The Best Drum Side Tables for Bedrooms

The best drum side tables for bedrooms are those that sit level with the top of your mattress, measure around 35cm to 45cm across and offer some hidden storage, either behind a curved door or under a lift off lid. Fluted oak and walnut suit calm, natural schemes; marble and lacquer bring a more polished look; rattan and woven finishes add texture to relaxed rooms. Whichever material you choose, the rounded shape is gentle in a space you move around half asleep.

A drum table works as a bedside table in all but name, so it sits naturally within our range of modern bedside cabinets UK. Below we look at the designs that suit bedrooms best, and how to pick the right one for yours.

What Makes a Drum Table Different?

A drum table is cylindrical, with a solid or near solid body running from the top to the floor. Unlike a table on legs, there is no open space underneath. That gives it a grounded, sculptural presence, which suits bedrooms well because the room is about rest rather than movement.

The solid form also hides what is underneath. Charging cables, a spare blanket or a stack of books can disappear inside a drum with storage, which helps keep the bedside clear. For anyone furnishing the wider room at the same time, our modern bedroom furniture UK sale brings together beds, wardrobes and chests that can share a finish with your bedside drum.

Fluted Wooden Drum Tables

Fluting, the vertical grooves running around the body of the table, is one of the most effective ways to stop a drum looking heavy. The ridges catch the light from a lamp and create soft shadow lines that change through the day.

Best for: bedrooms with natural textures, linen bedding and warm neutrals. Fluted oak brings brightness; fluted walnut feels richer and more grown up.

Points to consider: the grooves gather dust, so a soft brush attachment on your vacuum helps. Look for a sealed or lacquered finish if you tend to keep a glass of water on the bedside.

Solid Oak and Smooth Wood Drums

A smooth wooden drum is the simplest version of the shape, and often the easiest to live with. It suits traditional bedrooms as well as contemporary ones, and pairs comfortably with wooden bed frames.

Best for: rooms where you want the table to feel calm and understated, or where the bed frame and wardrobe are already in wood.

Points to consider: match the undertone of the wood rather than the exact shade. A warm honey oak next to a cool grey oak bed can clash, while two warm tones of different depths sit happily together.

Rattan, Cane and Woven Drums

Woven drum tables bring texture and a relaxed, holiday feel. They are lighter in weight than solid wood, which makes them easy to move when you change the bedding or clean behind the bed.

Best for: coastal, bohemian or Scandinavian bedrooms, and guest rooms where you want a welcoming, informal mood.

Points to consider: many woven designs have a separate wooden or glass top, which gives a flat stable surface for a lamp. Without one, choose a tray for drinks.

Marble and Stone Drums

A marble or stone effect drum table feels substantial and calm. The natural veining adds interest without pattern overload, and the cool surface contrasts nicely with soft bedding.

Best for: pared back modern bedrooms, hotel inspired schemes and rooms with a lot of soft upholstery that benefit from one harder, more architectural piece.

Points to consider: genuine marble is heavy, so check that your floor is level and the table will not need moving often. Use coasters, as marble can mark from acidic drinks and hot cups.

Lacquered and High Gloss Drums

A drum in a glossy lacquer finish feels smart and contemporary. Deep colours such as forest green, oxblood or navy turn a bedside table into a quiet statement, while white or cream gloss keeps things fresh.

Best for: bedrooms with a modern or glamorous edge, and rooms that need a small hit of colour without repainting the walls.

Points to consider: glossy surfaces show fingerprints. A soft cloth every few days keeps them looking crisp.

Metal Drum Tables

Brushed brass, bronze or black metal drums suit industrial and contemporary bedrooms. They are often slimmer than wooden versions, which helps in tight spaces beside the bed.

Best for: loft style rooms, monochrome schemes and bedrooms with metal bed frames.

Points to consider: metal can feel cold in a bedroom on its own, so balance it with a fabric lampshade, a wooden tray or a textured rug.

Upholstered and Boucle Drums

Upholstered drums double as a small stool or footrest and bring real softness to the room. Boucle and velvet versions are especially tactile.

