They may be small, but when it comes to their role in the bedroom, bedside tables are far from insignificant.

They're a must for holding the alarm clock and your late-night reading matter. They're usually needed to display the bedside lamp, unless you've gone for the wall-mounted variety. And, for most of us, they're also the dumping spot for everything from a box of tissues and a glass of water to the morning cup of tea.

Given all that, it's essential you choose a bedside table that provides the space and storage for your needs. And don't forget you'll need a style and size of bedside table that perfectly balances and blends in with your bedroom decor.

Style option
The easiest way to buy a bedside table is to select one from the same furniture range as your bed. But, if you prefer to mix it up a little, choosing a bedside table in a completely different style is a simple way to add pizazz to your bedroom.

There's a large range of options on offer, from clean-lined, modern designs in glass, perspex, polyurethane, metals and mirrors to ornate antique styles and the elegance of timber in all its forms - solid timber, timber veneer, rustic recycled pieces and designs that are painted or lacquered.

To work out the right style for you, consider your storage needs. "It's about your personality and how you use the bedroom," says Camille Ellis, interior designer at furniture retailer and interiors consultancy, Coco Republic. "Some people like to have all their things around them, and might have habits like taking their jewellery off just before they go to sleep. Others are more minimalist."

Think about whether you'll need a large surface area on top of your table and what kind of storage you'll need underneath - one or two drawers? Open shelves?

Feel free to mix and match your bed and bedside table styles, using your eye to decide whether the pieces go together.

"There's a trend towards mixing styles, for example an Asian style with something more contemporary," says Ellis.

Or you can look beyond the traditional bedroom furniture ranges and opt for a piece that was originally designed for another use. Elegant side tables, designer stools, a timber chest or even a beautiful dining chair can all work well.

Sense of proportion
One of the most important things to consider when choosing a bedside table is whether the size will match your bed.

"It's about proportion," says Ellis. "There is so much variation in the heights of beds these days, from the really tall American imported beds, to the low, modern Italian styles." The top of the bedside table should sit about level with the top of the mattress, so you can easily see your alarm clock and get light from your bedside lamp. "You can have a low box, to match a low, platform-style bed, or a taller French antique table to match a more traditional bed," says Ellis.

An easy alternative to matching your bedside table to your bed is to buy an all-in-one bed setting, or a bedside table designed to match your bedroom suite.