20 Best Things to Put in Your Nightstand Drawer

Nightstands are essential for every bedroom. They give us places to put anything and everything, and they’re perfect for late-night, half-asleep grabbing. However, you might find yourself wondering how to maximize the space and get the most use out of your nightstand drawer. 

In this article, you’ll learn all about the things a nightstand drawer can be used to hold as well as how to keep everything organized. Read on to find out how to pack up your nightstand to meet your needs.

Beauty Items to Keep in Your Nightstand

When you think of a nightstand, y, beauty items, it makes sense to have some beauty/skincare if you are limited on room items close by; maybe you get right into bed after a shower. You want to feel clean and moisturized for a restful sleep. 

However, keeping these items in the bathroom might not always be ideal, especially when you go and get into bed and then realize you have to get back up to finish taking care of your nighttime routine. So, it’s a good idea to keep at least some basic skincare and beauty-related products in your nightstand for those nights when you’re feeling lazy. 

Lip Balm 

Lip balms are essential for your nightstand, even if you don’t use any other beauty items. Putting lip balm on before bed helps ensure that you’ll wake up with smooth, hydrated lips in the morning. 

There are a few different ways to keep a lip balm on your nightstand. Some people prefer pots since they don’t roll around or get lost during the night. Pots are also perfect for keeping on top of your nightstand since they won’t roll off the top and get stuck under the bed. If you want to use a regular tube lip balm as your nightstand companion, getting an organizer is your best bet. 

Moisturizers 

Moisturizers for the body are also essential for nighttime. Putting them on before bed can help you relax and feel clean and ready to fall asleep. Some lotions ever cater to sleep with calming scents like lavender, honey, and chamomile. 

Moisturizers are perfect for your nightstand because they can be in the drawer or on the top. However, some moisturizers need to be kept at certain temperatures, so caution is important when deciding which moisturizer you want to keep. You should store it upright if possible to avoid spillage. 

Deodorant 

Deodorant seems like a strange choice for your nightstand. Most people would never think to keep a deodorant stick here, but it can be more useful than you think. Nightstand deodorant is perfect for naps. That way, if you’re taking a quick little cat nap before going out with some friends, you’ll be able to freshen up as soon as you wake. 

Deodorant in your nightstand can also serve as a convenient backup if yours gets left somewhere, broken, or used up unexpectedly. It’s always better to be overprepared than to go without. Having even a travel-sized stick of deodorant in your nightstand ensures that you’ll always have something to use in a pinch. 

Serums

Serums are gaining popularity like crazy. There’s one for all hours of the day, which makes your favorite nighttime serum a perfect choice for your nightstand. You’ll be able to apply it right as you’re ready to go to bed, which allows for the maximum effect of any calming or soothing scents or oils. 

If you choose to store serums in your nightstand drawer, they need to be kept upright to eliminate the risk of spillage. In addition, double-check that the serum is safe to be stored in that drawer; some need to be kept in the fridge. However, if you do have the correct serum for nightstand storing, that’s an excellent place to keep them. It’s cool and dark, which could increase your serum’s longevity. 

Hair Ties 

Everybody knows that you need to have a hair tie in your nightstand. It needs to be easily accessible, so if you find yourself a sweaty mess in the middle of the night, you can throw your hair up. 

Nightstand hair ties have even more uses, though. Not only can they be used for your hair, but you can use them to hold things together like pens or lip balms. However, if you don’t want to use hair ties, you can replace them with:

• Rubber bands 
• Binder clips 
• Key chains 

Medical Supplies in Your Nightstand

This is one of the most important categories as far as maximizing your nightstand’s potential is concerned. It might seem unlikely that you’d need a first aid kit in bed, but how often you might use it could surprise you. 

Band-Aids

Do you read in bed? Have you ever opened a packet of M&Ms too aggressively during midnight snack time? If your answer was yes, you’re at risk for paper cuts. Thus, you should always keep at least one Band-Aid in your nightstand, even if you think you don’t need it. 

