We all need a handy place to put down a drink, book, or tablet. Side and end tables are both functional and stylish furniture items that will add a finishing touch to any living room. Whether you need one with storage for your remote controls or a classic style just big enough to hold a vase of your favorite blooms, we'll share our expert tips on how to choose end and side tables for your home.
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Often overlooked in favor of larger tables and cabinets, end and side tables are amazingly versatile pieces of furniture. Here are some of the most popular end table styles.
Basic end tables
Four or three legs and a top, there may not be much to get excited about, but the devil is really in the detail.
Choosing a basic style end table leaves you with plenty of size and finish options. Go for traditional, classic round models in wood, or choose a contemporary glass-topped oval version. No matter your style; you can't go wrong with a basic frame end table.
End tables with shelves
If you want a handy place to store your day to day essentials, magazines and general sofa clutter, then opt for a table with shelves.
This can be as simple as one lower shelf, or several different levels. This style of table tends to work best with traditional style homes that provide a comfortable and cozy setting.
However, end tables with shelves can also look good in any modern home provided they are not too cluttered. Shabby chic and eclectic styles also can benefit from a side table with shelves.
End tables with cabinet or drawer storage
Hide away clutter in a handy drawer or cabinet. These end tables are, understandably, quite a bit bulkier and tend to look better in cozy cottage or farmhouse style living rooms.
They can also work well in an industrial decor provided the styling is appropriate, think metal accents and reclaimed wooden crates.
Nest of tables
Traditional, although somewhat bordering on kitsch in today's modern decor, nesting tables still have their uses.
Ideal for when the family comes to visit or you have friends round for a chat, simply pull out the smaller tables and everyone has a convenient resting place for their beverage or snack.
Use in a modern home for a trendy retro vibe, or in a traditional style living room.
When you're choosing the size of your end table, it's important to consider what you will be mainly using it for, as well as the size of the rest of your furniture.
If you just need a resting place for the occasional glass and you have a compact sofa, then a small model will be fine. For storing all the clutter off your family-sized sofa, obviously a small, slender model will not do.
Try to match your side table to a height that is comfortable for you to reach over to off your sofa when sitting down. Consider your available space also. If you are short on space, then a smaller model with an open frame will look better.
Here are some of the most popular shapes of side tables to choose from:
Circular
Traditional, yet elegant, circular side tables work best where you have plenty of space. They look good in virtually all styles of decor; however, if the rest of your room features predominantly boxy, angular pieces and you are not looking to make a statement piece out of your side table, then you'd be better off avoiding circular models.
For traditional, cottage or eclectic homes, you could consider a drum side table complete with a cupboard and drawer for a standout piece with extra storage.
Square
The regularity of square side tables makes them suitable for almost all decors and highly practical.
However, they do require more space than rectangular models. Use chunky square end tables in both modern, farmhouse or traditional decors.
Rectangular
Rectangular side tables are the most practical.
They pair well along the side of most sofas and can be placed up along walls. If you are looking for a side table for your minimalist home, consider purchasing a rectangular one with a glass top.
Rectangular models can also complement traditional decors, as well as contemporary and shabby chic.
Oval
Oval-shaped end tables are less common, but they provide an elegant modern look, provided you have the space to accommodate one in your living room. They can also look good in minimalist homes.
Due to their elongated shape, you will often find oval-shaped side tables feature three leg frames and very basic features so that all the focus is on their shape and finish.
C shape
If you enjoy surfing the web on your sofa or having brunch with some morning TV, then a C shape side table could be just what you need.
Formed like a C, this modern, minimalist style side table is easily accessible from your sofa.
Thanks to its cut-out style shape, you can position it over your sofa and use it for eating, drinking hobbies or even working from home without a desk!
This style of end table looks best in modern, contemporary or minimalist homes.
It's important to choose the right material for a side table that blends into your decor. Here are some of the main materials you should consider and the decor styles they look best in.
Wood
Highly polished, painted or rustic, wood is a very popular choice with a huge variety of finishes.
From minimalist raw beauty to polished traditional nesting tables, wood makes a good choice for almost any home. Choose reclaimed wood for an industrial look, painted, distressed wood for a shabby chic theme, or painted white for a coastal one.
Wood is easy to care for and a good durable, natural choice. If solid wood is out of your budget, you can still get that wooden look with MDF or wood veneer.
Glass
For modern and minimalist homes, glass side tables are a popular choice.
Their transparent tops are not great for homes with kids and sticky fingerprints, however, if you have time for regular polishing, they do look smart. They also work well in small rooms, where dark, solid side tables would add to a cluttered and cramped feeling.
Metal
For modern or industrial homes, a metal side table adds an unusual touch that can really work well as a statement piece.
Alternatively, choose pieces with metal accents to add a touch of individuality and an industrial feel to your cottage or farmhouse living room.
Mirror
Shabby chic, traditional or modern themes can all benefit from a mirrored side table.
Choose one with ornate detailing for a romantic look, or a regular shape and minimal details for a more modern look.
Mirror side tables help to make your living room lighter and brighter, just be careful if you have children or pets who could easily knock it over.
Plastic
Plastic side tables in bright accent colors look fantastic in modern or eclectic style homes.
Fun and easily affordable, they are a good choice if you're looking to experiment with color in an otherwise harmonious living room. Plastic is also fairly inexpensive, durable and lightweight, as well as being easy to clean.
With a plastic side table, you won't have to worry about younger family members or pets knocking it over.
