Nightstand Swap & Round-Up

Nightstand Swap & Decorating Tip

Ummmm....ick!

Yep, that was my initial reaction to the new nightstands I put in our master bedroom. At first I was not happy with the swap. The description said "antique white" so I expected them to be a cream or off-white finish. Instead they are a basic white.

Secondly, they just felt really different. In fact, I didn't even put the second nightstand together because I thought I might return it.

So I slept on it.

Then…the next morning I stepped back and looked again. It felt better.

I decided to live with it for a few days and reassess. Guess what? I put the second one together, and now I really like them!

Ultimately, I really appreciate how much brighter these nightstands make this wall feel. The white finish doesn't bother me in end because I like mixing white and cream.

This is a key re-decorating tip that I try to caution all my clients about! You might have an initial dislike to something new. It could feel uncomfortable or jarring. But often this feeling is your mind and body reacting to the change.

Allow for a period of adjustment. You have to let your eyes assimilate the new shape and color, and your body has to physically adjust to the feel.

So if you try something new in your space, don’t immediately make a decision on your gut reaction. Let it marinate and come back to it. That new piece of furniture, art, or decor just might work after all.

The Challenge of Nightstands

You have to be particular about your nightstands. Not only do they need to look good, but they also have to meet your functional needs and they need to be the right height and width in relation to your bed.

In general, I recommend a nightstand that is even with the top of your mattress or 1-3 inches above it. The width of the nightstand needs to balance out the width of your bed. A good rule of thumb:

• Twin 17 - 20 inches
• Queen 20-26 inches
• King 24 inches +

You should carefully consider the way a nightstand relates to the headboard design. Generally, I like to use the opportunity to create contrast. For example, if you have an upholstered headboard, I would choose a wood finish on the stand.

Certainly, this also depends on the other elements and finishes in your bedroom. I don't think the nightstands have to match, but if you have a lot of eclectic furniture in the space already, matching nightstands might be a nice way to coordinate the space.

I decided to bring in white nightstands because this wall felt dark and a bit drab. The dressers in the space are a dark mahogany, and I wanted something to just blend in -- feel simple and understated.

Here is my round-up of nightstands under $600!