If you’ve been side-eyeing a perfectly matched bedroom set, mismatched nightstands are the easiest way to add character without redoing the whole room. I’ve mixed everything from thrift-store finds to handmade pieces, and the trick is making it look intentional instead of accidental.
Go Natural With a Stump and a Cabinet
A sealed wood stump next to a painted cabinet is a bold take on mismatched nightstands that still feels cozy and grounded. I’ve used a stump slice as my “drink and book” surface, and the cabinet handled everything I didn’t want to see.
Try these:
- Natural Tree Stump Side Table: Add organic warmth to your bedroom with a solid wood stump table perfect for your coffee mug.
- White Nightstand with Drawers: Keep your bedside essentials tidy and hidden away with a classic white cabinet offering ample storage.
- Round Woven Rattan Basket: Enhance the rustic vibe and gain extra floor storage by placing a textured woven basket nearby.
Keep Them About the Same Height
My go-to move with mismatched nightstands is keeping the tops within a couple inches so reaching your water and book feels natural. When one was shorter in my bedroom, I boosted the lamp with a small stack of books and it instantly looked “planned.”
Check if these fit your needs:
- Decorative Hardcover Coffee Table Books: Use these visual anchors to add height beneath a lamp or decor, instantly leveling out uneven nightstand surfaces.
- Mid-Century Modern Nightstand with Drawers: Choose a substantial, taller piece like this to anchor one side of the bed while offering ample hidden storage.
- Wooden Step Stool or Accent Side Table: Introduce texture and variety with a smaller, open-frame table or stool that creates an intentional, collected aesthetic.
Unify Them With Matching Lamps
Even when the tables don’t match, matching lamps tie the whole setup together like magic—I’ve done this with a chunky cabinet on one side and a leggy table on the other. In my workshop styling demos, this is the fastest fix for “why does this feel off?”
A few things you might like:
- Table Lamps Set of 2: Instantly create symmetry in your bedroom layout by adding these identical light fixtures to your mismatched tables.
- Textured Throw Pillows: Complement the natural warmth of your new lamps using these cozy, textured accents for a cohesive look.
- Dried Pampas Grass: Add organic height and soften the visual space around your lamps with these natural, feathery botanicals.
Paint Two Different Pieces the Same Color
I’ve painted totally different thrifted stands the same paint color and suddenly they read like a set with personality. For my favorite pair of mismatched nightstands, a muted green finish made a drawer unit and a simple table look like cousins, not strangers.
These products might help:
- Sage Green Chalk Style Paint: Transform your different furniture pieces with a matte, sage green finish to instantly unify their look effortlessly.
- Antique Bronze Cabinet Knobs: Swap out old hardware for matching bronze knobs to tie your newly painted nightstands together perfectly.
- Angled Paint Brush for Furniture: Achieve a smooth, professional finish on corners and details with a high-quality sash brush designed for furniture.
Same Wood, Different Silhouettes
Try mismatched nightstands that share a similar wood tone but have different shapes—like a round pedestal on one side and a square drawer box on the other. I’ve built this look using the same species and let the grain do the “matching” for me.
Items that may come in handy:
- Round Pedestal Side Table: Choose a minimal round pedestal table to create an open, airy feel while matching warm wood tones.
- Wooden Nightstand with Drawers: Add functional storage with a sturdy, multi-drawer nightstand in a matching finish to balance your set.
- Decorative Dried Flowers: Soften the look of your new tables with natural dried florals that complement organic wood textures perfectly.
Mix Storage With Airy Legs
One nightstand can be a drawer-heavy workhorse while the other stays light and open, and that contrast is exactly what makes mismatched nightstands feel styled. I’ve paired a small dresser with a slim table and loved how the room felt less bulky overnight.
Maybe worth checking out:
- Mid-Century Modern Nightstand: Choose a drawer-filled nightstand like this to keep essentials hidden while adding warm wood tones to your bedroom.
- Minimalist Side Table: Balance the heavier furniture with a sleek, open side table that makes your space feel brighter and larger.
- Ceramic Vase with Pampas Grass: Style your mismatched tables cohesively by adding natural texture and height with a simple vase and dried botanicals.
