These 16 nightstand essentials are items that you’ll love having within arm’s reach for convenience, comfort, and relaxation as you wind down for the night or wake up in the morning.
Everyone’s essentials will vary based on individual needs and preferences, but here’s a list of common ones to give you some inspiration, including some personal favorites and recommendations.
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Nightstand Essentials
1: books or e-reader
If you’re a reader, keeping your current read or Kindle nearby is perfect because you’ll be able to jump back in anytime while you’re relaxing in bed. It’s also a great way to keep you off your phone or scrolling on social media, giving you a positive habit to engage in instead.
2. tissues
Runny noses can attack at any time, especially if you’re like me and get congested easily at night. So, you can never go wrong with keeping some tissues handy on your nightstand. Plus, you can make them look aesthetic with a fun tissue box cover!
3. chargers
This is the ultimate essential for me. If you have multiple devices you need to charge at night, I’d recommend getting a wireless charging station. These are awesome for keeping all your devices in one place and eliminating clutter by not having annoying wires and cables everywhere.
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4: sleep mask
Sleep masks aren’t just for sleepovers, movie characters, and plane rides. They come in handy at home, too! They’re helpful for blocking out light and promoting restful sleep, especially if your bedroom isn’t completely dark.
5. glasses or contacts case
Keep your eyewear in a designated spot on your nightstand to avoid misplacing them during the night. This ensures they’re easily accessible in the morning so you can get up and start your day hassle-free.
6. aromatherapy
I love starting and ending my days with a little aromatherapy. Whether it’s with a candle or essential oil diffuser, breathing in a calming scent lulls me to sleep at night and helps me start my morning on a relaxed and positive note.
7. water bottle
Anyone else wake up in the middle of the night or the next morning feeling extremely parched? This is definitely me, so I always make sure to have a bottle or glass of cold water on my nightstand.
My water bottle brand of choice is Yeti. I fill it up with ice cubes and water the night before and I wake up with freezing cold, refreshing water every morning – it’s truly amazing.
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8. clock
This one is pretty obvious! Of course, it’s super helpful to be able to easily tell the time while you’re in bed. For most people, their phone acts as their clock, but if you want to use a physical alarm clock, that totally works too.
9. chapstick
Besides waking up parched, I also wake up with super dry lips sometimes. Besides this, I absolutely cannot fall asleep when my lips are cracked and dry. It’s super uncomfortable and distracting. So, I opt to keep at least one chapstick in my nightstand at all times.
10. nasal spray
Like I mentioned earlier, I tend to get pretty congested at night, or whenever I’m laying down (thanks sinuses). For those times I’m struggling to breathe through my nose, I keep nasal spray by my bedside so I can sleep and breathe easier.
11. journal or planner (and pen)
Jot down thoughts, ideas, or dreams in a journal you keep on your nightstand. This can be a helpful practice to clear your mind before sleep and start your day on a mindful note.
You can also keep a planner or to-do list with it so you can reference your upcoming plans on a quick basis.
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12. coasters
Keep coasters on your nightstand to protect it from water rings or spills. Keeping a beverage on your nightstand is super convenient, but not at the cost of having to wipe annoying water wings every morning!
13. remote control
If you have a TV near you sleep, your nightstand is a convenient place to keep your remote. This way, it’s easily accessible for when you want some bedtime or morning entertainment.
14. medications
Most people take their pills or multivitamins in the morning or night. If you’re one of these people, keep yours on your nightstand. It’s great for easy access but also serves as a visual reminder to actually take them.
15. midnight snack
We all get hungry from time to time in the middle of the night. If this is a common occurrence for you, keep your snack of choice by your bedside so you don’t even have to get up to satisfy your late night cravings.
16. trinket tray
Keeping a little tray, bowl, or dish on your nightstand looks super cute, but it’s also helpful for when you’re taking off jewelry before going to bed to avoid misplacing them. It’s also an ideal place to store other small nightstand essentials like the ones I talked about today.
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