Bedroom Furniture for Home Care: Overbed Tables, Bedside Commodes and Practical Setup
Share
A practical bedroom setup is about more than the bed itself. The right furniture can make meals, reading, dressing, toileting and everyday care easier while keeping frequently used items within reach and leaving enough clear space for safe movement.
For many people, the most useful bedroom additions are an overbed table and, where bathroom access is difficult, a bedside commode. The best choice depends on the person, the bed or chair, the available floor space and how the room is actually used.
This guide focuses on the furniture and equipment around the bed. If you are choosing the bed or mattress itself, start with our Beds and Mattresses Guide. For wedges, pillows and body-positioning supports, see our Bed & Body Positioning Guide.
What counts as useful bedroom furniture for home care?
Ordinary bedroom furniture is chosen mainly for storage and appearance. Home-care bedroom furniture also needs to work around mobility, transfers, reach and caregiver access.
| Furniture or equipment | What it helps with | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Overbed or over-chair table | Meals, drinks, reading, writing, devices and keeping essentials within reach | Base clearance, height range, tabletop size, tilt and how close it can get to the user |
| Bedside commode | Toileting close to the bed when reaching the bathroom is difficult | Seat height, width, user-weight limit, transfer space, cleaning and privacy |
| Supportive bedside or day chair | Dressing, rest and a more upright place to sit | Seat height, depth, arm position, stability and space around the chair |
| Bedside standing or transfer support | Assisting an appropriate user with part of a sit-to-stand or transfer routine | User ability, stability, correct technique and whether the aid creates a trip hazard |
The important point is that a useful bedroom is a working space, not simply a collection of equipment. A table that blocks a transfer route or a commode that cannot be approached safely may create more difficulty than it solves.
Overbed tables: one of the most useful bedroom additions
An overbed table brings a usable surface to the person rather than requiring them to lean, twist or move to a desk. It can be useful for meals, drinks, reading, hobbies, a tablet or laptop, medications and other small everyday items.
The first measurement to take is often not the tabletop at all — it is the clearance beneath the bed or chair. The table base has to travel into the right position before the top can reach the user comfortably.
Comparing MoveSmart overbed-table options
| Table | Best suited to | Key differences |
|---|---|---|
| icare Over Bed Table – Standard | General home-care, aged-care and rehabilitation use | Gas-assisted 730–1090 mm height adjustment, 0–70° reversible split top, fixed side section, 30 kg tabletop limit, 90 mm base |
| icare Over Bed Table – Low Profile | Beds or chairs with limited under-frame clearance | Same gas-assisted 730–1090 mm range and split tabletop concept, but with a lower 45 mm base |
| icare Over Bed Table – C Shape Base | Situations where getting the tabletop closer to the bed or chair is the priority | C-shaped base, 730–1090 mm gas-assisted height adjustment, split/reversible top and 30 kg tabletop limit |
| icare Over Bed Table – Folding | Rooms where the table needs to be stored away regularly | Folds flat, manual 620–935 mm height adjustment, 600 x 360 mm top, multiple tilt positions and four castors including two locking castors |
| Goldfern Split Top Over Bed Table | A straightforward adjustable split-top table for meals, reading and everyday activities | Approx. 710–930 mm height range, 81.5 x 39.5 cm overall top, fixed and tilting sections, foldable frame |
Standard, low-profile or C-shaped base?
These terms describe how the table approaches the bed or chair. They matter because bed frames, recliners and care chairs can have very different structures near the floor.
The icare Standard is the general-purpose starting point. The Low Profile version reduces the base height to approximately 45 mm, making it more likely to slide beneath lower-clearance furniture. The C Shape version changes the geometry of the base so the tabletop can be positioned closer in situations where a conventional base is restricted by the furniture.
Measure the floor-level clearance before ordering. A generous tabletop height range cannot compensate for a base that physically cannot move into position.
When is a folding overbed table the better option?
A folding table can make sense in a smaller bedroom, guest room or temporary recovery setup where the table is useful during part of the day but should not permanently occupy floor space.
