The Best Side Tables with Drawers

The best side tables with drawers are the ones that match the clutter you actually have. For most living rooms, that means a compact table with a single shallow drawer for remotes, chargers and glasses, set at sofa arm height with smooth runners and a top large enough for a lamp and a drink. If you need more storage, a table with two drawers or a drawer plus an open shelf works well, while a slim drawer table on legs suits smaller rooms where you want to keep the floor visible.

A drawer turns a side table from a surface into a small piece of storage, and that changes how a room feels at the end of the day. Below we look at the main styles, what separates a good drawer from a frustrating one, and how to choose among our modern side tables UK sale designs for your space.

Why a Drawer Makes Such a Difference

Most living rooms gather the same small items: remote controls, phone chargers, reading glasses, coasters, a notebook, a pen that is never there when you need it. Left on an open surface, they look untidy and push your lamp and drinks to the edge. Inside a drawer, they are close at hand but out of sight.

A drawer also helps with cable management. Chargers can live in the drawer with the plug running discreetly behind the table, so devices are topped up without wires trailing across the top. In smaller UK living rooms, where every surface is in view from the sofa, that small piece of order has a noticeable calming effect. It is worth thinking about storage across all of your living room furniture UK pieces, rather than relying on open surfaces alone.

The Main Styles of Side Table With Drawers

Single drawer on open legs

This is the most versatile design. A single shallow drawer sits below the top, with four legs beneath and open space underneath. It feels light and suits compact rooms because you can see the floor through it. It holds everyday essentials without becoming a dumping ground.

Drawer with an open shelf

Adding an open shelf below the drawer gives you somewhere for books, magazines or a basket. It is a good choice beside a reading chair, where you want the current book within reach and a few others stored neatly.

Two or three drawers

A taller cabinet style with stacked drawers offers more storage and works well where a side table also has to act as a small chest. These are useful in homes without much built in storage, such as many flats and older terraces. They are heavier visually, so they suit rooms with enough space around them.

Drawer and cupboard combinations

Some designs pair a drawer with a small cupboard below. The cupboard hides bulkier items such as board games or a spare throw. This style sits halfway between a side table and a small sideboard.

Bedside style tables in the living room

Many bedside designs translate comfortably to a living room. A compact cabinet with a drawer and shelf beside a sofa looks deliberate, especially in a contemporary scheme. Our range of modern bedside cabinets UK homes choose is worth browsing if you want more storage in a small footprint.

What Makes a Good Drawer

Not all drawers are equal. These details decide whether you enjoy using it or start avoiding it.

Runners

Metal runners give a smooth, consistent glide and cope with regular use. Soft close runners stop the drawer slamming shut, which is useful in homes with young children or where someone might be sleeping nearby. Traditional wooden runners can work well on solid wood tables, though they may need a little wax over time to keep them sliding easily.

Depth and internal size

Check the internal dimensions rather than the outside of the table. A drawer that looks generous may lose space to thick sides or a deep front. If you want to store a tablet or a hardback book, measure it and compare.

Handles

Handles affect both look and use. Small knobs suit traditional and transitional styles. Recessed grips and push to open mechanisms keep the front clean in minimal schemes. Bar handles are easy to grip but can catch on clothing if the table sits close to a sofa. Consider how you approach the table and which hand you use.

Construction

Look at how the drawer box is made. Joints that are properly fixed rather than simply stapled tend to last longer. A drawer base that sits in a groove rather than being pinned underneath is less likely to sag when loaded.

Choosing the Right Size

Start with height. A side table roughly level with, or a little below, the arm of your sofa is comfortable to reach. With a drawer, consider whether you can open it easily while seated. If the drawer sits too low, you will have to lean over the arm to use it, which quickly becomes irritating.

Next, think about footprint. Measure the gap between the sofa and any walls, radiators or doors. Leave enough clearance for the drawer to open fully. In tight spaces, a drawer that opens towards the sofa rather than towards a walkway is far more practical.

Finally, look at the top. You probably want a lamp, a drink and perhaps a book on it. A top that is too small will push those items into competition, and something will end up on the floor.

Materials and Finishes

Wood

Wooden side tables with drawers have a classic, warm look. Solid wood is hard wearing and can be refinished, while veneered designs offer a consistent grain with less movement. Oak and walnut tones sit comfortably in most interiors.

High gloss

High gloss finishes reflect light and suit contemporary rooms. They are easy to wipe clean, which matters if the table sits beside a busy family sofa. Handleless gloss drawers keep the look sleek.

Mirrored

Mirrored side tables with drawers add sparkle and bounce light around a room. They suit glamorous schemes and look particularly good in the evening with lamplight.

Metal and mixed materials

A metal frame with a wooden drawer combines industrial strength with warmth. These designs tend to look slim and suit open plan apartments.

Placing a Drawer Table in Different Rooms

In the living room, a side table with a drawer belongs beside the seat that is used most. If two people share a sofa, a pair of drawer tables means each person has their own small store for glasses and chargers.

In a bedroom, the same table becomes a bedside table. In a hallway, a slim drawer table gives you a place for keys and post. In a home office corner, it can store stationery beside a reading chair.

If you are comparing formats, it is worth knowing how side tables differ from end tables, which tend to be placed at the end of a sofa and can be slightly larger. Our selection of modern end tables UK sale pieces includes many drawer designs that work in the same way. You may also find our practical checklist for choosing bedside tables in UK bedrooms helpful, since many of the same questions about drawers, height and runners apply to living room tables too.

To complete the room, view your side tables in the context of the sofa, coffee table and shelving around them, so storage, finishes and proportions feel consistent rather than pieced together.

Keeping the Drawer Useful

A drawer is only useful if it stays organised. A small drawer tray or a couple of shallow boxes keep remotes, cables and pens separate. Clear it out every few months, since drawers have a habit of collecting dead batteries and old receipts.

Avoid overloading the drawer. Heavy items strain runners and can loosen the drawer front over time. If you find yourself needing more space, it may be time for a larger storage piece rather than a fuller drawer.

Think about who uses the table, too. In a home with young children, a drawer at toddler height can become a favourite hiding place for toys or a source of pinched fingers. Soft close runners help, and for very small children a simple drawer latch is a sensible addition. In a shared flat, a pair of tables with a drawer each gives everyone their own space and avoids the communal drawer that nobody wants to sort out.

A well chosen side table with a drawer brings quiet order to a room without taking much space. You can explore our full range of modern furniture at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I keep in a living room side table drawer?

Small everyday items work best: remote controls, chargers, reading glasses, coasters, a notebook and pens. Keep heavier or bulkier items in a cupboard or sideboard.

Are soft close drawers worth it on a side table?

They are a pleasant feature, particularly in homes with children or where noise matters. They also reduce wear on the drawer front and runners.

How high should a side table with a drawer be?

Aim for a top roughly level with or slightly below the arm of your sofa. Check that you can open the drawer comfortably while seated.

Can I use a bedside table as a living room side table?

Yes. Many bedside designs are similar in size and height, and their drawers are well suited to living room clutter.