Small-Bedroom Solution: No Room for a Nightstand? Float One
A nightstand is an essential piece of bedroom furniture, at least for those of us who need a resting spot for a book, glasses or that midnight drink of water. But finding space for a full-sized nightstand in a small bedroom can be a challenge. Read on to see rooms where a floating shelf or nightstand solved this dilemma. Which one inspires you?
1. A floating shelf provides enough space for the nightstand essentials: a vase of fresh flowers, a candle — perhaps in a soothing scent like lavender — and a book. The designer saved surface space in this North London bedroom by choosing a hanging pendant.
Wall paint: Oval Room Blue, No.85, Farrow & Ball
Wall paint: Oval Room Blue, No.85, Farrow & Ball
2. With no room to go wide along the sides of this bed, the designer created a narrow but deep shelf.
This photo of the same bedroom shows how the floating shelves line up neatly with the walls of the niche. The space beneath them is still available for stashing items; here, it’s a black case, but baskets, decorative boxes or even a stack of books would also work.
3. There’s no reason a floating shelf needs to be wooden. Blogger Michelle Hinckley found this vintage version at an estate sale and spray-painted it white. A slim task lamp offers lightweight illumination.
4. This bedroom has a bit more space on either side of the bed. Nonetheless, it’s a good illustration of how floating nightstands can create the feeling of buoyancy in a room. Because floor space isn’t taken up beneath the wall-mounted tables, the room reads as a little more open.
Floating nightstands: BDDW
Floating nightstands: BDDW
5. The pathways on either side of this bad aren’t wide, but the two floating cubes create the illusion of more space since they don’t fill the entire gap. Pendant lights save surface space. The feature wall is planked cedar.
6. This floating nightstand is in the same wood as the behind-the-bed feature wall and has a contemporary, minimalist look.
Wall-mounted reading light: Moma by Tango
Wall-mounted reading light: Moma by Tango
7. This space isn’t as small as some of the others, but the wall behind the bed doesn’t have much space on either side of the bed frame. The floating shelves have two layers, offering more space to stash nighttime necessities.
8. This floating option isn’t really a shelf at all but a ledge built into the wall planking. It holds a clock radio and plant, with room left over for glasses and cellphone.