When I moved into my Los Angeles apartment a few years ago, the first thing I did was browse Facebook Marketplace for the best vintage decor I could find. I ended up scoring the dreamiest set of solid wood nightstands from the early 1980s for $50, and they’ve framed the sides of my bed ever since.
As much as I loved (and still love!) these bedside tables, I eventually realized they weren’t the most functional in my space. The structure was large and bulky, and the two center drawers were too small to actually maximize storage. I held onto the nightstands for as long as I could, but when I decided to start a room refresh project last month, I made the tough decision to part ways with them. I, of course, completed the cycle and resold them on Facebook Marketplace — but not before I found the best possible replacement (from Amazon, no less).
I usually don’t condone swapping vintage furniture for a newer manufactured wood piece, but when I saw this $132 mid-century three-drawer bedside table cabinet on Amazon, I broke my unofficial decor rule for the sake of more drawer space. It’s just slightly wider and taller than my vintage set, and I was more than willing to use up that space, as the drawers actually utilize the entire width of the nightstand (and there are three of them!). More storage space for roughly the same size nightstand? Yes, please.
Now, I’ll be honest: Picking up a pair of nightstands from Facebook Marketplace is the best because they usually come assembled. That wasn’t the case with these, which each took about an hour to put together. Nonetheless, it’s all worth it because you’re left with a gorgeous set of bedside tables that look like they cost much more than $131.91 apiece.
Once assembled, I was able to fit so much more in the drawers, including my entire sunglasses collection (which is shockingly extensive for someone who basically wears the same pair year-round), some books, journals, and my Therabody Smart Goggles — aka, my favorite bedtime ritual. They also add a sleek mid-century modern touch to my bedroom with the walnut finish and tapered legs, as well as a bit of texture from the ribbed drawer fronts.
If you’re like me and love vintage decor but find it isn’t always the most practical (especially in a small space), take this as your permission to just go with something new that can make your home easier to live in. Although the vintage nightstands were one of my favorite finds ever, my bedroom feels so much better and more functional without their bulky design.
