The right nightstand height puts the top of the table close to the top of your mattress, so you can reach a glass of water or switch off a lamp without sitting up or reaching down. Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress (with bedding on), then shop for a nightstand within a few inches of that number. Below: what retailers recommend, width and depth by bed size, clearance, and the real sizes and prices of the nightstands we sell.
Nightstand height vs bed height: what the guides say
There is no single official standard, and the sources we checked do not agree on an exact window. Here is what each one says:
- Birch Lane (birchlane.com, “Nightstand Dimensions: How to Choose the Right Size”) says a nightstand should be level or nearly level with your bed, with the top within 3 inches of the mattress top.
- Amerisleep (How to Choose a Nightstand) says the ideal height is within 2 to 4 inches of your mattress top.
- Chairish (How Tall Should a Nightstand Be) gives a wider range: from 2 inches lower to 6 inches higher than the top of the mattress. Its example: a 25 inch mattress top suits a nightstand from 23 to 31 inches tall. It also notes that most mass produced nightstands are 24 to 28 inches tall.
The common thread: aim for roughly mattress height. If you must miss, Chairish notes that reaching up a few inches is easier than reaching down.
How tall should a nightstand be for your bed?
Measure, do not guess: frame height, mattress thickness and mattress inset all change the number. Rove Concepts lists a 7 inch mattress inset on the Hunter Bed (its photos use a 10 inch mattress) and a 5 inch inset on the Asher Bed (photos use a 9 inch mattress), but does not publish a floor to mattress top height, so measure your own setup. For a side by side of Rove bed frames, see our Rove Concepts beds compared guide.
One detail worth knowing: Rove says the Hunter Bed’s extended headboard panels are designed for nightstands to fit under its wing, and the matching Hunter Nightstand is a low 18 inches tall.
How wide should a nightstand be?
Width is about proportion and the space you have. Birch Lane says standard nightstands are typically 21 to 29 inches wide and pair well with full and queen beds, while a king bed looks better with a wider nightstand to match its scale. Chairish makes the same point about a king mattress (76 inches wide): choose a nightstand with more heft than you would next to a full.
Measure the frame, not the mattress: Rove lists the Hunter Bed (Queen) at 96 inches wide because of its winged headboard. Then add two nightstands and your gaps and compare that to the wall. Our math: two 26 inch nightstands add 52 inches before spacing.
Nightstand depth
Birch Lane says most nightstands run 12 to 30 inches deep. Deeper tops hold a lamp and book without crowding; shallower ones suit tight spots. The Rove nightstands we sell run 17.7 to 22 inches deep.
Clearance and walkway space
Birch Lane suggests placing a bedside table 3 to 6 inches from the edge of the mattress. Amerisleep recommends room for drawers to open fully and at least 24 to 30 inches of walking space between larger furniture pieces.
Storage: drawers, doors or open shelves
- Drawers hide clutter. The Nerva and Asher have soft close drawers; the Heritage uses a push open, soft close drawer with no visible hardware.
- Doors and shelves hold taller items. The Magnus uses tambour doors in solid pine. The Cassia has adjustable shelves, hidden electrical ports and soft close hinges. The Athena has soft close hinges and cable management at the back.
- Open shelves and built in charging Several HomeRoots nightstands we carry include built in outlets and USB charging.
Nightstand size guide: Rove Concepts nightstands we sell
Dimensions below come from our listings and match the dimensions on each Rove Concepts product page we opened on 7 October 2026. Rove notes measurements can vary by a tenth of an inch up to 2 inches. Prices were checked the same day. We are an authorized Rove Concepts dealer.
| Nightstand | W x D x H (in) | Storage | Our price | Rove regular | Rove member |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asher Nightstand | 22 x 18.2 x 23 | Soft close drawers | $629 | $629 | $377 |
| Asher Single Drawer Nightstand | 22 x 18.1 x 23 | One soft close drawer | $559 | $559 | $335 |
| Nerva Nightstand | 26 x 22 x 22 | Soft close drawers | $699 | $699 | $419 |
| Cassia Nightstand | 24.41 x 17.91 x 21.46 | Doors, adjustable shelves, hidden ports | $783 | $783 | $470 |
| Vienna Nightstand | 24 x 18 x 20 | See listing | $629 | $629 | $377 |
| Magnus Nightstand | 24 x 18.3 x 19.6 | Tambour doors | $783 | $783 | $470 |
| Heritage Nightstand | 28.4 x 17.7 x 18.9 | Push open drawer | $782 | $782 | $469 |
| Athena Nightstand | 26 x 18.6 x 18.6 | Doors, cable management | $783 | $783 | $470 |
| Hunter Nightstand | 26 x 18.5 x 18 | Soft close drawers | $553 | $615 (sale $553) | $369 (lower on sale) |
What the table shows:
- Rove nightstands run low. At 18 to 23 inches tall, every one is below the 24 to 28 inch range Chairish calls typical. They suit low platform beds; for a taller bed, the Asher (23 inches) and Nerva (22 inches) get closest.
- Width varies more than height. The Heritage, at 28.4 inches wide, has the presence for a king; the 22 inch Asher fits tighter queen layouts.
- Price honesty. Our prices match Rove’s regular prices (on the Hunter, our price matches the sale price in Rove’s page data). Rove members usually pay less buying direct: Rove’s pages show member prices about 40 percent lower, as listed above. If you are weighing a membership, read is the Rove Concepts membership worth it.
Taller and budget options from HomeRoots
If your mattress top sits in the mid 20s, these HomeRoots nightstands from our catalog are closer in height. Dimensions are from our listings.
- 24 inch Black Wood Two Drawer Nightstand with USB Port: 24 in H x 20 in W x 16 in D, two drawers, built in outlets and USB, $149.99.
- 26 inch Walnut Wood Two Drawer Nightstand: 26 in H x 20 in W x 15.7 in D, two drawers on solid wood legs, $149.99.
- 25 inch Oak Wood Two Drawer Nightstand: 25 in H x 30 in W x 18 in D, solid and manufactured rubberwood, soft close drawers, $499.99. The 30 inch width suits a king.
Note that HomeRoots names its nightstands by height, so a “24 inch” model is 24 inches tall, not 24 inches wide.
Frequently asked questions
How tall should a nightstand be?
Close to the height of your mattress top. Birch Lane says within 3 inches, Amerisleep says within 2 to 4 inches, and Chairish allows 2 inches lower to 6 inches higher. Measure from the floor to the top of your made bed first.
Should a nightstand be taller or shorter than the bed?
Level is the goal. If you cannot match it, Chairish suggests slightly taller, since reaching up is easier than reaching down.
How wide should a nightstand be for a king bed?
Wider than for a full or queen. Birch Lane puts standard nightstands at 21 to 29 inches wide for full and queen beds and suggests going wider for a king. In our catalog, the 28.4 inch Rove Heritage and the 30 inch HomeRoots oak nightstand are the widest options above.
What is a good nightstand size guide for small bedrooms?
Measure the gap between the bed frame and the wall, leave room for drawers to open, and keep a walkway (Amerisleep suggests 24 to 30 inches between larger pieces). If space is very tight, our murphy bed vs sleeper sofa guide covers ways to free up floor space.
For more on buying high end furniture online safely, see our designer furniture buying guide. Shipping is free on orders of $999 or more and $200 flat below that; see our return and refund policy before you order. Questions about sizing a nightstand to your bed? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST.
