5 Golden Rules of an Ideal Nightstand Composition
We can guess what you have on your bedside: a book, glasses, a glass of water, a lamp and a photo frame. All this together looks not so good, does it? Nightstands that we see in interior design magazines feature absolutely the same things, but they look splendid and stylish. Is there any secret? Yes, there is. Thought everything looks simple and easy on photos, if you drill a little bit deeper, you’ll find out that decor is subject to a set of rules based on the golden laws of harmonious visual perception.
Rule № 1: Secret formula
It’s very simple: a lamp, a background (a picture, a photo, a sculpture or a mirror), a bouquet or a flower pot, and a pile of books and magazines. All these things have different heights, so the sight of the observer moves and a nightstand creates an impression of a dynamical composition. Similar shape of elements – a square frame coupled with a low lamp, for example, would have looked dull and monochrome. And don’t hesitate to combine pieces of different styles – within such a limited area décor should be lively and eye-catchy.
Rule № 2: Lamp matters
Being the biggest piece of décor on a nightstand, a lamp sets the general stylistic concept. If you want to get a delicate and feminine bedside table, pay attention to smooth lines, textile lampshades and pastel colors. Add some glimmer and inclusions of brighter shades to get a bolder and more glamorous composition. Finally, put a contemporary-style lamp and it will entail other progressive details in the interior.
Rule № 3: Mind practical aspects
There’s no need to overload a nightstand with accessories, no matter how beautiful they are. Make a list of must-haves and that’s it. A practical idea is to have a small decorative bowl, a jewelry box or an ornamental little tray for your watch and jewelry.
Rule № 4: Double your usable space
If your apartment has a limited area, it’s worth considering a nightstand as a potential multifunctional piece of furniture. For instance, if you put a mirror on it, it will turn into a dressing table. With a laptop on it turns into a short-term work area. Also, you may have breakfasts here. And if you lack horizontal space, make use of vertical surfaces: a lamp can be hung above the headboard, and flowers can be displayed on an open bookshelf.
Rule № 5: Individual approach
They say that a nightstand can say much about a person it belongs to. What books are you reading or going to read? Can you keep a place where your mind and soul are supposed to rest in order? What is the first thing you see on waking up: a bouquet of flowers or an alarm clock ringing loud, a family photo or a screen of a smartphone? Add things that are near and dear to your heart to the décor, and your bedroom will feel cozier and homier.
