Now that I’ve finished painting my nightstand, I went back to this feature on The Everygirl on styling a nightstand. They recommend five items: a light, candle, reading material, clock, and accent, and I think that’s a great starting point!
I have to admit, my reading material is more for show since I use my iPad, which is why I love this book iPhone charger — not only is it quite possibly my favorite cover design ever, but it’s pretty and functional! I also have to admit that there is absolutely no way I would actually use an alarm clock on my nightstand because that would require me getting out of bed to turn it off.* Which does not make for a happy morning, and mornings are difficult enough to begin with. (And, let’s be honest, I can’t read analog to save my life anyway.) But that’s the nice thing about styling — it is totally acceptable to have things just because they are pretty!
What’s on your nightstand?
Shop
DIY nightstand // LampsPlus Hammered Pot Antique Silver Table Lamp // Z Gallerie Metal Alarm Clock // Canterwick Pride & Prejudice Book Charger // Capri Blue Volcano Jar Candle // Reclaimed Apothecary Matchstick Bottle // Design Darling Turquoise Zebra Tray
*This makes more sense if you know that my headboard has shelving, which is why my nightstand isn’t close enough to the bed to be able to turn off an alarm clock. The nightstand is really more of a corner-of-the-room place for pretty things.
I don’t even bother with things like this because my boyfriend doesn’t understand the concept and keeps clothes in the bottom part of the night stand. Like….I can’t.
Haha you need my nightstand — then he could shove everything underneath and you could just close the doors!
That turquoise zebra tray is stunning – would love to add that to my nightstand, except mine is a little too small for more stuff! I always have a cup of hot tea, my Henri Bendel candles and a gorgeous glass lamp from West Elm.
Oh and I have a supremely ugly / bulky but incredibly effective alarm clock that fills my room with bright light 30 minutes before my alarm goes off – it is a very nice way to wake up gradually, especially when I am waking up at 5AM to workout!
I don’t know if I could handle that alarm clock, reminds me a bit too much of my grandpa’s preferred method of waking me up — turning on the overhead light. Hate.
OMG that book iphone charger is amazing!
I charge my phone on my nightstand and have been looking for something pretty — I think it definitely fits the bill!
this makes me feel guilty that my night stand is covered in old magazines, books, and water glasses! maybe one day i’ll be a grown up!
those are my absolute favorite candles! really need to grab a few more this weekend, after talking about them last week i keep wishing all of the candles in our place were that scent!
If it makes you feel better, I currently have a lamp, a little vase holding the TV/DVD remotes, and my iPhone cord on mine. Not terribly exciting!
There’s nothing really cute about my nightstand, but I have to have tissues on there, and I know that there are a lot of cool tissue box covers out there that might add some extra cuteness! I also like putting a picture frame or two on there.
I totally smacked my glass of water over in my sleep the other night, so maybe I should limit my nightstand to waterproof things… haha
At least you have tissues on hand to clean it up?
I’ve been searching for the perfect nightstand for MONTHS. I want one with drawers/at least cabinets to hide my stuff behind! Theeeen I can concentrate on how to style the top of it
Yeah, mine has cabinets underneath — pretty handy!
My nightstand is tiny, so right now I only have a lamp on it. But I’d love to figure out a way to decorate it, without taking up all the space!
I like the look of stacking things, might be good for a small space!
I’m in love with this phone charger (like everyone else).
Isn’t it amazing?!
oddly, I can’t read a digital clock so I have my vintage clock (just back from the repair shop) on my nightstand and that’s about it. I just added that awesome book/iPhone charger to my wish list – so cute! my other ‘To Do’ in my bedroom is hang some art – there isn’t a stitch on the walls.
That’s on my to-do list too. I have some frames I’d like to update so I haven’t done anything yet, but I’ll probably go ahead and hang them up just to plot out where everything will go. I did that with some art I wanted to repurpose in my living room, and it was a constant reminder that I needed to do something about it.
I really like all your picks! The iPhone dock made out of a book is awesome. My reading material on my nightstand is just for show also. I’m an iPad girl.
On my nightstand – 100 Years of Fashion Illustration, Domino book, a Nate Berkus for Target box that holds earplugs, a pen, 500 hair ties and bobby pins, and my makeup remover wipes (because sometimes, I’m that lazy). And a lamp, of course.
I actually put my alarm clock away from my bed because it DOES force me to get up and turn it off. If I don’t do it, I’ll snooze all morning long.
I tried the whole putting my alarm clock away from my bed thing, and it just made me angry. Then I’d crawl back in bed and forget to reset it. I’ve found I just do better if I set my alarm clock for at least 30 minutes before I actually want to get up. It goes against everything the experts say, but I’m much more pleasant if I can ease into my day slowly.
Love it! I found a white retro clock like that at Target for $10 and it’s on my nightstand!
Ooooh, I should check that out! As cute as the Z Gallerie one is, I’d rather pay $10 than $35 for something that’s just there for decoration.
Yes, I already put the P&P book charger on my xmas list !! OBSESSED !!
xo
http://www.carlyonqueue.blogspot.com
I love this. I too enjoy making my night stand cozy and inviting. Xo Inna