Your bedside table is that handy little place in the bedroom where everything you need is at arm’s reach. These days, bedside table designs are as varied as the items that are placed on them. We’ve curated a selection of fun and unique ideas that will not only save you paying for a designer price tag, but ramp up your bedroom style all in one move.
1. Eclectic Tables
Scour your local flea market or jump on gumtree.com and you’re bound to find an assortment of small side tables, going for a song. Everything from pre-loved vintage pieces to wrought iron designs and rustic style tables can be found. Sometimes all they need is a lick of paint and a good eye for decorating, and they’ll make your bedside manner wonderfully unique!
2. Vintage Suitcases
Vintage luggage stacked on top of each other, makes a handsome alternative to the standard bedside table. Vary the height by adding or subtracting pieces to suit. The cases also allow you to store bits and pieces out of the way. The result - a quaint and carefree look from a bygone era.
3. Antique Crates
No longer just a temporary fix for Uni students, antique wooden crates are making a big style statement in bedrooms and living spaces all over. Stacked or paired with bricks and timber, they add a dash of industrial cool to both contemporary and classic decor. With their nostalgic timber appeal and ample storage space, antique crate tables area a winning combination that is both funky and functional.
4. Tool Boxes
You can’t get much more durable than a workers tool box for a quirky bedside table idea. They’re steel constructed and come complete with multiple drawers for excellent storage. Choose from the range of glossy enamel coated colours they come in at your hardware store. What’s more, they have heavy-duty castor wheels, making them easy to re-position anytime you need.
5. Antique Sewing Machines
Don’t let grandma throw away her old sewing machine gathering dust in storage! Instead, put to good use as a beautiful bedside table. Antique sewing machines with filigree metal bases are a historical treasure, plus they add visual interest to any style of bedroom. It’s also a wonderful way to showcase a treasured family heirloom.
6. Folding Cafe Chairs
Wooden or metal folding chairs create an excellent bedside table and they also double as extra seating. Compact in size, they’re great for small bedrooms or people who need to keep their furniture light (think tenants in share accommodation, students living away from home and holiday visa residents). You’ll find second-hand timber or metal folding chairs at garage sales and second-hand markets. Rub on some pastel paint and they’re instantly transformed into cute shabby chic piece. Alternatively, investing in a brand new version will give you a more stylised country look.