11 Creative and Thrifty Ideas for Bedside Tables

Bedside tables are the landing pad for so many of our things — cell phones, books, tissues and reading glasses, to name a few. And yet the tables themselves are rarely as varied as the stuff that goes on them. Why are we so engineered to accept a generic design of four legs and a tabletop for our bedside? This is one area of your bedroom that’s full of potential for expressing unique character. And few things pack more personality than one-of-a-kind repurposed items. So here are 11 pieces you can repurpose to create statement-making bedside tables that are sure to awaken your sleepy head.

1. Antique shipping crates. Shipping crates paired with cinder blocks and lumber are a memory for many as makeshift college furniture. However, this crate is casual and cool. The vibrant advertisement against the bright red wood floor provides the majority of color in this otherwise fairly neutral bedroom.


2. Industrial stools. XOJY used an old doctor’s stool to fit in a tight space between the bed and a built-in storage unit in a 620-square-foot San Francisco studio apartment.


3. Antique sewing machines. That antique sewing machine that may be hiding in your attic or garage can be put to good use at your bedside. It’s also a great opportunity to showcase a long-forgotten family treasure. The filigree of the metal base also adds visual interest and especially complements rustic bedrooms, like the one shown here, but also traditional and edgier contemporary bedrooms.


4. Vintage luggage. Vintage suitcases make a spectacular bedside table when stacked atop one another. The height can be varied by adding or subtracting pieces, and the luggage can also double as storage for infrequently used items. Here a handsome trio of leather suitcases combined with houndstooth-patterned throw pillows, a sisal area rug and antique car illustrations gives this room the strong and confident look of a bygone era.


Painting dissimilar pieces of luggage a solid color unifies any color or material differences and makes their shapes appear more pronounced. The two white suitcases here create a carefree bedside table in an Australian beach-themed bedroom.


5. Tool chests. A Craftsman tool chest is possibly the most durable bedside table option. Its steel construction, glossy red enamel finish, multiple drawers for storage and heavy-duty casters are defining characteristics. It’s also one of the few bedside tables that locks.


6. Desks. Multitasking as a writing surface as well as a beside table, a desk is another way to save space while accommodating different needs. As most desk surfaces are about 29 inches high, they make for a higher-than-average bedside table surface.


7. Architectural details. Salvaged architectural details can make lovely bedside tables. Here a lone but intricately carved wood corbel has been wall mounted underneath a window to provide a small bedside surface. While its grayish patina and form are stunning, the angled shape may also prevent some bangs and bumps in the middle of the night. As these pieces tend to be heavy, make sure there is adequate support behind the wall surface before installation.


8. Wooden folding chairs. Folding wood chairs create an excellent bedside table and can double as seating if needed. Because they’re usually compact, folding chairs are especially useful in small bedrooms. The light green chair is a charming addition to this sweet bedroom. Not happy with the color of your existing chair? Milk or chalk paint allows for an easy color change in easygoing, pastoral hues.


9. Miscellaneous tables. For this farmhouse designer Heide Hendricks selected a small, rustic table to serve as a bedside table. It’s a perfect fit for the simple beauty of this spare, Shaker-esque bedroom.


A turquoise antique medical table adds a touch of history to complement this rustic bed, which was made from pallets. An industrial wheeled base allows maneuverability.


10. Hanging tables. These creative bedside table are made of galvanized steel sheet metal and hung from the ceiling at two different levels. The tables playfully reference children’s swings in this Texas farmhouse bedroom shared by two sisters.


11. Bicycle wheels. Perhaps the epitome of upcycling, this bicycle wheel makes a sporty, fun bedside table. Isreali designers Marie Chen Hanan and Gil Hanan say their wheel table design makes use of an old leg from a hospital machine. Meanwhile, the glass tabletop is a bit smaller than the tire, allowing the rubber to serve as a natural bumper.

When using glass as a tabletop, be sure the glass is tempered, also known as toughened. Tempered glass is about five times stronger than regular glass, and if broken, it will fall in small, chunky pieces versus sharp shards.

More: 32 Creative Ideas for Your Nightstand

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