Un-bedside tables for easy book storage and access

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Make a shelf for your books out out books? Umbra Conceal Floating Book Shelf
Make a shelf for your books out out books? Umbra Conceal Floating Book Shelf

I cannot stop buying books. I also do not take much time to read books. I have a pile of more than a dozen in-progress books. I have to believe that if I kept my books in an easy-to-access and organized manner, like on a bedside table, I’d give them more love.

Right now my bedside table is an upended suitcase — a failed attempt to turn it into a cat bed. No storage, and not pretty. To solve my problem, I’ve been fantasy shopping for an un-bedside table. As I see it, here are my options.

This drum is the best bedside table ever.

X8 Drums & Percussion X8-TABLE-L Drum Table, Large
X8 Drums & Percussion X8-TABLE-L Drum Table, Large

So boho. Number one on my list. I am absolutely on the hunt for a drum!

Step stool!

Butler Specialty Masterpiece Step Stool in Praline
Butler Specialty Masterpiece Step Stool in Praline

Easy enough to find, and has two tiers of shelving for a lamp, books, and a glass of water.

The electric fireplace

Duraflame 450 Black Freestanding Electric Stove DFS-450-2
Duraflame 450 Black Freestanding Electric Stove DFS-450-2

May not be the best idea for this pyro-phobe’s bedroom. But it’s damn cute.

Wall-mounted table

Furinno Wall-Mounted Drop-Leaf Folding Table
Furinno Wall-Mounted Drop-Leaf Folding Table

This wall-mounted table tickles my desire for a-place-for-everything-and-everything-in-its-place.

Suitcase, suitcase, suitcase

Cargo Cool Euro Suitcases, Soft Blue, Set of 3
Cargo Cool Euro Suitcases, Soft Blue, Set of 3

Kind of like what I am using now.

Bedside pocket

Richards Homewares Gearbox Bedside Caddy
Richards Homewares Gearbox Bedside Caddy

I could also ditch the table all together and go with a bedside pocket. Not great for bigger hardcovers, but good for little paperbacks.

Do you have a bedside table you love? SHARE! Or an idea for another un-bedside table I should consider? SHARE! I need to solve this problem so I can move forward with my life.

Comments on Un-bedside tables for easy book storage and access

  1. I have a century old wood burning stove like that sitting at the end of my driveway – the previous owner of my house had been using it as a plant pot. I’m not big on gardening so a neat table would be a great way to repurpose it! The suitcases with the mirror look amazing, although my bedroom’s always so cluttered – the stack wouldn’t look nearly as pretty in my bedroom as in this photo.

  2. We have a Bekvam spice rack from Ikea, with a couple of hooks and some totally cute buckets hanging from it. Books stack sideways on top of the spice rack, pens’n’stuff go in the buckets.

  3. I have a movable kitchen island from Ikea. My boyfriend’s old roommate left it with us and I’ve use the hooks, bars and wiffle cannisters to everything! drawing supplies, books, medicine and basic hygiene supplies.

  4. Mine is kind of boring – I use my dresser. We have a small flat, so we just squeeze all our furniture in where it fits. Our dresser is between the bed and the wall, and that’s where my lamp, book and water go.

  5. I have an awesome vintage nightstand that has a built-in bookshelf…or you could modify some of the furniture plans in Todd Oldham’s “Handmade Modern” book, as several pieces have built-in book storage.

  6. I just realized I *LOATHE* our matching Ikea MALM bedside tables (they were grandfathered in when we married). They’re nothing but function, and not even that great. Time to lobby for new ones and to scout the thrift stores. Although finding something quirky that will also go with our stupid MALM bed frame is going to be a challenge. If anyone has any suggestions, I’m into it!

  7. We’re low on space either side of our bed – we currently have two small bookcases, and the door can’t open all the way.

    I’m considering a shelf or shelved headboard to go behind the bed along with possibly some tall floor lamps (so more of the shelf space can go to things like books).

    Now I just need to find a shelved headboard that doesn’t cost ONE MILLION DOLLARS*

    *slight exaggeration. But seriously, those things can get expensive.

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