How to Choose Bedside Table in NZ

Storage that actually serves you

Start with how you live at night. What sits by your bed most often?

●       Minimalist sleeper: tray top or single shelf

●       Gadget fan: drawers for cables and a top with a cable cut-out

●       Book lover: open shelf for current reads plus a drawer for odds and ends

●       Medication and valuables: closed storage with smooth runners

A common trap is going too small on storage. A slim table with one drawer can work beautifully if the drawer is full-extension, the interior is easy to clean, and the top has enough space for a lamp and your nightly items.

Open shelves add visual lightness and give you room for baskets. Closed drawers keep dust and visual clutter at bay. Many people mix both, so the table still looks light while hiding the less pretty stuff.
Materials for New Zealand homes

Different materials change the look, the price, and the way the piece ages. Here’s a quick guide with South Island conditions in mind.

For coastal homes or rooms with big temperature changes, quality veneers or well-finished solid timbers stay stable. Always check the finish: a good lacquer or oil is your best defence against rings and stains.
Style cues that work in Kiwi bedrooms

●       Scandi calm: pale timbers, rounded corners, simple pull handles

●       Coastal relaxed: white or soft grey paint with light oak tops, woven details

●       Modern minimal: slab fronts, push-to-open drawers, matte finishes

●       Rustic farmhouse: framed drawers, warm stains, antique-style hardware

●       Industrial loft: powder-coated metal, dark stains, exposed joinery

●       Mid-century nod: tapered legs, walnut tones, small round pulls

●       Contemporary classic: shaker fronts, painted finishes, refined proportions

If your bed is upholstered and soft, a crisp timber or metal table brings contrast. If your bed is timber, a painted or textured option keeps things from feeling too matchy. Mixed materials read well in New Zealand homes, where natural light and varied textures feel right.
Colour and finish choices

Colour can tie the room together fast. Three paths work:

●       Match your bed base: safe, clean, very tidy

●       Contrast on purpose: dark table next to a light bed or vice versa

●       Echo other elements: carry the tone of your floor, wardrobe doors, or window trims

Hardware is the small detail that sets the tone. Brushed nickel feels light and coastal. Black reads modern and sharp. Antique brass adds warmth and age. Keep it in the same family as your lamp base or curtain rods for a pulled-together look.

Matte finishes hide fingerprints better than high gloss. Textured paint or open grain timbers add depth in rooms that read a bit flat.
Practical extras worth paying for

●       Full-extension runners so the drawer opens all the way

●       Soft-close hardware that protects the frame and stops late-night slams

●       Felt or velvet-lined top drawers for jewellery, glasses, or watches

●       Cable ports or a cut-out at the back to tame chargers

●       Adjustable feet for old villas with uneven floors

●       Wall-mount or floating designs in tiny rooms

●       Anti-tip brackets in homes with kids or where earthquakes are a concern

Integrated charging can be handy. If you prefer a cleaner look, pair your table with a slim multi-port charger tucked in a drawer, then use a small grommet at the back for the cable.
Small rooms and studio spaces

A small bedroom rewards lean shapes, light finishes, and a thoughtfully chosen bedside table decor. Consider:

●       Narrow profiles with taller proportions

●       Open lower shelves to keep the sightline clear

●       Wall-mounted tables that hover above the floor

●       One larger bedside table on the busier side of the bed and a slimmer stool or stand on the other

If the room doubles as a study or guest space, a compact bed table with good storage can replace a bulky dresser. Mirrored tops or light-reflective finishes can make the space feel wider, though they need more frequent cleaning.
Bed tables and over-bed options

Not everyone needs the same thing every night. Bed tables that slide over the mattress or tuck under the frame are handy for reading, a laptop, or breakfast. They suit apartments and homes where the bedroom works hard during the week.

Look for:

●       Locking castors that won’t mark the floor

●       Height adjustment with a stable frame

●       A raised edge or lip to stop cups from sliding

●       Solid materials that don’t wobble

Pairing a conventional bedside on one side and an over-bed table stored nearby gives you both looks and flexibility.
Built for South Island life

Canterbury mornings can be frosty, and summers bright and long, so having a nightstand with appropriate finishes can help protect against temperature changes. Good finishes protect against temperature changes, while thoughtful storage cuts visual clutter when the sun moves across the room and shows dust. If you live in an older Christchurch home, you may face sloping floors and tighter stairwells. Measure stair turns and check whether the table arrives assembled or flat-packed.

