USM Haller Side Table & Nightstand: Sizes, Parts, Ideas
Not every piece built from the modular system has to be a sideboard or a shelf. A single compartment – the small cube – is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture there is: a nightstand next to the bed, a side table by the sofa, or a mobile pedestal on castors under the desk. With parts that are compatible with USM Haller, you can build such a small piece yourself – in exactly the size, height and colour that suits your room.
In this article you will find the common sizes, ready-made parts lists and planning tips so that your side table or nightstand fits first time.
The sizes: 35, 50 or 75 cm wide
The system works with fixed grid dimensions, measured from ball centre to ball centre. Three widths are interesting for small furniture – the depth of our parts is always 35 cm:
- 35 × 35 cm – the classic cube. About 39 × 39 cm on the outside and roughly 39 cm high with one level. Compact and ideal for narrow spots next to the bed or as a small cube by the sofa.
- 50 × 35 cm – about 54 cm wide on the outside. Noticeably more surface and room for a drawer. Our recommendation for a nightstand that should hold a lamp, an alarm clock and a book.
- 75 × 35 cm – about 79 cm wide on the outside. More of a small chest than a nightstand, but perfect as a low side table behind the sofa or as a hallway shelf.
Rule of thumb: the outer dimension is about 3.6 cm larger than the grid dimension, because the balls stick out beyond the grid.
Finding the right height
For a nightstand, height matters most. The top should be roughly level with the mattress or a few centimetres above it – then you can reach your glass or phone comfortably without twisting. On most beds, the top of the mattress is between 45 and 60 cm.
- One level with a 35 cm grid gives a total height of about 39 cm – good for low beds, futons or as a cube next to the sofa.
- One level with a 50 cm grid (500 mm tubes) gives about 54 cm – suits most standard beds.
- 35 cm plus an open 17.5 cm shelf (175 mm tubes) gives about 56 cm. An open shelf for books on top and a closed compartment below – a particularly practical layout.
Castors instead of levelling feet make the piece a few centimetres taller. It is best to measure your bed or the armrest of your sofa before ordering.
Nightstand with a door or a drawer?
You have several options for the front – and that is exactly what makes the small cube so flexible:
- Open: just bottom, top, back and side panels. The cheapest option, ideal for a stack of books or a basket.
- Drop-down door: the door folds down and hides everything that should not be seen. Doors are available in 35 × 35, 50 × 35 and 75 × 35 cm. For mounting you need spring hinge sets and, if you like, a handle with lock.
- Drawer: pull-out trays come in 50 × 35 and 75 × 35 cm, plus the matching drawer rails. Important: we do not offer a drawer for the 35 cm cube – if you want a drawer, plan for 50 cm width.
- Open and closed combined: if you want to divide the space, add an open shelf above the closed compartment (see below) – books on top, chargers and small items below. We do not offer an intermediate shelf inside a compartment; a standard basket or insert adds extra order.
Parts list: 35 × 35 × 35 cm cube with a door
A fully closed cube with a drop-down door at the front consists of these parts:
| Part | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Balls | 8 |
| Tubes 350 mm | 12 |
| Connectors | 24 |
| Outer panels 35 × 35 cm (bottom, top, back, 2 sides) | 5 |
| Drop-down door 35 × 35 cm | 1 |
| Spring hinge sets | 2 |
| Levelling feet (or 4 castors) | 4 |
In pure white this comes to around €336 for all parts (as of October 2026). With four castors instead of the feet it is about €32 more. A door handle with key can be added as an option.
Parts list: 50 × 35 cm nightstand with a drawer
| Part | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Balls | 8 |
| Tubes 500 mm (width) | 4 |
| Tubes 350 mm (depth and height) | 8 |
| Connectors | 24 |
| Outer panels 50 × 35 cm (bottom, top, back) | 3 |
| Outer panels 35 × 35 cm (sides) | 2 |
| Pull-out tray (drawer) 50 × 35 cm + drawer rails (pair) | 1 |
| Levelling feet | 4 |
The free 3D configurator shows you the exact total price for your colour and features – and the complete parts list straight away.
For the version with an open shelf on top (total height about 56 cm) you add: 4 more balls, 4 tubes 175 mm (vertical), 2 tubes 500 mm and 2 tubes 350 mm (top frame), 16 more connectors and an extra 50 × 35 cm panel as the new top. You can leave the back of the shelf open.
Side table by the sofa and mobile cube on castors
Next to the sofa, the surface should be roughly level with the armrest or slightly below. A 35 cm cube at 39 cm high is more of a low sofa cube; for a typical armrest height, the 50 cm level is a better fit.
With castors the cube becomes a rolling pedestal: it moves from the sofa to the desk and back again. Lockable castors stop it from rolling away when you lean on it. The castors are screwed into the bottom balls instead of the levelling feet.
Glass top or a top pad
Instead of a steel panel you can use a glass outer panel (toughened safety glass) on top – it looks lighter and works well for an open shelf. Glass panels are available in 35 × 35, 50 × 35 and 75 × 35 cm. You need glass panel holders at the corners.
Another idea for the nightstand: a magnetic faux-leather pad on the steel top. It dampens noise when you put down a glass or your phone and protects the powder coating. The pad is available for 35 × 35 and 75 × 35 cm.
Stack cubes or extend?
You can simply put two cubes on top of each other, but it rarely looks good. It is better to think in terms of the system: a piece with two levels shares the middle balls and tubes. That saves parts, is more stable and looks like it was made in one piece. Later you can extend your nightstand by another level at any time or turn it into a lowboard – all parts can be reused.
Colour as an accent
Small pieces are where you can be bold. A cube in golden yellow, ruby red or pure orange next to a light sofa sets a clear accent without dominating the room. If you prefer it calmer, choose pure white, light grey or beige. You can also mix: a white body with just the door in colour.
Frequently asked questions
How tall is a 35 × 35 cm cube?
About 39 cm with levelling feet. Castors add a few centimetres. For a taller nightstand, use 500 mm tubes (about 54 cm) or add an open shelf on top.
Is there a drawer for the 35 cm cube?
No, our pull-out trays come in 50 × 35 and 75 × 35 cm. For the 35 cm cube, a drop-down door or an open shelf above it is the way to go.
Can I assemble the nightstand myself?
Yes. All you need is a suitable hex key or connector tool; a small piece is assembled in about an hour. Our step-by-step guide in the magazine will help you.
Do the parts match my existing USM Haller furniture?
Our parts are compatible with USM Haller and use the same grid dimensions. So you can build a nightstand to match your sideboard or combine parts.