I still don’t have any end tables for my bed. (I’m avoiding the use of the word “nightstands” now just to make my husband KRAZEE.) All I wanted yesterday was those damn tables. But, because I have no taste and any purchases I make for our home end up looking like ass, I wanted MrZ to come with me. He’s the one with taste. I’m not ashamed to admit that.
Well…somehow we ended up talking about bedroom furniture in general. We have none, except for the bed. But just the bed, no headboard or foot board or anything. We keep all of our clothes in the shelves/racks in our closet. It’s a disaster. We’ve needed bedroom furniture for years. So, we found a set we liked yesterday. We came home to talk about it a little more, check measurements etc. Then MrZ decided we should wait to make such a big purchase. Maybe a few weeks. Think about it a little bit.
BAH. But I want my end tables for my bed NOW!
We’ve done the exact same thing several times in the last few years. I think we’re just scared of committing. We keep getting cold feet about our bedroom furniture. It’s just such a big purchase intended to last forEVER. Will we still like it next year? Will it hold all of our clothes? Will MrZ yell at me the first time I spill something on it? (Because it will be me. It always is. Even with three kids I’m still the messiest one in the family.)
So, the books I’m reading are still sitting on a wobbly garden table next to my bed. I put drinks on it sometimes, but because it’s meant for decoration, it is not stable and I always end up spilling things. It’s not big enough for a lamp and it’s too short for our bed. In my dream world, I’d be able to keep my lotion (hand AND foot), nail clippers, books, magazines and possibly some tissues…ALL ON THE SAME, VERY STABLE, END TABLE FOR MY BED.
I guess I’ll just keep dreaming.
Zoot, have you thought about going shabby chic? I am a hobby Home Fluffer, there are so many cool inexpensive child friendly things you can do for little money. Start with looking online at furniture places for the nightstands (sorry Mr Z is right) you don’t need the whole set unless you want it. Then think of the color scheme. Make your own headboard. Trust me when I tell you it’s so simple I can even do it alone. Maybe add a cedar chest at the foot of your bed for other storage items, or floating cubes that serve as places to sit to put on your shoes and double as storage. And your closet, well I live and dream by the organizers. I love love them and want to marry them…
If you want a few samples of what I am talking about (I don’t charge I am a hobbiest) email me.
My mom made her own headboard out of a an old office divider and a sheet, and it looks really good
I have a bunch of furniture - and most of it’s my handmedowns from when mom moved. Except I don’t have a bed, just a mattress and boxspring on the floor. Klassy
Anyway. heh. Good luck with the decorating!
I totally relate to you fear of committing to furniture. We lived for YEARS with a mish mash of bedroom furniture-a dresser that belonged to MY parents’ first bedroom set, an old kingsize mattress that my husband inherited from his family in college-and it was old then, side tables that, well, they were just extra tables from more old family furniture. Finally, when the springs in the mattress were poking our rears we decided to go ahead and start shopping. I have a HUGE fear of purchasing big ticket items-I am just SO uncomfortable writing a check for large amounts of money even if I know we have it.
That was the best purchase we’ve made in a long time. We invested in this furniture-I told my husband that I hoped he was ready to die in that bed because that is how long we will have it. It was very expsensive but so worth it-each piece, the dresser, armoire, nightstands has huge deep drawers, we downsized to a queen size bed which took some getting used to but I love my bedroom now and spend alot of time relaxing in here. I hope ya’ll decide to take the plunge.
I have my bedroom done… and I’m kind of undoing it. I’ve had a queen sized bed since I was in high school, bu now that Spencer and I are more serious and I’m up to four cats (and when we live together it will be up to 6 cats) we need a king sized bed. It took me almost 7 months ot find a new one but it’s shipping Right Now. I’m excited!
Two years ago, after being married for 13 years, we finally decided to get nice bedroom furniture and get rid of the mixture of college left-overs. Found something we loved ordered it. Only the dresser was in stock. The week after it was delivered the store went out of business (Storehouse) and we did not get the rest of the set. Now, we still don’t have bedroom furniture. Just a dresser. That I’m selling.
