Nesting side tables are the better choice if you want flexibility: two or three surfaces that tuck away into the footprint of one and come out when guests arrive. Drum side tables are the better choice if you want a single, solid, sculptural piece that anchors a sofa end or armchair and often hides storage inside. If your room changes its role regularly, choose nesting tables. If you want one dependable table that stays put and makes a visual statement, choose a drum.
You can compare both styles across our range of nest of tables UK and the wider modern living room furniture UK sale collection. Below, we compare the two designs in detail so you can match the table to how your home really works.
A nest of tables is a set of two or three tables in graduated sizes that slide inside one another. When stacked, they occupy the space of the largest table. When separated, they give you multiple surfaces that can be spread around a sofa, beside chairs or in front of guests.
Nests have been a feature of British living rooms for generations, partly because they suit the way many homes are used: quiet most of the week, busier at weekends and holidays. Modern versions range from slim metal frames with glass tops to solid wood designs and high gloss finishes.
A drum table is a cylindrical side table, named for its resemblance to a drum. It usually has a solid or near solid body with a round top. Some are completely solid, some are hollow with a lift off lid for storage, and some have a door or drawer in the side.
Drum tables have a strong, grounded presence. They come in wood, metal, marble, concrete effect, rattan and upholstered finishes, and their rounded form softens a room full of straight lines.
This is where nesting tables clearly lead. A nest adapts to the moment. On an ordinary evening, the set sits as one table beside the sofa. When friends visit, the smaller tables slide out and move to wherever a drink needs a home. When children are doing homework or a puzzle in the lounge, a spare table becomes a temporary workspace.
A drum table, by contrast, stays where it is. It does one job very well, but it cannot multiply or adapt. If you rarely entertain and your lounge layout rarely changes, this is not a disadvantage at all.
Here the drum table often has the advantage. Many drum designs include a hidden compartment, either under a lift off lid or behind a small door. This is useful for remotes, chargers, blankets or games, keeping the room tidy without adding another piece of furniture.
Nesting tables generally have no storage of their own. Their benefit is surface area rather than concealment. If you need both, consider pairing a nest with other storage in the room, or look for a drum with a generous compartment.
A nest of tables usually has a rectangular or square footprint, and open frames keep it visually light. You can see the floor through and around it, which helps small rooms feel larger. When the tables are spread out, though, they occupy more floor space.
A drum is visually heavier because the body is solid to the floor. In a generous room, this gives the drum presence and helps balance a large sofa. In a very small lounge, a solid drum can feel bulky, though a slim diameter or a lighter finish, such as pale wood or rattan, reduces the effect.
Drum tables are generally very stable. With weight spread across a broad base and no legs to catch, they are hard to knock over, which suits homes with pets and young children. The rounded shape also has no corners.
Nesting tables are stable when stacked, but the smaller tables can be lighter and easier to tip, particularly if a child leans on one. Choosing a nest with a sturdy frame and stable feet helps, as does keeping the set stacked when the room is busy with small children.
Nesting tables suit mid century, Scandinavian and contemporary rooms particularly well. Slim wooden legs and simple tops feel classic, while glass and metal versions feel modern and light. Our wooden nest of tables UK sale show how timber gives the format a timeless feel.
Drum tables suit modern, organic and maximalist rooms. A wooden drum feels warm and natural. A metal or marble drum feels glamorous. Rattan and woven drums bring a relaxed, coastal mood. Upholstered drums blur the line between table and footstool.
Both can share a room. A drum on one side of the sofa and a nest on the other gives you a statement piece and a flexible one, and the contrast in shape keeps the arrangement interesting. If you want to explore other single table designs alongside drums, our modern side tables UK include round, square and C shaped options.
Whichever you choose, start by measuring your sofa arm height and the gap beside it. Aim for a top level with or slightly below the arm. Check the full footprint of a nest when spread out, not just when stacked. For drums, check the diameter carefully, as round tables can appear smaller in photographs than they feel in a room.
Think about the floor too. Nests with slim legs need protective pads on wooden floors. Drums with a solid base can trap dust underneath if they sit on a deep pile rug, so a flat weave rug or bare floor beneath them is easier to keep clean.
For more on the different kinds of small table and where each belongs, our guide to side table and lamp table terms used in UK homes is a clear introduction.
The material you choose changes the character of both designs considerably.
Wood gives a nest a classic, warm look. Oak and walnut nests feel at home in traditional and mid century rooms, while pale woods suit Scandinavian schemes. Glass and metal nests are visually light and work well in contemporary flats where you want the tables to almost disappear. High gloss nests bounce light around darker lounges and are easy to wipe clean. Marble topped nests add a touch of luxury, though the stone makes each table heavier to move.
Solid wood drums show off the grain around the whole curved body and feel grounded and natural. Metal drums in brass, bronze or black bring a polished, glamorous note. Marble and stone drums are weighty and sculptural. Rattan and woven drums feel relaxed and lighter in both weight and appearance. Painted or lacquered drums can introduce a colour accent, such as sage, terracotta or deep blue, which is a simple way to add personality to a neutral room.
When choosing a finish, think about the other surfaces nearby. A nest of wooden tables beside a wooden floor in a similar tone can blend in, while a contrasting finish stands out. A drum in a bold colour or a shiny metal finish draws the eye, so it suits a spot where you want a focal point.
Nesting tables benefit from felt pads on the inner rails or feet, so the tables do not scratch each other as they slide in and out. Dust the lower tables occasionally, as the stacked surfaces can collect dust unseen. Drum tables with lids should be opened now and then to air the storage space and check nothing has been forgotten inside.
Ask yourself how often your living room changes its role. If the answer is often, nesting tables will serve you well. If the room is mostly a calm, settled space, a drum table will give it a strong, simple focal point. Either way, choosing based on how you live, rather than on looks alone, leads to a table you will use and enjoy for years.
You can browse nests, drums and other side table styles at Furniture in Fashion.
Yes. Nesting tables have been reinterpreted in many modern materials and remain a practical, stylish choice for flexible living rooms.
Many do, either under a lift off lid or behind a small door. Some are completely solid, so check the design if storage matters to you.
Nesting tables usually suit small rooms better because they stack into one footprint and keep the floor visible. A slim drum in a light finish can also work.
Upholstered drums are designed for this. Hard topped drums are tables first, so check the maker’s guidance before using one as a seat or footrest.
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