is one of the best options for today;
• chipboard cabinets must be used with great care. Resins are used for the production of particleboard, which during operation can emit toxic formaldehyde. It is important to look at the emission level in the furniture documentation: for operation in the bedroom, it must be E0 or E1. The main advantage is the low price;
• combined optionwhen the frame is metal or wooden, and the finish is made of glass, mirror, plastic or forging. The combination of materials allows you to create exclusive models that can truly decorate the bedroom, but you should not forget about functionality;

  

  

  

  
  
• if hunting makes the bedroom even more sophisticated, you can choose leather upholstered cabinet. Such products look impressive, in case of accidental impact it is difficult to get an injury, and even in operation they are practical.

No. 3. Bedside table design

Design, like size, selected depending on the use case of the cabinet. If it is necessary for placing lamps and glasses on it, then a neat bedside table without doors and drawers will be enough. Those who are accustomed to storing a thousand and one trifles near the bed, it is better to choose a model with closed shelves so that the many necessary things do not create a sense of chaos in the bedroom.

pay attention to hanging tables. They, like their floor counterparts, can be supplied with a different number of drawers and shelves, only from 10 to 50 cm of space separates them from the floor surface. This makes the bedside table lighter and weightless, and the bedroom - the original. You will feel the advantages of a suspended model when you drop something and you can easily find it, because you don’t have to lie down on the floor, shine a flashlight and scour in search of a fallen object. Under the cabinet, you can place a beautiful basket or box for storing little things.

In the most small bedrooms the bedside table can be replaced bedside shelf (or shelves). It will be possible to place on them only the necessities and make sure that there is no mess.

In small bedrooms it is rational to use combined furniture. For example, a bedside table can simultaneously serve as a spacious roomy chest of drawersgo smoothly into cupboard or rack. Moreover, in one subject you can combine the functions of a bedside table, toilet and desktop. To ensure sufficient comfort at work, the table should be of appropriate height, and to maintain balance and proportionality, you will have to take care of a higher bed. To avoid incidents, it’s better, of course, pick up all the furniture to think through every detail together in advance in the bedroom interior.

Number 4. Cabinet shape

The shape of the bedside table can be one of the following:

• square or rectangular - The classic and most common option. Such a model is appropriate in any bedroom and in almost any style of interior, functional, practical and universal;
• corner pedestal great for small bedrooms and allows you to take the maximum from corners that often remain idle;
• round and oval the cabinets look spectacular, but you cannot call them universal.Such products will not fit into any bedroom, but will become an integral part of the Art Nouveau interior;
• non-standard options. Curbstones in the form of a chest or a pyramid, broken, with a lot of bends and with unusual shapes - this is more a decorative decoration of a bedroom than a functional thing, but they look really impressive.

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  
  

No. 5. Style and design of bedside tables

If a few years ago, designers strongly recommended choosing a bedside table exclusively in the same style as the head of the bed, today they allow a mixture of styles, but within a reasonable, naturally. Universal option there are glass, gray and glossy white cabinets that can be successfully fit into any interior style.

The style of the curbstone is selected depending on the general decor of the bedroom:

• minimalism involves the use of products of simple geometric shapes without decor and frills. The stand can be made of wood, but do not have carving elements and be painted in the same color. Mounted models are great. Glass may also be used as the material. Preferred colors: black, white, shades of gray and milk;
• high tech also implies the clarity of forms and the absence of all kinds of curls. Pedestals with chrome elements, metal frames and glass countertops are perfect;
• classic style involves the use of wooden cabinets with carved elements. Models made in antique style will look harmonious, massive squat pedestals, as well as leather upholstered products. Preferred colors are calm light and dark shades;
• baroque - These are curved shapes, curved facades, ornate legs, an abundance of decor. As a material, valuable wood species are used, sometimes forged;
• country style involves the use of simple massive pedestals preferably made of wood or its imitation, dark colors held in high esteem;
• Scandinavian style - These are white simple cabinets made of wood or its "substitutes." The less decorative elements there are, the better;
• for style bedroom provence bedside tables made of wood in pastel shades, possibly with a worn effect, are suitable. You can use bedside tables in "skirts", i.e. with fabric curtains, which, if desired, can be easily replaced, thereby updating the interior;
• modern involves the use of stands of unusual shapes and made of non-standard materials, such as leather.

No. 6. Bedside table color

There are no rules for choosing the right color for the cabinet - there are only some recommendations and typical color schemesthat will achieve the best result:

• the color of the cabinet is selected in the color of the head of the bed - a classic and time-tested technique, and the performance materials may be different;
• the exact opposite of traditional reception - contrasting the color of the cabinet to the color of the head. For example, white cabinets are selected under the black head, brown under the beige, etc .;
• the color of the cabinets is similar to other furniture in the bedroom (except for the bed);
• the color of the pedestals can be matched to the color gender, the walls or the door;
• stand fits into the general color scheme of the bedroomif only one color is selected, for example, beige or gray;
• bedside table can serve as color accent and not be combined with any other piece of furniture, but in trying to create an extravagant bedroom it is important not to cross the line and not get a complete bad taste.

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  
  

Number 7. Fittings and equipment

During the external inspection of the bedside table, check the quality of the handles, guide boxes, hinges and other accessories. Nothing should creak, opening should be as easy as possible, the door should not stagger, and the entire cabinet should be stable and durable.

As for equippingthen in addition to standard shelves and drawers, which can be open and closed, the cabinet can be equipped turntableincreasing its usable area. There are models with adjustable legs - such products are indispensable for bedrooms with uneven floor. If it will be necessary to move the cabinet when cleaning or moving it, pay attention to the models on wheels.

Finally, note that on the sides of the double bed do not have to be the same pedestals: they can be different in height, material of execution and design, and wall mirrors, photos or paintings located at the same height or lamps of different sizes will help to balance them. Moreover, it is not necessary to look for a bedside table only in the bedroom furniture department - can use poufs, coffee tables and even interesting chairs, mini stepladders, stools, stairs, flower stands and other similar items.