Standard nightstand height: most nightstands are 24–28 in (61–71 cm) tall, and the top should sit within about 2 in of your mattress top, level with it or slightly lower. A typical bedside table is 20–28 in wide and 12–20 in deep. Low platform beds look best with an 18–24 in nightstand, and tall beds with a thick mattress or box spring suit 28–32 in.
The right nightstand height lets you reach your phone, glasses or a glass of water without stretching up or down from bed. This guide covers standard nightstand dimensions for height, width and depth, how to match a bedside table to your bed height, when a narrow 16-inch or a tall 36–40 inch nightstand makes sense, and lamp, outlet and spacing tips. Every Homsee example uses the dimensions listed on its product page.
Nightstand Dimensions at a Glance
| Measurement | Standard | In cm |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 24–28 in | 61–71 cm |
| Height for low platform beds | 18–24 in | 46–61 cm |
| Height for tall beds | 28–32 in | 71–81 cm |
| Width | 20–28 in (21–28 in for queen beds) | 51–71 cm |
| Narrow nightstand width | 10–18 in | 25–46 cm |
| Depth | 12–20 in (16–18 in typical) | 30–51 cm |
| Gap between nightstand and bed | 3–6 in | 8–15 cm |
Standard Nightstand Height and Bed Height
How tall should a nightstand be? Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress first, then choose a nightstand whose top is within about 2 in of that number. Most beds with a standard mattress on a frame put the mattress top 24–28 in off the floor, which is why most nightstands are 24–28 in tall.
Should a nightstand be higher or lower than the bed? Ideally, the top is level with the mattress or up to 2 in lower, and most designers keep it within 3 in either way; a nightstand up to about 4 in taller than the mattress can still work for a dramatic look. The right height lets your arm move naturally when you reach for a light switch or your phone. A bedside table that is much taller than the bed puts the lamp and alarm clock above your shoulder when you lie down; one that is much lower makes you reach down in the dark and is easy to knock things off.
Is 30 Inches Too Tall for a Nightstand?
Not if your bed is tall. A thick mattress on a box spring, or a raised upholstered bed frame, can put the mattress top 29–33 in from the floor, and a 30–32 in nightstand keeps your essentials within close reach. With a standard or low bed, though, 30 in looks top-heavy. The Curva 3-Drawer Nightstand and the Orbis 3-Drawer Curved Dresser are both 31.5 in tall, sized for these taller beds.
Is 20 or 22 Inches Too Short?
For a low bed, no. Modern platform beds and low bed frames often sit 18–24 in high at the mattress top, and an 18–24 in nightstand (18–22 in for the lowest frames) keeps the line balanced. For a floor bed or a mattress on the floor, look for a low nightstand of about 12–18 in, or a small stool or tray table. Next to a standard 25 in bed, though, a 20 in nightstand sits too low. For more on low frames, see our platform bed height guide.
Nightstand Width: How Wide Should a Bedside Table Be?
The typical width of a bedside table is 20–28 in. Choose by bed size and the floor space beside it:
- Twin beds and guest rooms: under about 21 in, typically 18–20 in.
- Full and queen beds: 21–28 in.
- King beds: 28 in or more, up to a chest-style nightstand of about 33 in, so the nightstand doesn't look small next to a wide headboard.
Is a 20 inch nightstand too small? Not for a full bed or a queen in a small bedroom: 20 in holds a lamp, a phone and a book, though 21–28 in looks better balanced next to a queen headboard. The Walnut, Classic and Carved nightstands are 23.6 in wide, a standard size for full and queen beds. Are there nightstands that are 28 inches wide or more? Yes; wide, chest-style nightstands give you a larger tabletop and full-width drawers. The Curva 3-Drawer Nightstand is 32.8 in wide with three 28.1 in wide drawers, so allow about 33 in of wall beside the bed.
Narrow Nightstands: 10 to 16 Inches Wide
When the space beside the bed is tight, a 16 inch wide nightstand still fits a small lamp, a phone and a glass; 12–14 in models hold a phone and a book; and 10 in is closer to a shelf than a table. Choose a tall, narrow design with a drawer or shelf so you keep some storage. Before you buy, check that a closet door or a walkway beside the bed can still open fully. See what fits on a 16-inch nightstand.
Nightstand Depth
Nightstand depth is usually 12–20 in, and 16–18 in is common. A slim 12–14 in depth keeps the walkway clear in a small bedroom; 18–20 in gives more tabletop for larger items like a lamp, books and a tray. The White Classic 3-Drawer Nightstand is only 13.8 in deep, and the Orbis 3-Drawer Curved Dresser is 19.6 in deep. Raised legs also help in a small bedroom: the White Classic leaves about 5.3 in of clearance underneath, so the furniture looks lighter and a vacuum fits under it.
