While end tables and nightstands are very similar, they do have subtle differences that make them better suited for certain spaces in your home. Read on to uncover the differences between end tables vs. nightstands.

What Is an End Table?

End tables are small, versatile pieces of furniture that can be used in any room in your home and provide a convenient surface for resting your everyday items. Most commonly, you’ll find them beside sofas or accent chairs in a living room where they might be used to hold a table lamp, book, or mug of coffee. Some end tables come with additional storage, while others serve more as a decorative accent.

What Is a Nightstand?

Nightstands come in a variety of sizes and are designed to provide convenient storage beside your bed. They usually feature at least one drawer for concealed storage and are a great place to keep a bedside lamp, alarm clock, or journal – anything you may need to reach for while in bed. Nightstands are pieces of functional storage furniture, but they can also add a pop of style to your bedroom.

End Table vs. Nightstand: What’s the Difference?

End tables and nightstands are similar enough that they can be used interchangeably in some cases. However, slight differences in their size, storage capacity, and style will dictate where they fit best in your home. Explore the main differences between end tables vs. nightstands so you can learn to distinguish between the two and find the right piece for your home.

Location

End tables are typically used as side tables near a seating area – between two accent chairs, at the end of a sofa, or beside an armchair. They are most often found in living rooms but can also be used in home offices, reading nooks, or as decoration in empty corners. On the other hand, nightstands are almost always found beside a bed and are often referred to as bedside tables.

Tip!

If space is limited in your bedroom, opt for an end table in place of a nightstand. They often come in narrower designs that will fit in a small space beside your bed.

Function

End tables and nightstands are designed to accommodate small accessories that you like to have within reach. Both are commonly used to display decor or hold table lamps to add task lighting to your living room or bedroom. When placed beside a sofa or armchair, end tables are a great place to rest your beverage, book, or TV remote for convenient use. With more surface area, nightstands are often used for alarm clocks and charging stations, with drawers that provide hidden storage for other bedtime necessities like a sleep mask, reading glasses, or journal.

Storage Capacity

In general, nightstands tend to have more storage space than end tables – often including one or more drawers for extra storage capacity. These drawers also help conceal any clutter you need to stow away. Some end tables may also include a drawer, but oftentimes they just have a lower shelf, if any. More minimalistic end table designs only have the tabletop for storage.

Height

In general, nightstands tend to be slightly taller than end tables in order to sit at a comfortable height beside your bed. Nightstands average between 24" – 28" tall and should ideally be level with or 2" – 6" lower than your bed. In contrast, end tables are usually between 22" – 26" and should be within 2" of the height of your sofa’s arm for convenience.

Tip!

The height of end tables and nightstands will vary from product to product, so it’s important to check the product description for exact measurements to ensure the table will fit in your space. Read End Table Height: How Tall Should Your Side Table Be? and Nightstand Dimensions: How to Choose the Right Nightstand Size for more information.

Design

In many cases, nightstands are positioned beside a bed with the back of the table against a wall. Because of this positioning, most nightstands are designed to be accessed from the front and often have unfinished backs. Meanwhile, it’s common for end tables to have access to more sides – sometimes even 360° access – because they can be placed away from a wall. Since end tables aren’t designed to prioritize storage, you can find many with abstract bases to suit a modern style.

Tip!

Check out our guide End Table Style Guide for a comprehensive overview of end table design types.

You Might Also Like