Band-Aids are also good to keep in your nightstand if you knit or crochet. You can wrap them around your fingers to protect them from becoming calloused because of the hook/needle and the yarn. If you’d rather not be wasteful with so many Band-Aids, you can use cloth bandages for this, too. 

Sleepy Supplements 

Your nightstand is arguably the best place to keep your sleepy time supplements, like melatonin gummies or PM pain and cold medicine. As with everything else, it just boils down to convenience. If you’re able to access them easily, you’re more likely to remember to take them. 

This can also work for nighttime vitamins and other supplements that you like to take before bed. In addition, you could technically keep morning supplements in here, too, so you can easily take them as soon as you wake up. Before storing vitamins in your nightstand, make sure that they don’t need to be refrigerated or kept in a certain environment. 

Nighttime Meds 

The same goes for nighttime medications, even if they aren’t for sleeping. Keeping these in your nightstand ensures that you’ll see and take them without even having to get out of bed. Sometimes, if you’re comfortable, you might be tempted to skip them if you’ll have to get out of bed to take them. 

In addition to keeping your nighttime meds in your nightstand, make sure you always have something to drink, too, so you won’t have to dry-swallow them. Try not to keep more bottles in your nightstand than necessary, just to avoid clutter. If you want to keep your meds and supplements in your nightstand, consider investing in a pill case to keep them in. 

Earplugs

Earplugs are a great addition to your nightstand, even if you don’t use them every night. You never know when you’ll run into an issue with a noisy neighbor or perhaps a partner who snores. Keeping your earplugs close encourages you to use them, which can help prevent them from getting lost. 

If you do decide to keep earplugs in your nightstand, get a container for them. Not only will it help you keep track of them, but it will protect them from gathering dirt and/or crumbs from a nightstand snack stash. 

Tissue Paper

You can have a box of tissue paper on top of your nightstand, or you can get a small pack to put in your drawer. It is always good to have tissue paper around for when you have a cold or allergies. You never know when your nose will start to run.

Stock Your Nightstand with Cleaning Supplies 

Cleaning supplies work for a nightstand because they can be used for the whole room. In the event of a mess that occurs in your nightstands, like a spill or even just disorganization, cleaning supplies can help pull the whole thing together. 

Keeping a stash of cleaning products in your nightstand also ensures that you’ll have backups if you happen to run out in the rest of the house. It also makes it easier for you when you have an accident in your room. You don’t have to go off to find any supplies and clean the mess right away.

Wet Wipes 

Wet wipes are easily stored and a lifesaver in nightstands. The packages are nice and flat, making them perfect for storing beneath your skincare or your favorite book. The moisture in the wipes will pick up any stubborn crumbs that might be lingering. In addition, you can get wet wipes in a variety of scents.

Wet wipes come in plastic packages, typically, but they can be repackaged into harder plastic containers of any size or color. This makes them perfect to have on top of your nightstand as well; you can get a container to match your décor. 

Paper Towels 

Paper towels are a must if you’re planning on keeping any kind of liquid in or on your nightstand. Without them, you might run into a spill for which you’re completely unprepared. Paper towels can be easily torn from the roll and folded up for storage to save space. Paper towels in your nightstand could protect against:

• Crumbs
• Stains 
• Leakage 

Disinfecting Spray

The disinfecting spray is handy in almost every situation, and a nightstand is no exception. While you might not consider yourself to be particularly dirty when it comes to your nightstand, you never know what problems may arise. 

Disinfecting spray is reassuring if you ever have a run-in with a bug or if you accidentally forget to cover your mouth when you sneeze. This placement makes it easy for you to grab it and go to don’t have to travel to another room to get it.

Technology Every Nightstand Needs

Technology is a must when it comes to nighttime use. Everyone likes to have it within hand’s reach. Here are some things you might want to consider having on your nightstand:

• headphones
• Extra chargers
• Remotes
• E-Book readers

Headphones 

You will always want to have a pair of headphones. This is especially the case when you have someone that sleeps in the same room as you. You don’t want to disturb someone else’s sleeping with any loud noises coming from any of your devices. 

