Как выбрать прикроватную тумбу: от винтажных находок до современных решений для детей

As is so often true with design, bedside tables are a useful representation of society and culture at any given time. In her book Sleep in Early Modern England, historian Sasha Handley tracks how ‘sleep’s meanings, timings and physical environments were transformed’ between the mid-17th and the mid-18th centuries in England. In that time, sleep became a more sacred practice, considered essential for human function. Shifting with the industrial revolution, urbanisation and changes in wealth and culture, sleep went from a communal pursuit, carried out in a shared central room, to a private, protected act. And so came the need for a bedside table: a small but essential landing point between a dreamy sleep zone and daily life. Now, our bedside tables hold novels, technology and medication, often among some of our most private possessions. I remember being taught from a young age to never look in people’s handbags or bedside tables. To do so would feel like an act somewhere between looking through someone’s dreams and medical records. Which is, in a way, representative of the bedside table. Anyone raised in the 2000s will remember the Sex and the City episode when sexually liberated Miranda comes head-to-head with ‘cleaning lady Magda’, who replaces her ‘private things’ with a miniature statue of the Virgin Mary. It was a cultural moment that so aptly captured the sacrosanctity of an adult woman’s nightstand. And just like that, we move seamlessly from Carrie Bradshaw to Thomas Crapper. A brief foray into the history of the humble bedside reveals its original name as the rather crude ‘Pot Cupboard’. Before the 18th century and the evolution of modern plumbing, the nightstand’s primary purpose was to store chamber pots, and it wasn’t until the late Victorian period that bathroom ablutions were banished to a separate room, for those who could afford the luxury anyway. Organise your ‘odds and ends’ Though we don't now – thankfully – have to consider bodily functions when curating our bedsides, functionality is still essential. Carina Harford from Harford House, an interior design studio specialising in sustainability and character, says antique bedside tables are a must. But, she reminds us, ‘it’s no use having something spectacular if it doesn’t have anywhere to hide all the random little bits and bobs of life in. No bedside drawer feels passive aggressive!’ And so, Carina suggests, at least one bedside drawer should be on your wishlist when searching through flea markets, auctions or online marketplaces. Designer Rachael Gowdridge, whose projects prioritise a calm, tranquil environment, confirms that one drawer is plenty: ‘I’m generally quite restrained when it comes to storage,’ she says, ‘A single drawer for the essentials is usually enough. Any more than that and it can quickly become a dumping ground.’ Rachael goes on to suggest that small spaces may require some prioritisation: ‘It still needs to be practical and well-scaled, leaving enough room for a book, a glass of water and the inevitable odds and ends that accumulate beside the bed.’ In order to save space in more bijou bedrooms, she suggests using a wall-mounted lamp – ‘they provide a great reading light and free up valuable surface space, which can make a surprisingly big difference in smaller rooms’, she adds. The question is, what should these aforementioned ‘odds and ends’ include? Who better to ask than the pinnacle of chic modern living, fashion entrepreneur and creative director Pia Baroncini. Pia explains that her nightstand (‘a chinoiserie table that brings me joy on a daily basis’) is filled with all her beauty and tech essentials. ‘This includes a red light mask, a theragun, a nail kit, endless creams and serums. But,’ she adds, ‘and this is vital, it’s all very well organised.’ So, it seems, sorting your bedside accoutrements is key. In which case it’s a good idea to think of your bedside as your ‘current supplies’ station, with your back catalogue stored elsewhere, say in a bathroom cabinet. You don’t need to have all your medication in one drawer, instead get a pill box and fill it up periodically to save space and create less mental fuzz before bed. Many writers throughout history have recommended keeping a notebook by your bed, either for jotting down dreams in the night, or for scribbling thoughts down before you sleep. In fact, this study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology shows that people who wrote down the tasks they needed to accomplish five minutes before bedtime were able to fall asleep around 37 per cent sooner than those who didn’t. Also, as we move towards greater prioritisation of sleep than ever before, many sleep hygiene experts recommend leaving your phone charging elsewhere and instead keeping an alarm clock by the bed. Get the lighting right Mood and ambiance also have a huge effect on quality of sleep, and bedroom lighting is a vital factor in that. It’s generally agreed that anything glaring, like a lamp positioned too high above your head or an exposed bulb on the wall, is not only off putting when you’re reading, but also stimulates the senses when you should be winding down. So, before committing to a new bedside lamp, it’s important to consider your options. Lonika Chande, who’s well-known for creating charming bedside tableaux, says, ‘I would favour a light with a shade, as it gives a warm cosy glow.’ A conical lamp that can be adjusted according to your position in bed is similarly practical. If you have plenty of space, you might have a bedside lamp and a wall lamp, to offer different lighting levels and angles. If you’re in the midst of a complete, back-to-bones renovation, you might like to consider incorporating a nifty 5-amp circuit, which allows you to control your lamps from switches rather than on the lamp itself. ‘For a lighting scheme that uses a lot of lamps, a 5-amp circuit is vital,’ confirms designer Clare Gaskin. She continues that ‘having one wall switch to control all your table and floor lamps gives the option to adjust the mood’. Having switches both at your bedroom door and at your bedside are essential, though, as you don’t want to be disturbed once you’re in bed. For yet more ease, you could adorn your bedsides with rechargeable, wireless lamps (like those from Pooky or Soho Home), which will allow you to cruise from a sofa-side perch to the bath and into bed with one consistent lamp by your side – like a Victorian woman with a candle in a chamberstick. Find the perfect piece(s) of furniture When it comes to the tables themselves, it’s widely agreed that they need not be matching. Identical ones feel like a hangover from 1960s bedroom sets or the homogenous hotel look that became popular in the early 2000s. It’s not only less sustainable (sourcing a matching pair of antique bedsides is not always easy), but it limits your style choices. Having a bold modern option – like this red one from UMS Haller – and, say, an oak Arts and Crafts piece is the perfect way to create an interesting, eclectic look. Laura Parkinson, from east London-based design company Palmer & Stone, recommends a middle ground, sourcing mismatched tables only when they’re both antique or vintage, ‘for more of a “collected” feel’, she explains. ‘Try looking for pieces that have one matching design element that ties the two together (such as a marble top) to allow the asymmetry to work harmoniously.’ Rachael agrees that bedsides should ‘bring a bit of character to a room. It could be a vintage table, a beautiful timber finish or an interesting stone top. They’re one of the few pieces of furniture you use every single day, so I think they’re worth giving a bit of thought to.’ If you’re looking to narrow down your search on Vinterior or Etsy, Carina suggests looking for Victorian pedestal chest or a campaign chest: ‘They’re the perfect height, width and depth for smaller bedrooms but still have lots of drawers and a solidness to them. The best place to find them if you don’t want to trawl through auctions is Marylebone Antiques or Georgian Antiques Net.’ Meanwhile, Laura is drawn to ‘antique, ebonised wood or Georgian pot cupboard styles’. Howe does a really elegant, contemporary version, which offers the perfect amount of storage and avoids the hunt for an antique matching pair, and Max Rollitt has one in a beautiful burnished finish. Another option is to go for an étagère-style table that gives you the opportunity to layer it with books, trinket boxes, candles, flowers et cetera. Again, this one from Howe is very clever as it has a slim, secret drawer for valuables, which is super useful but doesn’t compromise on style. Another favourite is this by ‘Bamboo’ side table from Alfred Newell. If your room feels more mismatched or varied in style, though, Lonika explains that neatly matching bedsides can ‘create a sense of calm and symmetry, particularly in smaller rooms’. Then again, she often prefers ‘a pair that complement one another rather than match exactly. Using different bedside tables can make a room feel more collected and personal. We often use antique chests of drawers as they bring charm and character while offering practical storage.’ Though there are no hard and fast rules about what a bedside table should look like, it is practical and aesthetically pleasing if the pair are similar height, ‘so that your lamps sit evenly’, explains Carina. So, what height should that be? A quick search through the experts on Reddit shows that they shouldn’t be any less than two inches lower than your mattress. Around level or just above your mattress feels right both in terms of how it looks and when you consider the ease of reaching for things from your bed. If you find your dream bedside tables but the height doesn’t work, consider adding casters or leg tips, which are easily procured online. Create a bedside in miniature for smaller rooms It’s worth mentioning that not all bedrooms have the luxury of ample space for a bedside table. If that’s the case, then alcoves or shelves on the wall can be a good substitute, particularly in a box bed or bed nook. If your bed is pressed against a wall but has two occupants, a small shelf on one side (high enough to avoid head-hitting) with room for a book and a rechargeable lamp can be a real help. Or a shelf behind your head can be a practical solution, as Lonika found in this Chelsea townhouse. This is also a good hack in a guest room or a less-used bedroom, as is something small like an antique table that will work for a guest but might not be robust enough for daily use. Another ingenious use of space is seen in this London project by Veere Grenney, who added a pull-out drawer into the wardrobe. If floor space is limited, then a floating bedside table like this one could work well, plus it’s very easy to clean underneath. If, on the other hand, you have plenty of space beside the bed but not much elsewhere, then you could use a full chest of drawers instead to maximise storage. Some simple drawer separators for the top drawer can carve out space for your bedside essentials. On top of the chest, you might find a decorative tray helpful to create a designated area for your odds and ends. Keep things fun but functional for children Finally, a moment for a bedside in children’s rooms, which can be used to add playful style as well as practical storage solutions for anything from books to nappies. ‘I like children’s bedside areas to feel joyful and personal,’ says Lonika. ‘A colourful bed, a stack of favourite books, a small lamp and artwork they can grow with often creates far more character than anything overtly themed.’ Laura agrees, suggesting ‘something a little brighter for kids rooms. Charles Orchard offers colourful, lacquered side tables.’