10 Useful Items You Should Keep on Your Nightstand

The circadian rhythm that helps our bodies establish a regular sleeping pattern is heavily influenced by sunlight and darkness. The morning light is a cue for us to wake up, but people can't always rise with the sun in wintertime, on cloudy days, or in rooms with few windows. If you can't get the real thing, a sunrise alarm clock is a great alternative. Program the time you'd like to wake up, and the built-in light will gradually become brighter in the minutes before the alarm sounds. Available on Amazon; $33.99.

Related: 10 Ways to Buy Better Sleep

Not only does a nightstand lamp create ambient lighting, it also lets homeowners read books or magazines in bed. This modern lamp from Brightech has the added bonus of a USB port for charging phones, tablets, or other electronic devices, so you no longer have to scramble out of bed to plug your charger into an outlet. The energy-efficient LED bulb that lasts for 20 years, and the sleek design matches nearly any bedroom design. Available on Amazon; $34.99.

Related: The 8 Best Paint Colors for a Restful Sleep

Many people use their cell phone as an alarm, but constantly reaching for the device to check the time can get annoying. Consider going back to basics with this electronic clock from Electrohome. It has a 3.6” blue LCD display, back-up battery, adjustable brightness, AM/FM radio, and AUX input for playing music. Perhaps the best feature, however, is the projection display, which broadcasts the time or temperature onto the walls or ceiling. Available on Amazon; $29.99.

Related: Don't Make These 7 Bedroom Design Mistakes

Here's a crazy idea: When you unwind at night, disconnect in a way that doesn't involve tucking your phone into your sheets with you. Instead, prop up your tech accessories on a compact wooden stand. This dock was built for Apple devices (specifically the watch and iPhones), but that doesn't mean it's not flexible. The slots in the bamboo frame are large enough to stand nearly any phone upright, while the ledge is available for draping your Rolex, Fitbit, or any other smartwatch. Best of all, three USB 3.0 charging ports allow you to juice up multiple devices overnight, in addition to an Apple Watch. Available on Amazon; $19.99.

Related: 10 Things Your Bedroom Might Be Missing

In the colder months, make room on your nightstand for an item you'll use regularly: a controller for your heated mattress pad. Sunbeam's Quilted Heated Mattress Pad has two controllers (one for each side of the bed) with cords long enough to extend to your side table—ands the sleek interfaces won't appear out of place next to your lamp or alarm clock. Whenever overnight temperatures dip, select your preferred heat setting and rest easy knowing that the 10-hour auto-off function won't let you leave it running for an unsafe amount of time. Available on Amazon; $68.80 for a Queen-sized mattress pad.

Related: 10 Things to Know Before You Set Foot in a Mattress Store

Even if you've got your heart set on hardwood flooring, it's worth considering the alternatives. Sometimes, materials that only look like wood can be just as good as—or even better than—the real thing. Explore your options now!