A narrow bedside table is usually the safest choice when a standard cabinet leaves no room beside the bed. The right depth depends on your available gap, the items you need within reach and the clearance required for drawers, doors and walking space. At EmKa Home Design, we make slim solid wood side and bedside tables to order in depths of 14.5 cm, 17.5 cm, 19.5 cm and 22 cm, with custom sizes available on request via WhatsApp.
How deep should a narrow bedside table be?
Choose the shallowest depth that still holds your essentials comfortably. A depth of 14.5 cm suits a very tight gap and can hold a phone, glasses and a small lamp with a compact base. A 17.5 cm table gives you more usable surface without taking over a small bedroom. For a larger lamp, books or a water glass, 19.5 cm to 22 cm is usually more practical.
The table should not simply fit between the bed and the wall. You also need enough space to walk past it, open nearby drawers and make the bed without catching on the furniture. Measure the clear gap at floor level and at mattress height, because skirting boards, sockets and the bed frame can change the usable width.
| Table depth | Useful for | Check before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| 14.5 cm | Very tight bedside gaps: phone, glasses and a compact light | The lamp base and cable must fit without overhang |
| 17.5 cm | Everyday essentials with a little more surface space | Measure the gap behind the bed frame, not only the mattress |
| 19.5 cm | Books, a larger lamp and a drink | Allow room for the bedside light switch or socket |
| 22 cm | A narrow but more generous bedside surface | Confirm that doors, drawers and skirting do not obstruct it |
Which bedside table depth works in a small bedroom?
For most small UK bedrooms, 14.5 cm to 19.5 cm is a useful starting range. It provides a practical surface while preserving more floor space than a conventional bedside cabinet. If your gap is especially tight, 14.5 cm is the slimmest depth in our table range. If you have a little more room and want to keep a book, lamp and water glass beside the bed, consider 22 cm.
Use a simple measuring process before you choose:
- Measure from the bed frame to the wall or the nearest obstruction.
- Check the measurement at the top and bottom of the gap.
- Mark the proposed depth on the floor with masking tape or cardboard.
- Walk past the marked area and check that drawers, wardrobe doors and curtains still work.
- Measure the lamp base, books and other items you plan to keep on the table.
Leave a small practical margin rather than ordering a table that fits only to the last millimetre. Walls are not always perfectly straight, and skirting boards can reduce the space available at the back. A narrow piece of furniture is useful because it respects the room, but it still needs to function every day.
Why choose a slim solid wood bedside table instead of a flat-pack cabinet?
A slim bedside table made from solid wood can provide the small footprint you need without looking temporary. Solid wood has a natural appearance, and each handmade piece has its own grain and visual variation. At EmKa Home Design, we build our furniture to order in our workshop in Dagenham, rather than selecting a fixed flat-pack size from a mass-produced range.
That approach is helpful when the main problem is depth. Many standard bedside cabinets are designed around a larger bedroom and can extend too far into a walkway. A shallow table gives you a place for everyday items while keeping the room easier to move around. It can also work in a guest room, loft conversion, studio flat or children’s bedroom where every centimetre matters.
Our side tables come in four depths: 14.5 cm, 17.5 cm, 19.5 cm and 22 cm. The right choice is not necessarily the smallest model. It is the one that holds what you use at night while leaving the clearance you need around the bed.
What should you measure before buying a slim bedside table?
Measure more than the empty space. A table can fit on paper but still be awkward if the socket, skirting board or bed frame projects into the gap. Note the table height as well as its depth, particularly if you want the surface to sit close to mattress height.
- Gap width: measure the narrowest point between the bed and wall or furniture.
- Available depth: include skirting boards, pipes, radiators and any wall projection.
- Height: compare the intended table height with the top of the mattress.
- Surface needs: list the lamp, phone, book, glasses and drink that must fit.
- Access: check where you will stand when reaching for each item.
- Finish details: consider whether the table will sit against a wall or beside an exposed bed frame.
Photographs can help when asking about a custom size. Send the measurements and a picture of the gap to us on WhatsApp, and we can discuss whether a custom size side table is suitable. We prefer to clarify the space before making the furniture, because a small measurement error is harder to correct after delivery.
Can a narrow bedside table hold more than a lamp?
Yes, provided the depth matches the items you use. A 14.5 cm table is best for essentials that can be arranged vertically or kept compact. At 17.5 cm, you may have room for a small lamp, phone and glasses. At 19.5 cm or 22 cm, you can usually plan the surface more comfortably around a book, drink and larger lamp, subject to the dimensions of those items.
Use a cable-friendly lamp and keep heavy or unstable objects away from the edge. If you need enclosed storage, a narrow bedside table may not replace a full cabinet, but it can prevent a cramped bedroom from feeling crowded. The purpose is to give you a dependable landing place without adding unnecessary bulk.
How does a handmade bedside table fit with other small-space furniture?
A bedside table does not need to match every item in the room exactly. Solid wood can sit alongside painted furniture, upholstered beds and metal details. Repeating one element, such as the wood tone or leg style, is often enough to make the room feel considered.
The same depth-first thinking applies elsewhere in a small home. Narrow floating shelves, from 12 cm deep, can use vertical wall space where a bookcase would be too deep. Wooden shelves with brackets can suit a utility area, while kitchen or bathroom shelves need careful consideration of moisture and fixing conditions. A slim console table can make a narrow hallway more useful without blocking the route through it.
For a broader look at our handmade side tables, you can compare the options in our solid wood side table collection. We make small-space furniture that you can plan around your own measurements, rather than asking the room to accommodate a standard footprint.
What can you expect when ordering from EmKa Home Design?
EmKa Home Design LTD makes handmade solid wood furniture to order in our Dagenham workshop at 32 Campden Crescent, RM8 2RR. Our online range is designed for narrow hallways, small flats and awkward gaps where standard furniture does not fit. Custom sizes are available on request via WhatsApp, subject to discussion before ordering.
Our Etsy shop, EmkaByNicoleta, has an overall rating of 4.92 from more than 2,700 verified reviews.
Because each item is made to order, please allow the stated production and delivery time: Handmade to order - 7-14 working days to make, then 5-7 days tracked delivery. Shipping is free on orders over £100. If the measurements suit your room, you can review the narrow bedside table options and confirm the depth before placing an order.
The best bedside table for a small bedroom is the one that fits the measured gap, supports your real routine and leaves the room easy to use. Measure first, choose the shallowest practical depth and ask about a custom size when the standard options do not quite match your space.
Frequently asked questions
What is the narrowest bedside table depth available from EmKa Home Design?
Our slimmest side and bedside tables are 14.5 cm deep, followed by 17.5 cm, 19.5 cm and 22 cm. Custom sizes can be discussed via WhatsApp.
Is a 14.5 cm bedside table deep enough?
A 14.5 cm table can suit a very tight gap and hold compact essentials such as a phone, glasses and a small lamp. Measure the lamp base and cable position before ordering.
How do I measure for a slim bedside table?
Measure the narrowest point between the bed and the wall or furniture, including skirting boards and projections. Also check the height, walking clearance and the size of the items you want to keep on the surface.
How long does a handmade bedside table take to arrive?
Handmade to order - 7-14 working days to make, then 5-7 days tracked delivery. Shipping is free on orders over £100.