Shop The Story: Nightstands c/o Serena & Lily // Magic Night Cream c/o // Magic Eye Rescue Cream c/o // Charlotte’s Magic Cream c/o Charlotte Tilbury // Vitner’s Daughter Serum // Keihls Body Lotion // Silver Tray (vintage from an Estate Sale) // Art {a photo I took in Italy and a vintage Lithograph I scored in Nashville) // Sconces // Bed // Bedding c/o Serena & Lily
Interior design doesn’t have to be high-end, fancy decor. It can be things that make you feel better about yourself, put in the perfect location.
I used to be able to run downstairs and upstairs a million times a day to get whatever I needed. But now with miss Penelope, easy access to the items I love is the key for finding time for myself.
Why You Should Style Your Nightstands
The mere minutes before bed (when Penelope is sleeping) is the one time every day I know I have without any interruptions. And I’m assuming you too! So styling my nightstand not only made our room feel more put together but the convenience of having everything in arms reach (while all snuggly in bed) has helped me be consistent. It’s remarkable what you can accomplish in ten minutes!
It’s easy to decorate with nick nacks and meaningless pretty items. But doubling items you already use as home decor means you will buy less stuff – saving you money and space.
Scroll below to find out how I did this with our new Serena & Lily nightstands!
Stylish Bedside Table Ideas
Since this part takes a lot of thought, below are the exact bed side table ideas I used, plus the products that worked for me! But the world is truly your oyster here.
- Get functional nightstands: Drawers, shelves and an adequate surface area can make a big difference in the overall appearance and functionality of your bedroom. Drawers and shelves hide the “not so pretty things”, maximize storage and keep a tidier bedside. Mine from Serena & Lily are are dream and a half!
- Maximize space: Installing sconces instead of lamps increases your tableside’s surface area. This was imperative for us given we have a small bedroom!
- Reduce clutter: Use a tray to consolidate small trinkets and loose items. Grouping little things together gives a tidy feel. A tray also allows you to take everything off at once, catch spills and prevents water stains.
- Use pretty products that work: Most people don’t realize products left out in the open REALLY affect a room’s aesthetic! This is especially true in smaller spaces or if you lack storage. Here’s a perfect example with before and afters. So be cognizant of packaging!For me, spending extra money on a higher quality face lotion in a pretty jar is well worth it in the long run! You get a better product for your skin, that styles your space at the same time. When you double products as decor, you save money and buy less stuff.This is why I especially adore Charlotte Tilbury. I’ve been using her skin care for several months now and the results are INCREDIBLE. I adore how they look on my bedside grouped together. Her magic night cream is like giving your face 24 glasses of water and the rescue eye cream is legit. And since I’ve moved my face lotions and serum from the bathroom to my bedside, I’ve been religiously applying them nightly!I also try to find attractive coffee table books and magazine subscriptions that I really want to read. They look wonderful sitting out or layered. And if whatever you’re reading doesn’t have a pretty cover, this is where your drawer comes in handy! Just tuck them out of sight.
- Pretty containers for ugly packaging: If you have unattractive products you can’t part with, no problem! Simply change their containers. Things that come in plastic bags can be placed in an empty candle holder. For products, order new bottles or jars. Since I’m trying to drink more water, I replaced my go to plastic water bottles with a glass carafe. It elevates the look of my nightstand so much!
- Take your time! It’s completely normal for this process to take awhile. So don’t feel like everything needs to look perfect immediately. Do what you can now and chip away at the rest. It took me three years to find nightstands I love. And I just discovered Charlotte Tilbury. And although a pretty coffee table book is ideal, sometimes the latest US Weekly issue is just what the doctor ordered!
- Other pretty products I love: Keihls, Vitner’s Daughter, Diptyque candles, this deodorant, stylish pens {instead of one from a bank}, neutral hair ties, perfume, monogrammed coasters or leave a favorite pair of earrings out on display.
Complete With Sentimental Items
Once you incorporate the things you use, add sentimental items or things you love! Here I layered a lithograph I got at a thrift store in Nashville, a photo from our trip to Italy, a topiary (my favorite plant) and a ginger jar (just because I love them).
Final Thoughts
Sure, my nightstand doesn’t look this put together 24/7. And sometimes not so pretty items stay out for weeks. But as they say, it’s progress not perfection!
I hope I’ve inspired you to think beyond just making things “pretty” and doubling items you already use as decor. If you own any useful products you love that look good too, tell me on Instagram!
Photos by Wonder & Awe
