Okay, make that two nightstands. Technically they’re the living room side tables we moved in, but they’re filling the bedside role and doing it well.
These tables were nudged out of the living room by the arrival of Karl, so we didn’t want them to sit unused. We love the Target tables (from the Victoria Hagan collection) and the seeded glass lamps we bought years ago from the now-defunct Nate Berkus collection at Linens N’ Things, so we brought them into the master bedroom. They’re not permanent, but they’re working beautifully for now.
Beyond aesthetics, the new bedside surfaces immediately improved function. Sherry was tired of stashing her phone and magazines on the floor, and these tables restore practical bedside storage. At first we worried they might be too low, but they sit only about five inches below the top of the mattress, which makes reaching items from bed effortless. We can read comfortably in bed with the lamps at the right height, and all those small things that used to clutter the floor now have a place.
While we’re picturing future upgrades—Sherry has mentioned eggplant-colored lamps for a pop of drama, and I’d love nightstands with drawers for concealed storage—we didn’t want to wait. These tables were free and they meet our immediate needs for bedside surfaces and lighting. They’re a simple, cost-effective way to update bedroom decor and improve everyday convenience.
One pleasant surprise is how these lamps change the room’s atmosphere at night. Replacing the overhead fan light with the softer glow of the table lamps instantly makes the room cozier. The warm lamp light deepens the paint’s green undertones and creates dramatic, inviting shadows across the ceiling—Ed the Bed contributes to the visual effect in a fun, unexpected way.
A small convenience turned into a major win: having lamps within arm’s reach means we can turn off the light from bed. No more getting up to flip the wall switch or pretending to be asleep so the other person does it. It’s a tiny change, but it improves nightly routines and makes winding down easier.
What’s next on our bedroom to-do list? Replacing the not-so-attractive ceiling fan with something that fits the room’s updated tone. We’ve spotted a few options that are a bit bold, but they make us smile, and that’s an important part of decorating. In the meantime, these repurposed side tables and seeded-glass lamps have already made the bedroom more comfortable, better balanced, and more inviting—proof that small changes in bedside lighting and surface area can have a big impact on bedroom decor and daily life.