Not many of us consider the nightstand a must-have bedroom accessory. But it helps keep things organised and within reach. Instead of leaving books and mobile phones on the floor, make room for a bedside table or stand that can also hold a reading lamp, jewellery and other knick-knacks.
This doesn’t necessarily mean a trip to the furniture store. Here are some creative ways to repurpose day-to-day objects into quirky bedside tables:
•Bring out the dusty vintage suitcases from the attic. The more worn out they are, the better. Stack them on top of each other. Place an antique lamp or a ceramic dish (to put away your rings, watch and other trinkets) on it to give your bedroom an instant old-world feel.
•Your grandmother’s old trunk box can double up as a storage space for extra pillows and blankets. It can also hold heavy books. Line up baskets on top of the trunk to make up for the lack of drawers.
•Wooden barrels also make for ideal stands and storage spaces.
•Bring the outdoors inside using tree stumps. Sandpaper them to get a smooth finish. You can also give a coat of varnish for extra shine. Carve out niches in them to store small items. Use them as a single piece or as a bunch of 2-3 pieces of different heights and sizes.
•Turn over wooden crates to make rustic yet eye-catching side tables. Smoothen sharp edges, if any. Paint them in bright shades or go with a distressed look.
•Separate nested tables and place one on either side of the bed. The third table can be tucked under one of the two side tables to catch things that overflow.
•Chairs that are missing a pair, kindergarten stools, and bar carts with wheels, can also be used as instant nightstands. They are versatile and open to design changes.
•A pile of books waiting to be read can be used as a colourful nightstand too. Place a sturdy book at the bottom (preferably hardbound like an encyclopaedia) and make sure the books don’t topple.
•If floor space is a constraint, mount shelves, brackets, old drawers, and baskets on the wall, at an accessible distance and height from the bed.