The icare Folding Over Bed Table uses manual height adjustment from approximately 620–935 mm and folds flat for storage. Its tabletop has raised side ridges and multiple tilt positions, which can be useful for reading or other angled tasks.
The trade-off is that it uses a different adjustment system from the gas-assisted iCare tables. Choose based on how the room will be used rather than assuming the table with the greatest number of adjustments is automatically the best fit.
What if the person spends more time in a wheelchair?
An overbed table and an over-wheelchair table solve similar problems, but their bases are designed around different furniture.
The Goldfern Over Wheelchair Table has a wheelchair-compatible base, adjustable height and four castors, with a published 10 kg safe working load. It can provide a closer work or meal surface while seated in a wheelchair where a bed-oriented table base may not fit as well.
Whichever style is used, a movable table is not a standing or transfer aid. Do not pull on the table or use the tabletop to support body weight when standing or sitting.
Bedside commodes: furniture that can preserve a simpler night-time routine
A bedside commode can reduce the distance a person needs to travel when reaching the bathroom is difficult, particularly overnight or during recovery. In a bedroom, appearance can matter as well as function because the commode may remain beside the bed throughout the day.
For a fuller comparison of commode types, read our Commode Chair Buying Guide.
Comparing bedroom-style bedside commodes
| Commode | Maximum user weight | Seat height | Why you might choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spryly Poise Commode | 128 kg | 420 / 460 / 505 mm | Furniture-style appearance with rubberwood legs, colour choices and a removable cushion that conceals the toileting opening |
| Viking Bedside Commode | 120 kg | 470–620 mm | Broad height adjustment, padded vinyl seat/back and a straightforward stationary home-care design |
| Viking Deluxe Bedside Commode | 160 kg | 450–600 mm | More upholstered chair-style design with padded arms, curved padded back, fold-back seat and privacy skirt |
Why seat height matters on a bedside commode
A commode should not be chosen only by its weight rating. Seat height changes how far the user has to lower themselves and how much effort is required to stand again. Width between the arms and the overall chair footprint also affect comfort and transfer access.
Before ordering, compare the commode dimensions with a chair the person already uses comfortably. Then check the actual bedroom space, including the position of the bed, walking aid and any room required by a caregiver.
For more complex transfers, an occupational therapist or physiotherapist can help determine the appropriate seat height and transfer method.
Should a commode look like ordinary bedroom furniture?
There is no functional requirement for a commode to look clinical. For some households, a more discreet design makes the bedroom feel more familiar and dignified.
The Spryly Poise Commode is specifically designed with a furniture-style appearance, coloured seat and rubberwood legs. The Viking Deluxe takes a different approach, using padded upholstery and a skirt that helps conceal the commode bowl.
Appearance should still come after fit, stability, transfer access and cleaning requirements, but there is no reason those practical needs and a more homelike bedroom have to be mutually exclusive.
What about bed backrests, bed cradles and positioning cushions?
These are useful bedroom aids, but they perform different jobs from furniture.
A Bed Backrest provides manual upper-body support for reading, meals or resting in an existing bed. A Chevron Adjustable Bed Cradle or Viking Bed Cradle holds sheets and blankets away from the feet or lower legs. Neither product replaces a profiling bed or a transfer aid.
For wedges, leg raisers, knee cushions and other body-positioning equipment, see the Bed & Body Positioning Guide or browse our Bedroom Accessories.
Planning the bedroom around transfers and everyday movement
Before adding more equipment, look at the room as a whole. Furniture should support the normal route between the bed, chair, doorway and bathroom rather than narrow it.
- Keep the main walking and transfer route clear. Avoid loose cords, bags, table legs and equipment parked where feet or walking aids need to travel.
- Leave enough space beside the bed. A person using a walker or wheelchair — and a caregiver assisting them — may require substantially more room than someone walking independently.
- Place frequently used items within comfortable reach. Reaching too far from the bed or chair can encourage leaning and twisting.
- Check the furniture at floor level. Table bases, castors and commode legs can interfere with hoists, walking aids or the user’s feet.
- Think about night-time lighting. A clear route is more useful when the user can actually see it. Our Fall Prevention at Home guide covers the wider room setup.
