skip to main content

Home Decorating

Using a nightstand as an end table????????

15 years ago

I need some of your expert help. Just recently moved into our new custom home. Before building I sold off alot of my furniture and am slowly replacing it.

I have a formal living room with chippendale style sofa and wing chairs. I have been looking for months for side tables for the sofa and between the two wings. I have in my mind a bombe style chest for by the sofa and a more open airy looking table between the chairs (don't want to matchy-matchy). My challenge seems to be most of the bombe chest are too wide. I have looked at several nightstands that I think would work (more of a block front chest style )- has anyone every use a nightstand as an end table?? Crazy, what do you think???

Featured Answer

cpccarolyn_2008

15 years ago

I think you can use a "night" stand or an "end" table anywhere
that it fits and looks nice. Doesn't matter what someone
"named it. Just my humble opinion.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (17)

western_pa_luann
15 years ago
I don't think it is crazy.
But then, I have been using a Stickley nightstand as an end table in our living room for years!
User
15 years ago
I use on at the end of my sofa in my LR.

Jim

Pardon the pic - I lightened it up for clarity.
Related Discussions
space between night-stand and bed
Q
Comments (8)
My favorite bedroom had a long wall and instead of bedside tables I used a chest on DH's side and a pretty desk on mine. From your name, wearybuilder, you're probably still in the overwhelmed stage of home building - but once you're in and settled, if you have the room, consider changing one or both of your bedside tables - it adds a certain panache to the room that was both functional and stylish. Sky
...See More
How big are your bedside tables?
Q
Comments (23)
I hate to be such a pain in the butt, but :) I am becoming more and more indecisive as I get older. Here is another mock up. This one is 29 1/2" and 34" long. The top is a little off balance as I did the length with books, game boards and table leaves. The picture frame on the end represents a mock up of a table top perfume cabinet we're currently making (the tables are the next project) The perfume cabinet is going to be approximately 10" wide x 15" high x 7 1/2 deep. I was originally going to make it 9 x 13 x 7", but the mock-up showed me that I could go bigger. Now here's my question, why does this table look so big. It is actually almost the same size as Mona's tables, a little smaller actually, but to me they look so big. I tried taking a photo from looking down on the table, more like Mona's photo and it still looks big. When we make the tables, we'll make the tops more level than the mock up :))) I hope.... A further away shot. 34" long, why does it look so long? Is it because I am use to looking at our 20 x 20 by only 22"high end tables? Thanks for all your help.
...See More
Would you use buffet lamps on bedside tables?
Q
Comments (10)
It's been there so long that dh would probably squawk if it were gone. He does turn it on every once in awhile but I unplugged it one time & it was a couple of weeks before he noticed. And this is terrible but I like the bulk of it because it keeps dh from piling more stuff onto his table. Flowers, even fake, are out because of dh's allergies. When we build our next house, I am going to have wall lamps and very small tables next to the bed. So for now, it's all about getting this place ready to sell.
...See More
Using a nightstand as a living room end table
Q
Comments (22)
Patty, that's what I am after -- storage for those bits and pieces that end up all over the living room. Thanks, actually, for reminding me about that, because the Stickley pieces don't have any storage! This is a pic of a coordinating small dresser to the last R&B "nightstand" I posted below. Does this look more or less bedroomy? I kind of prefer the open bottom for books and magazines. The one I originally posted: I like the side view of the legs. In terms of size, it is the same height as the table I'd be using on the other end, and pretty close to the same width, so scale-wise, I think it works. You can see I am talking myself into this, now, can't you? I just know that drawer is going to make me so happy.
...See More
sdionnemoore
15 years ago
Why not? They are like miniature chests, are they not? It's a great idea!
cherri
Original Author
15 years ago
Jim:

Thanks so much for the picture of your beautiful living room - that helps to get a visual. Could I bother you to ask what the dimensions are?
User
15 years ago
Thanks for the props!

The nightstand is 25-1/2's tall and long, it's 16"s deep. it also has a pull-out top so it can be used like a desk.

Previously I used it in my BDRM before I got my new furniture.
organic_smallhome
15 years ago
Oh, absolutely! People do it ALL the time and it looks wonderful. :)
teacats
15 years ago
Yes -- nightstands (or end tables) are so useful in any room! :)

Jim -- Wonderful room! So charming!