Tall Nightstands: 36 and 40 Inches
A 36–40 inch tall nightstand suits antique or high beds, extra-thick mattresses on a tall frame, or a bedside chest that doubles as a small dresser. Apply the same simple rule: the top should be within about 2 in of the mattress top. If your mattress top is 34–38 in from the floor, a tall chest of drawers works better than a standard nightstand; see using a dresser as a 40-inch nightstand and our dresser dimensions guide.
Homsee Nightstand Dimensions
All measurements below come from each product page.
| Nightstand | H × W × D | Drawers | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut 2-Drawer Nightstand with Open Shelf | 26.3 × 23.6 × 13.7 in | 2 + open shelf | Standard queen and king beds, small rooms |
| Black Carved 3-Drawer Nightstand | 26.3 × 23.6 × 13.7 in | 3 (19.4 × 9.4 × 5.6 in) | Standard beds; top holds 44 lb |
| White Classic 3-Drawer Nightstand | 26.4 × 23.6 × 13.8 in | 3 (18.7 × 9.8 × 4.8 in) | Standard beds; top holds 44 lb |
| Elwood Reeded 3-Drawer Dresser | 27.2 × 27.7 × 18.1 in | 3 (17.3 × 12.6 × 8 in) | Standard beds; built-in outlets and USB |
| Curva 3-Drawer Nightstand | 31.5 × 32.8 × 17.7 in | 3 (28.1 × 13.7 × 7.5 in) | Tall beds, king beds |
| Orbis 3-Drawer Curved Dresser | 31.5 × 31.5 × 19.6 in | 3 (30.9 × 13.7 × 9.2 in) | Tall beds; drawers hold 33 lb |
The Walnut, Classic, Carved and Curva nightstands also come as a set of 2. A matching pair creates symmetry on both sides of the bed and gives each sleeper storage for nighttime essentials. Browse every size in nightstands.
Lamps, Outlets and Bedside Essentials
Pick a lamp so the bottom of the shade sits about at eye level when you sit up in bed; for most setups that puts the top of the shade about 58–60 in from the floor. Subtract the nightstand height to size the lamp: on a 26 in nightstand that is a lamp of roughly 32–34 in, and on a 31.5 in nightstand about 27–28 in. Leave enough room on the tabletop for an alarm clock, a stack of books or other reading materials, glasses, a glass of water and a candle for bedtime, and keep phone chargers close: the Elwood has a built-in power station with AC outlets and USB-A and USB-C ports, with a grommet hole at the back for the cord. Nightstands have one to four drawers: drawers add concealed storage for the rest of your nighttime essentials, while an open shelf keeps books, keepsakes and a box of tissues on display and makes a small bedroom feel airier. Many modern nightstands add USB ports or a wireless charger. Finally, match or deliberately mix materials: a nightstand in the same wood tone or color palette as the bed and dresser looks calm, while a contrasting wood tone adds visual interest.
How Far Should a Nightstand Be From the Bed and Wall?
Leave about 3–6 in between the nightstand and the mattress edge so you can tuck in sheets and the bed skirt doesn't snag, and push the nightstand back against the wall, about 1 in away so cords and baseboards fit behind it. Line the front edge up roughly with the headboard edge or a little past it, so you can reach the top while lying down. Keep 30 in of floor in front if the drawers need to open fully.
How to Choose the Right Size Nightstand
- Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress. Choose a nightstand within about 2 in of that height.
- Measure the wall space beside the bed, minus 3–6 in for the gap to the bed.
- Check the walkway and any closet or bathroom door that swings near the bed.
- List what you keep at bedside: a lamp, a phone, books, glasses, medication, and decide between drawers and an open shelf.
- Note where the nearest outlet is for the lamp and chargers.
Related: see our bedroom storage ideas.
FAQ
What is the standard height for a bedside table?
24–28 in (61–71 cm). The top should sit within about 2 in of the mattress top, level with it or slightly lower.
What are the standard dimensions for a bedside table?
About 24–28 in tall, 20–28 in wide and 12–20 in deep. Narrow nightstands are 10–18 in wide, and tall-bed nightstands are 28–32 in tall.
Should bedside tables be the same height as a bed?
Close to it: level with the mattress top or up to 2 in lower is ideal, and within 3 in either way still works, so you can reach the top without stretching.
How far should a nightstand be from the bed?
About 3–6 in from the mattress edge, and about 1 in from the wall so cords and baseboards fit behind it.
Is 30 inches too tall for a nightstand?
Only for a standard or low bed. 30–32 in is right for tall beds where the mattress top is about 29–33 in from the floor.
Is 22 inches too short for a nightstand?
Not for a low platform bed, where an 18–24 in nightstand looks balanced. Next to a standard 24–28 in bed it will feel low.
What is the ideal width for a bedside table?
21–28 in for full and queen beds, 28 in or more for a king, and under about 21 in for twin beds in a guest room.
What is the difference between a nightstand and an end table?
A nightstand sits beside a bed and usually has drawers or a shelf for bedside essentials. An end table sits beside a sofa or chair, is usually 22–26 in tall to match the sofa arm, and often has no storage.