For a well-styled, cohesive look in our bedroom, I wanted our nightstand decor coordinated, yet personalized. By repeating a similar layout and similar elements I achieved a unique look for each nightstand that coordinates well with the other.
Here are our his and hers nightstands side by side:
To initially coordinate the designs, I focused on the layout and shapes. Since we have matching nightstands and bedside lamps, I wanted to continue the symmetry with the decor. I decorated his nightstand first and then replicated the look with similar shapes on my nightstand.
Just look how similar the styling is when broken down into shapes:
Leaning against the wall of each nightstand, I used an 11×14″ frame. His side features a minimal print of gold glasses, mine a favorite wedding photo.
For the decor grouping off to the side of the frame, I repeated a similar layout as well with stacked items, a vase of flowers, a decorative object, and a picture holder. On my side the stacked element is decorative boxes, on his side stacked books. On my side a small hobnail glass holds mini calla lilies, on his side a wood urn holds bells of Ireland (our two wedding flowers). The decorative object on my side is the driftwood ball perched on top of the boxes, on his side it is the small black candle layered in front. On my side, the picture holder displays a brass letter H, on his side it perches on top of the stack of books displaying a picture of our boys.
After repeating a similar layout and shapes, I coordinated the looks with similar finishes and materials. The wood urn on his side coordinates with the wood boxes on my side. The gold glasses print on his side ties in with the DIY gold leaf frame on my side. There is a natural element on both sides with the calla lilies and bells of Ireland. With a heavy dose of white on his side, from the frame and books, I added more white to my side by painting white on the wooden boxes.
By focusing on the shapes and elements, I created to individual looks that work well together in the same room!
Nice job! I love the look on both sides, and you did a really good job ‘personalizing’ the items and still keeping them coordinated. Our nightstands are pretty small and end up littered with eyeglasses, the remote for the tv, a box of tissues, cell phones and an alarm clock….
Enjoy your new look!
I love both of them but I think I like the masculine one more!
Jane, I know…his side is so good. Luckily, I get to enjoy both. I will try to give more context of them in the full room soon, but his is the one we walk by numerous times of day to go to the bathroom and closet.
I love the look! We are about to buy new nightstands for our room and I am stuck trying to figure out how to style my husband’s side. He likes minimal things on everything. I am the opposite. Ill have to use your tips for sure!
Heather, I know it is tricky. My hubby is very minimal, too, but he loves his new nightstand look. I focused on keeping it simple, neutral, and personalized…I mean how could he say know to a print of gold glasses?!
Jackie I love both looks! Do you actually manage to keep them styled like this? I just refinished two nightstands for our master bedroom, and I’ve of given up trying to style around clunky alarm clocks/kindles/cell phones etc
Kate, They have been this way about a month now. We have rather large nightstands, so we have room to lay down a book and our phones down to charge at night, which double as our alarm clocks. The only other thing we change daily is our water glasses. Everything else just looks pretty as can be.
I love your nightstands. Where did you get them? manufacturer?
Carole, Thank you! The nightstands are from Z Gallerie, purchased in 2005/2006.
Love the styling tips where did you get the lamps from they are beautiful they look like the one from West elm but the glossy and lucite bottom is beautiful.
Lilly, Thank you. The lamps are from HomeGoods.