2nd September 2025 | IN DESIGN ADVICE | BY SBID Share Tweet Pinterest LinkedIn It is often the smallest spaces that speak the loudest. A bedside table may seem purely practical but styled thoughtfully it becomes complimentary to our daily rituals. Katharine Pooley explores how to elevate this intimate corner of the bedroom. From lighting that softens the room to the tactile details that ground your evening routine, consider this your guide to styling with purpose – refined, functional and beautifully lived-in. Lighting Lighting sets the foundation for a well-styled bedside table. A lamp should do more than provide illumination, it acts as an anchor that helps to frame the space. Consider both scale and material when making your selection: a lamp that is too large will overwhelm a small table and look too busy, but too small and it loses presence. Katharine Pooley Katharine Pooley Trinkets and Boxes A bedside table is a practical surface so it must be able to accommodate everyday essentials while still remaining calm. A small, elegant tray or box can hold loose items like reading glasses, medicine, lip balm or jewellery, reducing clutter and creating a sense of calm. This is particularly useful in guest rooms where an uncluttered surface feels welcoming and considered. Katharine Pooley Materials The qualities of a bedside should speak to the room’s palette. Think aged brass next to raw ceramic, linen-bound books against a marble tabletop. Materials should contrast gently – creating tension without chaos. A balance of matte and reflective finishes adds depth and draws the eye without overwhelming the view. Katharine Pooley Katharine Pooley Personal Items A framed photograph, a handwritten note, a scent that reminds you of somewhere beautiful, these small markers turn the ordinary into something quietly sacred. Whether it’s a sea-polished stone from a long-forgotten holiday or the lingering trace of a favourite candle, personal touches build an atmosphere of comfort. The bedside isn’t entirely designed for display like other spaces, it’s a private landscape and a still life composed for one. It should hold the things that calm you and move you, gently guiding you into rest. Katharine Pooley Balance Careful proportions or balanced or deliberately off-centre, a bedside table can be either depending on the mood you want to create. A symmetrical setup either side, perhaps a matching pair of lamps and other aligned objects, feels formal and grounding. Asymmetry, on the other hand, invites a more relaxed, lived-in character: a candle offset by a low stack of books, a solitary object with presence. Trust your eye to create rhythm and flow. About Katharine Pooley London Recently named ‘British Interior Designer of the Decade’, ‘International Designer of the Year in Asia’ and ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ Katharine Pooley has in a short space of time become one of Europe’s leading designers. Her portfolio encompasses a multitude of interior styles and architectural genres and her design ethos is one of luxurious eclecticism. No two projects are ever alike, but they are universally beautiful and timeless. Visit Profile If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more. If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.