Should You Bring A Nightstand To Your Dorm Room?

 

I loved my nightstand in my dorm room – and I loved having one at home too. However, space is a hot commodity in any dorm room, so its important to decide between what’s important to bring and what’s not. Nightstands or any other furniture takes up extra room, but if you can find how to utilize it for storage you can get the benefits of the piece while getting extra spots to store stuff!

In this guide, we will go over if bringing a nightstand to college is right for you, what to look for if you’re buying a nightstand, and my favorite nightstands that are perfect for your dorm room.

 

Should you bring a nightstand to college?

Personally, I had a nightstand in my dorm! I used it for my lamp and to hold my books and earrings at night. I also kept water there and set my phone down on it to charge. I have even seen people store their kitchen supplies in their nightstand shelfs, because its hidden well. However, it did take up extra space. Lucky I had a room to myself so there was space, but with a second person in that room I probably wouldn’t have had a nightstand.

Choosing if you should bring a nightstand to college is based a lot of your preference and how much room you have available. Here is my full list of pros and cons to help you make a decision!

 

Pros:

1. Storage Space: Nightstands typically have drawers or shelves, providing additional storage space for items like books, electronics, or personal belongings. This can be especially helpful in a small dorm room where space is limited.
2. Convenience: Having a nightstand next to your bed can be convenient for keeping essential items within arm’s reach. You can easily access things like a water bottle, phone, or a book without having to get out of bed.
3. Organization: A nightstand can help you keep your essentials organized. You can use the drawers or shelves to store and organize items, making it easier to maintain a tidy living space.
4. Personalization: Bringing a nightstand allows you to personalize your dorm room and create a more homey atmosphere. You can choose a nightstand that matches your style and use it as a decorative element.

 

 

Cons:

1. Limited Space: Dorm rooms are often small, and bringing additional furniture like a nightstand may take up valuable floor space. It’s essential to consider the overall layout of the room and whether there’s enough space for a nightstand without making the room feel cramped.
2. Restrictions: Some dormitories have restrictions on the type and size of furniture you can bring. Before bringing a nightstand, check with your dormitory’s guidelines to ensure that you’re compliant with any rules regarding furniture.
3. Moving Hassle: If you’re living in a dormitory with shared spaces, moving furniture in and out can be challenging, especially if there are stairs or narrow hallways. Consider the logistics of transporting the nightstand to your dorm and whether it’s worth the effort.
4. Cost: Purchasing a nightstand adds an extra expense. If you’re on a tight budget, you might want to consider whether the benefits of having a nightstand outweigh the cost.

 

Before deciding to bring a nightstand to your dorm, it’s definitely important to weigh the pros and cons based on your personal preferences, the dormitory rules, and the available space in your room.

 

What to look for when buying a nightstand

If you do decide to go forward with bringing a nightstand to your college dorm room, you need to make sure you get one that matches your needs! I’m talking cute, functional, well built, and the right height for your dorm. (Cause its pretty common to have lifted beds in dorms – so you may need to consider getting a tall nightstand for your dorm)

 

1. Size:

   • Choose a compact nightstand that fits well within the limited space of a dorm room. Consider the dimensions to ensure it doesn’t overcrowd the room cause it to be difficult to walk around the room.

2. Lightweight and Portable:

   • You will probably be moving several times over your college career! Opt for a nightstand that is lightweight and easy to move. This can be especially helpful if you need to rearrange furniture or move out at the end of the semester.

3. Storage:

   • Look for a nightstand with sufficient storage space for essentials like books, a phone, or personal items. Nightstands with drawers or shelves are great to help keep your dorm room organized.

4. Durability:

   • Choose a nightstand made from durable materials that can withstand the wear and tear of dorm life (because we both know it can be crazy!) You want something that will hold up for the duration of your college career, and still look nice!

5. Multipurpose:

   • Consider nightstands with additional features like built-in USB ports or outlets for charging electronic devices. This can be convenient if your dorm room has limited outlets or if they are far from where your bed will be.

6. Easy Assembly:

   • Check if the nightstand is easy to assemble, because you probably wont have a whole set of tools in your dorm room. Look for models that require minimal tools and effort to put together.

7. Design:

   • Personally I want all my room to flow nicely together. Picking a neutral toned nightstand that can go in any space will be great to compliment your style and stay classy even after you move.

 

My favorite dorm room nightstands

Here are my favorite dorm room nightstands that do well for everything above! There are options for floating nightstands, tall dorm room nightstands, or even great regular ones!

 

Nightstand with a built in light and outlets

This nightstand is super functional! It has a light up shelf so you can save space bringing a lamp. The lights are color changing and remote controlled, perfect for when you are in bed! I also love that it has three shelfs to store items in as well as three outlets on the top for your phone or anything else you need.

This nightstand comes in at 24 inches and is compact. Perfect if you’re not planning on raising your bed. The only issue I find it that it has its own plug in to power the light and the outlets on top, so it would need to be close to a wall outlet.

 

Here is a great light up nightstand that is great for any dorm.

 

Tall nightstand for raised dorm beds

This tall nightstand is a great option no matter how high you raise your bed. It comes in at 47 inches tall and there are tons of shelfs even if your bed is shorter. There is a ton of extra storage options and spaces with this, and its definitely tall enough for you! It also comes with extra outlet spots and a light.

 

Here is a great tall nightstand for any raised bed in a dorm.

 

Minimalist nightstand

This nightstand has a much more minimal design. It has a simple wood accent and three shelves for extra storage. It also has extra outlet spots on top! It comes in at 27 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Its definitely wider than it is long, so it doesn’t take up a ton of space.

 

This minimalist nightstand is a great option for a simpler look.

 

Affordable nightstand option

This nightstand is super affordable. It is small and compact, so it wont take up a ton of room. It also has two shelfs and it looks nice. Although, it may not last all your college years, as it is cheaper. It also has fabric shelfs, so they could stain or warp easily.

 

Here is a great affordable nightstand option.

 

 

These are my tips and tricks for deciding if a nightstand is right for your college dorm room, as well as good options to bring to your dorm. I hope this helps!