Tips for Decorating Mismatched Nightstands

There are several reasons why your bedroom might feature mismatched nightstands. You and your partner might have each contributed your own nightstands when starting your life together, or you might have a cherished vintage midcentury modern bedside table that you can’t bear to part with, even though it no longer has a matching piece. Nowadays, many top interior designers and skilled decorators intentionally select a variety of nightstands to create a unique look. Let us elaborate on this trend.

Reasons to Consider Having Asymmetrical Nightstands

Uneven nightstands resemble cousins rather than siblings; they complement each other without being identical. Opting for mismatched nightstands can be essential for creating a distinctive and personalized environment, often adding an unexpected twist. These varied night tables enable a room to incorporate an element that feels slightly unconventional, yet they provide the subtle adjustment that harmonizes the overall design.

However, it requires a certain level of expertise to combine mismatched nightstands in a manner that appears deliberate and seamless, rather than accidental. Continue reading to discover how to select or arrange mismatched nightstands that enhance your decor and serve as a standout element in your bedroom design.

Levels of Disconnection

To achieve a more refined appearance, select nightstands that are either the same height or very similar in size, ensuring they appear symmetrical at first sight. Opting for nightstands with significantly varying heights will result in a more asymmetrical aesthetic.

When incorporating two nightstands of different heights, interior designer Lisa Gilmore from Lisa Gilmore Design recommends styling them for a harmonious look. She advises, “Incorporating boxes and books on the shelves adds visual intrigue and helps to fill any gaps.”

Combine various shapes, styles, and materials.

You have the option to combine nightstands of comparable sizes, but you can also explore different shapes, styles, and materials. For instance, you might combine a solid chest of drawers with a minimalist table, or a wall-mounted metal shelf with a rustic wooden stool. Gilmore enjoys pairing round and square designs on both sides of the bed.

According to Gilmore, when considering a combination of nightstands, it’s crucial to ensure that their proportions are consistent. “Ideally, they should be of similar height, or at least close, and should occupy roughly the same amount of visual space, particularly in terms of width, on either side of the bed.”

Choose a specific era or aesthetic.

If you’re in search of a nightstand to complement your vintage midcentury modern piece, there’s no need to find an identical match. However, choosing a nightstand from the same era or style will help maintain a cohesive look, as both will share fundamental characteristics while showcasing their unique attributes.

Select Comparable Wood Finishes

Although there are no restrictions on combining different wood finishes, maintaining similar tones for nightstands can create a cohesive look without requiring a perfect match. For instance, a walnut finish can complement a midcentury modern nightstand. If you have a vintage piece, seek out another vintage nightstand. While the patina on each piece will differ, reflecting their unique histories, the similarities will be sufficient to avoid any visual clash.

Art for Unity

Antique or vintage nightstands with a beautiful patina deserve to be appreciated as they are. However, if you have a mismatched set of worn thrift store nightstands in outdated wood finishes, applying a uniform color to both can enhance their visual harmony.

Utilize Illumination to Achieve Balance

One reason many designers are drawn to the idea of mismatched nightstands is that it disrupts the rigid symmetry typical of a conventional bedroom layout, which is usually centered around a bed flanked by identical bedside tables and matching lamps. A space that is overly coordinated may appear artificial, while a room filled with overly varied elements can come across as disorganized.

Achieve symmetry and a cohesive aesthetic by pairing mismatched nightstands with coordinated lighting fixtures. This approach is effective regardless of whether you choose a table lamp, industrial task light, wall sconce, pendant, or chandelier for your bedside illumination.

Tip

If your nightstands are coordinated, consider opting for table lamps that are not identical. To ensure a harmonious look, select lamps that share a similar design or unify various styles by using lampshades that are the same.

Take into account the angles.

When you enter the bedroom and your bed is the focal point, having nightstands that don’t match can stand out more, and it’s usually more effective if they are the same height. However, if your bed is positioned against one wall, allowing the nightstand that is farthest from the entrance to be less prominent, you can experiment with an asymmetrical arrangement featuring nightstands of varying heights. Although there are no strict guidelines, it’s typically advisable for the nightstand nearest to the door to be the shorter one, as the taller one will appear to be further away.

What distinguishes a nightstand from a night table?

A nightstand is characterized as a compact, typically short table placed next to a bed, featuring drawers for storage purposes. Often referred to as a night table, it serves as a decorative piece more than a practical one.

What is the ideal distance between your nightstand and your bed?

A helpful guideline is to position your nightstands approximately 3 to 6 inches away from your bed. This arrangement allows for easy access to your items while providing sufficient space for your bedding.