We Tested (and Rated!) All the Nightstands at West Elm
There are few relationships as intimate as the one between you and your nightstand. I’m mostly kidding, but, when you think about it, is there any other spot in your home that houses all of your most personal items? Most likely not. As a result, finding the right nightstand for your space is imperative. But as someone who tests furniture on a frequent basis for AT’s Personal Shopper series, I can tell you that viewing a specific piece in person gives you so much more information than merely looking at it online.
If you don’t have a physical store near your desired retailer, my shopping guides are here to help. In Personal Shopper, I visit top furniture brands like Ashley, CB2, and Burrow to view select categories on display. Then I share which coffee table, dresser, or sofa is best for your space.
Today, I’m continuing my recent slew of West Elm shopping guides with nightstands. I looked at close to 15 models in the store, but narrowed the final list down to the 12 most diverse and stylish models. Whether you have a lot of empty space to fill by your bed or you need something you can squeeze into a square foot, I’m certain you’ll find at least one option that’ll serve your needs perfectly.
Why West Elm?
West Elm is an editor- and reader-favorite destination for all things home, including nightstands. Its impressive selection not only looks stylish, but you can also trust that its products are made of premium materials that’ll hold up to daily use. West Elm also offers free furniture customization and design guidance, as well as complimentary swatches to help you find your ideal materials and colors.
Additionally, when you order select furniture, you can opt into the retailer’s white glove delivery service, which includes unpacking, assembly, and cleaning of packaging debris. You also have the option of a three-year warranty plan and easy returns on select eligible items.
The Nightstands
Best Fashion-Forward: Ellington Nightstand
Best for Small Spaces: Mirren Nightstand
Best Minimalist Style: Miles Nightstand
Most Spacious: Solstice Nightstand
Best Mixed Materials: Parker Nightstand
Best Coastal Style: Anton Nightstand
Best Statement Maker: Harway Nightstand
Best Oversized: Burl Nightstand
Best Traditional Style: Essex Marble Top Nightstand
Best Boho Style: Ida Woven Nightstand
Most Versatile: Chadwick Mid-Century Nightstand
Best Mid-Century Style: Mid-Century Closed Nightstand
The Criteria
I judged every West Elm nightstand in-store based on the following five criteria, and gave each category an average rating between 1 and 5.
Appearance: What style does it best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., detailing, dark wood) or more contemporary (i.e., sleek, light wood)?
Storage capacity: How much storage space does the nightstand offer? Can it store a variety of different items? Does it have a mixed variety of storage options (i.e., drawers, shelves)?
Space requirements: How much space does the nightstand take up? Does it require a lot of horizontal floor space, or is it relatively compact? How tall is it?
Versatility: Can the nightstand be used for a variety of purposes? Can it double as a side table? How well does it conceal clutter?
Durability: Does the nightstand stain or scuff easily? Is it made from fragile materials? Would it age well with regular use?
Every Editor-Tested Nightstand at West Elm
Best Fashion-Forward: Ellington Nightstand
Ellington Nightstand (24")
West Elm
$699
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What impressed me: The fluted detailing and soft-close drawers.
A lot of West Elm’s nightstands were larger in person than I expected them to be, and the Ellington was one of them. This is no small-space nightstand, but on the flip side it offers plenty of storage in the form of two drawers, the bottom of which is large enough to hold everything from your snacks and Kindle to your skincare and essential oil diffuser.
I’m personally a fan of the Ellington collection’s fluted detailing, as well as the curved corners that add a bit of softness to the otherwise modern design. What’s more, I liked that the drawers on this piece closed softly and featured contrasting black knobs. As long as you have the space for it, the Ellington is a foolproof pick.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
24.3 inches long, 18 inches wide, 24 inches high
Solid wood frame and legs, wood veneer over engineered wood top and sides, and metal
Available in 1 size
Available in 3 finishes
Best for Small Spaces: Mirren Nightstand
Mirren Nightstand (18")
West Elm
$199
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What impressed me: The small footprint and all-metal construction.
It’s simple, but it gets the job done. At 18 inches wide, the Mirren nightstand is the narrowest nightstand I viewed on the floor. I think it could easily fit into a small slot between your bed and the wall; in fact, you might be able to fit two in there, even if you have a tiny bedroom. Its all-metal construction felt sturdy as I tried to wobble the table, and I like that it’s available in an unconventional color like Dark Olive.
Even though the Mirren isn’t big on storage, considering it has just one slim drawer, you could stack some items under it for easy bedside access, like your water bottle or books. At $200, it’s also one of West Elm’s most affordable nightstands that’ll still last a long time without sustaining serious wear and tear.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
18 inches long, 17.5 inches wide, 23 inches high
Powder-coated metal
Available in 1 size
Available in 3 finishes
Best Minimalist Style: Miles Nightstand
Miles Nightstand (22")
West Elm
$499
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What impressed me: The cool-toned wood and understated silhouette.
