Large Bedside Table Guide: Space, Storage & Style
Key Takeaways
- A large bedside table usually measures between 65–75 cm in width, 40–50 cm in depth, and 50–65 cm in height.
- It provides 30–50% more surface and storage space compared to standard nightstands.
- The additional space allows the bedside table to serve as both a decorative accent and practical family storage.
Table of Contents
- Why a Large Bedside Table Matters in Family Bedrooms
- Measuring Your Space: Getting the Proportions Right
- Storage Solutions That Actually Work for Family Life
- Design That Suits Your Family's Aesthetic
- Craftsmanship: What "Made to Order" Actually Means
- Comparing Large Bedside Tables: Key Considerations
- Styling Your Large Bedside Table Without Overwhelm
- Care and Longevity: Making Your Table Last
- Making the Investment: Why Quality Matters Now
- Natural Wood Finishes: Choosing What Works
- Maximising Your Wide Bedside Drawers
- Future-Proofing Your Bedside Table Choice
Why a Large Bedside Table Matters in Family Bedrooms
A large bedside table typically measures 65–75 cm wide, 40–50 cm deep, and 50–65 cm tall, offering 30–50% more surface and storage than standard nightstands. This extra space transforms your bedside from decorative accent to hardworking family storage.
A large bedside table isn't just furniture; it's breathing space in a busy family bedroom. When you're juggling bedtime routines, late-night feeds, or simply need somewhere to land your phone, keys, and that half-finished cup of tea, a well-designed bedside table becomes genuinely essential.
The generous dimensions transform your nightstand from a cramped surface into a proper storage solution. Space for a lamp, water glass, book, baby monitor, and, let's be honest, those forgotten items that somehow migrate there nightly. Unlike flimsy alternatives, a quality large bedside table built by skilled joiners holds up to family life's daily demands without wobbling or developing that telltale chipboard smell.
For families seeking even more adaptable bedroom solutions, kids furniture options can complement your bedside storage and help keep the entire room organised.
Measuring Your Space: Getting the Proportions Right
Before ordering, understand how a large bedside table will sit in your actual bedroom. This isn't about trends; it's about whether the piece works for your space and your family's habits.
Key Measurements to Take
Bed height to nightstand height: Your bedside table should align with your mattress top (or sit 5–10 cm above) for easy reach. Measure from floor to mattress, then compare to table height specifications.
Width proportion: For a king bed, a table 65–75 cm wide feels balanced; for a queen, 55–67 cm works well. Floor-to-wall clearance: Measure the gap between your bed frame and wall where the table sits. Account for drawer swing space, you need at least 30 cm clearance for smooth operation.
If you're considering a larger bed, you may also find this guide on the king bed helpful for proportion planning.
Adapting Large Tables to Smaller Bedrooms
A large bedside table doesn't mean cramped rooms, if positioned thoughtfully. Tables with open lower shelving feel less bulky than fully enclosed designs by keeping floor space visible. Our expert joiners can craft custom dimensions that maintain valuable storage while fitting your exact space, slightly narrower or shallower than standard "large" options when needed.
Storage Solutions That Actually Work for Family Life
Storage isn't just about fitting things in; it's about keeping your bedroom calm and functional when life is anything but.
Drawer Configurations for Different Needs
Large bedside tables offer flexible drawer options. A two-drawer design gives dedicated space: one for personal items (reading glasses, phone charger, medications), one for soft goods (sleep masks, spare socks, the occasional forgotten snack wrapper). Some families prefer one deep drawer plus a shallow shelf, perfect for lamp placement and book storage.
Soft-close drawer mechanisms, a detail our workshops include, mean no more 3 a.m. crashes when reaching for the baby monitor. They're a small feature that transforms daily life.
Open Shelving vs. Enclosed Storage
Lower open shelves create display space or accommodate baskets for blankets and extra bedding, brilliant for families needing quick access to sleep essentials. Enclosed storage keeps clutter hidden, maintaining that calm bedroom aesthetic when you're exhausted and need peaceful surroundings. The best wide bedside table with drawers combines both: drawers for private items, open shelving for frequently used bedding or decorative storage.
For even more clever storage ideas, explore kids storage solutions that can help keep bedrooms tidy and functional for every family member.
Design That Suits Your Family's Aesthetic
A large bedside table should feel intentional, not like it's overtaken your room. Design matters because you're living with this piece every single day.
