How To Style An End Table

My husband and I have a running joke that our home doubles as a bed and breakfast, with friends and family coming to stay with us nearly every other weekend. We live for it. In anticipation for our guests’ arrival, I always look forward to setting up the guest bedroom with fresh linens, folded towels on the bed, and a pair of beautifully styled bedside tables. Not only is creating a special space for your guests a welcoming and much appreciated gesture, it increases the cozy factor by a million. I recently snatched up a few incredible pieces from Target, including a killer vintage inspired bamboo tray table and some dreamy indigo linens, so I can share with you some of my tips for styling an bedside end table.

sidetable5

sidetable4

sidetable3

Choosing a table: Pick an accent table where the top surface is in line with the top of the mattress, if not, then just a tad higher. I also love the unexpected use of the tray table as a bedside table. If you’re working with a small room, a light and leggy table like this one is able to give the illusion of more space.

sidetable6

Books add height and dimension: Stacking coffee table books create higher surfaces, creating more depth and dimension. Plus, they add such wonderful color!

sidetable9

Choose a low maintenance plant: Most succulents only require watering once every two weeks which makes them a perfect, low maintenance plant to have around – especially if you’re as forgetful about watering as I am! I like mixing up textures and colors so this ceramic planter helps tone down all the brassy colors.

sidetable1

Desk lamps take up less space: I love using desk lamps on side table because the bases take up less surface area and they are really functional for bedside reading.

sidetable8

Use covered containers to hide the clutter: Containers with lids are great for storing matches, lip balm, and other small items for your guests. I mean, how adorable is this turtle dish?

sidetable2

sidetable7

sidetable11

(images by HonestlyWTF)

Leave a Comment

19 Comments

  1. glamdevils wrote:

    Love the cute bamboo table!

    xx Mira

    http://www.glamdevils.com

    4.28.15
    Reply
  2. Jeannie wrote:

    I attest to my end table being used to,hold up everything in my life I can throw at it AHAHA. How enviable, I wish to have a life that is open enough to have regular visits from friends

    http://Www.whimsicalzoo.blogspot.com

    4.28.15
    Reply
  3. Emily wrote:

    Such great tips! I love a beautifully styled side table!
    x
    http://www.shedoes.com.au

    4.28.15
    Reply
  4. Kathryn wrote:

    Such a thoughtful way to welcome a guest, especially the little turtle.
    http://www.liquidgrain.co.uk

    4.28.15
    Reply
  5. M wrote:

    Lovely:)

    4.28.15
    Reply
  6. Gabi wrote:

    Beautiful.

    4.29.15
    Reply
  7. love this! the color scheme is great, and the plant adds a great touch!

    http://wethinkthereforewecreate.blogspot.com

    4.29.15
    Reply
  8. Lorna wrote:

    This looks gorgeous. Love it all!

    Lorna | http://www.studsanddreams.com xx

    5.2.15
    Reply
  9. Lauren wrote:

    Love the lamp! Where is it from?

    5.3.15
    Reply
  10. Clara wrote:

    beautiful! Where is the pink lips poster/painting from?

    7.10.15
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @Clara, it’s from art.com!

      7.12.15
  11. Adore! Writing a feature on guest bedrooms at the moment for my next blog and this bedside table nails it!

    A.x

    5.28.16
    Reply
  12. I seriously love.

    4.11.19
    Reply
  13. Benesse wrote:

    While I appreciate well-styled end tables for a photo op or staging, the set-ups are far from practical for everyday living. Maybe that goes without saying which is probably why I never hear anyone saying it.

    Take the example here. Where would one put bottled water, a cup of coffee, a cell phone, lip balm, etc, etc.? Where would one put a Kindle or comfortably reach for one of the books to read in the stack so nicely arranged and topped with a heavy trinket?

    It’s something I could never understand.

    5.11.20
    Reply
    • Elizabeth T wrote:

      I had the same thought – especially the lamp is literally on top of the stack of books. You’d have to move the turtle and the lamp to thumb through one of those beautiful books

      Looks beautiful! I love the brass tones and the turtle is so cute.

      5.14.20