Whether it is more noble to have a nightstand or not is actually a very personal matter. There are many people who do not like the look of nightstands and have instead opted for bookcases next to their beds that will hold everything that would fit on a nightstand, for example.
There are even bookshelves with built-in tables that you simply pull down, making a desk for you to use, but in this case making a nightstand for yourself. Within that space can be your watch, your books and your nocturnal panaceas if you wish. By hiding it all away, your bedroom stays clean and uncluttered and the things you want to keep in there away from the prying eyes of kids or perhaps nosy guests.
Now the same “hidden” nightstand could be there, perhaps with a drawer and sliding doors to keep you private as to what’s on your nightstand. Interestingly, there are some bedrooms that are so small that even having a nightstand is space prohibitive. So those people tend to hang fixtures from the ceiling or mount them on the wall if feasible, as I’ve often found in efficiencies. The savvy room decorator will have some type of table that doubles as a side table for the couch and a nightstand at night. These are usually on rollers so it’s very easy to transition. This works great with a Murphy bed as you can imagine.
However, there are still people who wish to have matching nightstands for their bedroom with one on each side of the bed, like sentinels to guard good sleep. A fully Edwardian bedroom set looks “right” with two voluminous Edwardian bedside tables to match. It was the fashion back then, and is easily accepted today if you like Edwardian furniture.
Readers will want a nightstand that has space for a good reading lamp, as well as perhaps a shelf for the “to read” books that readers seem to want to hoard. This is just one of the reasons why I consider the need for a nightstand to be a very personal thing.
A really “funky” nightstand can be made with two brass serving platters with hidden brackets under the platters to hold everything. This, along with the dark wood legs that are tied together, creates a great Middle Eastern look, paired with other eclectic furniture if you so desire.
Imagine, if you will, a bed that has a large amount of wood on each side of the bed, covering the mattress as it were. This uniquely styled type of bed will likely have drawers in its base for ample storage space, and the edges of the bed will act as nightstands for small items needed for sleep. This type of bed also eliminates the need for a nightstand.