Maximizing Bedroom Comfort: Two Nightstand or One?
The bedroom nightstand is the most private part of a home. It’s where we spend most of our time when we’re not working or studying. That’s why it deserves to be decorated. There is no steadfast rule for bedroom decoration. However, some recommendations based on professional designers’ experience can help us create a comfortable haven for sleeping and relaxing.
For example, you can add another nightstand. Just think about it. If you have two nightstands in your bedroom, your bed becomes the center of attraction. Of course, you get so many advantages from having this type of furniture if its interior design is well done.
Determining whether you need a nightstand
You should consider a few things when determining whether you need a nightstand or even two in your bedroom.
- Maintaining scale.
- Achieving symmetry.
- Managing space.
These principles will guide you in deciding where exactly a nightstand will go in your bedroom.
Do you need a nightstand?
Nightstands aren’t just for those with a reading or smartphone addiction. These handy little side tables can be a lifesaver. They’re great for storing things you need to access during the night, like a book, a water bottle, a mobile gadget charger, an electric blanket, or your cat’s favorite toy.
However, if you’re a minimalist with a clear, sleek style, a bedside table may not be as important as those who enjoy displaying figurines from faraway lands or colorful books.
How many nightstands do you need?
If you share your bed, you might benefit from having two nightstands, one on each side of the bed. Nobody wants their partner climbing over them to reach for a glass of water or even their phone. But what if you sleep alone? Then you’ll need to go back to the three guiding principles of determining if you need a nightstand.
Managing space
Space management is really important in the bedroom. This is the one room in the house where you are likely to spend most of your time, so it’s important not to be cluttered.
If you find yourself tiptoeing over furniture to get around your bedroom, it might be a good sign to get rid of some of it, including the second nightstand. On the other hand, a second nightstand can act as storage and help you lock away some of the things that clutter your bedroom, like toys, books, and personal effects.
Symmetry
Nothing is as visually appealing as symmetry. Some people are very OCD about symmetry and can’t feel comfortable in a non-symmetrical room. If you have a minimalist room with just a bed at the center and equal spaces around, you should consider having either two or no nightstands at all for symmetrical purposes. Having one nightstand in such a setting will make the room look uneven and draw attention to the side with the nightstand.
Maintaining scale
You could try to use smaller nightstands to save space, but if they are too small compared to the bed, you will not be maintaining scale. Nightstands should be proportional to the size of the bed to ensure the design doesn’t look off.
Benefits of having two nightstands
There are several ways your bedroom can benefit from having a second nightstand.
Extra storage
A nightstand is primarily a storage space. It’s a great place to put your stuff in and on while you lie down. Having a second nightstand means having twice the storage you’d have with one.
If your nightstand is in the form of a cabinet with lockable drawers, you can lock important documents that you don’t want to fall into the wrong hands. You can also keep books, reading glasses, your wallet, and anything else you might want by your bedside.
Feng shui
If you like feng shui, you understand how having two nightstands can impact the flow of energy and balance into your bedroom. Having two nightstands also means that the room is less cluttered, freeing it for a better flow of energy.
Feng shui also recommends having pairs of objects in your bedroom to attract love and reinforce your existing relationship.
Access
It is impractical to have one nightstand if you share a bed with your partner, as we established earlier. Each of you might have different stuff you use before bed, which makes it important to have personal nightstands. Furthermore, if one of you enjoys reading before bed, they can have a dim lamp on their nightstand, which will not disrupt the other’s sleep.
Reasons why you might need only one nightstand
Although there are many benefits to having two nightstands, there are some instances where only one is practical or necessary.
Inadequate space
Your bedroom should feel as spacious as possible to allow you to maneuver freely. If the space is very tight and you have no practical use for a second nightstand, it might be best to stick to one. In such a case, you could push one side of the bed to the wall for additional space and leave the nightstand on the other side.
You might also have enough space for two nightstands, but feel the second one is eating into your “walking-around” space. Again, it is best to get rid of it and keep one.
Single bed
There’s little functional use you can get out of having a pair of nightstands in a single bed. Single bed users are often content with the storage and practicality of one nightstand and don’t really need a second one. Frankly, it would look a bit odd.
What if you don’t have room for a nightstand?
It’s important to consider that some bedrooms don’t even have enough space for one nightstand. If yours is one, you could try to find alternatives that achieve the same purpose as nightstands.
For instance, you could try a lamp clamp if you only need a bedside light or a floating shelf if you need somewhere to store your books.
Conclusion
To sum it up, two nightstands are recommended for symmetry, especially for minimalist design rooms. However, if you don’t have room for the second nightstand, get rid of it and prioritize space management. You can also improvise the functions of a nightstand if you don’t have space for one.
