How to Style A Bedside Table + Dresser

Home-Decor: Tips & Tricks

Marriage is the beginning of many firsts and new adventures, and home-decor is the obvious chapter within that book. As we turned the page to "a newlyweds first home" or first apartment, we embarked on many firsts - first sofa, first bed, first cookware, first many things. One of the "firsts" on my checklist was a furniture-to-refurbish. I wanted something old, something with character, and something that was in much need of some sweat and hard-work.  

I scored my very first used furniture for our apartment from a local thrift shop - adding something old to my collection of all the new items in the house. A bar cart turned side-table. (I shared the refurbished project along with the before and after results on a blog post last year.) Once you score the piece you want, it's time for the next step that brings everything together in a unified space - location + styling. 

This bar cart briefly served as a TV stand for the second bedroom. But, now I wanted to use it as a nightstand next to my bed. This cabinet's height is same as that of a dresser or chest of drawer, so it's higher than a night stand. I was in the market for a bedside table and was temporarily still using two nightstands from Walmart that cost only $10 each! My husband has already had them, and I'm using them until I can find the perfect replacement! This refurbished cabinet was a good size. It can hold my jewelry and accessories close to my closet, keeping both my closet necessities and also my nightstand essentials all in one place. So I found the cabinet a sweet spot next to my bed and replaced one of the side tables. This is how I'm currently using it in my home, and here are tips on how to style a table similar to this. These are not strict rules, but they are good guidelines to get you started on the right track.

The Purpose and Location

Bedside table + Dresser Styling

​Mount a wall decor right above your cabinet to designate the location. 
​Styling a dresser or a side-table is fairly easy with a few basic tips. The trick to creating a cohesive look is to use height, shape, form, and function. Let's start with the mark. You can use a wall decor, frames, or wall mirrors to specify the location and draw your eyes to it. The following sunburst, wall-mirror is the newest addition to our home decor and my latest HomeGoods find! I already own a few wall mirrors, so I really wasn't planning on buying another one. But, when I ran into this one, I paused (for a long time...  while debating with myself in my head) and walked away. I almost made it out of the store, but alas... it "wooed" me back to it! I have no regrets. Most of the furniture in the room had chrome finish. This table came with a gold handle that I really liked and did not want to replace, so I played with both chrome and gold tones. This wall mirror has dual colors - gold and silver. So, you see why this was the perfect piece to mark the location for my side-table + dresser.  

Add vertical dimension
​Use a night lamp to not only add height and have it serve a functional purpose, but also to give the table boost of style. I had matching bedside table lamp for both sides. However, the lamp shade was a little too large and compromising the beauty of the mirror by covering more than half of it's face. On a trip at Target, I bought a smaller table lamp. It's actually an adjustable desk light + task lamp. It's proportional to the wall mount, and complements the gold touches in the mirror and the drawer knob. It also has an adjustable neck to redirect the light to any spot, has a dimmer option, and adds polished lines and angles. I love it's marble base, which I sometimes use as a coaster for my water bottle.

Use a vase, or even a decorative pitcher, with fresh or faux flowers
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Seriously, could we add flowers in every corner of the house, please? I would if I could! ​Vases and flowers can be used to break off the straight lines and to add some color and life to the corner. I can understand that fresh floral everyday can end up costing a lot, so consider faux silk flowers as well to give you that look alike option.  

Books or collectibles - Mix-Match and Layer Up!

Don't hesitate to mix-match and layer art pieces, books, or collectibles. I wanted to keep my table clean and minimal, so I did not layer as much as I normally do. Stacked books can be used to give a vase some height. They can also add personality and character, by saying things about the people who live and share the room. A trinket tray, in clean lines, accentuates the modern vibes and adds to something otherwise contemporary. A fun, yet functional, ring holder can break the lines and more character. 

I hope you find these styling tips helpful and can use it in your own life to bring some panache! Thank you so much for visiting and your feedback is always welcome! As a decor enthusiast, I'm passionate about helping with decor, styling, and planning. If you have questions and are looking for help, feel free to contact me for consultation.

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Photography: Light and Arrow