Matching Bedside Tables to Your TV Bed: A Styling Guide

The bedside tables that suit a TV bed best are roughly level with the top of the mattress, narrow enough to leave walking space, and finished in a material that either matches the frame’s tone or complements it with wood or metal. Because a TV bed is usually wider and more substantial than a standard frame, bedside tables with a little visual weight, such as a closed cabinet or a drawer, tend to balance it better than very slim, open designs.

Get the height, scale and finish right and the bed and bedside tables will read as a set, even if they were bought separately. Our range of modern bedside cabinets UK sale includes wooden, high gloss, mirrored and metal designs, which gives plenty of scope for pairing with different upholstered frames.

Why TV Beds Change the Brief

A TV bed tends to have a padded headboard, upholstered side rails and a deep footboard. All of that upholstery adds bulk. Bedside tables that would look balanced beside a slim wooden frame can look undersized next to a TV bed. On the other hand, overly large cabinets crowd the headboard and make the room feel smaller.

Because the screen rises from the foot of the bed, people using a TV bed also tend to sit up in bed more. That means bedside tables need to hold drinks, remotes and reading glasses within easy reach of a seated position, not just a lying one.

Our wider bedroom furniture UK sale collection shows how different pieces coordinate across a room, and our modern TV beds UK range gives a sense of the headboard heights and footboard depths you will be pairing with.

Height: The Most Important Measurement

Bedside table height should relate to mattress height. A good starting point is to have the tabletop level with the top of the mattress, or a few centimetres above or below. That makes it easy to reach a glass of water or a phone without stretching.

TV beds often sit slightly higher than a basic divan because of the upholstered frame and the deeper mattresses people tend to pair with them. Measure from the floor to the top of the mattress once the bed is assembled and made, then shortlist bedside tables close to that figure.

If you are buying a new mattress at the same time, wait until it arrives before finalising the bedside tables. A few centimetres of extra depth can change which height feels right.

Width and Scale

The width of the bedside table should feel proportionate to the headboard. As a guide, a double or king size TV bed with a tall headboard can carry bedside tables of around 45 to 55cm wide. In a smaller room, 40cm or slightly less can work, especially if the cabinet has some height or a drawer to give it presence.

Check how much floor space you have between the bed and the wall or wardrobe. You need room to walk past comfortably and to open drawers fully. In a tight UK bedroom, this clearance often decides the bedside table width more than style does.

Consider the headboard’s wings or side panels too. Some TV beds have a headboard wider than the frame. Measure from the outer edge of the headboard, not just the mattress.

Matching or Complementing the Finish

Matching the Upholstery

A few bedroom collections offer upholstered bedside tables or cabinets with fabric fronts. These create a strongly coordinated look but can feel heavy in a small room. They suit larger bedrooms where the bed is the main feature.

Wood

Wooden bedside tables are a reliable pairing with fabric TV beds. Oak suits grey, cream and green upholstery. Walnut sits beautifully with navy, mustard and darker greys. A natural wood grain softens the solid block of upholstery and brings warmth into the room.

High Gloss

High gloss bedside cabinets reflect light and suit contemporary rooms. White gloss pairs well with grey or black upholstery. Grey gloss with a grey frame gives a tonal, sleek look. Keep the rest of the room fairly simple if you choose gloss, so the shine does not compete with too many other finishes.

Mirrored

Mirrored bedside tables bounce light around and suit glamorous schemes, particularly beside velvet or crushed velvet TV beds. They work well in rooms with limited daylight. They do show fingerprints, so they suit people happy to give them a regular wipe.

Metal

Metal bedside tables, in black, brass or bronze, introduce a slimmer profile. They suit industrial or modern schemes and pair well with faux leather and darker fabric frames. Their lighter visual weight can help in small rooms, though they offer less enclosed storage.

Drawers, Shelves or Open Tables?

A TV bed brings a remote, sometimes a second remote for a streaming device, and often a phone or tablet. Somewhere to hide them is useful. Bedside cabinets with at least one drawer keep these items accessible but out of sight, which helps the room look tidy.

Open shelves suit books and baskets but can look cluttered. Pedestal or open frame tables look light and modern but offer little storage. If you choose one of these, consider a small tray to corral remotes and chargers.

A pair of cabinets with two or three drawers gives the most storage and is a good choice in bedrooms without much other furniture.

Do Bedside Tables Have to Match Each Other?

Matching pairs give a symmetrical, calm look and suit most TV beds because the bed itself is symmetrical. In a room where one side of the bed is against a wall or near a window, a different table on each side can work better. If you mismatch, keep something consistent, such as height, colour or material, so the arrangement still feels intentional.

Lighting on the Bedside Table

Lamps are a big part of the overall look. When the television is up, soft bedside lighting reduces glare and eye strain. Choose lamps with fabric shades that diffuse light and position them so they do not reflect on the screen.

Lamp height should be proportionate to the headboard. A tall headboard suits taller lamps, while a low headboard pairs better with compact lamps. Our modern table lamps UK range includes designs in ceramic, metal and glass that coordinate with different bedside finishes.

Wall lights are an alternative if the bedside tables are small, leaving the surface free for other things.

Accessorising Without Crowding

Keep bedside surfaces simple. A lamp, a small plant or vase, and a book or a tray for remotes is enough. Anything more becomes a nightly shuffle. The goal is a surface you can use, not one you have to clear.

Coordinate accessories with the bed’s upholstery or bedding colour. A ceramic lamp in a shade that echoes the headboard ties the pieces together neatly.

Bedside Tables in Awkward Spaces

Not every bedroom offers two equal spaces beside the bed. A radiator, a window or a wardrobe door often limits one side. In these cases, a slim cabinet on the tighter side and a wider one on the other can work, as long as their heights match. Alternatively, a floating shelf fixed to the wall on the narrow side gives you a surface without taking floor space, and it keeps the area beneath clear for cleaning.

If the bed sits beneath a window, check that the bedside tables do not block curtains or interfere with opening the window. Low, compact designs are often the answer here. In rooms with sloping ceilings, make sure lamps on the bedside tables have enough headroom and are not close to the slope.

A Few Reliable Pairings

Grey fabric TV bed with white gloss bedside cabinets and chrome lamps gives a crisp, modern look. Navy velvet TV bed with walnut bedside tables and brass lamps feels warm and rich. Cream boucle TV bed with light oak tables and ceramic lamps suits a natural, calm scheme. Black faux leather TV bed with black metal tables and smoked glass lamps creates a bold, contemporary room.

For a wider checklist before choosing, see our guide on what to look for in a bedside table in UK homes, and our article on bedside table measurements for UK bedrooms explains typical heights, widths and depths in more detail.

When you are ready to choose, browse beds and bedside furniture together at Furniture in Fashion. Returns are available up to 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high should bedside tables be next to a TV bed?

Aim for a tabletop roughly level with the top of the mattress, within a few centimetres either way.

Should bedside tables match the TV bed?

They do not need to match exactly. Coordinating finishes, such as wood with fabric or gloss with faux leather, usually looks more considered.

What width bedside table suits a king size TV bed?

Around 45 to 55cm wide works well in most rooms, provided you still have clear walking space.

Are drawers better than open shelves on bedside tables?

For TV beds, drawers are more practical because they hide remotes, chargers and other small items.