Bedside Table Collection: Sizes and Storage Options

The bedside table is one of those pieces most people choose in a hurry — picked to match the bed frame, ordered in the same click, and not given much further thought. That is understandable. When you are furnishing a bedroom, the bed, mattress, and wardrobe rightly take priority. But a bedside table that is the wrong height, too shallow for your books, or simply too large for a compact master bedroom makes itself felt every single morning. Getting this piece right does not take long — it just takes a few considered decisions. This guide walks through what those decisions are.

What height should a bedside table be?

The single most important dimension for a bedside table is not width or depth — it is height. A table that sits too low means reaching down awkwardly in the dark for your phone or a glass of water. One that sits too high feels like a countertop beside your pillow.

The general rule is straightforward: your bedside table should sit level with, or no more than 5-8cm above, the top of your mattress. For most Singaporeans sleeping on a bed frame with a Queen or King mattress, that puts the ideal bedside table height somewhere between 55cm and 65cm.

If your bed frame sits particularly low — common with platform-style frames from our bed frame collection — you may want a table in the 45cm to 55cm range. If you use a thicker mattress above 30cm, or your frame has a higher base, lean towards 60cm to 65cm. The best approach is simply to measure the height from your floor to the top of your mattress before purchasing.

Understanding the size options in our bedside table collection

Our bedside table collection covers three broad size categories, each suited to different bedroom layouts and storage needs.

Compact tables: 40-50cm wide

Compact tables are designed for Singapore HDB bedrooms where every centimetre matters. A 3-room or 4-room BTO master bedroom typically has enough space on either side of a Queen bed, but that space is often tighter than it looks once the bed frame is positioned.

A 45cm-wide bedside table fits comfortably in these rooms without blocking the pathway to the wardrobe or door. These models typically offer one drawer or an open shelf — enough for a phone, a book, and a night light.

Mid-size tables: 50-60cm wide

Mid-size tables give you meaningfully more surface and storage without overwhelming the room. These suit 4-room and 5-room HDB bedrooms, as well as most condo master bedrooms.

You gain room for a proper lamp, a small tray, your current read, and a glass of water — all at once, without stacking. Most mid-size models in our range carry a drawer plus a lower shelf or second drawer, which is the configuration our showroom team finds most useful for everyday bedroom organisation.

Wider bedside tables: above 60cm

Wider bedside tables work well in larger condo and landed property bedrooms, or anywhere the bedroom has been opened up through renovation. These models can carry additional drawers, a cabinet compartment, or a combination of both.

For couples who have decided to use a single wider table as a shared nightstand between two single beds in a child’s room, this size works particularly well.

Storage configurations: drawers, shelves, and cabinet doors

Beyond size, the storage configuration is where bedside tables differ most practically from one another. Three configurations dominate our range.

Drawer-only models

Drawer-only models keep everything concealed and within reach. A single deep drawer handles the essentials — charger cables, glasses case, earphones, hand cream, a notepad. Two-drawer models go further, allowing you to organise by frequency of use: daily items above, less-used things below.

For a clean, uncluttered bedroom aesthetic, drawer storage is consistently the choice our showroom team recommends.

Open-shelf models

Open-shelf models sacrifice concealment for visual lightness. In a bedroom that feels enclosed or where the furniture is already quite heavy in visual weight, an open-shelf bedside table keeps the room feeling airy.

The practical trade-off is that the shelf is visible and collects dust more readily than a drawer interior. These work best if you prefer to keep only a few deliberate objects beside you at night — a lamp, a book, perhaps a plant — rather than using the space for varied everyday storage.

Combination models

Combination models — drawer plus shelf, or drawer plus cabinet — are the most versatile. The drawer handles items you would rather keep out of sight; the shelf or open cabinet accommodates a diffuser, reading glasses, or decorative objects.

For bedrooms that double as a home office corner or reading nook, a combination model with a lower cabinet provides enough discrete storage to keep the surface clear.

Materials and finishes: what holds up in Singapore’s humidity

Singapore’s year-round humidity affects furniture more than most homeowners anticipate. For bedroom pieces, this matters most with materials that are prone to warping, swelling, or surface deterioration when exposed to sustained moisture — a real consideration in bedrooms without consistent air-conditioning.

Engineered wood with laminate or melamine finish

Engineered wood with a laminate or melamine finish performs reliably in humid conditions. It holds its shape better than solid wood in fluctuating humidity, and its sealed surface resists moisture penetration.

Most of our bedside table range uses this construction for the carcass, with solid wood elements on exposed faces and legs where a warmer finish is desired.

Solid timber bedside tables

Solid timber bedside tables add character and a natural warmth that is difficult to replicate. In a bedroom with a functioning air-conditioner, solid timber performs well and improves with age.

In rooms that are frequently humid or poorly ventilated, the timber may move slightly over time — this is a natural material characteristic, not a defect, but it is worth understanding before you buy.

Bedside tables in our range that complement natural-finish wardrobe collection pieces typically use matching oak, walnut-effect, or light ash veneers, making it straightforward to maintain a consistent palette across the room.

Pairing your bedside table with the rest of the bedroom

A bedside table rarely exists in isolation. It sits beside your bed frame, often across from your wardrobe, and in view of whatever other bedroom furniture you have chosen. Getting the visual balance right is not complicated, but a few principles help.

Match the finish family

Match the finish family, not necessarily the exact material. A light oak bed frame pairs naturally with an ash or light timber-effect bedside table — they read as belonging together without being identical. A dark walnut or charcoal-toned frame accommodates a similarly toned bedside table or a contrasting lighter finish for deliberate balance.

Consider visual weight

Consider the visual weight of your other pieces. If your bed frame has a substantial upholstered headboard and a thick base, a heavier bedside table with full cabinet storage keeps the proportions balanced.

If your bed frame is low-profile and light in appearance, an open-shelf or slender-legged bedside table maintains that sense of ease.

Rated 4.8 by 2,733+ verified Google reviews from Singapore homeowners, MaxiHome’s bedroom range is designed with these pairings in mind — which is why we keep full bedroom configurations on the floor at our showroom rather than individual pieces in isolation.

Choosing the right fit for your bedroom

If you are still working through which configuration suits your room best, the most practical step is to measure twice before you browse. Know your mattress height, the available floor space on either side of your bed, and whether your priority is surface space, concealed storage, or a combination.

Our bedside table collection covers compact to wider formats across multiple finishes — every product page includes full dimensions so you can cross-reference against your room measurements before visiting.

For those who prefer to see the pieces in person, our showroom at 5 Ubi Link is open daily from 11:30 AM to 9 PM, including weekends and public holidays. Bring your floor measurements, and our team can walk you through how each size and storage option fits your specific bedroom layout. There is no pressure and no time limit — come on a quiet weekday or a Saturday afternoon, whichever suits you better.