What Furniture Goes in a Bedroom?

What Furniture Goes in a Bedroom?
A bedroom serves as your personal sanctuary and place to relax and recharge. With the right furniture, you can create a bedroom that is both stylish and functional. When furnishing a bedroom, most people include the basics like a bed, nightstands, a dresser, and perhaps a chair or desk. But there are additional furniture pieces that can make your bedroom more inviting and meet your needs.

This article covers the key types of furniture suited for today’s bedrooms. We’ll explore recommended pieces beyond the bedroom basics that can provide more storage, seating, surfaces, and overall utility. With some planning and creativity, you can design a bedroom that reflects your tastes and supports your lifestyle.

Beds
Beds are the centerpiece of any bedroom and one of the most important furniture purchases. They come in a variety of sizes and styles to suit different needs.

The standard bed sizes are twin, full, queen, and king. Twin and full beds work well for single sleepers, while queen and king beds provide more room for couples. Consider how much personal space you like when choosing a size. Those who toss and turn or sprawl out may prefer larger beds. Tall people often need longer mattresses as well.

You’ll also want to pick the right mattress type and firmness level for your sleep style and body type. Memory foam, innerspring, latex, and hybrid mattresses each have their own feels and benefits. Testing them in-store can help determine the most comfortable option.

When it comes to style, platform beds with a simple headboard and frame have become quite popular for their minimalist look. For a more traditional feel, choose sleigh, four poster, or canopy beds. Upholstered headboards provide a soft, cushioned look. Tufted headboards have a more elegant, tailored style. You can also find headboards in wood, metal, and other materials to match different decor aesthetics.

Consider how high you want the headboard and if you’d like storage compartments built into its design. The height and shape of the headboard impact the visual statement it makes in the room. Scale it appropriately to fit the size of the bed and bedroom. Place beds with ample room on both sides for nightstands and lamps to create a restful oasis for sleep.

Nightstands
Nightstands are a must-have bedroom furniture item, serving both functional and decorative purposes. When it comes to placement, nightstands traditionally flank either side of the bed. Having a nightstand on both sides creates symmetry and convenience for each person sharing the bed.

Nightstands come in a range of styles to match different decorative tastes:

Traditional – Features elegant curved legs, rich wood tones, and ornate accents for a timeless, sophisticated look.

Rustic – Crafted from reclaimed or distressed wood with an unfinished, weathered appearance perfect for farmhouse style.

Modern – Sleek, simple designs in bold lacquers or neutrals with metal accents fit contemporary aesthetics.

Cottage – Romantic curved lines, painted finishes, and dainty hardware offer a soft, vintage feel.

Industrial – Solid wood or metal paired with galvanized accents brings an edgy, urban warehouse vibe.

Coastal – Weathered wood finishes and decorative rope accents give a relaxed, beachy look.

Consider placement for functionality and your style preferences when selecting nightstands to complete your bedroom. The options are endless, from ornate traditional to rustic farmhouse and more.

Dressers
Dressers are a must-have for most bedrooms as they provide ample storage and surface area for a variety of uses. Dressers come in a range of sizes, shapes and configurations to suit different storage needs.

The main purpose of a dresser is clothing storage. Most dressers contain multiple wide, shallow drawers which are perfect for folding and organizing clothes, especially bulkier items like sweaters, jeans, and t-shirts. The drawers provide easy access to your wardrobe while keeping clothes neatly tucked away and protected from dust. Many people use dressers solely for storing clothes.

Some key factors to consider when selecting a dresser for clothes storage are the number and size of drawers, drawer depth, height and width of the dresser. For example, a short wide dresser with many shallow drawers would maximize storage for folded garments. A taller narrow dresser with fewer deep drawers may better suit hanging clothes or bulkier items. Consider your storage needs and what types of clothing you want to organize when deciding on a dresser.

In addition to clothing, dressers are useful for storing a wide variety of bedroom essentials conveniently within reach. The surface area on top can hold lamps, photos, beauty products and decorative items. The drawers are great for underwear, socks, accessories, extra bed linens, paperwork and more. Many people use dressers as a secondary storage option for non-clothing items.

Some popular dresser configurations include:

Vertical dressers which are taller than they are wide, with a relatively small floor footprint. These typically have deep drawers which are accessible when opened fully. Vertical dressers are space-efficient.

Horizontal dressers which are longer than they are tall, allowing for a large surface area on top. These often have a built-in mirror and provide abundant shallow drawer storage.

Combo dressers with both drawers and hanging space, combining drawers for folded clothes with an armoire or wardrobe section for hanging clothes. These provide both types of storage in one furniture piece.

Media dressers designed with specialized drawers, shelving and cord management specifically for organizing entertainment equipment.

No matter what shape or size you choose, a quality solid wood or engineered wood dresser will last for years while providing excellent clothing and accessory storage in the bedroom.

Chests of Drawers
Chests of drawers, also known as chests or tallboys, are a great multipurpose option for the bedroom. They can work well as an alternative to a dresser or complement other bedroom furniture. Some key benefits of chests of drawers include:

Space efficient storage: Chests provide vertical storage, making efficient use of floor space. Multiple stacked drawers allow organizing clothes, linens, and other bedroom items neatly.

Under bed storage: Low chests that are around the height of the mattress can slide perfectly underneath the bed. This takes advantage of unused space for hidden storage. Look for chests with caster wheels to easily roll them in and out.

Flexible usage: Chests come in a wide array of sizes, configurations, and styles. Small 3-4 drawer chests work well for tight spaces. Wide chests can replace dressers. Tall narrow chests provide great storage next to a closet.

Stylish designs: From minimalist modern to ornate antique-inspired, chests come in many aesthetics to match your decor. Interesting accent details like carved legs or metallic drawer pulls let chests stand out.

Durability: Quality wood chests made from solid wood or hardwood veneers can withstand daily use and last for years. Look for dovetail joinery and smooth gliding drawers.

Place chests of drawers thoughtfully in spots where you need some extra storage and accessible top surface. They can supplement dressers or nightstands. A pair of chests also functions great as bedside tables with storage. Take advantage of the flexible storage options with chests of drawers in your bedroom.