Nightstand Organization: Pro Tips for the Perfect Setup

‍Picture this: You’re ready to wind down for the night, but as you reach for your phone charger, you knock over a half-empty water glass. A mess of tangled cords, old receipts, and forgotten tubes of lip balm stares back at you.

A cluttered nightstand doesn’t just look bad—it can disrupt your bedtime routine and make mornings more chaotic. But with a few simple changes, it can become a calming, functional space that helps you sleep better and start your day with ease.

We spoke with Professional Organizer Missy Feldman, who shared her expert tips for transforming your nightstand into an organized oasis.

Why Your Nightstand Is Messy (and How to Fix It)

“One of the most common mistakes people make when organizing their nightstands is turning them into catch-all spaces,” says Missy. “It’s easy for nightstands to become cluttered with random items—everything from loose change to old chargers and paperwork.”

Be honest: has your nightstand become a mini junk drawer? If so, you’re not alone. Nightstands often turn into unintentional storage for all sorts of clutter.

Here are some common offenders that sneak into nightstand drawers:

• Crumpled receipts
• Old prescriptions
• Random knickknacks and trinkets
• Expired hand creams or lip balms
• Outdated chargers and tangled cords
• Mementos with no real purpose
• Old mail and unopened letters

Step one? Clear out anything that doesn’t directly serve your nighttime routine.

What to Keep in Your Nightstand Drawer

So, what should you be keeping in your nightstand?

“People should keep essentials in their nightstand—things they reach for regularly,” Missy advises.

Here are some favorites that Missy recommends:

• Sleep mask: For blocking out the world and drifting off faster.
• Lip balm: Keeps lips soft and comfy all night.
• Earplugs: Helps you tune out snoring, traffic, or anything else.
• Lavender spray: A quick spritz to help you relax and unwind.
• Phone charger: So your phone’s fully charged by morning.
• A reading light or your current book: For winding down with a good read.
• A small notepad and pen: To jot down late-night thoughts or tomorrow’s to-dos.

But don’t stop there. Think about your own routine—do you reach for hand lotion before bed? Need nasal strips to help you breathe? Maybe you like to keep a sleep aid or eye drops close by. The goal is to create a setup tailored to you.

What to Put on Top of Your Nightstand

Now that the drawer is under control, you might be wondering—what belongs on top of the nightstand?

Missy favors a minimalist, ‘less-is-more’ approach. “Keep surfaces clear for a clean look,” she recommends. (After all, less stuff means less mess!)

Here’s an ideal nightstand surface setup—simple, functional, and clutter-free:

• Table lamp – For focused lighting when reading or winding down.
• One decorative item – A framed photo, small clock, candle, or plant.
• One essential item – A glass of water, your current book, or a journal.

Limiting surface items makes the space feel calmer—and discourages clutter from creeping back in.

How to Organize Nightstand Drawers

When it comes to organizing, how you arrange your items is just as important as what you keep. For a space as small but essential as a nightstand, a thoughtful setup is key.

Nightstands come in all shapes and sizes, so there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Here’s how to organize different setups:

If You Have Just One Drawer:

Missy’s advice? “Prioritize essentials only!” She stresses the importance of keeping things simple and avoiding overcrowding, especially when you’re working with limited space.

To make that happen, try this approach:

• Make a list of your nightly and morning essentials.
• Rank them by importance.
• Add items to the drawer based on priority, letting the space set the limit. Stop once the drawer feels organized, not crammed—if it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t stay.

If You Have Two or More Drawers:

Create designated drawers based on item categories:

• The Essentials: For nightly must-haves like a sleep mask, lip balm, earplugs, lavender spray, hand lotion, and a notepad and pen for late-night thoughts.
• Electronics: Store all your gadgets and accessories here—phone chargers, extra cables, remotes, a tablet or e-reader, and even a portable charger or backup batteries.
• Books & Writing: A space for your current reads and writing supplies, including books, a journal or notebook, pens, highlighters, and a small reading light (if not on top of the nightstand).
• Toiletries & Self-Care: Perfect for bedtime routines, with items like night cream, facial mist, tissues, nasal strips, hand sanitizer, and any sleep aids like melatonin or essential-oil rollers.

‍No Drawers? No Problem.

‍If your nightstand doesn’t come with drawers, there are still ways to stay organized without sacrificing function or style.

• Use a bedside caddy to hold essentials like your phone, remote, book, or tablet.
• Add a basket on any available shelf to store your go-to items—or even a cozy throw blanket for easy access.

What’s the Best Nightstand Drawer Organizer?

Missy is a big believer in drawer organizers—they keep everything contained and easy to find.

Some of her favorite products include:

• Drawer dividers: Great for separating larger items like books or journals.
• Stackable organizers: Ideal for maximizing vertical space in deep drawers.
• Small trays or trinket holders: Perfect for small items like lip balm or jewelry that tend to roll around.
• Custom drawer organizers: Designed to fit your nightstand’s exact dimensions, helping you maximize space.

Hacks for Maximizing Space

If your nightstand is small—or if you’re tight on space—Missy has some creative solutions:

• Use bedside sconces instead of a table lamp to free up surface space.
• Install floating bedside shelves to utilize vertical space.
• DIY a charging drawer: Drill or cut a hole in the back of a drawer to run cords through, creating a hidden charging station.
• Velcro a remote holder to the side: Missy says this technique is “great for keeping remotes or small books handy without cluttering the top.”

These hacks help maximize storage without sacrificing style or function, keeping your nightstand tidy and efficient.

How to Keep Your Nightstand Organized

A tidy nightstand isn’t just about aesthetics—it makes bedtime routines smoother and mornings less chaotic.

To keep your nightstand organized long-term, Missy recommends a simple maintenance routine:‍

“Keep it simple and consistent! Do a quick reset weekly—return items to their designated spots and remove anything that doesn’t belong. Avoid overfilling drawers and stick to the essentials to make tidying up easier.”

Here are some extra tips for long-term success:

• Stick to a “one in, one out” rule—if you add something new to the drawer, remove something old to avoid clutter creep.
• Add a drawer liner—it not only protects the drawer but adds a pop of color or pattern and makes cleaning easier.
• Use a bedside carafe for water—fewer trips, fewer stray glasses, and it can double as a decorative touch on your nightstand.

Final Thoughts

A well-organized nightstand doesn’t just look better—it helps you end your day calmly and start the next one smoothly. With Missy Feldman’s expert tips, you can turn your nightstand from a chaotic mess into a functional, peaceful space.

So go ahead—clear that clutter and give your nightstand the glow-up it deserves.