
- Rattan-drawer bedside table H&M
I quite like the discipline of a single drawer and, if you had a pair I think they could work well in a sitting room either at either end of a sofa or next to each other as a sort of disconnected single unit. This one also comes in natural wood colour as well as black but be aware that it’s 60 per cent MDF and 30 per cent wood – which is how you get to the price of £99.
- Rena bedside table Made
This square table from made.com is made from mango wood so it has a pretty grain on the front which makes it look more expensive and interesting than flat wood. It’s 45cm square and has two drawers so there’s plenty of space to chuck things in for an instant tidy and forget all about them for the next two years – always a consideration when it comes to bedside storage. I like the clean lines and simplicity of this one though and it’s fairly classic so it would sit with both modern and period interiors and, therefore, last a long time.
- Harlosh side table Pinch
This one by Pinch Design, would happily work as a side table in the sitting room so you might feel that this is a practical choice. It is 610cm high and 43cm deep and wide so that’s significantly bigger than most bedside tables and you will need a bigger bedroom. Or a smaller bed – which is one way to sort out your priorities.
- Fumed Oak Christopher Howe
This really is a pretty fluted table by Christopher Howe. The wavy top will stop things falling off the edge – perfect for the in-the-dark-grope to turn the phone over so you can see the time while the storage below has lots of space for a pile of books or slightly hidden from view beauty products.
- Solidus bedside table La Redoute
This is a much more modern look from La Redoute and is made from sustainable Suar wood which is similar to teak but has a stronger grain. It’s 52cm high and 30cm square. If you like lots of storage but fear losing things in the deep dark recesses of drawers this could be the one for you. It also comes in a natural finish and is perfect for stacking books current and future, notebooks, handcream and lipsalve as well as a glass of water and the charging station. It’s a way of being very organised and very tidy in a minimal and attractive way.
- Wooden bedside table Zara Home
This one from Zara is 55cm high, 38cm wide and 30cm deep. Bedside tables tend to be ruled immediately in or out according to their size. This one is big enough for a lamp and a book as well as a clock/phone and its charger and I have to say I would be tempted to push the end of the charging cable up through the holes in the rattan on the bottom shelf to stop it flopping onto the floor and to hold it in place. I also like the glass top, which gives the whole thing an air of lightness so it won’t make what can be a small space feel fuller and darker. At £159.99 this might be my favourite.
- Round Roddy ip44 flush ceiling light Pooky
Perfect for those with low ceilings who don’t want the infamous (and ubiquitous) downlights. This is also IP44 rated which means you can put it in the bathroom as well and – that other forgotten place where pendant lights can be tricky – halls, stairs and landings. It’s a bit Deco inspired but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t put it in any period or place.
- 45cm straight empire shade Pooky
Hand-painted shades are set to be all the rage this year and Pooky has a great selection if you’re not in the market for a spot of DIY. This is just one example but there are dozens of sizes, colours and patterns on the site. It’s part of the Bloomsbury revival for those want reassurance that it’s not a passing made-up fad.
- Wilma table lamp Pooky
You’ll never go wrong with a turned wooden lamp base and this – at 23cm tall – is a classic of the genre. Choose your own shade to suit the room you plan to use it in and, if you get bored, you can paint the base and change the shade. A pair on either side of the bed would look great but the dark wood version would sit equally well downstair as well.
- Hazelette pendant Pooky
Great to bring a bit of softness to a kitchen these bubble glass lamps also come in a wall version and you choose between sliver and brass arms and amber or pink shades. If you pick the ceiling version the cable is a pleasing twisted silver fabric – details count and Pooky is good at them.
- Florence Floor Lamp Soho Home
Floor lamps are great for adding height to a room and making sure your light sources come from different directions. However, they are often either narrow and a little office-y or come with wide shades and feet that take up too much room. This is the perfect compromise. Made from wood, brass and glass it’s classic as well as narrow and elegant. This would sit well at the end of a sofa and also by a small desk if there wasn’t enough space for a desk lamp. Definitely worth the investment.
- Barlow Glass soap dish Soho Home
Now that we’re all moving towards soap and shampoo bars we need to up our soap dish game as well. This is a lovely one made from ribbed coloured glass and has a vintage 70s feel to it. There is a matching toothbrush holder should you so wish but I fancy one of these for the downstairs loo.
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