How to pair nightstands with bed

May 4, 2023

Are you in the middle of a bedroom reno project? Or just want to make your interior look more harmonious? Well, you can easily find photos of stunning interiors - but to know the exact reason why that specific interior looks so nice, is not always easy to figure out. In this article, we pursue the topic of matching: how separate pieces can create a harmonious look together.

how to pair nightstands with bed

How to match nightstand to bed

The good news is that you have many options to pair your nightstand with your bed.

Tip: your nightstand and your bed should have at least one thing in common: the color, the material, the design or something else.

Let’s see these ways of matching one-by-one, with examples that instantly give you an idea how they work.

Wood match

If you love wooden furniture, you probably have wooden nightstands and a wooden bedframe - or headboard. In this case, a good way of match is having the bed and nightstands made of the same wood species or if not, stained to the same color.

Color match

Color match is perhaps the easiest way to pair a nightstand with bed - simply, their color should be the same. Here is a white and a black example, but of course, you can be braver than that if you want to experiment with colors.

Harmonized color palettes

Staying with colors, color palettes offer a more complex way of matching. In this case, you have a pre-defined palette and you need to make sure that the elements of the bedroom (including: wall, floor, bed, nightstands, lamps, decor, etc.) fit into that specific palette. Having a limited number of colors (three or four colors maximum) will give you a limitation that is actually helpful - as it does not allow you to include something that does not fit well.

If you want to stay on the minimalist side, go with a monochromatic palette - for example, a grey palette or brown palette. In this case, the colors are more or less the same, however their shade can be entirely different. Think of a beige wall with a dark brown nightstand, and maybe with a medium-tone headboard.

Height match

Height also takes an important role in the ergonomic function of your bedroom. As we wrote in a recent article (How to make a nightstand taller): as a general rule of thumb, the top of your nightstand and the top of your mattress should have the same height, or optionally, your nightstand can be a bit taller (like 2-4” taller). Besides design and style, height can also be an important matching factor.

Style match

Perhaps the most important way of matching is the style match - when the style of your bed and nightstand is the same. For example, a classic nightstand goes well with a classic bed - or a japandi nightstand goes well with a japandi bed. Below you can find some examples of popular styles, with matching nightstands and bed.

Minimalist bed with minimalist nightstand

MINIMALIST white floating nightstand with drawer

Read this article if you need more minimalist bedroom ideas.

Scandinavian bed with Scandinavian nightstand

Bohemian bed with bohemian nightstand

Contemporary bed with contemporary nightstand

Are you interested in interior design styles? Learn more about the basics.

Frequently asked questions

What color nightstand goes with a walnut bed?

Walnut is a rich, warm dark-toned wood, so it pairs best with lighter contrasts — a natural oak or maple nightstand creates a warm, balanced look. If you prefer a monochromatic approach, a nightstand in a similar dark walnut tone works too, as long as the rest of the room has lighter elements to balance it out. A mybettershelf walnut floating nightstand pairs beautifully with a light oak or white bed frame, creating an elegant warm contrast.

Should nightstands match the bed frame?

They don't have to match exactly, but they should have at least one thing in common — whether that's color, material, style, or wood tone. A perfect match can look intentional and clean; a deliberate contrast can look equally stylish if done thoughtfully.

Can I mix wood tones in a bedroom?

Yes — mixing wood tones works well as long as the tones are in the same family. For example, a warm walnut bed frame pairs naturally with an oak nightstand, since both are warm-toned woods. What to avoid is combining warm and cool-toned woods (e.g. golden oak with grey-washed ash), as these tend to clash rather than complement.

What color nightstand works with a black bed?

Black bed frames are strong and graphic, so they work well with both matching black nightstands for a bold, cohesive look, and with natural wood tones — particularly oak or walnut — for a warmer, more balanced contrast. White nightstands also work with a black bed if the room has a high-contrast, modern aesthetic.

What color nightstand goes with a white bed?

White beds are the most versatile — they pair well with almost any nightstand color. Natural wood tones (oak, walnut, maple) are the most popular pairing, as they add warmth to an otherwise cool, clean look. For a fully minimal, airy aesthetic, a white-on-white combination works too.

Do nightstands have to be the same height as the bed?

As a general rule, the top of the nightstand should be roughly level with the top of the mattress, or up to 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) taller. This ensures comfortable reach from bed. Floating nightstands have the advantage of being height-adjustable at installation, so you can set the exact height to match any bed.