Choosing bedside tables for an aged care facility is about more than matching furniture — it’s about supporting safety, independence and dignity in everyday life. The right bedside table keeps essential items within reach, helps residents feel at home, and stands up to the demands of a clinical environment. Here’s what to consider.
Falls and mobility challenges are a daily reality in aged care. Bedside tables with rounded corners reduce the risk of injury and create a safer environment for residents moving around their room.
Most facilities use Hi-Lo or Lo-Lo beds, so bedside height is critical. Consider the resident’s preferred bed height, accessibility when lying down or seated, and compatibility with adjustable beds. In many cases a higher-than-standard bedside is needed so the surface stays usable when the bed is raised.
Storage should reflect how residents live and what’s already in the room. Where wardrobes and drawers already exist, bedside units can focus on open shelving for books or newspapers, a cupboard for slippers or personal items, and minimal drawers for essentials. A combination usually works best.
A slide-out tray adds valuable surface space when the tabletop is already in use — ideal for tea or meals, reading, or activities.
Under the Aged Care Quality Standards (Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission), residents must have access to a safe, secure place for personal belongings. A lockable drawer or compartment supports privacy, dignity and peace of mind.
Bedside tables in aged care must withstand frequent use, regular cleaning and clinical-grade requirements. Durable, easy-clean materials ensure longevity and better value over time.
Furniture shapes how a room feels. A well-chosen bedside should complement the bed and wardrobe, use warm, inviting finishes, and help the space feel like home rather than a ward.
Both have their place.
The right choice depends on budget, style and facility needs.
The best bedside tables balance safety, function, durability and comfort. Chosen well, they support independence, enhance safety, improve daily living and help create a more homelike environment.
Browse our aged care bedroom furniture: aged care bedroom furniture.
To discuss options for your facility, call 03 9408 9710 or email info@wentworthcare.com.au.
It should suit the resident’s bed, which in most facilities is a Hi-Lo or Lo-Lo bed. Because these beds raise and lower, a higher-than-standard bedside is often needed so the surface stays within easy reach.
A lockable drawer or compartment is strongly recommended. The Aged Care Quality Standards require residents to have a safe, secure place for personal belongings, and a lockable unit supports privacy and dignity.
Laminate is durable, cost-effective and very easy to clean, which suits clinical environments. Solid timber offers a warmer, more residential feel. Many facilities choose based on budget and the look they want for the room.
Rounded corners reduce the risk of injury for residents with mobility or balance issues who may bump into furniture, making the room safer to move around.
A slide-out tray that provides extra surface space for meals, drinks, reading or activities when the tabletop is already in use.
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