Bedside Tables Australia – Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy

Choosing a bedside table might sound straightforward, but once you start looking, you realise just how many decisions are involved. What height should it be? How many drawers do you actually need? Should you go for solid wood or something lighter? And what style works best with the rest of your bedroom furniture?

If you’ve been asking yourself these questions, you’re in the right place. This guide walks you through everything worth knowing about bedside tables in Australia — from sizing and materials to styles and what to look for when shopping online. Whether you’re furnishing a new home or simply upgrading your bedroom, we’ve got you covered.

Why a Good Bedside Table Matters More Than You Think

It’s easy to treat a Bedside Table as an afterthought, but it actually does a lot of heavy lifting in a bedroom. It holds your lamp, your phone, your glass of water, your book, and probably a few other things you wouldn’t admit to. Beyond the practical side, the right bedside table can tie the whole room together and make the space feel intentional rather than just assembled.

A poorly chosen one — wrong height, too bulky, not enough storage — becomes a daily annoyance. A well-chosen one? You barely notice it, because it just works.

What Height Should a Bedside Table Be?

This is one of the most overlooked things when people shop for bedside tables in Australia. A common rule of thumb is that the table should sit at roughly the same height as the top of your mattress, give or take a few centimetres. This makes reaching for your phone, your water, or your alarm clock much more natural.

Standard Bedside Table Heights

Most bedside tables fall somewhere between 55cm and 65cm tall. If you have a taller bed with a thick mattress and a platform base, you might want something closer to 65–70cm. For lower beds or floor-level frames, a shorter table in the 50–55cm range usually works better.

The best approach is to measure from the floor to the top of your mattress before you buy anything.

How Many Drawers Do You Actually Need?

The answer depends entirely on how much storage you want from your bedside table. Here’s a practical breakdown:

One Drawer or Open Shelf

If you’re a light sleeper with minimal bedtime essentials, a single-drawer design or an open shelf setup might be all you need. These tend to look cleaner and less bulky, which works especially well in smaller bedrooms or minimalist spaces.

Two Drawers

Two drawers is probably the most popular choice for good reason — one for things you use every night (charger, lip balm, earbuds), and another for things you want nearby but don’t access daily. It hits a nice balance between storage and visual weight.

Three Drawers

Three-drawer bedside tables with drawers are great if you want your nightstand to pull double duty as a small dresser. They’re particularly handy in bedrooms without much other storage, or if you like to keep reading materials, medications, and personal items all in one spot.

Bedside Table Materials – What’s Worth Buying?

The material makes a big difference to how your bedside table looks, how long it lasts, and how easy it is to maintain. Here’s a look at the main options you’ll come across when shopping for bedside tables online in Australia.

Solid Wood Bedside Tables

A solid wood bedside table is typically the most durable option. Solid pine and oak are both common choices, and each has its own character. Pine has a lighter, more casual look and takes paint well if you ever want to change things up. Oak tends to be denser with a more prominent grain, making it feel a bit more premium.

The main advantage of solid wood is longevity. A well-made solid timber piece, looked after properly, can last for decades without looking tired.

Engineered Wood and MDF

Most budget-friendly bedside tables are built from MDF or particleboard with a veneer or laminate finish. They’re lighter, easier to manufacture at scale, and can look very convincing — especially in painted finishes. The trade-off is that they’re more susceptible to moisture and don’t handle bumps or scratches as graciously as solid timber.

For bedrooms, where the table isn’t going to take heavy daily abuse, engineered wood options can absolutely hold up well.

Rattan and Natural Materials

Rattan bedside tables have grown significantly in popularity over the last few years, largely because they bring a relaxed, natural texture to a bedroom. They work brilliantly in coastal-inspired or Hamptons-style rooms, and they pair well with linen bedding and earthy tones.

Popular Bedside Table Styles for Australian Homes

Different styles suit different bedrooms, so it’s worth thinking about the overall look you’re going for before you decide.

Modern and Contemporary Bedside Tables

Clean lines, minimal hardware, and neutral colours are the hallmarks of a modern bedside table. These suit open-plan homes, Scandi-inspired interiors, and anyone who prefers their furniture to stay in the background rather than compete for attention.

White and black are the most popular finishes in this style, and they have the practical benefit of going with almost anything.