When you want to watch a quick video or just listen to music, your headphones will be in the drawer next to you. Invest in some Bluetooth headphones, so you don’t have to worry about wires. Tangled wires are the worst at night when you are just trying to wind down before bedtime.

Extra Chargers

Always, always, have a spare charger. You never know when you will forget your charger somewhere else, or that one will break. Having an extra charger is great at your nightstand, so you don’t have to get up and search for it. This search can ruin your routine to fall asleep.

Remotes

Have any remotes that control devices in your room stored in your nightstand. This makes it handy for you to reach into a drawer and turn on and off those devices. If not, you will have to get up and turn off the device manually. Invest in a universal remote, so you don’t have to store multiple remotes.

E-Book Reader

If you are a reader, have your e-book reader in one of the drawers so you can read it when you want to get some reading in before you go to bed. There’s nothing like reading your favorite book and going to another reality right before you sleep.

Entertainment to Keep in Your Nightstand

If you want something to wind you down, have a few items that provide a little entertainment while taking your mind off the day’s events. This can help you start to calm down, especially when you have had a busy day. 

Books 

Traditional books are great for getting into the mindset of bedtime. Reading books can put you in a tranquil mood and slow you down for the day. You want these at reach for at the end of the night. Reading is also known to help you fall asleep faster.

A Deck of Cards 

Playing a deck of cards can also help you wind down from the day. You can play a solitary game, or you can play with your partner. Playing a few games can improve your relationship and give you some bonding time before going to sleep.

Here are some games you play with yourself or one other person:

• Speed
• Solitare
• Kings Circle
• BlackJack
• Goldfish
• Memory/Matching Game
• Slap Jack
• War

Fidget Toys

If you need to be doing something with your hands, fidget toys can help you calm down. Sometimes there is excess energy from the day, and you need to expend it without actually working out (since working out can wake you up). Just pull out your fidget spinner from your nightstand.

Organizing Your Nightstand

You want to utilize your nightstand storage space. If your nightstand is cluttered or just a mess, it can mess with the room’s mood. It can also become frustrating when you are trying to find anything stored inside. There are a few ways to organize your nightstand.

Only Store The Essentials

Try not to throw everything into the nightstand. This can make your nightstand cluttered and be more of a headache rather than helpful. Try to keep just the essentials in the nightstand. You will find that it will make for a smoother transition to the end of the day.

Here are some things to consider when you’re trying to figure out if the item is essential or not:

• Do you use it every day?
• Will it help or hinder your sleep routine?
• Is it useful?
• What function does it have to help you?

In the end, you know what will be best for you. Through trial and error, you will also find what is best to have in your nightstand once you need it at some point and don’t have it within your reach.

Bins And Containers 

Utilize bins and containers. You can use this to add more storage and organize your nightstand so that it isn’t a frustrating mess. You can stack bins and containers or organize smaller items using old plastic bins and containers or buy them brand new. The possibilities are endless.

Drawer Organizers

Nowadays, there are so many creative and crafty things that will help you organize. Drawer organizers have become increasingly popular and can provide several different options for you. This product normally comes in cloth, but there is a variety to choose from that’s best for you:

• Cloth drawer organizers.
• Expandable plastic organizers
• Expandable bamboo organizers
• Plastic trays with compartments.
• Bamboo trays with compartments.
• Metal or mesh trays with compartments.

Baskets

If you have an open cubby built into your nightstand, you may want to consider using a basket to assist your organization. You can do one big basket, or you can do different sizes. Your choice depends on what you want to store there and how organized you would like it to be.

Keeping Snacks in your Nightstand 

Nighttime snacking is something most people are guilty of. Keeping snacks in your nightstand is convenient for when you’re binge-watching your favorite show and don’t want to get up or while you’re busy answering emails. Some of the most popular nightstand snacks include:

• Chocolate 
• Individually wrapped candies
• Packets of cookies 
• Single serving bags of chips

Unfortunately, keeping snacks in your nightstand can go wrong quickly if not contained properly. 

