[wraiththe]

Hi,
Generally speaking, should a nightstand be as tall as the mattress. Just got a new one, it is 30" off the floor. Most nightstands are considerably shorter. What is considered a good height relative to the mattress?

 

[John Smith_inFL]

What would be the most comfortable for "you" ???

 

[carpdad]

What you got is not a night stand. Can't believe everything a catalog says. It should be about mattress height so easy to reach for glasses or clocks. Lamp switch. Lower is ok but not higher.

 

[SPS-1]

An interesting question.

I am currently designing a set of nightstands. I didn't compare the heights to my mattress, but mostly just what felt right for me. And what feels right for me likely was developed from having the same nightstands for the past 30+ years.
On this nightstand, I would say 28" would be the primary height. The open space below that will be filled by a stereo receiver on this nightstand, and on the other nighstand I will add a drawer there.
If I were reaching over for the volume control on that receiver, probably a little below the mattress height is going to feel best, and really, that is about the only thing I might be reaching for while in bed.
On the other nightstand a clock will be on the 28" platform. Small speakers and assorted junk on the 36.5" platform.
And then at one point, I will likely make a new bed, and all these relative heights will be out the window.

 

[KRV4Lee]

I just look for a cardboard box that is below the mattress height some. Or a plastic milk crate.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

Plus - how many mattresses are the "same" height from household to household ???

 

[wraiththe]

What would be the most comfortable for "you" ???

I prefer it to mattress height. However, my purpose here is to gain a wider perspective.

 

[wraiththe]

An interesting question.

I am currently designing a set of nightstands. I didn't compare the heights to my mattress, but mostly just what felt right for me. And what feels right for me likely was developed from having the same nightstands for the past 30+ years.
On this nightstand, I would say 28" would be the primary height. The open space below that will be filled by a stereo receiver on this nightstand, and on the other nighstand I will add a drawer there.
If I were reaching over for the volume control on that receiver, probably a little below the mattress height is going to feel best, and really, that is about the only thing I might be reaching for while in bed.
On the other nightstand a clock will be on the 28" platform. Small speakers and assorted junk on the 36.5" platform.
And then at one point, I will likely make a new bed, and all these relative heights will be out the window.

View attachment 839751

You might want to keep the mattress side open for the top shelf... and part of the second.

 

[wraiththe]

I just look for a cardboard box that is below the mattress height some. Or a plastic milk crate.

I actually worked on two thick pieces of wood for a surface and mounted it on stacked milk crates to make a set of nightstands on the cheap. They were not bad... and I cut out one side on the top crate to make it a shelf under the top. for my mother's guest room.

 

[RonArt]

An Interior Design book suggests that the bottom part of a lampshade (from a lamp on a stand) should be about chin high to a person reading a book in a chair next to it. The reasoning is that the light will illuminate a book and not shine in the reader's eyes. SOooo, I would go with a person reading a book (while sitting in bed) as a suggestion for your nightstand / lamp height combination.

 

[jayhanig451]

Plus - how many mattresses are the "same" height from household to household ???

Mattresses all used to be roughly the same thickness, ie, height. The last one I bought is 17" tall, which looks about twice as thick. I got rid of my box spring, since this mattress didn't need one. It's still higher than the old bed it replaced.

The bedside tables I have on each side are too low, and I put my CPAP up on a decorative block of wood sitting on top of the table closest to where my face ends up (I'm a side sleeper). I stopped using the lamps on either table and clamped a reading light to my headboard. It all works for me and really doesn't look strange, but ideally, I'd have a bedside table that was the same height as the top of the mattress.

 

[John Smith_inFL]

It's not necessarily how tall the "mattress" is, but, also the bed frame.
The term "bed height" would be more accurate when referencing bedside tables.

 

[Missouri Bound]

If you reach for something in the dark in the middle of the night and punch the nightstand.....it's the wrong height.