Where to Place Side Tables in Reading Corners

In a reading corner, place the side table directly beside the arm of your chair on the side you naturally reach to, which for most people is the side of their dominant hand. Keep the tabletop at or just below the height of the chair arm and close enough that you can set down a cup without leaning. Then position your light so it falls over your shoulder onto the page, either from a lamp on the table or a floor lamp just behind the chair.

That simple arrangement solves most reading corner problems. Choosing from our modern side tables UK sale range with your chair measurements in mind will help you find a table that sits comfortably in the space rather than one you have to stretch towards.

Why Placement Matters So Much

A reading corner is all about stillness. You want to sit for a long stretch without getting up, twisting or reaching awkwardly. Every time you have to stand to fetch a drink, find your glasses or adjust the light, the spell is broken. A side table in the right place keeps everything you need within easy reach.

Unlike a sofa, which often has tables at both ends, a reading chair usually only has room for one. That makes the choice of side more important. Get it wrong and you will find yourself crossing your body every time you reach for a mug.

It also helps to see the reading corner as part of the wider room rather than a separate project. Our modern living room furniture UK collections show how chairs, tables and shelving in related finishes sit together, so the corner feels connected to the rest of your seating.

Choosing the Side

Most people find it natural to place a drink on the side of their dominant hand. A right handed reader tends to hold a book in the left hand and reach for tea with the right, so the table works best on the right. Left handed readers often prefer the opposite. Sit in the chair with a book and notice which hand reaches out instinctively. That is the side for your table.

The room itself may override this. If the chair sits in a corner with a wall on one side, the table has to go on the open side. If a radiator or window frame is in the way, work with the space you have and adjust the lamp position to compensate.

Distance and Height

The table should sit close to the chair, with a gap of only a few centimetres between the table edge and the chair arm. Any further and you will need to lean. The top should be level with the arm or slightly lower, so you can slide a cup on and off without lifting your elbow high.

Front to back position matters too. The front edge of the table should sit roughly in line with where your hand naturally rests, often a little forward of the chair back. If the table sits too far back, you will need to twist around to reach it.

Lighting the Page

Good reading light comes from the side and slightly behind, falling across the page without glare or shadow. If you are right handed, light from the left shoulder often avoids your hand casting a shadow when turning pages or making notes, and the reverse applies for left handed readers.

This means there are two common setups. In the first, the side table holds a table lamp, and the table sits on the side the light should come from. In the second, the side table sits on your reaching side, and a floor lamp stands behind the chair on the opposite side. The second option frees the tabletop for your drink and books, which many readers prefer.

Warm white bulbs suit relaxed evening reading, while a slightly brighter bulb helps with smaller print. A dimmable lamp lets you adjust as daylight fades.

Choosing the Chair and Table Together

The chair sets the rules for the table, so it helps to consider them as a pair. A deep, enveloping tub chair has a rounded arm that sits relatively low, which suits a lower side table with a round top. Our modern tub chairs UK are a popular choice for reading corners because their curved backs feel sheltered and comfortable for long sessions.

A wingback or high armchair has a taller arm and suits a slightly higher table. A chaise or lounge chair, where you recline further, often works best with a low table set a little forward of the seat.

Upholstery matters too. A chair covered in a textured fabric pairs well with a smooth wooden or metal table, while a leather chair often looks good beside a table with visible grain. That contrast stops the corner from looking flat.

Shape and Size of the Table

A round top is the most forgiving shape in a reading corner. It has no sharp corners to catch your knee or elbow, and it fits neatly into the curved space beside most armchairs. A top of 40 to 50cm across gives room for a lamp or a cup, a book and a pair of glasses.

If space is very tight, a C shaped table that slides under the chair seat is useful. It brings the surface over your lap for a cup of tea and slides away when you are done. A table with a lower shelf gives you somewhere for the next book, so the top stays clear.

Bringing Books Into the Corner

A reading corner feels most complete when books are close at hand. A small bookcase or a run of shelving behind or beside the chair keeps your current reading pile nearby. Our modern bookcases UK include slim and low designs that fit beside a chair without overwhelming the space.

Keep the side table itself for what you are reading now. A short stack of two or three books is enough. The rest belong on the shelf.

Layering Light Around the Table

One lamp is rarely enough for a reading corner used in the evening. A pool of light on the page combined with a dark room around it can tire the eyes, so a little background light helps. That might come from a ceiling light on a low setting, a wall light nearby or a second lamp elsewhere in the room.

When the side table holds a lamp, a floor lamp on the opposite side of the chair can provide that softer background glow. When a floor lamp does the reading work, a small lamp on the table can add warmth after dark. For more on how floor lamps are used around the home, see our article on how UK households use floor lamps.

Finding a Spot for the Corner

Where you place the reading corner affects where the side table goes. Common spots in UK homes include:

• A bay window, where daylight is strong and the chair can sit angled into the bay.
• Beside a fireplace, which feels cosy in winter and often has a natural alcove.
• A bedroom corner, away from the busier living room.
• The space under the stairs or a landing, where a small chair and table can make use of otherwise empty floor.

In a bay window, place the side table on the side away from the glass so it does not block light or sit in strong sun. Beside a fireplace, keep the table a safe distance from the hearth and away from direct heat.

Keeping the Corner Uncluttered

A reading corner works because it is calm. Resist the temptation to add too many cushions, ornaments or extra furniture. A chair, a side table, a light and a few books are the core. A soft throw and a small plant are welcome additions, but beyond that, every extra item competes for attention.

On the table itself, keep space for the essentials: a drink, your current book, glasses and perhaps a bookmark dish. Anything decorative should be small and placed towards the back.

Common Placement Mistakes

• Putting the table on the side you never reach to.
• Leaving a large gap between the table and the chair arm.
• Choosing a table much higher than the arm, which makes drinks awkward.
• Placing a lamp so that light shines directly into your eyes.
• Blocking a walkway or door with the table in a small room.

A Corner Worth Sitting In

A well placed side table turns a chair into a proper reading corner. Put it on your reaching side, keep it close and level with the arm, and plan the light so it falls on the page. You can explore chairs, tables and storage for your own reading spot across our collections at Furniture in Fashion.

Reading Corner Questions

Which side of the chair should the side table go?

Usually the side of your dominant hand, as that is the hand most people use to reach for a drink.

How high should a reading corner side table be?

Level with the chair arm or a few centimetres lower, so you can set a cup down without lifting your elbow.

Is a table lamp or floor lamp better for reading?

Both work. A floor lamp behind the chair frees the table for books and drinks, while a table lamp suits smaller spaces.

What shape of side table suits a reading chair?

A round top is often the most comfortable, as there are no corners to catch your knees or elbows.