- Do not turn furniture into a grab rail. Overbed tables, bedside cabinets and lightweight furniture should never be assumed to be safe weight-bearing supports.
When a standing or transfer aid is needed
If the difficulty is not the furniture itself but getting between the bed and another surface, the solution may be a transfer aid rather than another piece of bedroom furniture.
The Adjustable Standing Aid Support with Handle can provide leverage for an appropriate user who can already participate in standing. Slide sheets and transfer boards perform very different tasks. Our Standing Transfer Aid vs Transfer Board vs Slide Sheet guide explains those differences.
If a transfer is uncertain, requires substantial lifting or has become difficult for a caregiver to manage, professional assessment is preferable to improvising with nearby furniture.
When ordinary bedroom furniture is no longer enough
Sometimes the real issue is the bed. If the person needs powered whole-bed height adjustment, easier caregiver access, profiling sections, greater load capacity or compatibility with care accessories, a dedicated home-care bed may be more appropriate than adding equipment around a fixed domestic bed.
Browse our Healthcare Beds and Mattresses & Pillows, or use the Beds and Mattresses Guide to understand the main differences.
A simple way to plan a more practical bedroom
Start with the task that is difficult, then choose the smallest change that solves it safely. If meals and reading are awkward, an overbed table may be enough. If getting to the bathroom overnight is the problem, a correctly fitted bedside commode may make more sense. If transfers, bed height or positioning are the underlying issue, look beyond furniture and assess the bed or transfer method itself.
You can browse MoveSmart’s Bedroom Furniture collection for current tables and commodes, or our broader Beds & Bedroom range for beds, mattresses, furniture and accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most useful piece of bedroom furniture for someone spending more time in bed?
An overbed table is often one of the most versatile additions because it provides a close surface for meals, drinks, reading and devices. The correct base and height range must suit the bed.
How do I know whether an overbed table will fit my bed?
Measure the clearance beneath the bed frame, the bed height and the space available for the table base. Low-profile or C-shaped bases can suit situations where a standard base cannot move close enough.
What is the difference between an overbed table and an over-wheelchair table?
The main difference is the base geometry and the furniture it is intended to approach. An over-wheelchair table is designed to position around a wheelchair, while an overbed table is designed around beds and chairs.
Can I use an overbed table to pull myself up?
No. Overbed and over-wheelchair tables are work surfaces, not grab rails or transfer aids. Do not use them to support body weight.
When should I choose a low-profile overbed table?
Choose a low-profile model when there is limited clearance beneath the bed or chair and a conventional table base cannot slide into the required position.
What is the advantage of a split-top table?
A split top allows one section to tilt for reading or device use while a smaller fixed section remains level for a drink, phone or other item.
Is a bedside commode only for permanent care?
No. A bedside commode can be useful temporarily during recovery as well as for longer-term mobility needs. The correct seat height, width and transfer setup still matter.
How do I choose the right bedside commode height?
The user should be able to sit and stand in a controlled way with appropriate foot contact. Compare the available adjustment range with a chair or toilet height that already works well for the person.
Can a bedside commode also be used as a normal chair?
Many bedroom commodes have a padded seat or cushion that covers the toileting opening. Check the individual product because comfort and intended use vary between models.
Should I put a commode directly beside the bed?
Only if there is enough clear space for the intended transfer and the chair remains stable on a level floor. The best position depends on how the person gets in and out of bed and whether assistance is required.
Are bed rails an essential part of a safer bedroom?
No. Bed rails are not a universal fall-prevention solution and can introduce entrapment or climbing risks for some users. Where rails are being considered, use compatible equipment and an individual risk assessment.
When should I consider a home-care bed instead of adding furniture around my existing bed?
Consider a dedicated home-care bed when powered height adjustment, profiling, caregiver access, higher capacity or compatible care accessories are needed. These are functions ordinary bedroom furniture cannot provide.
Can MoveSmart help me work out what will fit?
Yes. If you can provide the user’s needs and basic measurements of the bed, chair and available room space, contact MoveSmart and we can help narrow down the appropriate options.