A bed side table design looks like a small decision until you knock a glass over at 2 am because the table was too low. Height, width and what it holds matter more than the style. Get those three right and almost any look works.
The 12 pictures below cover attached tables built into the headboard, floating wall units, drawer boxes and simple stools. After the gallery there is a height table, a material comparison and notes for your carpenter, including when to skip side tables altogether.
Planning the full room? Start at our bedroom layout hub, or see complete bed furniture sets where the side tables come matched.
Bed Design with Side Table Attached to the Headboard
Attached side tables are fixed to the bed frame or headboard, so they never drift and the floor below stays clear for mopping.
- SizeDouble 48 x 75 in
- BuildPly, walnut laminate
- StorageHydraulic lift
The tables jut out from the headboard with no legs, so a robot mop or broom passes underneath. A neat double bed with side table design for small rooms.
Tell your carpenterBack the cantilever with a steel angle inside the headboard so the table does not dip under weight.
- SizeKing 72 x 78 in
- BuildTeak veneer, matte PU
- StorageHydraulic lift
Inside each console: one drawer, plus an open cubby for books. The headboard and tables are one long unit, which suits a master room.
Tell your carpenterMake the whole unit 10 to 12 ft long and split it in three parts so it fits through the door.
- SizeQueen 60 x 78 in
- BuildGrey fabric, oak tops
- StorageBox with lift-up top
Upholstered wings on either side end in small wooden tops. The fabric bed stays soft while the tables stay wipeable.
Tell your carpenterCap the tables with solid oak or laminate so tea spills never reach the fabric.
Modern Bed Side Table Design: Floating and Wall-Mounted
Floating side tables are fixed to the wall, not the bed. They suit modern rooms and make the floor look bigger.
- SizeQueen 60 x 75 in
- BuildPly, light oak laminate
- StorageHydraulic lift
A single drawer box fixed to the wall at mattress height is all most people need. Easy to clean under and very light to look at.
Tell your carpenterFix with concealed heavy brackets into brick, not just wall plugs in plaster.
- SizeKing 72 x 78 in
- BuildPly, fluted laminate
- StorageHydraulic lift
The side tables are recesses in a panelled headboard wall with a warm strip light on top. Great for reading without a lamp.
Tell your carpenterAsk for a 6 in deep niche and a switch inside reach of the pillow.
- SizeDouble 48 x 78 in
- BuildPly, black matte laminate
- Storage2 side drawers
Thin ledges with pendant lights above them free the tabletop completely. A clean look for a modern bed design with side table space.
Tell your carpenterDrop the pendants to about 20 in above the ledge and use warm white bulbs.
Bed Side Drawer Design and Bed Side Box Units
Drawers and boxes hide clutter: chargers, medicines, glasses and books. A bed side box design with two drawers holds a surprising amount.
- SizeQueen 60 x 78 in
- BuildSheesham, walnut polish
- StorageNone, open legs
Two drawers on short tapered legs is the classic pair. Sheesham takes daily knocks well and the polish can be touched up.
Tell your carpenterOrder drawer fronts with finger grooves instead of knobs so they do not catch sheets.
- SizeDouble 48 x 75 in
- BuildPly, teak laminate
- StorageSide boxes
The side boxes sit on the same plinth as the bed, so the whole unit looks like one piece. Common in carpenter-made bed sets.
Tell your carpenterKeep the box tops 1 to 2 in below the mattress top for easy reach.
- SizeKing 72 x 78 in
- BuildPly, white matte laminate
- StorageHydraulic lift
Taller chests suit a high bed with a thick mattress. Three drawers keep folded clothes too, so a small wardrobe can do.
Tell your carpenterMatch the chest top to the mattress top, usually 24 to 26 in for a high bed.
Unique Bed Side Table Design: Stools, Round Tables and Cane
Not every bed needs a box. These lighter pieces suit small rooms, rental flats and anyone who likes to move things around.
- SizeQueen 60 x 75 in
- BuildMango wood, natural oil
- StorageNone, open legs
A solid wood stool doubles as a side table and an extra seat. It suits low beds where a full table would look too tall.
Tell your carpenterPick a stool 16 to 18 in high for a low bed and seal the top against water rings.
- SizeKing 72 x 78 in
- BuildBlush velvet, ply base
- StorageHydraulic lift
Round white marble tops on brass legs add a touch of luxury next to a velvet bed. They are light enough to move when cleaning.
Tell your carpenterAsk for a sealed marble top so oil and perfume do not stain it.
- SizeDouble 48 x 75 in
- BuildRubberwood, cane panel
- StorageBox with lift-up top
When one side of the bed touches the wall, a single side table is enough. A cane table keeps the corner light and airy.
Tell your carpenterPlace the single table on the side you get in from, with a socket fixed just above it.
Side Table for Bed Design: Height and Size Table
The top of a bed side table should match the mattress top or sit up to 2 in below it. Measure your bed after the mattress is on.
| Bed type | Mattress top height | Side table height | Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low or floor bed | 12 to 16 in | 12 to 16 in | 14 to 18 in |
| Standard box bed | 20 to 22 in | 19 to 22 in | 16 to 20 in |
| High bed, thick mattress | 24 to 26 in | 22 to 26 in | 18 to 22 in |
Depth of 14 to 16 in is enough for a lamp, phone and water bottle. Keep the table no deeper than the space between bed and wall walkway allows.
Materials for Side Tables Compared
| Material | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Solid wood (teak, sheesham) | Long life, repairs easily | Water rings without a sealed top |
| Ply with laminate | Matching the bed, low upkeep | Edge band peeling near the floor |
| Marble or stone top | Heat and spill proof | Heavy, can stain with oil |
| Cane or rattan | Light look, airy rooms | Dust in the weave, sagging |
| MS metal frame | Slim modern look | Rust without powder coating |
What to Tell the Carpenter, and When to Skip Side Tables
- Give the finished mattress height, not the frame height.
- Ask for a cable hole at the back of each table for chargers.
- For attached tables, ask for steel support inside the headboard.
- Put sockets and the light switch at table height, about 2 ft from the floor.
A bed design without side table units works in very narrow rooms. Use a headboard with a built-in shelf, as on our head box bed page, or a wall ledge above the bed.
Questions people ask
What is the right height for a bed side table?
Level with the top of the mattress or up to 2 in lower. For a standard box bed this is about 20 to 22 in from the floor.
Is a bed with side table attached better than separate tables?
Attached tables never move and leave the floor clear, which helps cleaning. Separate tables are easier to replace and to rearrange. In small rooms, attached or floating units usually win.
Can I have a bed design with one side table only?
Yes. If one side of the bed is against a wall, one table on the open side is enough. Add a wall shelf on the other side if needed.
Which is the latest bed design with side table units?
Long headboard walls with built-in consoles, lit niches in panelled walls and floating drawer shelves are popular right now. For lighting ideas see beds with lights.
What size bed table design works for a king bed?
Go wider, around 20 to 22 in, so the table looks in proportion with the 72 in wide mattress. Keep the height level with the mattress.
Are bed side stools a good idea?
A solid stool works well beside a low bed and as an extra seat. It holds less than a drawer table, so add a wall shelf for books.