The need for a simple and versatile technique to develop various nanostructures for use in energy storage devices is in great demand. Electrodeposition is a versatile technique for developing various nanostructures on different substrates which can be directly used as battery electrodes. Thin film nanostructures, nanowires/nanotubes, core-shell and porous nanostructures, and three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) structures have been developed electrochemically and have shown better battery cycle lives, high charge/discharge capabilities as well as good capacity retention, sometimes at par or better than other synthesis techniques. This review highlights the synthesis of various nanostructures for use as battery electrodes for Li-ion and Na-ion batteries from aqueous, organic and ionic liquid electrolytes. In particular, we will highlight how ionic liquids have motivated the development of different intermetallic alloys and semiconductor nanostructures which have been applied in both Li-ion and Na-ion batteries. (C) 2017 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.