Floating nightstands – the pros and cons

September 21, 2017

pros and cons of floating nightstands and bedside tables

More and more people have floating nightstands their homes, but if you are new to the topic, you may want to have a clear list of its advantages and disadvantages of this type of bedroom furniture. We tried to collect all the pros and cons that we suggest pondering on before making the decision.

The PROs of floating nightstands

Great space saving: floating nightstands are remarkably smaller than regular ones and they do not take up floor space. You will have extra space in your bedroom and there will be no hard-to-clean areas (benefits of floating furniture), like in case of the regular pieces. Actually, in most cases this is the #1 reason why our customers select our furniture.
Cost-efficient: since floating nightstands are smaller, it takes less time and material to make, therefore these are always cheaper than same quality regular nightstands.
Modern look: besides of the practical advantages, these shelves offer a trendy and contemporary look for your room, while you can still decide having something more traditional, by customizing the design, color, wood type, etc.

The CONs of floating nightstands

Though we love them, we do not want to hide such few factors that can be also considered as 'con' attributes – you can decide it:

floating nightstands have a fix position (how it's made): they are mounted on the wall, so you will have to remount the shelves when rearranging your room.
smaller storage capability: as these shelves are remarkably smaller than regular bedside tables, they offer less storage area.

If you cast your vote for floating nightstand – such as we did –, why not check out our shop: floating nightstands

Frequently asked questions

What is a floating nightstand?

A floating nightstand (also called a wall-mounted bedside table, or in British English: floating bedside table) is a nightstand that mounts directly to the wall instead of standing on the floor. It has no legs — the mounting hardware is hidden inside, creating a clean, minimal look as if the nightstand is "floating" on the wall. It can be matched precisely to any bed height — making it one of the most versatile and space-efficient nightstand types available.

What is the biggest advantage of a floating nightstand?

The biggest advantage of a floating nightstand is that it mounts directly to the wall, freeing up floor space and making the room easier to clean — there are no legs and no hard-to-reach areas underneath.

Can a floating nightstand be mounted at any height?

Yes — because a floating nightstand attaches to the wall, its height is fully adjustable at installation. This makes it ideal for matching any bed height precisely, whether you have a low platform bed or a taller frame. Mybettershelf floating nightstands can be mounted at any height to match your bed frame.

What are the disadvantages of a floating nightstand?

The main disadvantages are two: first, the position is fixed once mounted — if you rearrange your room, you'll need to remount it. Second, floating nightstands typically offer less storage space than freestanding bedside tables, as they are more compact by design

What materials are floating nightstands made of?

Floating nightstands can be made of MDF, plywood, laminate or solid wood. Mybettershelf floating nightstands are handcrafted from solid oak, walnut, maple or cherry wood, with a 100% natural oil and beeswax finish — making them one of the most durable and visually premium options available.

Is a floating nightstand the same as a floating bedside table?

Yes — "nightstand" is the American English term, while "bedside table" is the British English equivalent. Both refer to the same piece of furniture placed beside the bed for storage and practical use. A floating or wall-mounted version simply means it is fixed to the wall rather than standing on legs.