Painted Bedside Tables
Painted bedside tables are small pieces, but they do a lot of work in a room. They sit close, get used daily, and quietly shape how a bedroom feels. When they’re done well, they bring softness, colour, and character without shouting for attention.
I don’t make new bedside tables. I find old ones that are well built and worth keeping, then restore them by hand. Some are stripped back and repainted, others are lightly refreshed, and some are left with traces of earlier finishes showing through. The goal is always the same - let the piece feel settled, useful, and honest, with its age still part of the story.
A pair of vintage painted bedside tables with drawers, softly worn edges, and muted colour, placed beside a minimal bed in a calm, light-filled room. Beautiful.
What Makes a Painted Bedside Table Worth Saving?
Not every old bedside table needs dramatic change. Often it’s a tired finish, sticky drawers, or layers of old paint that have lost their softness. Sometimes there’s heavier wear. Marks on the top, loose joints, or past work that hasn’t aged well.
Painted bedside tables suit restoration because they don’t need to look perfect. In fact, they look better when they don’t. A good painted finish should sit lightly on the surface, letting shape, proportion, and age come through. You want depth and texture, not a flat, plastic-looking coat.
My Method When Restoring Painted Bedside Tables
I start by sourcing the right pieces. Vintage and antique bedside tables with solid construction and simple lines. Usually oak, pine, or beech. Drawers that were meant to be opened daily and tops that can handle use.
Once in the workshop, I focus on getting the piece working properly. Drawers are adjusted so they run smoothly and sit correctly. Old filler or heavy paint is removed where it dulls the shape. Signs of age stay unless they interfere with how the piece is used.
The restoration is always decided with care. Some of my artisanal bedside tables suit pale, chalky tones. Others need deeper colour or warmer neutrals. All paint is applied by hand in layers, built slowly to create softness and variation. Edges are eased naturally through use, not forced distressing.
Even when painted, the wood underneath should still feel present. The bedside table should feel like furniture, not decoration.
Painted Bedside Tables in Practice
A small pine bedside table was cleaned back and painted in a soft off-white for a farmhouse effect. The top was sealed with wax, leaving faint marks from years of use visible under the surface. It now sits in a light bedroom with linen bedding and painted floorboards.
A pair of narrow bedside tables arrived with heavy gloss paint and uneven drawers. The finish was removed, drawers realigned, and the tables painted in a muted grey-green. Subtle wear through on corners gives depth without looking overworked.
A deeper painted bedside table was finished in a dusty blue, layered to keep movement in the colour. The drawer fronts retain small dents and marks, which were intentionally left to keep the piece from feeling new.
A vintage painted bedside table with a single drawer and turned legs, softly worn and full of quiet character, set beside a simple bed.
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Looking After Painted Bedside Tables
Painted bedside tables are made for everyday use, but gentle care keeps them looking their best. Wipe with a soft cloth and avoid harsh cleaners or silicone sprays. A light wax now and then helps protect the surface. Try to keep them away from direct heat sources, as dry heat can stress old timber.
Interested in Painted Bedside Tables?
If you have bedside tables you’d like restored, or you’re looking for a finished painted pair ready for your home, feel free to get in touch. You can email me at simon@jumbletique.co.uk or use the online enquiry form on the website. If you’d rather talk things through, give me a call on 07824 771140. I’m always happy to discuss options, look at photos, or help you decide what might suit your space. Nationwide delivery can be arranged.
About the Workshop
The workshop sits inside an old water tower at West Raynham Business Park, once part of a 1930s RAF base. It’s tall, quiet, and filled with natural light. A good place to work slowly and let finishes dry properly. Pieces with presence have the space they need here. Visits are welcome by appointment.
About Simon
I’m Simon. After years working in tech and media licensing, I retrained in Tuscany to learn furniture restoration. Now I focus on pieces that feel calm, useful, and made to last. Painted bedside tables are a regular part of my work. Small furniture, carefully finished, that quietly earns its place in a room.
