8 Mid-Century Modern Side Table Ideas for Home Offices

The most effective mid century modern side table ideas for a home office are the ones that solve a working problem while adding warmth: a tapered leg table as a printer stand, a round table beside a reading chair for calls, a two tier table for files, or a pair of low tables to frame a desk. Each idea below uses the clean lines, rich woods and simple shapes of the era to make a working room feel less like an office and more like part of your home.

Mid century design suits home offices well because it was built around function. Pieces were made to be useful first, with style coming from honest materials and careful proportions. Our modern wooden side tables UK include designs with the splayed legs, warm finishes and rounded edges that define the look. Because they sit within our modern living room furniture UK collection, many of them can move between your office and lounge as your needs change.

1. A Tapered Leg Table as a Printer Stand

Printers are rarely attractive, and placing one on your desk eats into valuable workspace. A side table with tapered legs and a lower shelf gives the printer its own home, with paper stored neatly beneath. Choose a table with a top at least 45cm square so the printer sits securely without overhanging the edges.

Position it within arm’s reach of your chair but out of your direct eye line, ideally to the side of the desk rather than behind it. The slim legs keep the floor visible, so the room still feels open even with an extra piece of furniture.

2. A Round Table Beside a Reading Chair

If your home office has space for a comfortable chair, add a small round side table beside it. This creates a second zone for reading reports, taking phone calls or simply stepping away from the screen. Moving from desk to chair changes your posture and your perspective, which helps during long working days.

A round top in a walnut or teak tone softens the angular lines of a desk and monitor. Add a small lamp and a coaster, and the corner becomes a natural place to pause between tasks.

3. A Two Tier Table for Files and Notebooks

Paperwork has a habit of spreading. A two tier side table offers a tidy alternative to a filing cabinet, with the top surface holding current projects and the lower shelf storing notebooks, folders or reference books. The open shelf keeps everything visible, which helps you remember what needs attention.

Look for a lower shelf with a slight lip or gallery edge, a common mid century detail that stops papers sliding off. Keep the shelf to a few neat stacks rather than a pile, and the table will look intentional rather than overloaded.

4. A Pair of Low Tables Framing the Desk

Symmetry was a quiet feature of many mid century interiors. Placing a matching low table on either side of a desk gives the room balance and creates handy surfaces for a lamp on one side and a plant or speaker on the other. This works particularly well when the desk sits against a window or a feature wall.

Keep the tables slightly lower than the desk surface so they read as supporting pieces. Matching the wood tone to the desk is not essential, but staying within the same warm family of walnut, teak or oak keeps the look cohesive.

5. A Drinks or Coffee Station

A small side table set up as a coffee station saves trips to the kitchen and keeps hot drinks away from your keyboard. A tray on top holds a flask, mugs and coasters, while a lower shelf can store a small supply of tea.

Place it a step away from the desk so you have to stand briefly to use it. That small movement breaks up long periods of sitting, and keeping liquids away from the desk protects your laptop from accidental spills.

6. A Table With a Drawer for Cable Clutter

Chargers, adapters and spare cables accumulate quickly in a home office. A mid century side table with a single drawer hides them neatly while keeping them within reach. Look for drawers with simple recessed handles or small turned knobs, both typical of the era.

Some designs have a small cutout at the back for cables to pass through, which lets you charge a phone or tablet inside the drawer. If yours does not, a small charging hub on top keeps devices organised and the desk clear.

7. A Plant Stand to Soften the Screen

Home offices are often dominated by screens, cables and hard surfaces. A slim side table used as a plant stand brings in greenery close to eye level, which softens the room and gives your eyes somewhere restful to settle between tasks. A tall plant such as a fiddle leaf fig or a rubber plant suits the upright lines of mid century furniture.

Place the plant table near natural light, ideally beside a window. A ceramic pot in a muted glaze, such as mustard, olive or burnt orange, nods to the colour palette of the era without overwhelming the room.

8. A Side Table That Doubles as a Second Desk

In smaller homes, the office is often a corner of a bedroom or living room. A slightly taller side table, around 65 to 70cm, can act as an occasional second workspace for handwriting notes, sketching or using a tablet. When the working day ends, it reverts to a simple side table with a lamp.

This flexibility is especially useful if you share the home with someone who also works remotely. A second surface gives each person a space without the commitment of buying another full desk.

Choosing Materials and Finishes

Original mid century pieces relied heavily on teak, walnut, rosewood and oak, often combined with brass details, black metal legs or laminate tops. Today, you can find the same look in solid wood, veneered boards and mixed materials. Veneers are a practical choice for home offices because they are stable in heated rooms and less prone to warping than some solid timbers.

Match the finish to your desk where you can. If your desk is white or grey, a warm wooden side table adds contrast. If your desk is already wooden, choose a side table in a similar or slightly darker tone so the pieces feel related. When planning the main pieces, our modern office furniture UK range shows desks and storage that complement mid century side tables.

Getting the Proportions Right

Mid century furniture tends to sit low and look light. Keep side tables in proportion to the desk and chair, avoiding anything that towers over the workspace. Leave at least 60cm of clear space around your desk chair so you can push back and stand up comfortably.

If your desk is a compact writing desk, smaller side tables suit it best. Pair a substantial executive desk with sturdier tables, perhaps with thicker tops or pedestal bases, so nothing looks undersized.

Your desk chair matters too, as it is the piece you will notice most. Our home office chairs UK sale include designs with walnut tones and leather finishes that sit well beside mid century tables.

Looking Good on Camera

Many people now spend part of their day on video calls, which means the room behind them is on display. A mid century side table with a lamp and a plant makes an attractive, uncluttered backdrop. Our article on how wooden desks look on video calls in UK home offices explores how warm timber tones read on screen.

If you enjoy the era’s style elsewhere in your home, our guide to mid century modern TV units for UK living rooms shows how to carry the look through to your lounge.

Bringing It All Together

A well chosen side table can do more for a home office than its size suggests. It frees up the desk, organises clutter and brings a sense of calm to a room that can easily feel overloaded. The mid century approach, with its focus on useful forms and natural materials, makes that balance easier to achieve.

At Furniture in Fashion, we bring together tables, desks and seating that help working spaces feel comfortable and considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

What defines a mid century modern side table?

Look for tapered or splayed legs, warm wood tones such as walnut or teak, rounded edges and simple, functional shapes with minimal ornamentation.

Can I mix mid century side tables with a modern desk?

Yes. A warm wooden side table beside a white or glass desk adds contrast and character. Keep the colour palette restrained so the mix feels deliberate.

What height side table works best next to a desk?

A table slightly lower than the desk, usually between 50 and 65cm, reads as a supporting piece and keeps items within easy reach.

Are wooden side tables suitable for a heated home office?

Veneered and well sealed solid wood tables cope well in heated rooms. Keep them away from radiators and use coasters to protect the finish.