Style Options That Grow With Your Family
Scandinavian simplicity: Clean lines, light wood finishes, minimal hardware. Perfect for calm, uncluttered spaces. Contemporary with warmth: Mid-century influence through tapered legs, soft curves, perhaps subtle fluted drawer fronts. Soft contemporary: Rounded edges and gentle details like scalloped drawer fronts add personality without feeling fussy, ideal for families wanting character without compromise.
For inspiration on different bedside table shapes, you might enjoy this article about the round bedside table and how it can complement various design styles.
Finishes and Colour Customization
Our joiners work with FSC-approved wood, offering natural wood bedside table finishes that showcase beautiful grain, plus painted options in curated colour palettes. Satin finishes feel warm and lived-in; they're also practical for hiding fingerprints. Each table is made to order by skilled artisans, meaning finishes are applied with genuine care, no mass-produced shortcuts or nasty chemical smells.
Craftsmanship: What "Made to Order" Actually Means
At Roomix, "made to order" means something specific: your large bedside table is built after you order it, by skilled joiners in expert workshops, to your exact specifications.
Why This Matters for Durability
Mass-produced furniture sits in warehouses, then ships globally. Made-to-order pieces are built when needed, using quality materials selected for the job. Our joiners hand-finish each drawer, ensure soft-close mechanisms operate smoothly, and inspect every detail before shipping.
This approach means your large bedside table won't wobble after six months or develop vague chipboard smells. It's built to handle family life's wear and tear, occasional bumps, the weight of a toddler climbing up to reach something, daily drawer operation without degrading hardware.
Customization Built Into the Process
Because each table is made to order, customization isn't an afterthought, it's built into the process. Need the table 5 cm narrower to fit your space? Different drawer configuration? A specific colour or finish? Our joiners adapt designs for reasonable additional fees, ensuring the final piece fits your home and family's needs perfectly.
Comparing Large Bedside Tables: Key Considerations
When evaluating wide bedside drawers and large table options, consider these essential dimensions that matter for family life:
| Feature | What Matters for Families | Roomix Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Material Quality | FSC-approved wood resists damage better than particleboard; holds up to daily use and cleanings | Solid hardwood construction with responsible sourcing |
| Drawer Mechanism | Soft-close drawers prevent nighttime crashes and protect small fingers | Premium soft-close hardware fitted by expert joiners |
| Finish Durability | Satin finishes hide fingerprints; high-gloss shows everything but cleans easily | Hand-applied finishes with no nasty chemicals |
| Customization Options | Made-to-order allows dimension, drawer, and finish adjustments | Full customization through skilled workshop network |
| Assembly Requirements | Ready-to-use pieces save time; flat-pack alternatives often feel flimsy | Delivered fully assembled and ready to use |
What sets Roomix apart: our tables are built to order by skilled joiners, not manufactured in bulk. This means genuine customization, quality hardwoods, and finishes applied with care, not shortcuts that compromise durability or safety.
If you want to explore more options for custom shelving and storage, take a look at our custom shelves collection for flexible solutions throughout your home.
Styling Your Large Bedside Table Without Overwhelm
A large surface area can feel like permission to pile everything on it. Here's how to keep it functional and calm.
The Essential Items Rule
Start with what you genuinely need within arm's reach at night: a lamp, water glass, perhaps a book or reading device. That's your foundation. Everything else lives in drawers or on the lower shelf. This prevents the low bed side table syndrome where everything ends up stacked precariously.
Layering for Visual Calm
Height variation: A table lamp on one side, a stack of three books on the other. Avoid flat, cluttered appearances by creating subtle levels. Negative space: Leave at least 40% of the surface clear, this isn't wasted space; it's what makes the room feel peaceful. Hidden storage: Keep a basket on the lower shelf for extra blankets or items that don't belong on the surface.
Care and Longevity: Making Your Table Last
A quality large bedside table is designed to last years, potentially decades, if treated thoughtfully.
Daily care: Wipe surfaces with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Dry immediately to prevent water marks. Use coasters for drinks; water rings are permanent on some finishes. Avoid harsh chemicals, a tiny amount of wood oil on a soft cloth maintains natural finishes beautifully.
For more advice on choosing the right materials, see our guide to bedside cabinet wood and how it affects care and longevity.
Drawer maintenance: Soft-close mechanisms work best when kept clean. Occasionally vacuum dust from drawer tracks. Don't overload drawers; even quality hardware has limits, and respecting them ensures smooth operation for years.
Making the Investment: Why Quality Matters Now
Choosing a large bedside table made by skilled joiners feels like an investment because it is one. But here's what matters: you're buying a piece that will serve your family through multiple bedroom iterations, from toddler years through teenage years and beyond.