Are Nightstand Snacks Safe?

Nightstand snacks can be safe. Before you just go shoving things in there, though, keep in mind that it needs to be kept safe just like any other food item. Don’t leave open bags of food on your nightstand. It’s wasteful, but it also increases your risk of attracting bugs. 

Food that leaves behind crumbs is not a good idea to keep within your nightstand. It’ll leave crumbs in your nightstand, which bugs will love, and it might leave crumbs in your bed, which you will not love. Food that comes without a resealable top and/or food that is not in a separate, resealable container should also be avoided at all costs.  

The Best Snacks for a Nightstand 

The best snacks for your nightstand are the ones that are the easiest. The least amount of crumbs, easiest to close, and the least amount of dust when eating are what you should look for. Plain goldfish, M&Ms, Skittles, and pretzels are all solid choices. 

Whatever snacks you do choose, don’t put too many in your nightstand at once. Otherwise, some of it could go bad before you can finish it. If you’re taking food from larger containers for your nightstand, putting them in plastic bags is the easiest way to contain them without taking up valuable Tupperware space. 

Should You Keep Beverages in Your Nightstand?

Keeping beverages in your nightstand can be tricky because they can spill. If you’re using a nightstand with a drawer, you might be tempted to keep some drinks in it to have when you’re having a lazy day in bed or spending a busy morning working from home. And for the most part, beverages should be alright for your nightstand. 

When keeping beverages in there, make sure they always have lids or, if they’re cans, that they are unopened until you’re ready to drink them. You might also want to store your beverages in there with a few paper towels underneath/wrapped around them, just in case there is a leak. Anything that can’t be closed should be kept on top of your nightstand rather than inside it. 

Best Bedtime Beverages 

When thinking about your nightstand, you might not want to stash it full of sugary drinks. Instead, think about drinks that are good for sleep and good for grabbing in the middle of the night. 

Something that would make an excellent addition to your nightstand is selecting tea bags; they don’t spill or leave crumbs, and there are several varieties for everything from waking up to going to sleep. You’d just need to bring some warm water with you when you were ready for bed. Other popular choices include:

• Seltzer water
• Still water 
• Gatorade
• Bottles of iced tea 

Refrain from drinking any sugary drinks at night. You will find that these can disrupt your sleep and have been known to cause nightmares. The same goes for anything caffeinated. You don’t want to wake up thirsty and find yourself wide awake from the contents of your drink.

What Should You Keep on Top of Your Nightstand?

Now it’s time to decide what will be on top of your nightstand. Choosing what goes on top of your nightstand is dependent on how you want your room styled. You can be carefree, and it doesn’t matter much what is on top, or you may want a cleaner, simple look.

Simple And Clean

If you are looking for a simple, clean fashion, you may want to consider only having about three to four items on top of the nightstand. One can be a nightlight or lamp. Having one by your side is useful for when you need to get up in the middle of the night.

A few more items you may need are an alarm clock or a small shelf organizer you can set your phone on and any other small items you would like to put there. Try to refrain from putting decorations on the nightstand and use it more for things you need close to you.

Organization For More

If you are looking for more organization, invest in a shelf or a lamp that can also be used for multiple purposes. Many varieties of lamps act as an alarm clock, a charging station, and a speaker.

Invest in a small organizer for the top of your nightstand, one that can organizer your phone, books, and other items. Pick which items you use most before bed and have these items sitting on the nightstand. These items can be beauty products, technological devices, or a book.

Do You Need a Nightstand with a Drawer?

You don’t always need to have a nightstand with a drawer but if you are limited on room, you will want to think about getting one with a drawer. You will need to utilize this space so you can optimize the available room.

Many alternatives don’t have drawers that you can use that provide just as much storage. You can utilize shelves, baskets, and so much more as long as you use your imagination. Just have fun with it and do what best fits you.

Conclusion 

You can choose to put anything in your nightstand, depending on what you use or what you want within reach. You have so many things to utilize to help you organize any of your items, and you can always change what you want in there as time moves on. The nightstand can store endless possibilities!