Not the Same Old Nightstand: 4 Furnishings You Never Knew Could Double as a Bedside Table

1. Floating Shelves

A pair looks ultra sleek—plus you gain floor space for a pouf or a basket. Hang the bottom shelf at bed height to put a book and an alarm clock within arm’s reach. Put a top shelf 14 to 16 inches higher to display photos and other pretties.

2. A Writing Desk

This stand-in is especially great for small spaces, where it helps to have pieces that do double duty. Get a desk with two drawers—one can hold lip balm, lotion and eyeglasses; the other, office supplies. A tall task light is equally handy for working and for reading in bed.

3. A Rolling Bar Cart

Even if the only beverage you put on it is a glass of water, a bar cart in your sleeping quarters looks glam, and it’s practical, too. The bottom shelf has enough height for stacked boxes to hold odds and ends. Time to vacuum? Just roll it out of the way, then back again.

4. A Filing Cabinet

A petite kind (this one is 16 inches wide) in blush pink looks pretty, not workhorse-y, though it actually holds a lot. Two short drawers and a tall one corral magazines, a tablet and, yes, important papers. Free up the top by skipping a lamp and hanging a sconce on the wall.