Bedside Table Organization

Raise your hand if your bedside table is a dumping ground and needs serious organization! Seriously, if you ask me which one is (or was!) the most neglected drawer in my home, my nightstand drawers take the cake.

As much as I tried to have a picture-perfect vignette on my bedside table, every night there were always books, a water bottle, cables, chargers, electronics, hair ties, glasses, you name it. I ended up dumping everything in the drawers. Luckily I have three of them, so I was able to create my zones and my limits to finally keep the clutter at bay and my essentials under control and not on the table.

Looking at my organized bedside table gives me a sense of peace and relief each night before I go to sleep.

2020 UPDATE: Tour my master bedroom!


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My Nightstand Before

I have the bedtime routine to write a brain dump, plan the next day on my new Day Designer, and -if I am not too tired- I read a little. Whether is a good book – hard copy or on my iPad- or a somewhat inspiring and enriching article to end the day on a good note.

But, the routine was getting a little overwhelming. Because let’s get real, I didn’t think that my bedside table was much of an issue. Except it was. Here is a look at my three bedside table drawers a week ago.

nightstand drawers before

Pretty sad. I can’t believe I procrastinated this little organization project for so long!

How I Organized my bedside table

I emptied out all the contents of the drawers over the bed and sorted everything out. Whenever I am decluttering a space I have a system that helps me get the job done quickly. I sort my things into three categories: keep, toss or donate, and relocate.

The last three actions (toss, donate, relocate) are an essential part of organizing. Whether is an entire room, a shelf, or just a drawer, if you don’t discard or relocate things, you’ve done nothing. What is the purpose of organizing, if you are going to put back things that most likely do not belong in there?.

bedside table drawer organizer

Related: Free Printable Home Organization Guide

To me, everything has to have a function, and if it doesn’t work, it has to go. So, I reduced the amount of clutter on my bedside table significantly and went back to basics.

I pictured my ideal nighttime routine and kept all the items that are absolutely necessary to make that happen.

Bedside Table Essentials

If you know me, and my favorite organization products, you know how much I love containers and drawer dividers. So, I rescued a couple of underused drawer dividers I have purchased at Michaels probably 4 years ago and put them to good use.

Looking at my organized bedside table gives me a sense of peace and relief each night before I go to sleep.

The clutter on my bedside table was just the result of procrastination. Because I even had these drawer dividers in the closet (another procrastinated project), sitting there waiting to be used.

Inside the first drawer I keep:

  • A sleeping mask
  • A notebook
  • Cables & chargers
Looking at my organized bedside table gives me a sense of peace and relief each night before I go to sleep.
  • Essential oil vials – essential oils are my life lately. You can learn more about my favorite essential oils and how I use them here.
  • Hand moisturizer
  • An itsy-bitsy speaker (aqua cylinder and aqua cable) – the cutest little thing, that plugs into your iPhone to amplify sound.
  • Hair clips/hair ties
  • A light with an automatic sensor – This is the most practical item in this drawer. I can find things quickly without having to reach for a light switch.
  • iPhone earbuds 
Looking at my organized bedside table gives me a sense of peace and relief each night before I go to sleep.

Source: the purple covers on my earbuds are DEOS earphone covers.

Pamper Yourself  Before Bed

As the years go by, I feel like I am taking more and more after my mom, since a bottle of Tylenol and night cream are staples in my bedside table.

Looking at my organized bedside table gives me a sense of peace and relief each night before I go to sleep.

I wasn’t too fond of makeup removal and age-defying creams, but when you hit your mid 30’s you realize that expression lines are no joke. So, I caved and started a nighttime routine.

  • Makeup removal wipes
  • Night cream for my face – I love this one from Olay. It’s cool to the touch and has a very pleasant scent.
  • Body & feet lotion, pain relief medication – although my headaches are totally gone since I started diffusing essential oils in my bedroom.
  • iPhone backup battery case – I keep this backup charged and ready to go. This comes handy when I am out and about for long. Perfect for a day running errands, long trips, beach day, etc.
  • Assorted pens, pencils, washi tape – You name it. I have a small office since I do my planning in my bedroom.

The ‘Library’ Drawer

Lastly, I am using the third drawer to hold my reference books, and whatever I am reading at the moment. I am currently reading for the second time, ‘The Alchemist ‘, by my favorite author, Paulo Coelho.

Looking at my organized bedside table gives me a sense of peace and relief each night before I go to sleep.

My first-generation iPad still works. Although is not the greatest for apps or Safari, (it won’t update iOS) my Kindle app still works fine, so I use it as an e-reader.

Creating an Attractive Yet Functional Vignette

With all the stuff I own, I did not believe that I could make my bedside table look, let’s say…’put together’. But, after sorting all the drawers and giving them function, I realized that I could have something pretty going. So during the day, it’s nice to walk in the room and see this.

Check out my latest bedside table vignette here.

  • The wall art is a constant reminder of my husband’s love. I made the art, and you can download it for free here.
Looking at my organized bedside table gives me a sense of peace and relief each night before I go to sleep.
  • More books
  • A nice scented candle – I tend not to light up candles too often because the carbon monoxide released gives me really bad headaches (hence my obsession with essential oils!). The open tin releases just enough scent for my taste.
Looking at my organized bedside table gives me a sense of peace and relief each night before I go to sleep.

At nighttime, however, things get a little out of whack.

Looking at my organized bedside table gives me a sense of peace and relief each night before I go to sleep.

I plug in my essential oils diffuser (I keep it in my office during the day), and plug in my iPhone and my iWatch.

Looking at my organized bedside table gives me a sense of peace and relief each night before I go to sleep.

Now that all my bedside table drawers are in order, I am more driven to spend more time in my room. I have to say: I even feel more creative. Just knowing that I have my essentials at my fingertips (and neatly organized), makes my nighttime routine more enjoyable. 

When was the last time you checked your bedside table drawers? What do you keep in them?

3 Comments

  1. Beautiful nightstand and I also love containers and essential oil of course. This is really inspired me because before sleep, I end up place everything on the table not inside the drawer.

  2. Loving your blog I happened to stumble upon! . I was inspired to organize my nightstand after ordering some cute stuff from “thirtyone” (I’m not a consultant and don’t play one on TV..) My problem is I can’t keep my nightstand clean for more than a week or two once I organize it. I tend to do a lot of stuff from my bed while watching TV due to a chronic illness; and that is not helping much in my organizing project. In fact, my side of the bedroom looks pretty atrocious…

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