Hidden behind doors, it's easy to put off giving your bedroom space the attention it needs. However, it’s easy to make little changes that make a big impact. For instance, some simple bedding paired with a beautifully styled and functional nightstand can instantly turn your bedroom to your favorite retreat in your home. Wondering how to style your nightstand? From bedside lights to a tray to place personal items, these are the nightstand must-have items, and decor ideas as well. Follow these simple tips on how to style a nightstand to create the stylish bedside space of your dreams.

1. Light it up: Not only does a well-placed lamp create ambient lighting, but it also allows you to curl up and read a book or magazine before bed without straining your eyes. A lamp is probably the largest item that will appear on your nightstand, so make sure you pick a good one—or two, so you can place a matching lamp on the nightstand on either side of your bed! Make sure you properly scale your lighting to your nightstand. For example, if you have a petite nightstand, make sure you use an equally petite lamp.

2. Make it practical: You need a spot to charge your phone. Many modern lamps have a bonus of a USB port or outlet for charging phones or tablets, so you don’t have to worry about scrambling out of bed to plug your charger into the outlet.

3. Gather the essentials:

• Water bottle: No one likes to wake up thirsty in the middle of the night and realize they forgot to fill up your water bottle before bed.
• Beauty products: MUST HAVES ONLY. Place your favorite hand cream, lip balm and eye mask on your catch-all tray next to your bed. In the winter seasons especially, the dry indoor air oftentimes leads to itchy, dry skin. Create a nightly self-care routine with your favorite hand creams and lip balms or masks to easily avoid this.
• Reading Material: If part of your bedtime ritual involves some reading time, keep your nightstand stocked with a good book to help you wind down for the evening.
• Alarm clock: If you are someone who likes some separation from your phone but need to make sure you get up for work in the morning, place an alarm clock on your nightstand. Not only will this make sure you don't miss work, but it’ll cut your screen time and keep you from mindless scrolling.

4. Keep it organized: Do you often hop into bed at night forgetting to take off at least one piece of jewelry? Having a little stylish bowl or tray to keep all your valuables in without losing them is a top priority. If you choose to add a nightstand with a drawer, this allows for additional storage for larger essentials such as a box of Kleenex, extra books or even a favorite snack or two!

5. Bring it to life with florals or greenery: If you can't have freshly cut florals every week, pick a natural looking artificial flower set or greenery to brighten up your space. Greenery instantly livens up a space, by adding color and texture.

6. Don't be afraid to add decor: Adding a piece of decor to your nightstand is not frowned upon, if anything it's recommended. Casually lean a smaller frame or canvas behind all of your other elements to create a chic, laid back vibe. Laying books, beads and candles on your nightstand will create a casual, lively vibe.

Once you have taken the time to organize and style your nightstand, you will want to make sure you keep it from becoming cluttered. This can be done by making it routine that every morning, you clear any trash, bottles or mugs from your nightstand. Another way to avoid clutter is placing a small wastebasket next to your bed to throw trash and tissues right away. Once you have completed reading a book, make sure you place it on a separate shelf or in a drawer to open extra space on your nightstand. Following these tips will help you easily create the organized, functional nightstand of your dreams, and can give your whole bedroom an elevated look.