Stability matters. A wider base, solid joinery, and the option to anchor to the wall are all wise choices in quake-prone areas. Soft-close and quality runners also cope better over time.

Buying pairs or mixing styles

Pairs give balance, especially with a centred headboard and symmetrical lamps. Mixing styles can look smart too.

●       Same finish, different shapes

●       Same shape, different finishes that share a tone

●       One with drawers, one with an open shelf

●       Matching height across both sides so the lamps sit at the same eye level

Measure the same tabletop height if you’re mixing. Even a 2 cm difference can look off.
Price, value, and what to look for

Price ranges come down to materials, joinery, and finish quality.

●       Entry: painted MDF, simple runners, basic hardware

●       Mid: veneer on plywood or MDF, soft-close or full-extension runners, better hardware

●       Premium: solid timber or premium veneer, refined edges, hand-finished surfaces, lifetime-worthy runners

What signals value:

●       Drawers that run straight and don’t rack when pulled from one side

●       Even gaps around doors and drawers

●       Consistent finish across the grain, no blotches

●       A stable footprint that doesn’t rock when empty

●       Hardware screwed in neatly, not stapled through thin panels

Local options and quick delivery in Christchurch

Shopping local means easier service, faster delivery, and a chance to see finishes in person. Profurniture serves Christchurch and the South Island with a range that spans modern and traditional pieces, built with durability in mind. The team focuses on helpful service and quick, safe delivery, which matters when your project has a timeline.

Behind the brand is nearly three decades of manufacturing experience in China, with skilled craftspeople and advanced machinery shaping the pieces. That background shows up in clean joinery, reliable hardware, and finishes that stand up to daily life. After bringing the brand directly to New Zealand, the range has grown to suit Kiwi homes, with styles that sit well from coastal to city.

If you like compact solutions, look for a one-drawer model that keeps nightly gear close while leaving room for a small basket below. A piece in that vein keeps the footprint tidy without losing storage. If you prefer more presence, choose a two-drawer design with a generous top to anchor a larger lamp.

Matching lighting and bedside tables

Lamp size should match the table, not overwhelm it. A simple formula works:

●       Shade diameter roughly one third the width of the table

●       Lamp height that positions the lowest part of the shade near chin level when seated in bed

●       If you read at night, pick a shade that directs light to the page, not across the room

Hardwired wall sconces free up the top surface. If that’s your plan, a slimmer table with just a drawer often looks cleanest.
Care that keeps pieces looking new

●       Use coasters for cups and water bottles

●       Felt pads under lamps and trays stop micro-scratches

●       Wipe dust with a soft, dry cloth, then a slightly damp cloth if needed

●       Avoid harsh cleaners that can turn a satin finish shiny

●       Oil or wax solid timber every few months if the maker recommends it

●       Tighten hardware once a year, especially in older villas with lively floors

●       Fit the supplied anti-tip kit if the table is tall or if kids might climb

A small tray corrals lip balm, remotes, and earphones on your bedside. It looks intentional and saves the surface.
Common mistakes to avoid

●       Buying by photo only and ignoring measurements

●       Choosing for looks without checking drawer space

●       Picking a height that sits far above or below the mattress top

●       Forgetting cables and power points

●       Skipping stability checks on floors that aren’t perfectly level

Take your tape measure to the store. It’s the best accessory you can bring.
A quick checklist before you buy

●       Tabletop within a couple of centimetres of mattress height

●       Width suits the bed and space on each side

●       Depth leaves clear walkways and door swing

●       Enough storage for your nightly items

●       Materials and finish match how you live

●       Hardware feels solid and drawers open fully

●       Style harmonises with bed, floor, and lighting

●       Cable management planned, power points considered

●       Delivery fits stairwells and doorways

●       Anti-tip kit ready if needed

Ready for a bedroom that works harder

A well-chosen bedside table or nightstand tidies your nights and sets the tone for your mornings. Start with the measurements, pick the storage you actually need, then select a finish, decor, and hardware that sit well with your room. If you’re in Christchurch or anywhere in the South Island, local options make it easy to see pieces in person and get them home quickly.

Profurniture brings together build quality, fair pricing, and a wide selection, backed by years of making furniture at scale. Whether you want a compact one-drawer unit for a city apartment or a pair of substantial timber tables for a family home, you’ll find options that look right and last. Shop smart, measure twice, and your bedside will feel sorted for years.