Match the Hardware, Not the Furniture
If your mismatched nightstands are fighting each other, swap the pulls so both pieces share the same hardware finish. I’ve rescued mismatched thrift finds this way, and it’s honestly one of the cheapest “designer” tricks I use.
You might like:
- Round Antique Brass Knobs: Swap existing hardware for these classic knobs to instantly unify disparate nightstands with a cohesive, vintage look.
- Oil Rubbed Bronze Pulls: Choose these dark, matte pulls to ground mismatched furniture pieces and create a sense of intentional design.
- Cabinet Hardware Installation Template: Use this simple guide tool to ensure your new knobs are perfectly aligned and professional looking every time.
Blend Two Wood Stains on Purpose
I love mismatched nightstands in different wood stains—light on one side, dark on the other—when there’s at least one shared detail like tapered legs or a similar top thickness. In my own builds, I’ll repeat the darker stain somewhere else in the room so it feels intentional.
A few suggestions:
- Mid-Century Modern Nightstand (Walnut): Anchor one side of your bed with this rich, darker tone to create contrast and warmth immediately.
- Solid Oak Side Table (Natural Finish): Use a lighter wood nightstand on the opposite side to brighten the space while keeping distinct character.
- Minimalist Wood Table Lamp: Tie your mismatched tables together visually by placing identical lamps on both sides for cohesive balance.
Pair Rustic With Refined
A rough reclaimed wood stand next to a cleaner, more polished piece can look amazing if the scale is balanced. I’ve done this with a knotty, handmade box table beside a vintage-style cabinet, and the contrast made both feel more special.
Some handy options:
- Reclaimed Wood Nightstand: Add instant warmth and texture to your bedroom with a rustic bedside table featuring natural wood grain.
- Teal Ceramic Table Lamp: Brighten your space and add a pop of color that beautifully contrasts with natural wood tones.
- Textured Ceramic Cup: Complete the look with a small, handcrafted ceramic cup or vase to hold trinkets or simple decor.
Use a Chair as One Nightstand
One of my favorite mismatched nightstands setups is a real nightstand on one side and a sturdy wooden chair on the other. I’ve used a chair when a room felt tight, and it kept the space open while still holding a lamp and book.
Useful items to consider:
- Solid Wood Windsor Dining Chair: Choose a classic wooden spindle chair to serve as a bedside surface for quick access to essentials.
- Ceramic Vase for Dried Pampas: Add height and texture to your bedside arrangement with a simple, neutral vase for decorative branches.
- Small Wooden Side Table: Pair your chair with a compact wooden accent table on the opposite side to complete the mismatched look.
Try a Small Desk on One Side
For mismatched nightstands in a practical bedroom, I’ve used a compact writing desk as one “nightstand” and a simple table on the other. It’s perfect when you want a spot for journaling or a laptop without adding a whole extra piece of furniture.
Might be a good match:
- Compact Mid-Century Writing Desk: Create a dedicated writing nook right beside your bed; perfect for evening journaling or quick laptop work.
- Simple Wood Bedside Table: Balance out the larger desk on the opposite side with this streamlined, classic wooden bedside table.
- Minimalist Ceramic Vase: Style your new bedside surface elegantly with a simple stoneware vase for dried flours or branches.
Add a Bookcase-Style Nightstand Pair
A tiny bookcase on one side and a standard table on the other makes mismatched nightstands feel curated and super livable. I’ve styled the shelves with baskets and bedtime reads, and it keeps clutter from taking over the top surface.
Possibly helpful picks:
- Small Open-Shelf Bookcase Nightstand: Choose a compact bookcase with open shelves to keep bedtime reads organized and easily accessible from bed.
- Round Woven Storage Basket: Add texture and hide small clutter items instantly by placing a stylish woven basket on the floor.
- Modern Ceramic Vase: Style the top surface with a minimalist ceramic vase to add height and a touch of elegance.
Go Floating on One Side
A wall-mounted shelf paired with a regular stand creates mismatched nightstands that feel modern and airy, especially in small rooms. I’ve built floating boxes from scrap lumber, and the extra floor space always makes the room feel bigger.
