Our nightstands are the first thing we reach for when we wake up and where we place down belongings while half asleep. So they easily descend into clutter chaos piled hight with notebooks, earplugs, pillow sprays, and to-be-reads.
A curated and stylish bedside table will improve the overall aesthetic of the space and make your bedroom feel calmer.
We turned to interior designers and professional home organizers to find out which items not to store on your nightstand, so you can avoid common nightstand mistakes and make your bedroom into a serene and inviting place to rest your head.
Items not to store on your nightstand
Professional organizer Kim Jones (opens in new tab), from Lock and Key Home, says that the only things we should keep on our nightstands are items that make us happy and items that help us sleep better. 'Anything that doesn't fall into that bucket should be kicked out immediately!' she says.
1. Clutter of any kind
Even if we're not conscious of it, our things talk to us. Clutter can be an unhelpful reminder of jobs we need to do, which we certainly don't need right before bedtime. Kellie Burke (opens in new tab), an interior designer, says nightstands should be simple and clean.
'Clutter causes chaos,' she says, 'and when you are finally ready to settle into your bed to relax and rejuvenate your mind and body from the day, you should not be wrought with reminders of tasks to be done.' She recommends decluttering your nightstand and adding a few essentials: a beautiful lamp (with a plug-in dimmer, at Amazon (opens in new tab)) a lavender-scented candle or aroma, and a tray to hold your glasses and if necessary your cell phone.
Kellie Burke (opens in new tab) is a luxury interior designer serving Connecticut, Boston, Palm Beach, Rhode Island, and Malibu for over 26 years. Using a blend of contemporary features and classic elements, Kellie and her team at Kellie Burke Interiors deliver a unique style that brings back the importance and reverence for the ‘estate’ and expresses their clients’ personal style and story.
2. Your cell phone
We all know that blue light affects our ability to sleep, and if you often end up scrolling late at night, we'd recommend investing in a sunrise alarm clock, at Amazon (opens in new tab), so there's no need to keep a phone handy. If you prefer to keep your phone nearby in case of an emergency, find bedside furniture that will conceal it.
Jennifer Carter (opens in new tab), the lead designer at Studio Envie says 'if you must keep your phone in the room, find one of the nightstands with an outlet in the drawer so you can charge it and keep it out of sight.' Like Kellie, Jennifer also feels bedrooms should be sanctuaries that promote true relaxation, so if things are feeling cluttered, consider if you could rework your current bedroom storage ideas so less is left out on surfaces.
Jennifer says nightstands should be kept as simple as possible and suggests displaying fresh or dried lavender, a small live plant, or other greenery.
Jennifer (opens in new tab) is the principal and lead designer at Studio Envie and has over a decade of experience in design. She studied Interior Design at Parsons, The New School, and leads Studio Envie’s offices from New Jersey.
This nightstand has a mid-century modern feel and hidden power outlets and USB ports for charging devices without sacrificing bedside style.
This eye-catching nightstand has been crafted by hand, with embossed metal and a subtle shine. Its curves and nature-inspired pattern contribute to a soothing bedside.
This nightstand has a fluted mango veneer and has an art deco-inspired design.
3. Food
Breakfast in bed sounds nice, but can get a little messy, says Denise Clifford (opens in new tab) a professional organizer at Dee-cluttered. 'Try to avoid the crumbs by keeping food out of your bedroom, off of your nightstand, and in the kitchen where it belongs. Eating before bed also contributes to poor sleep, indigestion, and slowing your metabolism.'
Charlie Victor (opens in new tab), a Destin-based interior designer and decorator agrees: 'aside from the fact that spills can happen (and nobody wants to wake up to a sticky mess), it's not the most hygienic place to store edibles. Keep snacks and drinks in the kitchen or dining area where they belong.'
4. Your laptop and other electronics
Designers advise against keeping electronics beside you while you sleep, so try placing your laptop in another room. This will discourage you from late-night browsing or watching a series and keeps ugly chargers out of the way.
'Not only can the blue light emitted from these devices interfere with your sleep quality, but it's also not the most aesthetically pleasing sight to wake up to,' says Charlie Victor, a Destin-based interior designer and decorator. 'Instead, try charging your devices in a separate room or invest in a charging station, at Amazon (opens in new tab) that you can keep in a drawer.'
Keeping electronics out of our bedrooms is one of the best ways to help you get to sleep fast.
5. Paperwork
Kim Jones from Lock and Key Home recalls seeing clients' nightstands covered with bills and other paperwork. 'This is usually one of the last areas you see before dozing off and I am not sure if anyone can have a peaceful sleep knowing there are bills stacked up next to them,' she comments. 'So eliminate anything stressful in your bedroom at all.'
FAQs
What should you keep in your nightstand?
Style a nightstand so it's stylish and functional, with items you'll likely need when heading to bed and waking up. Professional organizer Amy Trager (opens in new tab) suggests an alarm clock, a lamp, a book, and some last-minute bedtime beauty products such as hand lotion or lip balm.
You may also like to keep a notebook by your bed to clear your mind before bed, as well as a pillow spray and a mask to block out light.
A rule of thumb to follow is to clear out anything that you don't use while in bed. Professional organizer Amy Trager makes the point that for many of us, settling into bed and waking up in the morning can be a difficult process for all kinds of reasons.
What we can do is make it as pleasant as possible. 'If some of the items that have collected bedside over time really have nowhere else to go, consider storing them elsewhere in the bedroom,' she says, 'like a multipurpose drawer in a dresser or basket in the closet. Otherwise, relegate to where those items usually are used.'
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