How Do You Store Nightstands?
Sep 2, 2026 / Public Storage
Store nightstands by emptying drawers, cleaning and drying the furniture, wrapping edges and surfaces with moving blankets, and placing each piece upright in the storage unit. Keep nightstands off the floor, do not stack heavy boxes on them, and organize related bedroom furniture in the same area.
A storage unit can help during a move, renovation, or bedroom refresh when nightstands and other furniture take up more room than you want to use at home.
Nightstand Storage Essentials:
- Empty drawers before moving the nightstand.
- Wipe the interior, exterior, handles, and legs with an appropriate cloth.
- Let every surface dry fully before wrapping.
- Remove glass tops or detachable pieces and pack them separately.
- Check knobs, handles, and visible hardware before storage.
- Wrap corners and surfaces with moving blankets, packing paper, or bubble wrap.
- Keep tape on the protective wrapping, not directly on finished furniture.
- Store nightstands upright on a raised, level surface.
- Keep heavy boxes and furniture off nightstands.
Nightstand Storage at a Glance:
How Should You Clean a Nightstand Before Storage?
Clean a nightstand by removing items from drawers and wiping the inside and outside with a soft cloth. Follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for wood, laminate, metal, glass, or painted finishes.
Dust the drawers, handles, corners, legs, and back of the furniture. Let all surfaces dry fully before wrapping or moving the nightstand into storage.
Should You Remove Nightstand Drawers Before Storage?
Remove nightstand drawers only when the furniture design allows it and when doing so makes the piece easier to move. Store removable drawers inside the nightstand cavity or beside the furniture, with soft material between components if needed.
Do not place loose drawers where they can slide, tip, or carry weight from other boxes. Keep the drawer fronts and handles facing outward when possible.
How Should You Wrap a Nightstand for Storage?
Wrap a nightstand with moving blankets, bubble wrap, thick packing paper, or clean sheets. Cover corners, legs, drawer fronts, and handles so the furniture does not rub against nearby items during transport or storage.
Use this process:
- Empty and clean the nightstand.
- Let the furniture dry fully.
- Remove glass tops or detachable components when appropriate.
- Wrap corners and edges first.
- Cover the full nightstand with a moving blanket or protective layer.
- Secure the wrapping with tape placed on the wrapping material only.
- Label the wrapping with “Top” and “Front” if helpful.
- Move the nightstand upright into the storage unit.
How Should You Store a Nightstand With a Glass Top?
Store a nightstand with a glass top by removing the glass when the furniture design allows it. Wrap the glass separately with cushioning around all edges and place it upright in a labeled frame or glass-storage box.
Use labels such as:
- Bedroom — Nightstand Glass Top
- Glass — This Side Up
- Bedroom Furniture — Nightstand Hardware
Keep the wrapped glass away from heavy boxes, furniture, and the main walkway.
Where Should You Place Nightstands in a Storage Unit?
Place nightstands upright in a designated bedroom-furniture area. Keep them along a side or back wall, where they do not block the entrance, shelving, or center walkway.
Do not stack boxes, mattresses, dressers, or other furniture on top of nightstands.
Should You Use Climate-Controlled Storage for Nightstands?
Climate-controlled storage can be useful for nightstands made from wood, laminate, metal, glass, veneers, adhesives, and painted finishes. High heat and changing humidity can affect wood panels, veneers, adhesives, finishes, and metal hardware over time. Humidity can also contribute to changes in wood-based materials and metal components.
More than 90% of Public Storage properties offer climate-controlled units. These units are designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels than non-climate-controlled storage.
Clean and dry the nightstand fully, wrap it with breathable moving blankets or fabric, and place it upright on a raised, level surface. Keep heavy boxes and furniture away from the nightstand.
Do You Need Drive-Up Storage for Nightstands?
Drive-up storage can be useful for nightstands because furniture can be awkward to carry through hallways, stairs, and elevators. Vehicle access near the unit can shorten the distance between your car, van, or moving truck and the storage space.
More than 45% of Public Storage properties offer drive-up access units.
Choose drive-up storage when you plan to:
- Load nightstands directly from a vehicle
- Move bedroom furniture, bed frames, dressers, or mattresses
- Make multiple trips during a move or renovation
- Store furniture while revamping a bedroom
- Retrieve bedroom furniture without carrying it through a long building route
Measure the nightstand’s height, width, and depth before reserving. Use the Public Storage size guide to compare available unit sizes and plan a layout with a clear walkway.
How Should You Check a Nightstand After Storage?
Check a nightstand before bringing it back home by removing the wrapping and inspecting the drawers, handles, legs, and surface. Wipe away dust, return removable drawers or glass components, and confirm that hardware is in place.
Follow manufacturer guidance if you notice loose hardware, surface changes, or a component that needs attention.
Store Nightstands With a Clear Plan.
Nightstands are easier to store when they are empty, clean, dry, wrapped, and kept upright in a dedicated bedroom-furniture area. Keep drawers and hardware organized, avoid heavy stacking, and leave enough room to retrieve each piece when needed.
Find a Public Storage location near you to reserve climate-controlled storage or drive-up storage for nightstands, bedroom furniture, mattresses, and household items during a move or home update.
A clear furniture-storage plan makes the next bedroom refresh easier to start.
Nightstand Storage FAQs
Can you store nightstands in a storage unit?
Yes. Store nightstands after emptying drawers, cleaning and drying the furniture, wrapping it, and placing it upright in the unit.
Should you remove nightstand drawers before storage?
Remove drawers only when the furniture design allows it and it helps with moving. Store removable drawers inside the nightstand or beside it with soft materials between components.
How do you wrap a nightstand for storage?
Wrap the corners, legs, handles, and surfaces with moving blankets, bubble wrap, packing paper, or clean sheets. Keep tape on the protective wrapping rather than the furniture.
Should you use climate-controlled storage for nightstands?
Climate-controlled storage can be useful for wood, laminate, metal, glass, and finished furniture affected by heat or changing humidity. More than 90% of Public Storage properties offer climate-controlled units.
Is drive-up storage useful for nightstands?
Yes. Drive-up storage can make loading and unloading nightstands and other bedroom furniture from a vehicle easier. More than 45% of Public Storage properties offer drive-up access units.