These products might be useful:
- Floating Nightstand with Drawer: Recreate this modern look by installing a floating shelf that frees up valuable floor space in compact bedrooms.
- Blue Ceramic Vase: Add a pop of color to your bedside setup with a small ceramic vase perfect for minimalist floral arrangements.
- Dried Pampas Grass Decor: Bring natural texture and height to your nightstand styling using these low-maintenance dried stems for an earthy touch.
Repeat Decor for Instant Balance
With mismatched nightstands, I’ll repeat one or two items—like the same frames or the same plant pot—to make the pair feel connected. I’ve found that even when the furniture is wildly different, repeated styling keeps it looking calm.
May just do the trick:
- Matching White Ceramic Plant Pots: Create immediate visual symmetry by placing identical textured white planters on both of your bedside tables.
- Wooden Picture Frame Set: Tie the look together by displaying coordinating art or photos in matching natural wood frames.
- Faux or Live Potted Succulents: Add a touch of life and consistent greenery to both sides of the bed for balance.
Use a Vintage Stool and a Drawer Stand
A squat stool beside a classic drawer unit is my favorite “easy win” for mismatched nightstands. I’ve used a handmade wood stool for the minimalist side and kept all the messy stuff hidden in drawers on the other.
Some ideas to consider:
- Small Round Wood Stool: Create a charming, minimalist bedside look with a small wooden stool perfect for holding your evening read.
- Rustic Wooden Nightstand: Keep your bedroom essentials organized and hidden away in a sturdy wooden nightstand with warm, classic appeal.
- Ceramic Vase Decor: Add a touch of nature to your bedside setup with a textured, neutral vase for fresh greenery.
Make One a Rolling Cart
A slim rolling cart next to a steady nightstand creates mismatched nightstands with built-in flexibility. I’ve used the cart for books and lotions, and I love being able to pull it out when I’m cleaning or rearranging.
You might give these a try:
- Industrial Rolling Side Table: Choose a wood and metal cart to add stylish, mobile storage for your nighttime essentials.
- Woven Storage Basket: Organize smaller items on open shelves with a natural textured basket to keep clutter hidden.
- Glass Candle Holder: Create a cozy atmosphere by adding a simple, elegant glass container for your favorite candles.
Stack Crates Into a Nightstand
For playful mismatched nightstands, I’ve stacked and screwed wooden crates into a cubby-style stand on one side and used a traditional table on the other. Once I sanded the edges and added a finish, it looked intentional instead of “garage storage.”
Consider these options:
- Unfinished Wooden Crates: Build your custom nightstand base by stacking these versatile crates for instant rustic storage and charm.
- Wood Stain or Clear Finish: Protect your new furniture and enhance the natural wood grain with an easy-to-apply stain or sealant.
- Terracotta Style Vases: Recreate the warm, earthy aesthetic of the photo by adding a textured clay vase for decor.
Turn a Toolbox Into a Bedside Table
One of my most complimented mismatched nightstands was a metal toolbox with a wood top paired with a simple wood stand. I lined the drawers for quiet storage, and it added that workshop-meets-bedroom charm without feeling themed.
Give these a look:
- Vintage Style Metal Storage Box: Find a sturdy metal container or small toolbox to serve as the unique, industrial base for your new nightstand.
- Mid-Century Modern Furniture Legs: Attach these angled wooden legs to your toolbox to elevate it to the perfect bedside height with stylish flair.
- Drawer Liner Roll: Line your metal drawers with soft, non-slip material to dampen noise and protect your stored bedside essentials.
Mix Wood With Resin or Metal Accents
For a real conversation-starter, I’ve paired mismatched nightstands where one has a subtle resin inlay or metal detail and the other is plain wood to let it breathe. That little material twist makes the set feel custom, like you meant to do it all along.
Check these products out:
- Walnut Nightstand With Brass Accents: Upgrade your bedroom aesthetic with a wood nightstand featuring subtle metal inlays or pulls for elegant contrast.
- Wood and Resin Side Table: Create a unique focal point by choosing a table that blends natural timber warmth with modern resin details.
- Mid-Century Modern Wooden Nightstand: Anchor your mismatched set with this classic, clean-lined wooden piece that perfectly complements bolder accent tables.