There’s not much I can say about the Miles nightstand because its design is so simple, but that’s not a bad thing in this case. It reminded me of West Elm’s Anton collection with its smooth wooden construction and cube-like design. But unlike the Anton pieces, the Miles has a touch of flashiness in the form of a silver drawer knob. It’s also relatively wide, and you can shop it in two-toned versions if you want even more visual interest.
Ultimately, though, I would recommend this understated piece for people after a pared-back or even spa-like bedroom feel. After all, your most personal space should help you relax and unwind.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
22 inches long, 18 inches wide, 22.5 inches high
Wood veneer over engineered wood
Available in 1 size
Available in 4 finishes
Most Spacious: Solstice Nightstand
Solstice Painted Raffia Nightstand (20")
West Elm
$499
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What impressed me: The cabinet-style storage and textured raffia.
This is the nightstand I had the most fun looking at, largely because I liked how its door unlatches and swings open to reveal two roomy shelves for snacks, extra tissues, vitamins, and so much more. Of course, the Solstice is even more interesting on the outside, thanks to its textured raffia material, which is covered in a water-based white-washed finish for added protection.
Although this is one of the more narrow nightstands I looked at, I wouldn’t classify it as small-space-friendly, per se, because it measures 20 inches across. But if you have a medium-sized bedroom, you could definitely get away with sneaking it in. The Solstice is also a statement maker, so if your current setup feels dull, this one item will work wonders to help brighten up the entire space.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
20 inches long, 17 inches wide, 23.4 inches high
Solid poplar wood frame and legs and raffia over engineered wood top and sides
Available in 1 size
Available in 1 finish
Best Mixed Materials: Parker Nightstand
Parker Nightstand (21"–28")
West Elm
$779
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What impressed me: The white marble top and impressive height.
The Parker nightstand almost looks like a bathroom storage cabinet with its white marble top, which reminds me of a vanity. It’s one of the taller tables I viewed, which is nice because you’ll be able to reach over and pluck what you need right off its surface or out of its top drawer without having to bend. I also appreciated the tall legs on this nightstand. Even though it’s kind of big overall, the legs prevent the Parker from looking bulky.
Additionally, I loved the contrast between the white marble, metal drawer pulls, and walnut wood, which appeared to have a lovely red tinge when I looked at it. The drawer space is also pretty impressive; you’ll definitely be able to fit a lot inside the tall bottom drawer.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
21 inches long, 17 inches wide, 25 inches high
Solid marble, solid and engineered wood, and metal
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 3 finishes
Best Coastal Style: Anton Nightstand
Anton Solid Wood Nightstand (16"–28")
West Elm
$449
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What impressed me: The tall open shelf and lack of hardware.
Because the Anton nightstand lacks adornment of any kind, it’s a perfect backdrop piece if you like to experiment with bold-colored bedding or different types of wall art. No matter what, the Anton will blend right in and let your decor do the talking.
What’s also cool about this nightstand is that it’s one of West Elm’s more customizable options. You can shop it in four different wood finishes and three sizes, as well as a charging version that has outlets for your cables. The 16-inch model will fit in small spaces while still providing you with both drawer and shelf space for your items.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
16 inches long, 16 inches wide, 24.6 inches high
Kiln-dried solid mango wood
Available in 3 sizes
Available in 4 finishes
Best Statement Maker: Harway Nightstand
Harway Nightstand (22")
West Elm
$399.30 (was $499)
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What impressed me: The linear detailing and blocky silhouette.
West Elm had an entire wall of nightstands on display in one room, but the Harway immediately caught my eye, which I’m sure won’t surprise you. In person, it registers first as a big cube, and then you notice the linear pattern adorning its front. I like that this nightstand is monochromatic, as that prevents it from looking too busy.
The Harway is both tall and wide, which contributes to its stately appearance. I will note that the drawers don’t have pulls and were kind of hard to open, but they were tall and spacious inside. In order to make the Harway work in your room, I think you already need to own a couple of other statement pieces. Otherwise, there’s a chance it could overwhelm the space.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
22 inches long, 17.6 inches wide, 24.8 inches high
Engineered and solid wood
Available in 1 size
Available in 1 finish
Best Oversized: Burl Nightstand
Burl Nightstand (26")
West Elm
$699
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What impressed me: The shiny burl finish and generous width.
