Bed and Console: Bedside Table with More Surface Area
In hotels and guest rooms, the same problem appears time and again: the classic bedside table offers too little space for the items that guests or residents want within easy reach. Books, water bottle, smartphone, reading glasses and perhaps a table lamp compete for a few square centimetres. A console next to the bed provides significantly more surface area without making the room appear cluttered. It combines the function of a bedside table with the elegant appearance of a piece of furniture that also cuts a fine figure during the day.
Why a Console Instead of a Bedside Table
Consoles are inherently narrower than conventional chests of drawers, but their length provides a generous surface. This makes them ideal for rooms where little depth is available, for instance when the bed stands close to the opposite wall or a passageway must remain clear. The continuous top can be used flexibly: at one end stands the lamp, at the other lie magazines, in the middle space remains for personal items. When entering the room in the morning, one sees a tidy piece of furniture rather than an overloaded storage surface.
Height and Proportions to the Bed
The console should stand roughly at the height of the mattress top, so that one can comfortably reach for glasses or water glass whilst lying down. For tall Beds with box springs or raised frames, consoles with slender, tall legs are suitable. For lower models, compact forms with short feet appear more harmonious. It is important that the console is not wider than the bed, otherwise the proportion tips. A length that occupies roughly one third to half the bed width integrates harmoniously.
Material and Surface for Daily Use
In the bedroom of a hotel or guest house, the surface must withstand a great deal: water marks from glasses, scratches from keys or jewellery, occasionally even spilled coffee. Lacquered or veneered tops can be easily wiped down and retain their appearance for years. Marble or granite are resistant to moisture, but dark stones can show limescale rings. Wood with an oiled surface brings warmth to the room, but requires regular care. Those who wish to play it safe choose a smooth, sealed surface in a medium shade, on which neither dust nor fingerprints are immediately noticeable.
Storage Space Through Drawers or Open Compartments
Some Consoles offer a drawer or open compartment beneath the top. This is practical for items that should not be constantly visible: charging cables, notepad, medication or remote controls. In guest rooms, visitors appreciate this possibility to put away personal items without having to open their suitcase immediately. Open compartments are suitable for magazines or a second blanket, drawers keep small items out of sight. Ensure that the drawer runs smoothly and can be opened without fumbling even in the dark.
Placement in the Room
The console classically stands lengthways to the bed edge, but can also be positioned crossways at the head end if the bed stands freely in the room. In this case, it simultaneously serves as a room divider or boundary to the dressing area. With two single beds, a longer console can be placed centrally between both and thus replaces two separate bedside tables. This saves space and creates a calm, continuous line. The only important thing is that sufficient freedom of movement remains to get up in the morning without bumping into the console edge.
Style and Spatial Effect
A console brings a horizontal emphasis to the room through its length, which has a calming effect and visually extends the room. Models with delicate legs leave the floor visible and keep the space airy. Closed plinths or continuous side panels give the piece of furniture more weight and are suitable for spacious rooms. In colour choice, you can either opt for contrast or keep the console in the tone of the other furniture. A light wood next to a dark bed frame sets an accent without being obtrusive.
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Related categories: Showcases, Chairs, Armchairs. The full range: Baroque Furniture.
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