15+ Nightstand Essentials For Bedtime Fun and Morning Success

Setting a relaxed tone upon going to bed can set you up for success the next day. Having the right set of nightstand essentials is one factor that plays into having a relaxed bedtime. If you have a table right by your bed, it’s vital to have some items that can further prep you for the next day easily.

Our top nightstand essentials that’ll positively impact your evening and the following morning include:

1 Alarm Clock

Especially if you have important priorities you need to tend to in the morning aka. work or school, setting an alarm can get you up on your feet right away. Hence, an actual alarm clock instead of your phone (because of the risky blue light exposure) can do the job immediately.

2 Book

Reading a good book can get your mind in the zone and further unwind from the day that has passed. It’s also a good habit to build up when you crave entertainment sans blue light and are eager to learn new things. Before going to bed, reading a few pages (a chapter at most so you can get enough sleep) can prep your mind for sleep.

3 Water Jug or Pitcher with Glass

Hydration is key to everything! Before going to bed, it keeps you satisfied, especially if you can sleep through the night. If you wake up in between, taking a few sips can spare you an unexpected trip to the bathroom. Then as for waking up, drinking first thing in the morning awakens your system and provides you with energy to navigate through your morning routine.

4 Lip balm

You don’t want to have chapped lips before going to sleep until you wake up first thing in the morning. You may either have an unscented or scented lip balm right beside you. What’s important is that it’s moisturizing and genuinely works on your skin type.

5 Eye Drops

Honey, you don’t want dry eyes as soon you wake up! Placing eye drops on your nightstand can ensure you remember to apply them so you wake up feeling more refreshed and alert.

6 Flashlight

Sometimes, the unexpected can occur at night. In this case, power outages. Thus, keeping a flashlight can help you travel through the dark. Moreover, it spares you from tumbling over items or hurting yourself.

This tip also applies to emergencies at night or even a quick trip to the bathroom.

7 Glasses or Contact Lenses

If you’re someone who’s visually impaired, the first thing you’ll search for is your glasses. Thus, keeping it right beside you and within super close reach is ideal. That way, you automatically have a better view of your surroundings upon waking up.

If you’re a contact lens owner instead (or perhaps you also own glasses), the same rules apply. Have some solution too so it rehydrates your contacts and eyes. Your eyes usually feel dry and groggy upon waking up, so this tip spares you the unnecessary irritation.

8 Socks

Just in case the room feels extra chilly, a pair of socks on your nightstand can be accessed so you can put them on. In fact, this study shows that wearing socks to bed can make you sleep faster and improve your sleep quality. Plus, in case your feet isn’t getting as much warmth from the blanket, socks can give it that much-needed cozy sensation.

9 Tissue

Who knows if you suddenly get the sniffles in bed? Or you spilled too much product mid-skincare routine? Maybe you did some special “solo” time that needs some wiping and cleaning? Yup, having tissue right beside you can play a big part in going to bed.

10 Journal and Pen

Journaling before bed can clear your head and provide you with a deeper sense of calmness and peace, making it easier to fall asleep. Plus, any mental load or emotional stress won’t pass over to haunt you the next day or interrupt your transition to sleep.

11Bedroom Plant

Early Bird shares that any kind of small, bedroom plant can elicit positive feelings before going to bed and upon waking up. Especially when the color green encourages feelings of calm and relaxation. Plus, you breathe in natural oxygen in them.

A good, low-maintenance plant can help you get started.

12 Sleep Mask

Sometimes, closing your eyes may not be enough to fully avoid even the tiniest specks of light coming through. Hence, a sleep mask is useful on your nightstand so you can grab it right as you start dozing off. Nothing beats a completely dark space when you fully transition to sleep.

13 Medications and Supplements

In case you take certain medications before going to bed or right as soon as you wake up, placing your medications right on your nightstand makes it easy to remember your responsibilities. Medications can range from prescription to over-the-counter ones. As for supplements, they can range from melatonin and magnesium to vitamin C.

14 Small Body Moisturising Products

Such products can range from body lotion to eye cream and hand cream. Whether you use one or all as part of your bedtime routine, have them on your nightstand for extra nourishment. Whether before going to bed, waking up in the middle of the night, or upon waking up. This tip is especially vital if you have normal to dry skin!

15 Sex Toys and Lube

If getting intimate and sexual is part of your bedtime routine, you’d want to have your special friends close to you for easy access. Whether it’s solo or with your partner, using sex toys and lube before sleep can release lots of positive emotions and further ease you into a sleepier state. It’s also extra time to connect with yourself and your body. 

And as for the lube? It provides a smoother experience for the parties involved and unlocks more sensations too. Just don’t forget to clean them and yourselves with tissue or wipes afterward.

What Shouldn’t Be By Your Nightstand

Some examples of items you shouldn’t have on standby near your bed include:

1. Sharp objects
2. Gadgets (e.g., phones, laptops, watches, etc.)
3. Candles
4. Charging-related items
5. Spilled liquids
6. Any food or drinks
7. General Clutter
8. Humidifier/Purifier

Exceptions

While we provided a list of things you may or may not have on your nightstand, some of them have some special exceptions that are worth pondering and considering.

For instance, if you tend to wake up in the middle of the night, don’t place your alarm clock right beside you. It may give you unnecessary anxiety and worries if you check it, making it harder for you to go back to sleep.

Candles can also be nearby if you have and use a candle warmer that’s responsible for melting and letting the aroma spread throughout the room. That’s a much better alternative to lighting it up. Unplug the warmer right after usage and before going to bed.

You may have a small and compact humidifier or purifier on standby. But just like with the candle warmer, unplug it before going to bed. You may even move it to another space in your room to make room for other nighttime essentials.

Takeaway

And that’s a wrap on our top nightstand essentials, alongside the no-nos and a few certain exceptions you may make. Having any of these essentials can definitely improve how you unwind and get ready for bed. We hope this short guide can make your evening and bedtime routine something you look forward to and encourage deeper sleep!

For more self-care and culture-related guides like this one, you can check us out on the Lauvblog here.