Mid-Century Modern Pairings: Side Tables and Reading Chairs

The most successful mid century reading corners pair a low, relaxed chair with a side table that sits level with, or just below, the chair arm. Aim for a table top roughly 50 to 60cm high, placed close enough that a cup or book is within reach without twisting, and choose a table that echoes the chair through wood tone, leg shape or outline. When those three things line up, the pairing reads as a single, intentional piece of furniture.

Mid century design was built around this kind of quiet partnership. Chairs were drawn low and wide, and tables were made to serve them. Our range of modern wooden side tables UK includes the tapered legs, rounded tops and warm finishes that suit this style, and the guidance below will help you match one to the chair you already own or plan to buy.

Why the Pairing Matters More Than the Pieces

A reading chair on its own is just a seat. Add a table at the right height and distance and it becomes a place you return to every evening. The mid century approach treats the chair and table as a small composition: one tall, soft shape and one smaller, more graphic one, set at a comfortable angle to each other.

That is why a beautiful table in the wrong spot can feel awkward. If it sits too far forward, you knock it with your knee. If it is too high, your arm lifts every time you reach for your tea. If it is too low, you lean sideways and lose the comfort of the chair. Getting the relationship right is more important than choosing the most striking individual pieces.

Getting the Height Right

Start by measuring the height of the chair arm from the floor. Most mid century lounge chairs and armchairs have arms somewhere between 50 and 65cm. Your side table top should sit within about 5cm of that measurement, ideally level or slightly lower.

For chairs without arms, such as some slipper chairs and low lounge styles, use the seat height as your guide instead and choose a table roughly 15 to 20cm above it. This keeps a book or glass at a natural resting point for your hand.

A simple test at home

Sit in the chair, relax your shoulders and let your forearm rest naturally. The point where your hand would comfortably set down a mug is the height you want. Measure it, and use that number when you shop rather than relying on guesswork.

Matching Woods Without Overdoing It

Teak, walnut and oak are the three woods most associated with the period. They can sit together happily, but the corner looks best when one wood leads and the others support.

• Teak with teak: a classic, warm combination that suits Scandinavian inspired lounge chairs. Break it up with a textured cushion or a wool rug so the corner does not feel too uniform.
• Walnut chair, oak table: the darker chair anchors the corner while the lighter table keeps it fresh. This works well in north facing rooms that need lifting.
• Oak chair, walnut table: the table becomes the accent. Keep accessories minimal so the deeper wood stands out.

If you prefer not to match woods at all, a table with a white or black lacquered top and slim wooden legs bridges the gap. It still carries the mid century outline, but it will not compete with the grain of the chair.

Choosing the Right Shape for Your Chair

The shape of the table should respond to the shape of the chair. A few reliable pairings:

The low lounge chair

Wide, reclined lounge chairs with bent wood or moulded shells look best beside a round or oval table. The curves soften the corner and give you an easy edge to reach without catching a sleeve. A pedestal or three legged base keeps the space below open, which helps the chair feel less bulky.

The compact armchair

Smaller armchairs with square arms and exposed wooden frames pair well with a square or rounded square table. Repeat the line of the arm in the table top and the two pieces will look like they were bought together.

The high back wing style

Taller, more enclosed chairs need a table with a little visual weight. A drum shaped table, a two tier design with a lower shelf, or a table with a solid base balances the height of the chair back. Very spindly tables can look lost next to a tall wing chair.

Distance and Angle

Place the table so its nearest edge sits around 5 to 10cm from the chair arm. That is close enough to reach without leaning, but far enough to stop the chair rubbing against the table when you sit down.

Angle the chair slightly towards the room or the window rather than flat against the wall. Set the table beside it at the same angle so the pair reads as a unit. In most homes, the table works best on the side of your dominant hand.

Lighting the Reading Corner

A reading chair needs proper light, and the period offers plenty of ideas. An arched or angled floor lamp that reaches over the chair keeps the table top clear for books and drinks. Our modern living room furniture UK sale collection includes pieces that sit comfortably alongside these lamp styles, and our modern floor lamps UK range covers arc, tripod and adjustable designs.

If you prefer a table lamp, choose a side table wide enough to hold it with space to spare. A top of at least 45cm across gives room for a lamp base, a book and a cup. Smaller tables are better suited to a floor lamp setup.

Colour temperature

Warm white bulbs suit wood tones and keep the corner restful. Very cool light can make teak and walnut look flat and greyish in the evening.

Choosing the Chair Itself

If you are starting from scratch, choose the chair first. It sets the scale, the comfort level and the overall tone. Look for a seat depth that lets you sit back with your feet on the floor, a back that supports your shoulders, and arms that are comfortable to rest on for an hour or more.

Our lounge chairs UK sale range includes reclined and upright styles that lend themselves to a mid century corner. Once the chair is in place, the right table becomes much easier to identify.

Textiles and the Floor

A rug under the front legs of the chair and the full base of the table pulls the corner together. Flat weave or low pile wool suits the period, and geometric patterns in mustard, olive, rust or deep blue are true to the era without feeling like a costume.

Keep cushions to one or two. Mid century chairs are designed to show their frames, and too many cushions hide the very lines you chose them for.

Bringing the Look Into the Wider Room

A reading corner should connect to the rest of the room rather than sit apart from it. Repeat the wood tone of the side table somewhere else, perhaps on a sideboard or a media unit, so the corner feels like part of a whole. If you are looking for ideas on storage pieces in the same style, our guide to mid century modern TV units for UK living rooms shows how to carry the look across a main wall.

It also helps to be clear on what you are shopping for. Retailers use side table, end table and lamp table in slightly different ways, and our explainer on side table, end table and lamp table terms in the UK sets out the differences so you can search with confidence.

Small Spaces and Awkward Corners

Many UK homes do not have a spare corner by a large window. Alcoves beside a chimney breast, the space under a stair window or the end of a bedroom can all host a reading chair. In tight spots:

• Choose a round table to remove corners you might walk into.
• Pick a chair with exposed legs so light passes underneath.
• Use a wall mounted shelf above the table for extra books instead of a bulky bookcase.
• Consider a C shaped table that slides under the chair seat and over your lap.

Caring for Wooden Pieces

Wood in a reading corner sees daily use: cups, glasses and the occasional dropped biscuit. Use coasters, wipe spills quickly and dust with a dry, soft cloth. Avoid placing a wooden table directly against a radiator, as steady heat can dry the finish over time. Keep the corner out of strong, direct midday sun if possible, since bright light can gradually change the tone of teak and walnut.

Bringing It Together

A mid century reading corner works because two pieces serve each other: a comfortable chair and a table placed exactly where your hand expects it. Match the heights, echo one material, choose a shape that answers the chair, and add light you can read by. Browse our collections at Furniture in Fashion to find pieces that suit your room, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What height should a side table be next to a reading chair?

Aim for a table top within about 5cm of the chair arm height, ideally level or slightly lower. For most mid century chairs that means a table between roughly 50 and 60cm high.

Can I mix teak and oak in the same reading corner?

Yes. Let one wood lead and use the other as an accent. A textured rug or cushion between the two helps the change in tone feel deliberate.

Which side of the chair should the table go on?

Place it on the side of your dominant hand. If the corner layout makes that difficult, a C shaped table that sits over your lap is a useful alternative.

Do I need a table lamp if I have a floor lamp?

Not necessarily. An arched or angled floor lamp can light a reading chair well on its own, which frees the side table for books and drinks.