A cheap alternative might save £100 upfront but will likely need replacing within 3–5 years. A quality handmade table, with proper care, becomes part of your home's foundation. It's not luxury; it's practical, honest value. Your bedroom deserves furniture that works as hard as you do.
For a full overview of all available options, browse our all products collection to find the perfect fit for your space.
Natural Wood Finishes: Choosing What Works
A natural wood bedside table brings warmth and character that painted finishes can't replicate. The grain patterns tell a story, and each piece develops its own personality over time.
Wood Types That Handle Family Life
Oak offers exceptional durability with distinctive grain patterns that hide minor scratches beautifully. Ash provides lighter tones with subtle grain variation, perfect for Scandinavian-inspired bedrooms. Walnut delivers rich, chocolate tones that deepen with age, creating an heirloom quality piece.
Our joiners work exclusively with FSC-approved hardwoods, ensuring responsible sourcing without compromising quality. Each species responds differently to daily wear: oak develops a gentle patina, ash maintains its fresh appearance, walnut becomes richer and more lustrous.
Protective Finishes That Actually Protect
Natural doesn't mean unprotected. Our workshops apply hard-wearing satin finishes that resist water rings and everyday wear while preserving the wood's natural texture. Unlike mass-produced alternatives that use synthetic coatings, our finishes penetrate the wood fibres, creating lasting protection without that plastic feel.
Maintenance remains simple: occasional dusting and yearly conditioning with quality wood oil keeps the finish supple and protective for decades.
Maximising Your Wide Bedside Drawers
The beauty of wide bedside drawers lies not just in their capacity, but in how thoughtfully you organise that space. A 70cm wide drawer can hold surprising amounts while remaining functional.
Internal Organisation That Actually Works
Drawer dividers transform chaos into calm. Create designated zones: one section for your items, one for your partner's essentials. Small boxes or custom inserts keep charging cables separate from reading glasses, medications away from jewellery.
The key insight: organise by frequency of use, not by category. Items you reach for nightly belong in the front third of the drawer. Everything else can live towards the back, still accessible but not cluttering your evening routine.
Our soft-close drawer mechanisms handle the weight of well-organised storage without strain, maintaining smooth operation even when drawers are sensibly loaded with family essentials.
Future-Proofing Your Bedside Table Choice
Your large bedside table needs to adapt as your family evolves. What works for toddler years must still function when those children become teenagers with different storage needs.
Design Elements That Evolve
Choose pieces with flexible storage rather than highly specific features. Open lower shelves accommodate everything from picture books to teenage electronics. Deep drawers that currently hold baby monitors can later store school supplies or hobby materials.
Neutral finishes age gracefully through decorating phases. That soft sage green or warm oak will complement changing bedroom schemes better than trend-specific colours that might feel dated in five years.
The Long-Term Investment Perspective
Quality handmade furniture appreciates in both durability and emotional value. Children grow up seeing craftsmanship, understanding that some things are built to last. This isn't just furniture; it's modelling thoughtful consumption and respect for skilled trades.
Made-to-order pieces from Roomix carry our commitment to lasting quality. If your needs change dramatically, our joiners can often modify existing pieces, adding hardware, refinishing surfaces, or adapting configurations, extending the furniture's useful life rather than requiring replacement.
Your bedroom deserves furniture that grows with your family, maintaining both function and beauty through every stage of home life. That's the difference between buying furniture and investing in your family's daily comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the typical dimensions of a large bedside table and how do they compare to standard nightstands?
A large bedside table usually measures between 65–75 cm wide, 40–50 cm deep, and 50–65 cm tall. This size offers 30–50% more surface and storage space compared to standard nightstands, making it a more practical option for busy family bedrooms.
How can I ensure a large bedside table fits well in my bedroom without making the space feel cramped?
Measure the space carefully, including the gap between your bed frame and wall, and allow at least 30 cm clearance for drawer operation. Choose a table width that balances with your bed size, 65–75 cm wide for a king bed or 55–67 cm for a queen, to keep proportions comfortable and functional.
What storage options do large bedside tables offer to accommodate family needs effectively?
Large bedside tables provide generous surface area plus spacious drawers or shelves, perfect for storing bedtime essentials like books, baby monitors, or chargers. This extra storage helps keep clutter at bay while supporting the varied needs of family life.
Why is it important to match the height of a bedside table to the mattress, and how do I measure for the right fit?
Matching the bedside table height to your mattress top (or slightly above by 5–10 cm) ensures easy reach without strain. Measure from the floor to the mattress surface, then compare this to the table height to find the most comfortable fit for your bedroom routine.
