Nightstand Height and Size: How to Choose the Right One for Your Bed

Pick a nightstand whose top sits level with the top of your mattress or up to 2 inches below it. For most beds, that means a nightstand 24 to 28 inches tall. For width, 20 to 24 inches suits most queen beds and 24 to 30 inches suits a king, as long as you still have 24 to 30 inches of walking space beside it.

Height matters most, because it decides if you can set down a glass or reach your phone without twisting. Width and depth are about proportion and floor space. Here's how to measure for each, plus how to choose a lamp that fits.

Quick sizing chart

• Twin or full bed: 16 to 22 inches wide.
• Queen bed: 20 to 24 inches wide.
• King or California king: 24 to 30 inches wide.
• Low platform bed (mattress top around 18 to 22 inches): a nightstand 18 to 22 inches tall.
• Standard bed (mattress top around 23 to 26 inches): 22 to 26 inches tall.
• Tall bed with a thick mattress (mattress top 27 inches or more): 26 to 30 inches tall.
• Depth for any bed: 14 to 20 inches, shallower in a tight room.

Measure the mattress first

Measure from the floor to the top of the mattress, with any topper on it and the bed made. This number changes more than people expect. A low platform bed with a thin mattress can sit under 20 inches, while a pillow-top mattress on a box spring can reach 30.

Then aim for a nightstand within 2 inches of that height, either level or slightly lower. Up to 4 inches lower still works. A nightstand taller than the mattress by more than a couple of inches is the one to avoid: you end up reaching up and over the edge, which is awkward when you're half asleep.

If you're buying a new mattress or bed at the same time, wait until both arrive and measure before ordering the nightstand. Bed frame listings usually give the overall height, which is set by the headboard, not by where the mattress sits.

Width: match the bed and the room

A nightstand should look like it belongs to the bed. Very narrow nightstands next to a wide king look lost; very wide ones next to a full crowd the bed. The chart above gives the usual ranges.

The room has the final say, though. Measure from the side of the bed frame to the nearest wall, dresser or door swing. Subtract 2 to 4 inches for a gap between the bed and the nightstand, then subtract 24 to 30 inches for a comfortable path to the bed if one is needed on that side. What's left is your maximum width. If that number is small, a narrow or wall-mounted nightstand is the better choice.

Depth and storage

Most nightstands are 14 to 20 inches deep. Deeper ones hold more but stick out into the path. In a narrow room, anything under 16 inches keeps the walkway clear.

Think about what lives on and in it. A lamp, a phone and a glass of water need a top about 16 inches wide or more. Drawers hide chargers and clutter; an open shelf holds books where you can see them. A three-drawer nightstand adds real storage beside a king without bringing in another dresser.

The number in the name is usually the height

When shopping, read the dimensions, not just the product name. On nightstands, the size in the title is usually the height. The 22-inch oak square two-drawer nightstand, for instance, is listed at 21.7 inches high but only 11.8 inches wide and 11.8 inches deep. That's a good size for a small bedroom or a low platform bed, but it would look small beside a king. Its listing describes solid mango wood and two drawers.

Picks for common setups

A standard queen bed

The 24-inch chestnut solid wood two-drawer nightstand is listed at about 23.6 inches high, 17.7 inches wide and 13.8 inches deep, a good height for a mattress top around 24 to 25 inches. Its listing describes solid mango wood, two drawers and an open shelf.

A king bed

Wider is better here. The 24-inch natural solid wood three-drawer nightstand is listed at 24 inches high, 32 inches wide and 20 inches deep, wide enough to balance a king and roomy enough to replace a small chest. Check your walkway before choosing something this large.

A tall bed

For a thick mattress on a box spring, the 27-inch brown solid wood live edge three-drawer nightstand is listed at 27 inches high, 25 inches wide and 16 inches deep, with three drawers.

A tight room

A wall-mounted nightstand frees up floor space and lets you set the height yourself. The set of two 16-inch oak floating nightstands is listed at about 15.7 inches wide and 13.4 inches deep, each with one soft-close drawer, so both sides of the bed match. Line the top up with your mattress. You can browse more sizes and finishes in nightstands and bedside tables. For a light, airy look, browse white nightstands.

If you're starting with the bed, the brown live edge bow joint queen bed frame has a split headboard joined with a wood bow joint, and its listing describes solid acacia wood. Measure your mattress height once it's set up, then choose a nightstand to match. More frames are in beds.

Choosing a bedside lamp

Lamp and nightstand work as a pair. A few rules keep them in proportion:

• Height: a lamp roughly as tall as the nightstand, give or take a few inches, usually looks right. When you sit up in bed, the bottom of the shade should be close to chin height, so you see light, not a bare bulb.
• Shade width: no wider than the nightstand top, and ideally a few inches narrower so there's room for a glass and a phone.
• Matching sides: both lamps should sit at about the same height, even if the nightstands differ.

On the 24-inch chestnut nightstand above, the 23-inch white and gold bedside lamp fits well: its listing gives a 14-inch-wide white linen empire shade on an iron base, narrower than the 17.7-inch top. For a wide king nightstand, the 27-inch clear bedside lamp with a drum shade is listed at 15 inches wide, with a crystal base and white linen drum shade. More options are in table lamps.

Common mistakes

• Buying by bed size alone. Two queen beds can differ in mattress height by 10 inches. Measure.
• Blocking the path. A deep or wide nightstand that narrows the walkway below about 24 inches gets bumped every night.
• Mismatched heights. Different nightstands on each side are fine; different heights look accidental.
• An oversized lamp. A shade wider than the tabletop crowds the surface and gets knocked.

FAQ

Should a nightstand be taller or shorter than the bed?

Level with the top of the mattress or slightly lower, ideally within 2 inches. Taller than the mattress makes things harder to reach.

What is a standard nightstand height?

Most nightstands are 24 to 28 inches tall, which suits a mattress top in the mid-20s. Low platform beds need shorter ones.

How wide should a nightstand be for a king bed?

About 24 to 30 inches, as long as you keep 24 to 30 inches of walking space next to it.

How far should a nightstand be from the bed?

Leave 2 to 4 inches between the bed frame and the nightstand so bedding can hang freely and you can still reach the top easily.

Do nightstands have to match?

No. Different nightstands work as long as they are close in height and visual weight, and the lamps on top sit at similar heights.