They are often used to support items that might be useful during the night, such as a table lamp, reading matter, cell phone, eyeglasses, tissues, a drink, or medication.
[2] Before indoor flush toilets became commonplace, the main function of a nightstand was to contain a chamber pot.
[citation needed] As a result, early nightstands were often small cabinets, sometimes fitted with a drawer, and usually containing an enclosed storage space below covered by one or more doors.
French, Italian and Spanish antique nightstands usually have one drawer and an enclosed storage space with one door.
They can be embellished with gold leaf finish, bronze or parquetry inlaid.