How Tall Should It Be? (We’re Talking Nightstands, Relax.)
Because Waking Up Shouldn’t Involve a Shoulder Injury
“Hey, how big is my nightstand supposed to be? Because mine feels… wrong.”
— Nick
Most guys don’t think twice about nightstand height. They buy whatever matches the bed or whatever’s in stock, toss their essentials on top, and call it a day.
But here’s the truth:
A nightstand that’s the wrong height makes your bedroom feel off balance, cheapens the look of your bed, and — more importantly — forces you to reach up or down every time you pick up your phone, water, or glasses.
And once you notice it, you can’t un-notice it.
Choosing the right height is actually simple — but it’s also the difference between a room that feels intentional and one that feels like a rushed move-in.
Let’s break it down the DS1 way.
Rule #1: Match the Height to the Top of Your Mattress
This is the golden rule:
Your nightstand should be level with the top of your mattress — or within 1–2 inches of it.
That’s it.
If you follow this, the room automatically looks more put-together.
Why?
- It creates a clean visual line
- It feels natural when reaching for things in the dark
- Lamps sit at the right height for reading
- The furniture doesn’t look mismatched, awkward, or crooked
This one detail instantly elevates the entire bedside area.
Rule #2: If You Must Choose, Go Slightly Higher — Not Lower
Here’s the insider trick:
**A nightstand 1–2 inches higher than the mattress looks intentional.
A nightstand lower than the mattress looks like a mistake.**
Lower feels like you’re reaching down to pet a dog.
Higher feels like a purposeful design choice.
Bonus: higher nightstands work better if you read in bed, because they put your lamp at the right angle.
Rule #3: Think About the Scale — But Don’t Overthink It
Nick’s quote isn’t wrong: the size doesn’t matter as much as the height.
You can have:
- A small, minimal nightstand
- A chunky, masculine dresser-style one
- A floating shelf
- A narrow metal frame with a drawer
- Even a side table (as long as the height works)
As long as the top height matches the bed, the room looks clean and intentional.
But if you care about visual balance, follow this:
- If your bed is large and substantial → choose a nightstand with some weight
- If your bed is modern and low-profile → you can go slimmer
- If you have a tall headboard → go for a nightstand with presence
No need to match pieces perfectly — this isn’t a bedroom set from the ’90s.
But the heights should be siblings, not strangers.
Rule #4: Yes, You Need Two Nightstands — One on Each Side
Let’s settle this once and for all:
You need two nightstands. One on each side of the bed.
This isn’t a luxury. It’s design symmetry, balance, and actual adulthood.
Why two?
- It makes the room look intentionally designed
- It centers the bed visually
- It keeps both sides functional (even if one side is “just for show” right now)
- Women notice this. Immediately. Every single time.
One nightstand says: “I moved in yesterday.”
Two nightstands say: “Welcome to an actual bedroom, not a crash pad.”
Even if you don’t have a partner in the bed at the moment, the second nightstand makes the room feel complete.
Think of it as buying furniture for your future self.
Rule #5: If You Have an Adjustable Bed, Don’t Panic
Adjustable beds can get tricky, but here’s the workaround:
Measure the mattress height in its lowest, flattest position.
That’s the height you aim for.
Why?
Because that’s how it looks most of the time — and when you’re upright, the nightstand naturally aligns with the raised mattress anyway.
Floating nightstands work beautifully here because you can mount them exactly at the height you need.
Final DS1 Note:
At the end of the day, getting your nightstand height right isn’t about rules for the sake of rules — it’s about making your bedroom feel intentional, comfortable, and actually functional.
The right-height nightstand means:
- you’re not reaching like a T-rex to grab your phone,
- your lamp hits your eyes at the right angle,
- and the whole bedside area looks like it belongs together.
It’s one of those small details that makes your room feel finished — the kind of thing people notice without knowing why.
Dial in the height, pair two matching nightstands, and suddenly your bedroom looks less like a temporary setup and more like a grown man’s space.