We Asked 7 Designers: What Are Your Rules for Styling a Nightstand?

What’s on your nightstand right now? A half-full glass of water, a stretch of charging cables, a pile of New Yorkers you’ve read parts of, a framed photo of your cat? We don’t expect every surface in your home to be perfectly styled at all times, but there’s something to be said for curating a pleasant little vignette in the spot that greets you when you wake up and keeps you company as you fall asleep.

Since a nightstand has to do quite a lot—hold the necessities, hide the less attractive ones, and ideally look good while doing it—we asked seven designers how they approach bedside setups. From what to put on display to ideal lighting, here are their best tips for making sense of that small but mighty surface.

Keep it personal and a little imperfect. It should feel collected, not overly styled. Start with the essentials, like good task lighting and the book you’re currently reading. Then add something with a little story, like a piece picked up on a trip, a small work of art, or something unexpected that just makes you happy. I also love a simple bud vase with whatever is in season. It brings a little nature into the room and gives you something easy to switch out throughout the year. And don’t overdo it! Leave some breathing room. At the end of the day, you still need somewhere to put your water and phone. —Holly Freres, JHL Design

First, give the little things a home. Something sculptural, vintage, or unexpected that adds personality even when it’s empty. Second, light for the ritual. Choose a lamp or sconce that gives you enough light for bedtime reading but still adds warmth and character to the room. Third, contain the clutter. A chic tray instantly makes practical items feel intentional. Use it to corral a glass of water, hand lotion, sleep mask, or whatever is part of your nightly routine. —Christina Cruz, Christina Cruz Interiors

I always style a nightstand with exactly three items: I use a lamp, something with texture (a small dish, a stack of books), and one genuinely useful object like a candle or a glass carafe. The moment a nightstand looks too styled, it stops looking like someone actually sleeps in that room. The best ones look curated and lived-in at the same time. —Michelle Murphy, Demi Ryan

Nothing sits there without earning its place. It has to be functional first, then let it get personal. A lamp within reach, an outlet close by for charging, a decanter and glass so water is never more than an arm’s length away. Once the essentials are covered, that’s where you get to have fun. You can swap an ordinary glass for a vintage one, a stem or two of simple florals—something aromatic. Small luxuries that engage more than just your eyes. A stack of books you’re actually reading, a favorite photo in a frame with some texture to it, and a tray to corral it all. These details turn a typical nightstand into one that’s unmistakably yours. —Corey Damen Jenkins, Corey Damen Jenkins

Nightstands have to serve both form and function since they get used every single day. Because of that, I like to keep the styling somewhat pared back, and every item I place there has to be beautiful as well. I love a pretty carafe for your glass of water, and an interesting lamp that doesn’t take up too much room on the top of the nightstand (bonus points if it’s a wall mount sconce or a pendant). Beyond that, I love to include a dish for removing jewelry at the end of the day and a small vase of flowers that always make me start my day with a smile. —Selena Reif, Selena Michele Interiors

We love to keep nightstands really minimal. Truly they need nothing more than a lamp or even better a sconce to keep the surface free and clear. It’s a space for our clients’ most personal things, a book, a phone, a pair of reading glasses, and a glass of water. It’s a space that naturally gets cluttered so less is more from the get go! A drawer on the nightstand always helps to minimize the clutter. —Jen Levy, Surrounded by Color

First, get the lighting right. Whether it’s a table lamp or a wall-mounted sconce, it should provide enough light for reading while also adding another layer of personality to the room. Second, fresh flowers always have a place. There’s something about a small arrangement of fresh flowers next to the bed that instantly makes a bedroom feel more special. Even a few stems clipped from the yard can bring a little life and softness to the space. Finally, make room for the things you actually use. Leave space for your current read and a small catchall tray for the things you reach for at the end of the day, like jewelry, hand lotion, or lip balm. The goal is for it to feel considered, but still practical. —Elana Tenenbaum Cline, Carta Creatives