Your bedroom is where calm and routine meet. That’s why Scandinavian design works so well here: clear, warm, and free of noise. The aim is to let beauty and usability overlap. In this article, we’ll look at choices that make sense if you love minimalism with comfort and how Scandinavian-style nachtkastjes make your bedroom lighter, more practical, and more timeless.
What we mean by Scandinavian simplicity
Scandinavian design isn’t about emptiness; it’s about purpose. Every line has a job, every material a reason. Think light woods such as oak, ash, or birch, finished with a matte oil or lacquer that lets the grain speak. Fronts stay quiet no unnecessary profiles yet proportions and tactility matter. In this spirit, bedside tables are like small architectural elements on either side of your bed. They hold your lamp, keep your book, hide your cables, and never steal the attention that should go to sleep.
The right size for your bed and your body
Comfort starts with the right height. Ideally, the top of your bedside table aligns with the top of your mattress, or sits within 5 cm above or below. That way you can find your glass of water in the dark. With a standard box spring you’ll land around 55–65 cm. If you sleep lower on a platform bed, 45–55 cm is often perfect. Also consider depth and width: 35–45 cm deep and 35–50 cm wide keeps things airy while leaving room for a lamp, book, and phone. In narrow rooms a wall-hung model helps visually light, easy to clean underneath, and friendly for skirting boards or underfloor heating.
Materials that breathe and last
“Scandi” is more than “light wood.” It’s the trio of honest materials, clear finishes, and mindful sourcing. Solid oak feels warm and can be repaired or re-oiled. Birch plywood with visible layers gives a graphic edge. If you want maximum quiet, choose spray-painted fronts in off-white or soft greys, with a wooden top for warmth. Pay attention to hardware: soft-close hinges and runners keep the night silent. Recessed pulls or push-to-open fit beautifully so the front stays flush and the lines read as one.
Storage without losing the calm
Minimalism isn’t the same as owning little; it’s owning well. An open niche for the book you’re reading plus a drawer for what you don’t want to see gives you the best of both worlds. Tidy cables with a grommet at the back of the niche. Place a small power strip in the drawer and route your charging cable through a milled groove. That keeps bedside tables free of wire nests and the top truly clear. Tip: add a discreet felt tray in the drawer for earrings or a watch no more morning rummaging.
Light that doesn’t shout
Lighting sets the mood. A compact table lamp with a linen shade or a wall sconce with a dimmer gives targeted light without glare. Choose warm white between 2200 and 2700 Kelvin so your body understands it’s night. Wall lights free up surface space, handy on smaller tables. Mount the switch within easy reach and lead the cable down the back or through a grommet. Minimal fixtures with a matte opal glass globe pair nicely with the soft, rounded corners common in Scandinavian furniture.
Colour and texture: How quiet do you want it?
Keep the palette natural: white, sand, grey-green, warm grey, and the pale gold of oiled oak. Add softness with wool or cotton textiles and ceramics with a matte glaze. Worried it’ll feel cold? Repeat the same wood species in more than one element. Echo the edge of your bedside tables in a picture frame or chair legs. That gentle repetition makes the room feel calmer and larger. Accents are fine just dose them. A single vase or a neat stack of magazines works, as long as the base stays tidy.
Safe and practical with kids and pets
Rounded corners, a low center of gravity, and solid wall fixings aren’t luxuries. Pulls that stick out invite little hands, so opt for recessed pulls or push-to-open. A floating cabinet on sturdy brackets is extra safe and makes mopping quick. If you always keep a glass of water nearby, consider a small upstand at the back of the top or a ceramic coaster that lives in the corner. Your tables will stay pretty, even when something tips over now and then.
Styling without the noise
Minimal doesn’t mean cold if you work with texture. A small vase with a branch, a ceramic bowl, a short stack of soft-cover books, and a fabric-covered cord for your lamp add personality. Limit yourself to three or four items and let the surface breathe. Choose one larger object rather than three trinkets. If you like scent, go for a discreet room spray or reed diffuser in natural notes.
A practical checklist for choosing
• Measure your bed height and define the ideal top height.
• Choose materials: solid oak, birch plywood, or a painted front with a wooden top.
• Decide on storage: an open niche plus a drawer usually works best.
• Plan cable management with a grommet and a small power strip.
• Decide on lighting: wall lamp for extra surface space or a compact table lamp.
• Pick legs or floating, matched to your floor and cleaning routine.
• Check the finish: rounded corners, soft-close, matte oil or lacquer.
• Keep styling restrained and rich in texture.
Buying with confidence
Ordering online? Look for clear dimensions, load capacity, and daylight photos. Ask for close-ups of edges and interiors that’s where you see quality. In store, test the drawer, feel the top, and check stability. At Wehebbenallesinhuis you’ll find sets that pair easily with Scandinavian bed frames, wall lights, and textiles in natural tones. You’ll get advice on height, material combinations, and cable solutions so your bedside tables look good in photos and even better in daily life.
In short: Quiet design that works for you
Scandinavian style isn’t a trick; it’s an attitude. You choose what you use, care for what you love, and leave out what creates noise. With well-considered bedside tables, you bring that mindset to the place where your day begins and ends. Choose a height that feels right, materials that breathe, storage that fits, and light that brings calm. You’ll end up with pieces that support your routine and let your bedroom breathe something you feel every morning when you wake in a room that’s quiet, cared-for, and entirely yours.You can find the full selection at Wehebbenallesinhuis.