Furniture risers are the easiest way to make a nightstand taller. For a more permanent change, replace the existing legs with taller ones or build a wooden plinth under the cabinet.

A nightstand should usually sit level with the top of your mattress, or slightly above it. Measure from the floor to the top of the mattress, then work out how much height to add. Interior design guidance commonly places a nightstand within a few inches of mattress height.

Choose the Best Method for the Height You Need

Height to add Best solution Appearance Difficulty
1 to 2 inches Felt pads, rubber feet or low risers Mostly hidden Very easy
2 to 4 inches Furniture risers or replacement feet Moderate Easy
4 to 8 inches Taller furniture legs Clean and permanent Moderate
More than 8 inches Custom plinth or rebuilt base Best when designed carefully Moderate to advanced

1. Add Furniture Risers Under the Nightstand

Furniture risers are the quickest option. They sit under the existing feet or beneath the corners of the nightstand base.

What You Need

  • Four furniture risers
  • Measuring tape
  • Non-slip pads
  • A level, if available

How to Do It

  1. Measure the current height of the nightstand.
  2. Measure from the floor to the top of your mattress.
  3. Subtract the current nightstand height from the target height.
  4. Buy risers close to that measurement.
  5. Place one riser under each foot or corner.
  6. Check that the nightstand does not rock.
  7. Add rubber or non-slip pads if the risers slide on hardwood or tile.

Choose risers wide enough to support each foot fully. Small risers can make a taller nightstand less stable, particularly when a drawer is open.

This method suits a height increase of a few inches and does not require drilling or other permanent changes. Furniture risers, casters, taller feet and replacement legs are common ways to raise a nightstand without rebuilding the cabinet.

2. Replace the Existing Legs With Taller Legs

Replacing the legs gives the nightstand a more finished appearance. It works best when the existing legs are removable, screw-mounted or attached with threaded inserts.

How to Replace the Legs

  1. Empty the nightstand and place it upside down on a padded surface.
  2. Remove the existing legs.
  3. Measure the attachment points.
  4. Buy four replacement legs with compatible mounting hardware.
  5. Check how much height the legs add after accounting for the mounting plates or other hardware.
  6. Attach the new legs evenly.
  7. Turn the nightstand upright and check for wobbling.
  8. Tighten the hardware after confirming that the drawers open properly.

Choose legs with a wide enough base for the cabinet. Very thin hairpin legs can make a tall or heavy nightstand less stable.

Best for

  • Wooden nightstands
  • Mid-century, modern or farmhouse furniture
  • Permanent height changes
  • Matching a nightstand to a taller bed

If the old legs use mounting plates, replacement legs with compatible plates are usually straightforward to install. If the legs are glued in place or form part of the side structure, a plinth may be easier.

3. Build a Wooden Plinth Under the Nightstand

A plinth is a shallow wooden platform that raises the whole nightstand. It suits box-shaped cabinets with no removable legs.

How to Make a Simple Plinth

  1. Measure the width and depth of the nightstand.
  2. Cut a plywood or solid-wood platform slightly smaller than the cabinet footprint.
  3. Add four short side panels or blocks beneath the platform to reach the height you need.
  4. Sand the edges.
  5. Paint or stain the plinth to match the nightstand.
  6. Attach the nightstand to the plinth with screws from inside the cabinet, if the construction allows.
  7. Add non-slip pads beneath the plinth.

If the nightstand is 3 inches too short, make the plinth about 3 inches high. Keep it slightly inset so it looks like part of the original design rather than a separate box.

Why a Plinth Works Well

A plinth spreads the weight over a larger area than four small risers. It also hides the modification and works with cabinets that have drawers, doors or a solid bottom.

Do not screw through the cabinet bottom unless you know where the drawer runners, wiring and other hardware are located. Use short screws that cannot reach the inside of the drawer compartment.

4. Install Casters for Height and Mobility

Casters can raise a nightstand and make it easier to move for cleaning. They work best on furniture with a solid bottom or strong corner supports.

Installation Steps

  1. Turn the nightstand upside down.
  2. Mark the caster positions near the four corners.
  3. Pre-drill the holes if the casters use screws.
  4. Attach four locking casters.
  5. Turn the nightstand upright.
  6. Lock all four casters before placing items on top.
  7. Check the nightstand for rocking and unwanted movement.

Locking casters matter. Unlocked wheels can let the nightstand move when you reach for a lamp, phone or drawer. Casters also add height through the wheel diameter and mounting plate, so measure the completed height before installation.

Which Option Should You Use?

The right method depends on how much height you need, whether the change must be reversible and how the nightstand is built.

Use Furniture Risers for a Quick Fix

Furniture risers are a good choice when:

  • You need 1 to 4 inches of extra height.
  • You do not want to drill into the nightstand.
  • The nightstand has strong, separate feet.
  • You are renting or want a reversible change.

Use Taller Legs for a Permanent Result

Replacement legs suit a nightstand when:

  • The existing legs can be removed.
  • You want the furniture to look professionally made.
  • You need 3 to 8 inches of additional height.
  • The nightstand's style works with exposed legs.

Use a Plinth for a Solid Cabinet

A plinth is a good choice when:

  • The nightstand has a flat bottom.
  • It has no removable legs.
  • You want the added height to look built in.
  • You need to raise the cabinet evenly.

Use Casters When Mobility Matters

Casters make sense when:

  • You regularly move the nightstand.
  • The floor is hard and level.
  • The nightstand has a strong base.
  • You can use locking wheels.

How to Calculate the Correct Height

Use this formula:

Extra height needed = target nightstand height - current nightstand height

For most bedrooms, use the top of the mattress as the target height.

Example:

  • Mattress top: 27 inches from the floor
  • Current nightstand height: 23 inches
  • Extra height needed: 4 inches

A 4-inch plinth or four legs that add about 4 inches should bring the nightstand level with the mattress.

Measure the mattress with the bedding removed if you want the furniture to align with the sleeping surface. You can also make the nightstand slightly taller than the mattress if that makes it easier to reach, provided the nightstand does not interfere with the bed.

Important Stability Checks

Before using the raised nightstand, check that:

  • All four supports touch the floor evenly.
  • The nightstand does not rock when pushed from different sides.
  • The drawers open without hitting the bed.
  • The top remains level.
  • The modification does not block vents or cable openings.
  • Heavy items, such as lamps, do not make the nightstand tip.
  • Risers and casters stay in place during normal use.

Avoid stacking books, loose boxes or small pieces of wood beneath the nightstand. They can shift, compress or create an uneven base.

The Best Overall Solution

For a temporary or inexpensive adjustment, use four wide, non-slip furniture risers. For a permanent change, replace the existing legs with taller legs that are mounted securely. If the nightstand is a solid cabinet, build a matching wooden plinth rather than balancing it on loose objects.

Aim for a final height close to the top of the mattress, then choose the method that gives the nightstand a wide, stable base.