Vintage and Rustic Styles

If your bedroom leans more toward warmth and character, a vintage-style or rustic piece can be a really nice touch. Distressed finishes, turned legs, and antique-style hardware all contribute to that lived-in, layered feel that’s hard to achieve with brand new furniture alone.

LED and Feature Bedside Tables

A growing number of bedside tables in Australia now come with built-in LED lighting and USB charging ports. These are genuinely useful if you use your phone as an alarm and like to charge it overnight without fussing with cables. The LED strip around the base or panel can also serve as a soft nightlight — handy if you get up in the middle of the night.

Bedside Table Sizing – Getting the Width Right

Height gets most of the attention, but width matters too. A bedside table that’s too narrow feels flimsy and doesn’t have enough surface area for the things you actually want on it. One that’s too wide can crowd the room and make moving around the bed awkward.

As a general guide, most people find something between 40cm and 55cm wide works well for a standard bedroom. If you have a larger master bedroom or a king-size bed, you might go slightly wider. For smaller rooms or single beds, something on the narrower end keeps things from feeling cramped.

What About Pairs?

If you’re buying bedside tables for both sides of a double or queen bed, buying a matching pair is usually the smartest move. It creates a balanced, intentional look that’s harder to achieve with mismatched pieces. Many online retailers — including Wood Factory — sell bedside tables in sets of two, which can also work out more cost-effective.

How to Style Your Bedside Table

A bedside table that’s well-styled makes a bedroom feel considered and put-together. Here are a few simple principles that work reliably well.

Keep the Surface Functional, Not Cluttered

Leave enough room for the things you genuinely use — lamp, phone, a glass of water, maybe a book. Avoid the temptation to stack things on there that could easily live in a drawer. Less on the surface means the table looks bigger and the room feels calmer.

Add a Lamp at the Right Height

A bedside lamp is one of the most important things you can add to a bedroom, and the height matters. Ideally, the base of the lampshade should sit roughly at eye level when you’re sitting up in bed. Too low and you get an odd upward glow; too high and it feels like office lighting.

A Small Plant or a Candle Goes a Long Way

A small potted plant or a candle adds a bit of life and warmth to a bedside table without taking up much room. Succulents work particularly well because they’re low-maintenance and don’t drop leaves onto the furniture.

Buying Bedside Tables Online in Australia – What to Look For

Shopping for bedside tables online is convenient, but it does require a bit more care than buying in person. Here’s what to pay attention to before you add to cart.

Check the Dimensions Carefully

Product photos can be misleading when it comes to scale. Always read the exact dimensions and, if possible, tape them out on the floor next to your bed before buying. It takes thirty seconds and saves a lot of disappointment.

Read the Material Description

Make sure you understand what the table is actually made of. Terms like “wood” or “timber” can sometimes refer to engineered wood rather than solid timber. If that distinction matters to you, look for specific mentions of “solid pine,” “solid oak,” or “MDF with veneer.”

Look at the Drawer Construction

Good drawers should glide smoothly and feel solid. In product descriptions, look for mentions of dovetail joints or metal drawer runners — these tend to indicate better quality than basic wooden slides.

Check Delivery and Assembly Requirements

Most flat-pack furniture requires some assembly. Make sure you’re comfortable with that, or look for options that come pre-assembled. Also check whether the retailer delivers to your area in Australia and what the lead times are.

Bedside Tables to Suit Every Budget in Australia

You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a bedside table that looks good and holds up well. Here’s a rough breakdown of what different price points typically get you:

Under $100: Basic MDF construction, simple designs, limited colour options. Perfectly functional for a guest room or a child’s bedroom. Some pine options also fall in this range and offer better longevity.

$100–$250: The most popular range for everyday bedroom furniture. You’ll find solid pine pieces, more refined finishes, and better hardware at this price point. This is where most people end up, and there are a lot of good options to choose from.

$250–$500: Better materials, more interesting designs, and often higher-quality drawer systems. Solid timber pieces start to become more common here.

$500 and above: Premium solid hardwood, designer styles, and heirloom-quality construction. Worth considering if you’re investing in a long-term bedroom setup.

Shop Bedside Tables Online at Wood Factory

At Wood Factory, we stock a wide range of bedside tables in Australia to suit different styles, budgets, and bedroom sizes. From solid pine nightstands to modern LED designs with built-in USB ports, there’s something for every kind of bedroom.

All products are available to order online with delivery across Australia. Whether you need a single piece or a matching pair, you can browse the full collection and find the right fit for your space.