Jan
organic_smallhome
15 years ago
teacats: I agree. Jim, please come over to my house and arrange my artwork for me? I live in Boston, do you? :)
msrose
15 years ago
I don't use it as an end table, but I do have a nightstand in my family room.

Laurie

{{!gwi}}
gayle0000
15 years ago
Not crazy. I moved into my house in May and in furniture limbo.

I moved my nightstand into a corner nook in the living area, and made the plant stand/shelf originally in that corner nook into my "new" nightstand.

The switch-out worked so well that I'm not feeling urgency to get furniture for those areas at the moment.

Gayle
CaroleOH
15 years ago
I think it would work, but my nightstands aren't finished on the backside, so it would depend on where you were going to put it. Most end tables are finished wood on all four sides. Chests and other pieces aren't always finished on 4 sides, so if it's going to float in the room or be viewable from behind etc. it might not look so good.
mldao
15 years ago
Cherri: Is your nightstand finished in the back? If not, it would work as long as it backed wall. I have a few nightstands that I've used as end tables but they back to a wall.

Msrose: Your nightstand is beautiful. What is the greenish color of the wall to the right of it? It's so pretty.
ladyamity
15 years ago
In your mind, disregard the 'name' and just call it a 'side table'.

That's what I had to do with 'sewing machine cabinet'.
I had to call it 'side table' in my leetle head so that I could use it as a night stand.

Needed a table for a very, very high bed (thank you Mr. Amity for the mis-measurement) and thinking out of the box I came up with a vintage sewing machine cabinet that is the perfect height.

In other words, doesn't matter what you use as a 'table' (stacked vintage suitcases as tables have been around for ages!) as long as it works for You and your family.
msrose
15 years ago
mldao - I'm honestly not sure what color that is. As you can see from this picture, I was trying out different colors.

{{!gwi}}

My favorite color of green was BM Northampton Putty, but I don't think that's the one on the left. I got out my paint cans and it could be BM Providence Olive or Behr Fossil Butte. Another favorite was BM Jamesboro Gold, so it could have been that.

Laurie
mldao
15 years ago
msrose: No wonder I like it. I have BM Northhampton Putty in my MBR and BM Jamesboro Gold in my FR. What color did you end up with for the wall?
msrose
15 years ago
mldao - I ended up using Woodstock Tan. It's a greenish brown, so it blended with the paneling better.

Laurie

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES 11 Vignettes to Inspire a Clutter-Free Nightstand

By Shawn Gauthier

Turn that bedside table into a place for the eye to rest at the end of a long day

BEDROOMS 15 Nightstands That Are Not Your Average Bedside Tables

By Becky Harris

Take another look at that unusual antique or flea market find. It could have a new life next to the bed

BEDROOMS How to Pull Off Mismatched Nightstands

By Lisa Frederick

Despite their differences, night tables with unequal heights, varying colors and even odd-couple styles can get along just fine

BEDROOMS Guest Picks: Make Your Bedside a Soothing Yet Useful Space

By Lemonade Makin' Mama

Set a romantic tone with vintage-style clocks, a textural carafe and nature-inspired accessories on your nightstand

DECORATING GUIDES On Trend: End Tables Perch on Opposite Ends of Design

By Mari Richards

Sturdy or skinny and metallic or black, end tables for fall 2012 are going to extremes

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Up to 55% Off Side Tables, Nightstands and Dressers

Save up to 55% on accent tables, chests and bedside tables with or without storage

0

SHOP HOUZZ Shop Houzz: Side Tables, Nightstands and Dressers on Sale

Save up to 65% on stylish surfaces for all your rooms

0

DECORATING GUIDES 32 Creative Ideas for Your Nightstand

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

The perfect bedside table could be high, low, built-In, or not a table at all

BEDROOMS New This Week: 3 Bed, Nightstand and Wall Combos You’ve Got to Try

By Mitchell Parker

Whether you prefer moody, minimalist or sunny, these 3 bedrooms uploaded to Houzz recently are exercises in stylish harmony

LIVING ROOMS How to Pick the Right End Tables for Your Sofa

By Lisa Frederick

You may want to give your seating accompaniments a standing ovation when you follow these guidelines for choosing the right ones

Sponsored

More Discussions

Powder room by the kitchen

275

Help with Studio Apt

61

Need help with sitting room/lounge room furniture

13

Hi. Looking for some help.

4

10x14 area rug - help!

0