The One Thing I Regret Buying at IKEA

There was a time when matching bedroom sets werede rigueur. If your bed frame, dresser, and nightstand didn’t match perfectly well, did you even have a bedroom?

Alas, those years are far behind us, and now, full-on bedroom sets just feel too matchy-matchy. You’re much more likely to find bedrooms decorated with items that complement each other, but aren’t the exact same style, which gives you the chance to add your own personal style to the mix.

But lately, I’ve been feeling dissatisfied with my own bedroom decor. I recently moved, so at first I just assumed I wasn’t used to seeing my set-up in a new space, but I recently realized what the problem is: My dresser and nightstand are just too similar.

They’re both from IKEA’sHEMNES collection, and I truly like them both individually, but seeing them next to each other is starting to veer into that vintage bedroom set territory. I gotmy eight-drawer dresser首先,大约五年前,立即下降love with its roomy drawers and modern look. So when I was in the market for a new nightstand a couple years later, I didn’t even shop around and just went straight forthe matching HEMNES nightstand.

And listen, it’s fine, they’re both solid, stylish pieces, but the pairing doesn’t add anything special to my space. The overt matching makes the room feel impersonal instead of thoughtful, and I honestly wish I had just spent more time searching for an option that felt moreme.

At this point I’m not sure what my next move is, I’ll likely hang on to the dresser (though I’d love to update it with some statement knobs), but I don’t think I’ll get over my nightstand regret any time soon.

So once I’m finished buying the essentials to finish furnishing my new place—a sofa, new curtains, and a living room rug—I’ll be turning my attention to finding a nightstand that I really love. Do you have any favorite sources for nightstands or side tables?