Purchasing a bedside table: design, functionality, and comfort for your bedroom
A bedside table is far more than just a small piece of furniture next to the bed – it is a daily companion that combines display space, storage and lighting, and plays a key role in shaping the overall look of your bedroom. At Möbel Ehrmann, you’ll find a carefully curated product range of bedside tables in a variety of materials, sizes and styles – from classic freestanding models to floating designs and delicate bedside consoles. Our interior design consultants will offer you personalised support in finding the right model for you, one that complements your bed, the size of your room and your lifestyle.
The perfect bedside table for your bedroom
A good bedside table fulfils several purposes at once in everyday life: it holds the reading lamp, the alarm clock and a glass of water; its drawers or compartments house glasses, a book and charging cables; and it ensures that everything you need is within easy reach. The ideal height is based on the top edge of your mattress. As a rule of thumb, the top edge of the bedside table should be roughly level with the mattress or no more than two to five centimetres above it. This allows you to reach a glass of water or your smartphone comfortably whilst lying down, without having to stretch.
Width and depth also play a role. Narrow bedside tables with a width of between 30 and 40 centimetres are suitable for small bedrooms or narrow bed alcoves, whilst classic models are usually between 45 and 55 centimetres wide. If you need plenty of storage space, you can also opt for a bedside table with several drawers or a closed compartment. In our furniture stores in the Palatinate, Baden and Trier, you can compare the different dimensions side by side – a service that an online-only purchase cannot offer in this way.
Bedside tables by material: wood, metal and more
The material determines not only the look, but also the feel and durability of your new bedside table. At Möbel Ehrmann, we stock models made from solid wood, veneered wood-based materials, lacquered surfaces, as well as combinations with metal and glass. Each material has its own advantages – which option suits you best depends primarily on your interior design style and your maintenance habits.
Wooden bedside table
A wooden bedside table brings natural warmth to the bedroom and harmonises particularly well with bed frames made from the same material. Solid wood bedside tables made from oak, beech, heartwood beech or wild oak are robust, durable and develop a beautiful patina over the years. Veneered models are slightly lighter, look almost identical and are generally more affordable. Wooden furniture should be wiped down regularly with a dry or slightly damp cloth and protected from direct sunlight to ensure the colour remains as even as possible.
Bedside table in white and coloured lacquer
A white bedside table is particularly versatile: it has a friendly, bright appearance and suits both Scandinavian-style minimalist bedrooms and country-house or vintage interiors. Lacquered surfaces are resistant to light splashes and can be easily cleaned with a soft cloth. In addition to white, we also offer models in muted shades such as anthracite, sage or sand beige – colours that blend well into modern bedroom schemes.
Metal bedside table
A metal bedside table It adds clean, graphic accents and can be a good choice if you prefer an industrial, modern or minimalist style. Powder-coated steel frames are scratch-resistant and durable, whilst models with brass or black steel accents look more elegante and sophisticated. Metal frames are often paired with tops in wood, glass or a marble-effect finish – this creates compelling material contrasts that give a bedroom a cosy vibe without appearing cluttered.
Designs: Floating bedside tables and freestanding models
In terms of design, bedside tables differ primarily in how they are positioned or secured within the room. Free-standing models with four legs or a closed body are the classic variant and can be placed flexibly anywhere in the room. They can be moved around easily and are ideal if you like to rearrange your bedroom regularly.
A floating bedside table is mounted directly onto the wall, giving it a particularly light and modern look. The floor remains clear, which makes cleaning easier and makes small rooms appear larger. When installing, ensure the wall is strong enough to support the unit – solid walls made of concrete or masonry are suitable for most models; for plasterboard walls, we recommend using special cavity wall plugs or screwing the unit directly into the studs. Our in-house installation teams, which do not include any third-party contractors, will handle the professional installation at your place upon request.
Small bedside tables for narrow rooms
A small bedside table is the perfect solution for compact layouts, narrow bed alcoves or attic bedrooms. Models measuring between 30 and 40 centimetres in width provide space for the essentials – a lamp, a book, a glass of water – whilst taking up hardly any room. Round bedside tables or bedside consoles with slender legs also create a more airy feel in small rooms than angular, solid-bodied furniture.
