A bedside table might seem like a small choice, but getting the height, size or storage wrong can throw off your whole bedroom. If you've reached for a glass of water at 2 am and been unable to reach, you'll know the feeling.
So, how tall should a bedside table be? This guide answers that and more, walking you through how to choose a bedside table that actually works with your bed, your room, and your routine.
Key Takeaways
- Match your bedside table height to your mattress top, usually within 5 cm
- Scale width and depth to your bed size and floor space
- Pick drawers, open shelves or both based on what you use at night
- Keep pieces proportional to the bed for a balanced look
- Measure and plan your layout before buying
How Tall Should a Bedside Table Be?
The first rule in our bedside table buying guide is simple: the top of your bedside table should sit roughly level with the top of your mattress, or no more than 5 cm below. For most Australian bed frames, this puts your ideal bedside table height between 55 cm and 70 cm.
Too low, and you’re fumbling for your phone in the dark. Too high, and lifting a book on and off feels awkward. Mattresses in Australia average 25-36cm thick, so measure your made-up bed (not just the frame) before deciding how tall your bedside table should be.
Choosing the Right Bedside Table Size
Width and depth should suit both your bed and the space around it. Queen and king beds carry a wider table well (around 50-60 cm), while single or king single frames look neater with something slimmer (40-45 cm).
Leave at least 5-10 cm between the table and the bed so drawers open freely and bedding doesn’t snag.
How Much Storage Do You Need?
To determine your storage needs, consider what you keep on your bedside table each night. Your storage options fall into three types:
- Drawers: Hide chargers, books, and medication for a clean top
- Open Shelves: Lighter visually and easy to access
- Combination: One drawer with a shelf above or below it
If you’re still unsure on how to choose a bedside table with appropriate storage for your needs, start with at least one drawer. You’ll appreciate tucking cables out of sight.
Matching Your Bedside Table to Your Bed
Your bedside table doesn’t need to match your bed perfectly, but it should feel part of the same family. They should share a timber tone, a colour palette, or similar hardware. A matching pair on either side of the bed creates balance and symmetry. If you’re still deciding on a bed frame, our guide on selecting a perfect bed frame is a great starting point.
Space and Layout Considerations
Measure the gap between your bed, the walls, and the nearest wardrobe or door. Leave room to walk past comfortably and pull drawers open fully. In compact bedrooms, a slim table or wall-mounted shelf frees up floor space. For more tips, check out our Maximise Small Spaces: Bedroom Furniture blog post.
What to Avoid
A few things we see often that people end up regretting include:
- Choosing a height that doesn’t match the mattress, especially with platform frames
- Going oversized in a smaller room
- Underestimating storage needs
- Not leaving walking space
Most come down to the same lesson: measure twice, buy once.
Choosing the Right Bedside Table for Your Needs
When using our bedside table buying guide to find an option you'll still love in five years, four things matter most:
- Height: Aligned with your mattress
- Size: Proportional to the bed and room
- Storage: Drawers, shelves, or both
- Style: Cohesive with the rest of your bedroom
If you're furnishing a full room, browse matching pieces for a cohesive look. Our bedroom storage and dressers with mirrors pair beautifully with our bedside tables.
Find the Right Bedside Table at A2Z Furniture
Ready to choose yours? Browse the full range of bedside tables at A2Z Furniture, all held in stock at our Queensland warehouse, with fast delivery and flexible payment options. Drop into one of our showrooms or shop online to find the right fit for your bedroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size bedside table is best for a small room?
Slim designs around 40-45 cm wide work best in smaller bedrooms, ideally with a single drawer or open-shelf style to keep the look light.
When working out how to choose a bedside table for a tight space, also check the clearance between the bed and the nearest wall or wardrobe; you want room to walk past comfortably and open drawers fully without bumping the bed.
Should bedside tables be higher than the bed?
Ideally no. The surface should sit level with your mattress or a few centimetres below, so reaching for water, a lamp switch, or your phone feels natural. More than 5 cm above the mattress, and you’re lifting items on and off at an awkward angle.
This is one of the most common mistakes people make when skipping the step of measuring how tall a bedside table should be for their specific bed.
Do bedside tables need drawers?
Not always, though most people find having one drawer useful for storing chargers, medication, and anything else you’d rather keep out of sight. Open shelves suit minimalists who like quick access to items, while combination designs offer the best of both.
Can you have only one bedside table?
Single bed setups, studio apartments, and layouts where one side of the bed sits against a wall often work better with just one. A matching pair creates symmetry in a shared master bedroom, but no rule says you need two; it comes down to how you use the space.