How to Style a Nightstand | Back to Basics Week #1

 Hello! If you are stopping by This is our Bliss today for the first time, welcome! I’m thrilled you are here!

To kick off the start of this new season and back-to-school for all the kiddos, a group of talented, like super-crazy talented, bloggers and I have teamed up to bring you a fun new series – “Back to Basics”!
Every Monday in the month of September, each of us will be dishing on our favorite tips, tricks & tutorials for all the basics of Home Décor & DIY. We’re going to break it down and show you how to achieve the look & complete the projects you want the scoop on! Today, I’m sharing the 6 must-have elements for How to Style a Nightstand!

[*Affiliate links are used below.]

Alright! Let’s get this lesson started!

Today, I’ll be sharing my take on bedside table styling – the 6 must-haves of a well-styled nightstand!

HOW TO STYLE A NIGHTSTAND

1 | Wall hanging

A piece of art, a photograph or a mirror hung on the wall just above the nightstand, will take your eyes upward by adding some height opposite of a table lamp. The wall hanging can even be placed slightly behind the lampshade for visual interest.

2 | Leaning art
A larger framed piece of art or photograph, leaning against the wall and maybe even overlapping the wall hanging above, provides a pretty back-drop. I love this simple saying in black & white.
3 | Lamp

A table lamp placed on the side closest to the bed – so you can reach it…while in bed, of course! Larger lamps can be used on larger nightstands. For smaller-scale rooms, beds or nightstands, a small lamp works just fine.
 4 | Stack of books

Books you are reading or decorative, coffee-table type books look nice neatly stacked & allow for easy-access for grabbing your page-turner just before turning in!

5 | Flowers

Add some life! Fresh flowers on the regular would be a dream, but life-like faux flowers or greenery can be just as pleasing to the eye. A succulent works well here, too – they’re the perfect size!
 6 | Trinket dish

A small dish or tray near the bed to hold your prized little jewels while you sleep! Having a designated spot to set bracelets, rings or earrings when you take them off is always a good idea – definite peace of mind! Before I had a trinket dish on my nightstand, I found myself knocking my rings to the floor if I accidentally bumped them with a glass of water or my phone. #notgood

In addition to these 6 elements, I also have a small picture frame (our wedding photo) and a jewelry box (mostly for the pattern & added height), so these aren’t the end-all-be-all rules! You can really work your pieces in however you like, so use these elements as a foundation to start with!
Our nightstands also happen to be quite large.

They are 29″ wide x 19″ deep and came as a set with our king bed and dressers. If I had to do it over again (which, don’t get me started on this topic!) I would’ve purchased slightly smaller tables and not bought the WHOLE darn set! Maybe we would’ve had more space to add in a cute chair or been able to do something fun & creative with the headboard. We bought the set. So we are keeping the set. Maybe some day we’ll move a few pieces to another room and integrate unique, mismatched pieces – I just love that look.

We have been adding items to our master bedroom to do list – create a gallery wall using eclectic & unique items as art, new curtains (I might DIY curtain panels like I did in Simon’s room) and some new pillows would be great, too. I’m searching for just the right pillow combo to complete the look of the room! I’d love to do something bold & fun like in this room…

…but you know me and my neutrals… #blackwhiteandgoldalways 🙂

There are several different checklists (like our never-ending basement project) in action around here right now, but that’s just the type of girl I am! I’ll eventually get to the rest of our bedroom, but for now, I’ve been enjoying my well-styled nightstand 😉
And you can go here to shop the room [sources included + a FREE printable!]
What’s on your bedroom nightstand? What’s a special touch someone has added when you’ve been a guest in their home? What is your #1 nightstand necessity?!

Shop the nightstand sources and some of my favorite styling accessories below!:

Don’t forget to pin for later!

Now, you guys, remember those super-crazy talented bloggers I mentioned above? You must stop on over to their fabulous blogs for the rest of the week 1 installments of our Back to Basics series. I promise you won’t be disappointed!

11 Magnolia Lane
Being Bianca
The Heathered Nest
House by Hoff
Southern State of Mind

Have a great rest of your week and I hope to see you back here again soon!

*Linking up at:
The Creative Corner
The Inspiration Gallery