How to buy a bedside cabinet

They’re the unsung heroes of our bedrooms – taking care all those night-time essentials we need close to hand so that we don’t have to get out of our warm beds in the middle of the night. Except if we need the toilet, of course. And they even used to take care of that. The bedside cabinet’s original function was to house a chamber pot. But now they come in all shapes, sizes and configurations to suit a variety of uses.

Where to start

Think about what you are going to use it for: is it just somewhere to put a lamp and your night-time read or do you need a bit of extra storage for pills, notepad and pens or TV remotes? Will you need one for each side of the bed? Would an open shelf be more useful than a cabinet with drawers? Do you want it to match your existing bedroom furniture or make a style statement of its own?

What are my choices?

Generally, bedside cabinets come with several drawers or a single drawer with an open shelf. But there are a wide variety of styles both contemporary and traditional to choose from including painted versions and ultra-simple open versions with no shelves or drawers. And who says you can’t have a different style on each side of the bed?

Things to consider

A tape measure is your friend when it comes to buying any furniture. It can you save you time, money and unnecessary hassle.

Check the height of the cabinet you want to buy. Too high and it’s not easy to reach for things you need, especially if it’s dark. Too low and the light from the lamp may be too distracting when you’re trying to read.
Measure the gap between the bed and the wall so you know how wide a cabinet you need to buy. And to check you’ve got room for one each side if that’s what you want.
Measure the height of your bed so you know how high the cabinet is going to be when it’s next to your bed. A good rule of thumb is to match the top of your cabinet with the top of your mattress.

Styles and finishes

Choose between the natural warmth, strength and character of oak, the value and versatility of solid pine, the bright freshness of painted furniture, or the exotic appeal of sheesham wood.

The ageless beauty and durability of oak can bring many benefits. It adds timeless rustic character, will last a lifetime, looks better as it ages and works well in almost any décor.

Pine is perfect for those on a budget. It’s full of natural character, practical, sustainable and can be made into a huge range of stunning furniture and then stained and varnished or lacquered to suit.

Painted furniture can help create an atmosphere of relaxation in your bedroom. It adds brightness and character and will suit both traditional and modern decors.

If you want to add some exotic touches to your bedroom then consider pieces made from sheesham wood. It’s a strong Indian hardwood, handcrafted into beautiful furniture that will last for decades.

Alternatives

Maybe you want to try something a little bit different from the traditional cabinet. You’ll find some great inspiration in this article 30 Original Alternatives to a Common Bedside Table

How to care for your bedside cabinet

With a small amount of regular care, your bedside cabinet will be in business for years.

Keep it clean and protected with high quality beeswax. This nourishes the wood and ensures the rich grain is always shown at its best.
Wipe spills with a damp cloth then finish off with a dry cloth
Keep your cabinet away from direct sunlight to avoid fading and colour changes.
Don’t put you furniture near a radiator as the variations in temperature can cause joints and veneers to split or weaken
Don’t put your hot bedtime drink directly onto the surface as it may leave permanent marks.