Style guide: Vintage, modern and timeless
The style and character of a bedside table should complement the rest of your interior. At Möbel Ehrmann, you’ll find models that can be integrated into a wide variety of interior design schemes.
A vintage-style bedside table can be a good choice if you value details full of character: curved legs, metal drawer knobs, slightly textured surfaces or a chalky-looking finish create a nostalgic charm that combines well with modern beds. Such stylistic contrasts often create a more interesting look than a bedroom with a completely uniform style. If you prefer a cleaner, more minimalist look, we also offer purist models with smooth fronts, handle-less drawers and simple wooden finishes – designs that will still feel contemporary in years to come.
For lovers of high-quality materials, we also stock bedside tables from the premium range of our brand partners. Anyone wishing to experience the full range is warmly welcome to visit our showrooms – a glance at our brand portfolio page will give you a first impression.
Side table in the bedroom: an alternative to the classic bedside table
It doesn’t always have to be a traditional bedside table. A side table in the bedroom can be just as suitable a solution, especially if you need little or no storage space and instead prefer a look that is as light and open as possible. Side tables are often narrower, lower or rounder in design than traditional bedside tables and can also be used flexibly outside the bedroom – in the living room next to an armchair, in the hallway or as a shelf next to a sideboard.
If you want to combine the best of both worlds, pair a classic bedside table with drawers for essentials on one side of the bed with a lighter side table on the other – perhaps for a vase, a book or a pretty table lamp. Our Tables and Side Tables category offers further inspiration, where you can discover models in various sizes and shapes.
Caring for and maintaining the value of your bedside table
To ensure you can enjoy your new bedside table for many years to come, it’s worth following a simple, regular care routine. For wooden surfaces, you should wipe them regularly with a soft, dry or only slightly damp cloth, working in the direction of the grain. Avoid using harsh cleaning products, as well as microfibre cloths with a rough surface, which can damage the delicate varnish layers.
Lacquered and veneered surfaces can tolerate slight moisture but should not be left wet for long periods. It is best to place glasses or cups on a coaster to avoid rings and water marks. Metal frames can be dusted with a dry cloth; a soft spectacle cleaning cloth can be used as needed to restore shine to glossy surfaces. You can find a more detailed overview of bedroom care and sleep quality in our ‘Sleep Quality’ section.
Personal advice in our furniture stores
The best way to find out which bedside table suits your bed, your mattress height and your room layout is to visit us in person. In our showrooms, you can test the drawer mechanisms, feel the materials and compare different heights. As a family-run business with over 30 years’ experience in the furniture trade, we prioritise consultative selling. If you’d like to get an idea in advance, you’ll find all our furniture stores in the Palatinate, Baden and Trier listed on our store locator.
We’re also happy to discuss affordable financing options with you in person if required – this makes it possible to plan and carry out even larger bedroom projects. Be inspired and discover the wide range of bedside tables at Möbel Ehrmann – we’ll be happy to advise you and look forward to your visit.
Frequently asked questions about bedside tables
What height should a bedside table be?
The top edge of the bedside table should be roughly level with the mattress or no more than two to five centimetres above it. For a mattress height of 50 centimetres, a bedside table with a total height of 50 to 55 centimetres is therefore suitable. This ensures that your lamp, glasses and water glass are conveniently within reach.
What is the difference between a bedside table, a bedside cabinet and a bedside console?
The terms are often used interchangeably. A bedside cabinet usually refers to a closed unit with drawers or doors and a comparatively large amount of storage space. The bedside console is generally more open, more delicate in design and has a stronger stylistic character. The bedside table is the umbrella term – it can encompass both types.
Which bedside table is suitable for small bedrooms?
For small rooms, narrow models with a width of between 30 and 40 centimetres are ideal. Floating, wall-mounted bedside tables are also a good option, as they leave the floor clear and make the room feel more airy. Round bedside tables and bedside consoles with slender legs can also save space.
How do I look after a wooden bedside table properly?
Wooden surfaces should be wiped regularly with a soft, dry or only slightly damp cloth, following the grain. Harsh cleaning agents are not recommended. It is best to place glasses on a coaster to avoid water marks, and protect the furniture from direct, prolonged sunlight to ensure the colour remains as even as possible.