A small nightstand needs to do three jobs in very little space: hold a lamp and your phone, hide the clutter, and leave room to walk past the bed. A standard nightstand runs 20 to 28 inches wide. In a small bedroom, 12 to 18 inches is usually the sweet spot.
We picked 9 small solid wood nightstands from our shop and grouped them by width, so you find the right fit in a minute. Every one has at least one drawer.
What counts as a small nightstand?
For this guide, a small nightstand is 18 inches wide or less and 16 inches deep or less. Depth matters as much as width. A shallow nightstand keeps the walkway open between the bed and the wall, the closet or the door.
Before you shop, measure two things:
- The gap beside your bed. Leave about 2 inches on each side of the nightstand, so a 16 inch gap fits a 12 inch nightstand comfortably.
- The height of your mattress top. Your nightstand should sit level with it, or a little above. Most beds land between 20 and 25 inches from the floor.
How to choose a small nightstand
- Pick legs over a solid base. Tapered legs show floor underneath, so the nightstand looks lighter and the room feels larger.
- Get a drawer. A small top fills up fast. A drawer keeps chargers, earplugs and medicine off the surface.
- Look for rounded edges. In a tight room, you brush past the nightstand every day. Curved corners are kinder to knees and toddlers.
- Use an open shelf for books. If you read in bed, a lower shelf holds two or three books without crowding the top.
No floor space at all? Read our guide to floating nightstands with drawers, which mount on the wall instead.
12 inch wide nightstands for the tightest spaces
These five are only 12 inches wide and 12 inches deep, about the size of a large cookbook. They fit beside a full bed in a small apartment, in a guest room or next to a reading chair.
1. Mini 2-Drawer Nightstand, Chestnut
Size: 12 in W x 12 in D x 22.8 in H. Weight: 13.2 lb. Price: $249
The simplest pick on the list. Two small drawers, straight lines and Scandinavian-style legs. At 22.8 inches tall, it lines up well with most standard beds.
See the Mini 2-Drawer Nightstand
2. Mini Curved Nightstand with 2 Drawers, Chestnut
Size: 12 in W x 12 in D x 22 in H. Weight: 22.5 lb. Price: $259
Same footprint with rounded edges and a classic mid-century look. It is the heaviest of the 12 inch models, so it feels steady when you open a drawer from bed.
See the Mini Curved Nightstand
3. Mini Curved Nightstand with Drawer and Lower Shelf, Chestnut
Size: 12 in W x 12 in D x 22 in H. Weight: 11.5 lb. Price: $249
A drawer on top and an open shelf below. The shelf fits a few books or a small basket. Good for readers who want everything in arm's reach.
See the Nightstand with Lower Shelf
4. Mini Curved Nightstand with Drawer and Open Slot, Honey Caramel
Size: 12 in W x 12 in D x 22 in H. Weight: 12.3 lb. Price: $339
The open slot sits above the drawer, so your phone and book stay visible and the drawer hides the rest. The honey caramel finish is lighter and warmer than chestnut, which helps in a room with little daylight.
See the Honey Caramel Nightstand
5. Mini Scalloped Nightstand with Drawer and Open Shelf, Chestnut
Size: 12 in W x 12 in D x 16 in H. Weight: 15.4 lb. Price: $269
Only 16 inches tall, so it suits low beds, platform beds and floor mattresses. The scalloped edge adds character without taking up any extra space.
See the Mini Scalloped Nightstand
16 to 18 inch nightstands with more storage
If you have a queen bed and a little more room, these four give you a bigger top for a lamp, a book and a glass of water.
6. Semi-Circle Nightstand with Drawer, Chestnut
Size: 16 in W x 12.8 in D x 20.8 in H. Weight: 12.1 lb. Price: $249
The half-moon shape sits flat against the wall and curves away from the walkway. It saves more usable floor space than a square nightstand of the same width.
See the Semi-Circle Nightstand
7. Round Disc Nightstand with Drawer, Chestnut
Size: 18 in W x 14 in D x 16 in H. Weight: 22.1 lb. Price: $359
Soft rounded edges all around, which makes it a good choice for a kids' room or a home with pets. At 16 inches tall, pair it with a low or platform bed.
8. Arched Open Shelf Nightstand with Drawer
Size: 18 in W x 14 in D x 22 in H. Weight: 30.9 lb. Price: $439
An arched open shelf on top and a drawer with a brass handle below. The rich winewood oak finish shows the wood grain clearly. A good pick if you want one nightstand to set the style of the room.
9. Fluted 2-Drawer Nightstand with Brass Handles
Size: 16.8 in W x 16 in D x 22 in H. Weight: 24.2 lb. Price: $449
Fluted drawer fronts, brass handles and tapered legs. Two full drawers give you the most storage on this list in under 17 inches of width.
Quick comparison
| Nightstand | Width | Depth | Height | Storage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini 2-Drawer | 12 in | 12 in | 22.8 in | 2 drawers | $249 |
| Mini Curved, 2 drawers | 12 in | 12 in | 22 in | 2 drawers | $259 |
| Mini Curved, lower shelf | 12 in | 12 in | 22 in | 1 drawer, 1 shelf | $249 |
| Mini Curved, open slot | 12 in | 12 in | 22 in | 1 drawer, 1 slot | $339 |
| Mini Scalloped | 12 in | 12 in | 16 in | 1 drawer, 1 shelf | $269 |
| Semi-Circle | 16 in | 12.8 in | 20.8 in | 1 drawer | $249 |
| Round Disc | 18 in | 14 in | 16 in | 1 drawer | $359 |
| Arched Open Shelf | 18 in | 14 in | 22 in | 1 drawer, 1 shelf | $439 |
| Fluted 2-Drawer | 16.8 in | 16 in | 22 in | 2 drawers | $449 |
Small bedroom tips that free up more space
- Use a wall sconce or clip-on lamp instead of a table lamp. You get the whole top back for your phone and a book.
- Only one side of the bed against a wall? Put a 12 inch nightstand there and a wider one on the open side. Matching heights matter more than matching sizes.
- Keep a small tray on top for keys, rings and earbuds, so the surface stays clear.
- Pick a lighter finish like honey caramel or light oak in a north-facing room. Dark chestnut and walnut look best in rooms with good daylight.
Small nightstand FAQ
What is the best size nightstand for a small bedroom?
12 to 18 inches wide and 12 to 16 inches deep. Measure the gap beside your bed, subtract about 4 inches, and choose the widest nightstand that fits.
How tall should a small nightstand be?
Level with the top of your mattress, or up to 2 inches above. A 22 inch nightstand suits most standard beds. Choose a 16 inch model for low or platform beds.
Can I use a small nightstand next to a queen bed?
Yes. A 16 to 18 inch nightstand looks balanced next to a queen bed. A 12 inch model works too if the room is tight, and it still holds a lamp and a phone.
Do these nightstands need assembly?
Little or none. Some pieces arrive with the legs packed separately, and you screw them in by hand in a few minutes.
Want more options? Browse all our solid wood nightstands, from 12 inch minis to floating models, with free shipping across the US.