I was three weeks into my new apartment before I realized that sleeping with my phone on the hardwood floor was a recipe for a cracked screen and a very sad morning. I didn't want to spend $400 on a 'heritage' piece that would just get covered in coffee rings and dust. So, I did what any desperate renter does at 11 PM: I scrolled through the budget options until I landed on the hillside collection nightstand walmart sells. It is cheap, it is ubiquitous, and it was available for pickup the next morning.
Quick Takeaways
- Assembly takes about 45 minutes if you do not get distracted by your phone.
- The drawer is small—think Kindle and glasses, not a laptop.
- The 'True Black Oak' finish has a decent texture that hides the budget price tag.
- Swap the plastic handle for a brass one to make it look five times more expensive.
Why I Finally Caved and Bought a Mainstays Bedside Table
Let’s be real: nobody buys a mainstays bedside table because they want to pass it down to their grandchildren. You buy it because you have $40 and a dream of not reaching for your water glass on the floor in the dark. I had been looking at mid-century modern pieces that cost more than my car payment, but the mainstays hillside collection nightstand kept popping up as the 'sensible' choice. I finally caved when I realized I could buy two of these for less than the price of a fancy brunch.
There is a specific kind of humility that comes with lugging a flat-pack box out of Walmart. But once I got it home, I realized this little unit is surprisingly sturdy for what it is. It is not solid oak, but it fills that awkward gap next to the mattress perfectly. It is the ultimate 'gap-filler' furniture that does its job without demanding a spotlight.
Unboxing the 'True Black Oak' and Other Finish Options
When you open the box, you are greeted by the familiar scent of particle board and ambition. I opted for the mainstays classic nightstand with drawer true black oak because I wanted something that looked a bit more 'industrial' and a bit less 'dorm room.' The texture on the black oak is actually quite nice; it has a faux-grain that catches the light and prevents it from looking like a flat, painted slab.
If you are debating between the finishes, the mainstays classic nightstand with drawer white is a safe bet for a bright, airy room, but it can look a little 'sterile' if you don't style it well. The mainstays classic nightstand with drawer walnut has a warmer tone, but in my experience, budget walnut finishes can sometimes lean a little too orange. If you want the safest, most expensive-looking option, stick with the black or the espresso. They hide the seams better than the lighter colors do.
The Assembly Reality (Grab a Screwdriver and a Drink)
Building the mainstays black nightstand is a rite of passage. The instructions are mostly pictures, which is fine until you realize you put the drawer glides on backward. Pro tip: look closely at the holes in the diagrams. If they don't match exactly, stop and flip the board. I spent ten minutes cursing at a cam lock before I realized I was trying to force it into a hole that didn't exist.
The mainstays classic nightstand with drawer espresso went together in about 40 minutes once I got into a rhythm. The drawer is the most 'technical' part. It uses plastic slides rather than ball-bearing metal ones, so do not expect a whisper-quiet glide. It’s more of a 'thud-slide-thud' situation. But for a guest room or a low-traffic bedroom, it is perfectly functional. Just make sure you have a real screwdriver on hand; the little ones they sometimes include will just give you blisters.
Storage Test: Does This Tiny Drawer Actually Hold Anything?
This is where we get into the nitty-gritty of functionality. The drawer on this thing is shallow. I’ve often wondered if a small nightstand with drawer actually hide your clutter or if it just creates a localized black hole for receipts. In this case, you can fit a standard paperback, a charging cable, and maybe a bottle of melatonin. Anything larger, like a thick hardcover or a tablet with a bulky case, is going to be a tight squeeze.
The open shelf below is where the real work happens. It is the perfect height for a stack of 'to-be-read' books or a small basket to corral your extra chargers. I tested the weight capacity by stacking three heavy art books on the bottom, and the particle board didn't bow or complain. Just don't try to use the drawer as a step-stool—it is definitely not rated for that kind of load.
3 Ways to Make a $40 Box Look Like Real Furniture
The biggest giveaway that you bought the mainstays hillside nightstand espresso finish is the hardware. The silver plastic handle that comes in the box is... not great. Spend $6 at a hardware store and get a matte black or brushed brass pull. It changes the entire vibe of the piece instantly. It goes from 'budget box' to 'boutique find' with two screws.
If you went for the mainstays nightstand set of 2, use symmetry to your advantage. Matching lamps with a bit of height can balance out the small scale of these tables. I also recommend using a small tray on top to hold your watch and jewelry. It prevents the surface from getting scratched, which is important because once you scratch the laminate on these, there is no sanding it out. If you find the storage lacking, you might eventually want to upgrade to a 2 drawer nightstand with shelf for more hidden space, but for now, a cute storage bin on the bottom shelf does the trick.
The Final Verdict: Is the Mainstays Espresso Nightstand Worth It?
The mainstays espresso nightstand is exactly what it claims to be: an affordable, functional piece of furniture that looks decent from across the room. It isn't going to win any design awards, and it won't survive a move across the country if you aren't careful with it. But for a first apartment, a kid's room, or a guest space, it's a solid win. It costs less than a tank of gas and keeps your phone off the floor. Sometimes, that is all you really need.
FAQ
Is the nightstand sturdy enough for a heavy lamp?
Yes, I have a heavy ceramic lamp on mine and it doesn't wobble. Just make sure you tighten the cam locks fully during assembly.
Does the drawer have a stop so it doesn't fall out?
Yes, there is a plastic catch that prevents the drawer from pulling all the way out onto your toes.
Can I paint the Mainstays nightstand?
You can, but since it's laminate, you'll need a very good primer like Zinsser B-I-N. Otherwise, the paint will just peel right off the slick surface.