I don’t understand why buying furniture has to be so definite. For me, if I get bored with a piece of furniture, I budget for another one. Period. I think it is completely acceptable to change one’s mind. After all, most furniture wears out and goes out of style in 5-10 years. I would not like to keep something old and worn out just because 20 years ago it cost a lot of money to get. You could always go to IKEA and get a cheap bedroom furniture set. This will only last a few years but you will get the feel of comitting to a set. When it wears out you can see how you felt, and evaluate if it is worth getting another cheap set that you will get to change (yipee, new exciting furniture!) in 5 years, or if you are ready to commit and want to get an ultra expensive one.
I’ve read article after article that says you should invest the most in your bedroom because that’s where you should be the most comfortable and relaxed to get a good night’s sleep. Don’t feel guilty for spending money on quality furniture. Just choose something classic so it won’t age quickly. Go for solid wood so the laminate doesn’t separate after a few years.
It is pretty hard to pick out bedroom furniture, I don’t have any real “grow up” stuff either….
So, and I’m sure Aardvark already told you the same thing, visit Ashley. They had TONS of stuff to choose from, they had plenty of financing options, they deliver, and most importantly? They have a warrantee. And if you don’t use the warrantee in five years, you get the amount you paid for it back in store credit. BRILLIANT.
Have you seen those new small square tables at Target? They are like $15 and I think they come in like 3 different colors. White, blonde, and dark wood. They are very similar to ones I’ve seen at IKEA. They don’t have drawers or underneath storage, but they might make for a cheap solution until you are ready to spend real money. And then you can always just use them in another room then.
If you found something you like…
MAKE
THE
PLUNGE
It never feels like the “right” time.
I’m still using a spare ottoman as my nightstand, err, end table, so I can’t provide any advice there. However, we just committed to our first dinning room table, and we’re so pleased to just have the decision done. So I say, just go do it!
We keep not-buying bedroom furniture, too. My main problem: whenever we find a set, I realize that owning bedroom furniture makes me feel like “the people I used to babysit for.” Like, it makes me flash back to when I was a teenager and people with children and bedroom furniture sets were boring old sexless tired people. I don’t know why I made that connection. It’s not like we seem hipper, younger, or less tired with our headboardless bed and our crappy handmedown bureau.
I love our bedroom furniture, but have decided in my next life I will only buy oak. Cherry only looks good when it’s not covered with an inch of dust.
You need to keep at him! Wear him down and such. Otherwise you will never get that bedside table.
I didnt have one for a while, so to piss my partner off enough to commit I used the bed as a table. He HATED the crumbs I mashed through it, and he brought me a table that day!
Whoopie!
Really, the end tables or the NIGHTSTANDS, whichever you prefer, are really all about the stacking of the bedtime readings.
Don’t stress about the perfect table. For now, just get a cool basket that you’re pretty sure will fit under the eventual table or nightstand, and get that to hold your books.
My bedroom is the first room that I did because I spend so much time in it. I would go crazy if I didn’t have my end tables.
Get something re-usuable elsewhere in the house. We got a set of cubes from WalMart, one just open and one set with doors. They make a sturdy bedside table, good storage, and whenever we grow up and get a real set they are quite useable in the kids room or guest room etc.
We just purchased our first bed about a year ago. We bought the bed and then the mattress (both were on clearance, so we sacrificed the “set” look)
I’ve also been dying for some “end” tables. Where do I stash the oreos, lube, and other naughty things?
We bought this ottoman that was on sale (man we love our sales) and I’ve been using it since. It’s not very good for drinks, tho
Bedroom furniture is such a commitment. It really isn’t the kind of thing most people can afford to just update every few years. After all only our immediate families see/use it. I think you’re smart to put it off until you’re sure you will be happy with something. I disagree that cubes, mismatch, generic stuff is the way to go though. If it were me I’d wait until I could find and afford a beautiful, matching set that will last. Eventually you can swap it out by donating to one of the kids 1st homes or chock it in a spare room in 20 years but you deserve something nice.