Nightstands are available in various shapes and sizes. Besides their uncountable uses, they serve an aesthetic purpose in plenty of households.
However, it can be tough to figure out which sizes to purchase when you want to include multiple nightstands in your room.
Do nightstands have to be the same height?
There is no such rule that nightstand heights much match. Many people have nightstands of the same height to have an even look. But having multiple nightstands with different heights is growing popular recently. As long as the arrangement of your bedroom looks balanced, they can be of any height.
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Nightstands are typically 24 to 30 inches in height. If the colors, texture, and style of the nightstands are similar then it would look better if they are of the same height.
Small differences in height can be covered up using accessories or by making one of the nightstands taller. Having the same height not only makes it look symmetric but also makes your room look elegant.
Keep in mind that they don’t have to be the same height. Nightstands of different heights can be seen in many households recently. It is an eye-catching feature that can transform your bedroom. Hence, the difference in heights is alright as long as it goes with the room.
If you really want your nightstands to have the same height, then there are plenty of ways to adjust the height of your nightstand such as attaching adjustable legs.
Should you have 2 nightstands?
You should consider three factors before deciding whether you need two nightstands or not. They are the size of your room, your personal preference, and if you live alone or not.
Size:
If the size of your bedroom is too small then getting 2 nightstands will not be the best idea. This will make your bedroom look cluttered and disorganized. If the size of your bed is comparatively small, having two nightstands next to your small bed will make the bed look very small.
Number of people:
If you share your bedroom with someone then it’s likely for you to want another nightstand. This is because both of you need space to keep separate items. It’s not a must since both of you can share one as well.
You could also have two nightstands even if you live alone. This can be useful if you want to separate your personal and work life. One of the nightstands can be filled with items related to work and the other one can include your day-to-day items.
You can also have two nightstands in the house for storage alone. Either add additional drawers to your existing nightstand or get another one!
Symmetry:
Another reason why a lot of people purchase 2 nightstands is because of achieving symmetry. Having a nightstand on one side of your bed can make the other side look empty and asymmetrical. This is why adding another nightstand can fix this problem.
Although, having two nightstands is not necessary and completely depends on the user’s wants and needs.
Do you need to match the height of the 2 nightstands?
Not at all. Nowadays having nightstands of different heights is trending. The heights of the nightstands don’t matter that much as long as you have at least one thing in common. This could be the material, shape, or texture.
You could have one tall rectangle nightstand whereas the other one could be round and short. Different heights can also look proportionate by adding a lamp tall enough to reach the same level as the taller nightstand.
If you really want the heights to match, just increase the height or put some large items on the smaller nightstand. For example, a vase.
Another thing that a lot of people do is put matching lamps on top of their nightstands to reduce the attention from the height. Not only lamps, but you can also put similar ornaments, hanging mirrors, artwork, or even photographs.
You could also reduce the attention from the height by keeping the textures the same. This is a good combination that you can try.
Can nightstands be different heights?
Yes, absolutely. The most common nightstand height is 24 inches. This can vary from 20 inches to greater than 30 inches as well. They can definitely be of different heights but some factors should be considered before setting it up. Here are some suggestions for nightstands of different heights.
- At least one of the nightstands should be as tall as the top of the bed. This is because of consistency and accessibility.
- There should be one common element. Whether it’s the style, color, shape, or texture.
- At least one of them should include cabinets. If both nightstands have zero storage space then they are not of much use. But it’s okay if you’re only keeping it as a decorating element then there is no need for storage.
- Uniform visual scale and proportionality. Balancing with the surrounding of your room is very important.
- Accessories. To even it out, you can put more accessories on the smaller one. Or keep the same accessories on both to make the difference less noticeable.
- If they are too different, keep one of them a bit further away from the bed, in the corner of the room.
How tall should nightstands be?
The correct height is very important when looking for a nightstand. If your nightstand is too low or too high, your entire room might look uneven. The typical nightstand height is 24 inches but they can vary and be adjusted.
Most designers say that nightstands should be the same height as the top of your bed. This is for ease of access. When the nightstand is the same height as the top of your bed, you can easily reach it while relaxing on your bed.
There are some exceptions though. It’s okay if it is a little higher than the bed because you can still access the nightstand. However, if you have to bend in order to reach the nightstand then the height is not correct.
This is why before shopping for a new nightstand, measure the height from the floor to the top of your bed. A few inches low or high shouldn’t be a problem. If you don’t want to replace your nightstand then don’t worry. A lot of bed frames are adjustable and you can raise and lower them according to your nightstand.
How do you do mismatched nightstands?
Having mismatched nightstands is trending a lot lately. They grab your attention as soon as you enter the room. But balancing is essential, so map it out in your head first.
Here are some things that go well.
- Similar height and weight but different styles.
- Same color or tone. But different styles and sizes.
- Matching accessories. Put the same lamp, painting, or vase on both nightstands. This can balance off the overall look.
- Similarly shaped but different texture.
- Same texture but different shape and height.
- Different types. One could be sculptural whereas the other one is artistic.
Or you can skip one of the nightstands completely and pair it with a bookcase or bookshelf instead.
If you’re still confused, check images of mismatched nightstands to get the idea.
Do both nightstands have to match?
Not really. But if the combination is not balanced, your room will look rather unusual.
Matching nightstands give off a sophisticated and symmetrical look. Although, it can be tough to find matching ones. And they don’t necessarily have to match.
Size of the nightstands, purpose of your nightstands, and size of the room are three details that need to be prioritized when mismatching nightstands.
They can vary when it comes to type. One nightstand might include drawers and cabinets for storage while the other doesn’t. This also goes well with color. You can mix the colors with one having a high contrast while the other one is dull.
If the size of your room is small, it’s better not to have two giant nightstands and have rather small ones with different shapes and textures.
Keeping one thing similar can help the visual scale. This can be the style. Both of the nightstands can be traditional but vary greatly in height.
It is totally up to you if you want to match them or not. Try something new.
How can I make my nightstand taller?
There are several ways you can make your nightstand taller.
- Add legs
- Add a drawer topper
- Add another piece of flat furniture below the nightstand
- Add furniture risers
- Add something on top to make it look taller
- Remove the top and add additional hardware and reattach the top.
These can be easily done using a carpenter, and you don’t have to have any expert skills to do these. Adjustable legs can be bought online.
Should a nightstand be the same height as a bed?
Most of the time, yes. This is to maintain consistency and for you to be able to reach the nightstand easily. Low-profile nightstands are suitable for beds that are short in height.
Having your nightstand at the same height as your bed creates a good visual scale. If the nightstand is too large or too small compared to your bed, it will look odd.
A dept of inches higher than 24 will make it hard for you to get in and out of bed. So keep that in mind!
At the end of the day, it totally depends on the user if you want to buy nightstands of the same height or not. Instead of the traditional matching nightstands, try the mismatched look for a change!