Your bedroom is a retreat, and the nightstand is its portal. It’s the first thing you see in the morning and the last before you escape into your dreams. Often overlooked, the nightstand is a principal component of a bedroom and should serve to help streamline your morning and evening rituals. Interior designer Jay Eiler of Castle Design suggests keeping things simple when you set out to style your nightstand. “You don’t want to overaccessorize,” he says. “Include objects that are simple yet sophisticated.” Drawing inspiration from Italian modern design, Eiler selects effortless objects, focusing on shape and color contrast. For this particular look, Eiler reflects his ideas in five steps.
- Think Big: Begin with the large elements, then move on to the details. “This Eileen nightstand, designed by Antonio Citterio for B&B Italia, was the first thing I picked up when putting together this piece,” Eiler says. “The next thing I selected was the lamp. The dark wood beautifully contrasts the lamp.”
- Add a Natural Touch: “Include something organic,” Eiler says. “This could mean candles or fresh flowers.” But he recommends avoiding flowers that are highly fragrant, because they could keep you up all night. “Look for plants that add color but won’t give you a headache,” he says.
- Make It Personal: Consider adding a memento, such as a picture, says Eiler. “Give symmetry and function to your style by using objects that have a lot of meaning. A bright picture frame could be a fun way to add color and texture to your nightstand.” In this vignette, Eiler chooses some of his favorite books from home to add a meaningful touch.
- Remember Color, Scale, and Contrast: Make sure that your nightstand is the right height for your bed. Avoid bringing home a piece only to find out it’s a head’s height above your bed. Also, make sure your room’s design flows with the use of a common thread such as color or finish. It’s OK not to match every item in the room. Use contrast. Just be sure it blends in.
- Function Follows Form: If you need more storage space for books, glasses, medicine, or other bedside accessories, invest in a side table with a drawer. That way, says Eiler, you save space on the top of the table. “Each object introduces a unique element and serves a function.”