Best for: dressing areas, reading corners and bedrooms with upholstered headboards.

Points to consider: a fabric top is not stable for drinks, so pair it with a removable tray if you plan to use it as a bedside table.

If none of these drum styles feels right, an open legged design may suit your room better. Our modern side tables UK sale include slimmer shapes that sit just as comfortably beside a bed.

Getting the Size Right

Size matters more with a drum table than with a legged table, because the solid body takes up all of its footprint at floor level. These are the measurements we suggest checking first.

• Height: aim for the top of the table to sit level with, or a few centimetres below, the top of your mattress. For most beds, that means 50cm to 60cm. Higher beds with deep mattresses may need 60cm to 65cm.
• Diameter: 35cm to 45cm suits most double and king size beds. In a small room, look for 30cm to 35cm.
• Clearance: leave enough room beside the table to get in and out of bed comfortably, and check that wardrobe doors and drawers can still open.

Measure twice before you choose. A drum that is too tall forces you to reach up for a glass in the dark, while one that is too low leaves the lamp shining at the wrong angle for reading.

Storage: Door, Drawer or Open Top?

Drum tables offer several types of storage, and the right one depends on what you keep by the bed.

• Curved door: opens to reveal a shelf inside, which suits books, a box of tissues or a hot water bottle.
• Lift off lid: the top comes away to reveal a hollow body, which works for blankets or items you do not need every night.
• Drawer: less common in drums, but handy for glasses, chargers and small items.
• No storage: a simple solid drum gives a cleaner look if you keep very little by the bed.

If you use a lamp, check whether the table has a cable hole or a small gap at the back, so the flex does not have to run across the top.

Pairing a Drum Table With Your Bed

A drum table has a strong, simple shape, so it pairs best with beds that are equally calm. Upholstered headboards, panelled wooden frames and low platform beds all sit comfortably beside a drum.

If your headboard is tall and decorative, keep the drum simple. If the bed frame is plain, the drum can carry more texture through fluting, weave or a bold finish. Matching pairs either side of the bed create a balanced, restful look. In an asymmetric room, a drum on one side and a small chest of drawers on the other can work, provided the heights are close.

Lighting completes the arrangement. A drum table offers a round surface, so a lamp with a round base or a slim column looks more settled than a wide square base. Our modern table lamps UK include compact designs that leave room for a book and a glass.

Drum Tables in Small Bedrooms

Drum tables can work well in small rooms, because their rounded body is kind to legs and the storage inside reduces clutter. The trick is to choose a slimmer diameter and a lighter finish. A pale oak or white lacquer drum feels less dominant than a dark one in a compact space. Our guide to bedside table measurements for UK bedrooms sets out the clearances worth protecting.

If there is barely room beside the bed, a drum may not be the right answer, and a wall shelf or narrow open table could serve you better. Our article on choosing a bedside cabinet for a small UK bedroom offers alternative approaches for very tight layouts.

Looking After Your Drum Table

Most drum tables need very little maintenance. Dust weekly, use coasters for drinks and keep the table out of direct sun if it is wooden, as strong light can change the tone of the finish over time. If you have a woven drum, vacuum it gently with a brush attachment.

A drum table sits close to the floor, so it can pick up scuffs from vacuum cleaners and shoes. A felt pad on the base protects both the table and your flooring.

Choosing Yours

The best drum side table for your bedroom is the one that matches your mattress height, fits the space beside the bed and suits the materials already in the room. Fluted wood for warmth, marble for calm, lacquer for colour and rattan for texture: each brings something different. Explore our bedroom collections at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a drum side table be used as a bedside table?

Yes. Drum tables make very good bedside tables, particularly when they include a door or lid for storage and sit close to mattress height.

What height should a drum bedside table be?

Choose a table that sits level with or slightly below the top of your mattress. For most beds that is 50cm to 60cm.

Are drum tables good for small bedrooms?

They can be, as long as you choose a slim diameter of around 30cm to 35cm and a light finish so the solid body does not dominate the space.

Do drum tables need a lamp with a round base?

Not necessarily, but a round or slim lamp base usually looks more balanced on a circular top and leaves more room for other items.