Claire WhitakerBy Claire Whitaker

Updated November 2026

A bed side table from IKEA can give you a surface for a lamp, a glass of water and a phone without crowding the mattress. This guide walks through how to measure your bed, choose the right height and footprint, and pick a style that fits your room. Follow the steps below and you should end up with a table that sits at the right level and looks deliberate next to your bed.

Start by Measuring Your Bed and Room

Before you look at any product page, take three measurements. The first is the height of your mattress top from the floor. The second is the clearance between the bed frame and the wall or nightstand area, so you know how much room the table can take. The third is the floor space on the side you plan to use, including the path you walk every morning.

Shopping for one? See our guide: Wooden Bed Side Table (2026): Which Should You Choose?.

Most people find that a table top between about 2 and 4 inches below the top of the mattress is comfortable to reach from bed. Measure the mattress top with the bed made, since bedding adds height. If you have a platform bed or a very low frame, you may need a shorter table or a deeper top to compensate.

Choose the Right Height and Footprint

Height matters more than most shoppers expect. A table that is too low forces you to lean, and one that is too high can feel like a shelf stuck to your headboard. Compare your measurement against the table’s listed height, and keep in mind that the top surface is what counts, not the overall frame.

For footprint, a width of around 15 to 20 inches works for most queen and king setups, while a smaller room may call for a narrower top. Leave enough room to open a drawer or slide a book out without knocking anything over. If you are tight on space, a table with an open shelf underneath tends to feel lighter than a solid cabinet.

Match the Style and Storage to How You Use It

Ask yourself what the table actually needs to do. If it only holds a lamp and a glass, a simple top and one shelf will do. If you keep chargers, medication or a book collection beside the bed, a drawer or enclosed storage is worth the extra depth. Our guide on Storage Side Table IKEA: How to Choose the Right One (2026) covers the storage layouts that work best in small bedrooms.

For style, match the table to your bed frame rather than trying to match everything. Light wood pairs well with upholstered headboards, while black metal suits platform frames with clean lines. If you want to compare materials before deciding, Wooden Bed Side Table (2026): Which Should You Choose? lays out the trade-offs between solid wood and engineered options.

Checklist Before You Buy

  1. Measure the mattress top height with bedding on.
  2. Measure the floor space between the bed and the wall or door.
  3. Decide whether you need a drawer, shelf or open top.
  4. Confirm the table’s listed height and top width against your measurements.
  5. Check that a lamp base and a phone will fit without tipping.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Measuring the bed without bedding, which can leave the table too low.
  • Choosing a table that is too wide, blocking the path to the door.
  • Ignoring the depth of drawers when you plan where the table sits.
  • Buying a style that clashes with the bed frame instead of complementing it.
  • Skipping the check for a stable base if you plan to keep heavy items on top.

A tape measure with a clear, rigid blade makes it much easier to measure from the floor to the mattress top without help. View on Amazon

A small furniture leveler or felt pad set helps keep a table steady on uneven floors so it does not wobble under a lamp. View on Amazon

FAQ

How high should a bed side table be?

Aim for a top that sits roughly 2 to 4 inches below the top of your mattress, measured with bedding on. This keeps items easy to reach without leaning.

Is an IKEA bed side table sturdy enough for a lamp?

Most IKEA side tables handle a standard lamp, but check the listed weight limits and keep heavy items near the center of the top. A lamp with a wide, low base is more stable than a tall, narrow one.

Should I choose a drawer or an open shelf?

Choose a drawer if you need to hide chargers, glasses or small items. Choose an open shelf if you want a lighter look and have limited floor clearance.

Conclusion

Measure your mattress height, check the floor space, and decide what the table needs to hold before you buy. Matching height, width and storage to your bed will do more for comfort than any single design feature. With those numbers in hand, the right IKEA bed side table is much easier to spot.

Ready to choose one?

Claire Whitaker

About Claire Whitaker

Claire Whitaker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our living-room tables guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.