The Burl nightstand is absolutely gargantuan, so if you’re able to fit one on each side of your bed, I consider that a flex. The best word I could use to describe it is “chunky,” closely followed by “chic.” It would look lovely next to a platform bed surrounded by other neutrals, and maybe even some greenery. Although the nightstand is smooth to the touch, its burl pattern still adds visual texture that would pair well with a Persian rug or bouclé accent pillows.
Also of note are the nightstand’s brass knobs, which are small but still serve as another intriguing visual element. I found the drawers to be a tad rickety when I pulled them open, but I think you’ll still be content with their wide, medium-tall interiors.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
26 inches long, 19 inches wide, 23 inches high
Solid wood frame and burl veneer over engineered wood
Available in 1 size
Available in 1 finish
Best Traditional Style: Essex Marble Top Nightstand
Essex Nightstand (18")
West Elm
$499
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What impressed me: The corner detailing and small-but-striking drawer knobs.
Truth be told, West Elm didn’t really have any traditional models on display, but the Essex still gave me slightly old-fashioned vibes because of its chamfered corners. Such detailing is difficult to find in furniture produced today, so I immediately took note of it. The nightstand’s white marble top is like a breath of fresh air and prevents the overall design from looking outdated. I also liked the recessed platform base, which is probably the shortest one of its kind that I’ve seen.
In my notes, I also wrote that the Essex has “very cool” metal drawer knobs. They’re small and look round from a distance, but look closer and you’ll see that they have an octagonal shape. In short, every detail on the Essex nightstand is well-thought-out, and I could even picture it being used as a side table in a home office.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
17.5 inches long, 17.5 inches wide, 24 inches high
White marble and walnut veneer over engineered wood
Available in 1 size
Available in 1 finish
Best Boho Style: Ida Woven Nightstand
Ida Woven Nightstand (23")
West Elm
$449
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What impressed me: The tall brass legs and woven cane drawer panels.
If you like a boho aesthetic, I have no doubt that you’ll love the Ida nightstand. Know that it is very wide, but that also means it has tons of storage in the form of wide, deep drawers. Even if you’re not usually a fan of boho interior decor, you’ll appreciate the Ida’s light colors. It has a pretty white-and-tan finish, complete with gold-toned legs and drawer pulls. This gives the overall design an airy look, which helps to offset its imposing width.
I enjoyed getting to feel the rattan cane paneling on the drawers, although I want to note that it could sustain damage easily based on how fragile it felt. As a result, I’d recommend the Ida for single-person or adult households — not homes with pets or young children.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
22.8 inches long, 17.25 inches wide, 24.3 inches high
Solid mango wood, engineered wood, and rattan cane
Available in 1 size
Available in 1 finish
Most Versatile: Chadwick Mid-Century Nightstand
Chadwick Mid-Century Nightstand (22.5")
West Elm
$439.20 (was $549)
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What impressed me: The open-display design and woven undershelf.
The Chadwick nightstand looks more like a living room side table than a nightstand to me, so it could function as both. It has a nice orange-toned acacia frame, although the focal point here is obviously the light woven shelf. If the Chadwick was in my living room, I’d use the shelf to display my favorite book spines.
Because the Chadwick doesn’t have a lot of drawer space, I would recommend it for people who don’t keep their entire life packed into their nightstand. Maybe you put your eyeglasses atop your headboard before you go to sleep, and you store your medicine bottles in the bathroom. If that’s the case, you’ll enjoy this nightstand’s sparse, clutter-free frame.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
80 inches long, 17 inches wide, 25 inches high
Solid acacia wood, acacia veneer, and woven cord
Available in 1 size
Available in 1 finish
Best Mid-Century Style: Mid-Century Closed Nightstand
Mid-Century Closed Nightstand (18"–25")
West Elm
$299 (was $399)
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What impressed me: The flared legs and airy design.
Like the Chadwick, this mid-century piece has a pleasant, warm-toned wood construction and cute out-turned legs. In fact, it’s mostly leg, although you still get two small drawers for all of your essentials. I would absolutely classify this nightstand as being a small-enough size for tiny bedrooms, so it’s great for apartment renters and frequent movers.
If you’re not into the Acorn finish, the mid-century closed nightstand is available in two other light neutrals; plus, it comes in two widths and is also available as a charging nightstand. Consider it your new hub for your most-reached-for items. The next time you wonder where you left your phone or stashed your eyedrops, you’ll know where to find them.
How I Rated It:
Specifications:
18 inches long, 15 inches wide, 24 inches high
Solid eucalyptus wood, engineered wood, and metal
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 3 finishes
Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) Every Sofa at West Elm — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need
I Just Discovered the Smartest Way to Store Paper Towels in Your Kitchen (It’s a Game-Changer!)
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
