Oak Side Tables or Side Tables with Drawers? How to Decide

Choose an oak side table if your priority is natural warmth, durability and a piece that will age gracefully over many years. Choose a side table with drawers if you need somewhere to hide everyday clutter such as remotes, chargers and reading glasses. The two are not mutually exclusive: an oak table with a drawer gives you both, and is often the most practical option for a busy living room or bedroom.

The question really comes down to whether you are choosing a material or a function. Oak describes what the table is made from; drawers describe what it does. Looking through our wooden side tables UK sale you will find open oak designs, painted tables with drawers and a good number that combine the two, so understanding your priorities will narrow the choice quickly.

The Case for Oak

Oak has been a favourite of British furniture makers for centuries, and it remains a much loved timber for good reason. It is dense and hard wearing, with a distinctive open grain that brings texture to a room. Over time, oak develops a gentle patina that many people find adds character rather than detracting from it.

Oak furniture comes in several forms. Solid oak is cut directly from the timber. Oak veneer is a thin layer of real oak over a stable core, which can be lighter and less prone to movement. Oak effect finishes reproduce the look of oak in a printed or foil surface. Each has its place, and the right one depends on your budget, how the table will be used and the look you prefer.

Oak sits comfortably in many interior styles. Pale, lightly finished oak suits Scandinavian and Japandi rooms. Mid toned oak works in country and traditional homes. Smoked or darker oak brings a more contemporary, tailored look.

Where oak works best

• Rooms where you want natural texture to balance smooth or upholstered surfaces.
• Homes with existing oak flooring, doors or furniture, where a matching tone creates continuity.
• Spaces where the table will take everyday wear: oak copes well with regular use.
• Anyone who values furniture that improves with age.

The Case for Drawers

A side table with drawers is primarily a storage decision. In most British homes, the area around the sofa or bed collects small items: remote controls, phone chargers, notebooks, lip balm, coasters and the occasional set of keys. Without somewhere to put them, the tabletop soon disappears.

A single drawer is often enough to transform how tidy a room feels. Two or more drawers turn the table into something closer to a small cabinet, which is useful in bedrooms and studio flats where storage is scarce.

Tables with drawers come in every material, from painted wood to high gloss, glass fronted and mirrored finishes. That variety means you can choose storage without being tied to a particular look.

Where drawers work best

• Living rooms where small items tend to collect on surfaces.
• Bedrooms where the side table doubles as a bedside.
• Homes with children, where you may want to keep certain things out of sight.
• Smaller rooms where every piece needs to contribute some storage.

Questions to Help You Decide

What will sit on the table?

If the table mostly holds a lamp and a cup of tea, an open oak design will do the job beautifully. If it also needs to house half a dozen small items, drawers will keep things tidy.

How visible is the table?

A table in the middle of a room, seen from all sides, benefits from an attractive material like oak that looks good from every angle. A table tucked against a wall or beside a bed can prioritise function.

What else is in the room?

If your coffee table, TV unit or sideboard already provides plenty of storage, the side table can focus on looks. If there is little storage elsewhere, drawers add useful capacity. Our modern living room furniture UK range is a helpful reference for seeing how storage is distributed across a room.

How do you feel about visual weight?

Open oak tables with slender legs feel light. Tables with drawers are naturally more solid and boxy. In a small room, that extra mass can matter.

Getting the Best of Both

An oak side table with a drawer is often the most satisfying answer. It brings the warmth and longevity of oak with the everyday practicality of hidden storage. A few things to look for:

• Drawer runners. Smooth metal runners or well finished wooden runners make the drawer pleasant to use every day.
• Handles. Recessed or cut out handles keep the look clean. Knobs and bar handles add character.
• Proportion. A shallow drawer under the top keeps the table looking light, while deeper drawers add storage but more bulk.
• Finish. Oiled, waxed and lacquered oak each have different care needs, so choose one that suits how much maintenance you want.

Coordinating Your Choice

If you choose oak, think about repeating the tone elsewhere in the room. An oak coffee table from our modern wooden coffee tables UK sale creates a cohesive look, though you do not need an exact match. Mixing oak with walnut, painted wood or metal can be just as effective, provided the tones complement one another.

If you choose a table with drawers in a different material, such as white gloss or grey painted wood, let it pick up a colour from the sofa or curtains. A table with drawers beside the bed can also match a chest of drawers or wardrobe for a coordinated bedroom.

When a side table will also serve as a bedside, our practical bedside table checklist for UK bedrooms covers height, drawer depth and surface area in more detail.

Looking After Oak and Drawers

Caring for oak

• Dust with a soft, dry cloth and wipe up spills promptly.
• Keep oak away from radiators and direct strong sun to reduce the chance of cracking or fading.
• Oiled oak benefits from occasional reoiling, following the manufacturer's guidance.
• Use coasters for hot and cold drinks to avoid rings.

Keeping drawers working well

• Avoid overfilling, which strains runners and can make drawers stick.
• Use small dividers or trays to keep contents organised.
• If a wooden drawer becomes stiff, a little wax rubbed on the runners often helps.

How Each Option Suits Different Rooms

The main living room

In a living room that sees daily use, the side table is often within reach of several people. An open oak table looks attractive from every angle and copes with the knocks of family life. If the room has a TV unit or sideboard with plenty of storage, the side table can stay open. If not, a drawer gives the remotes and chargers a permanent home.

The bedroom

In bedrooms, drawers tend to win. Night time essentials such as a book, glasses, hand cream and a phone charger are far easier to manage when they can be put away. An oak table with a drawer offers a warm, natural look that suits most bedroom schemes and pairs well with an oak bed frame or wardrobe.

Hallways and landings

A small side table in a hallway or on a landing often becomes a drop zone for keys and post. A drawer keeps this tidy and away from view. If the table is mainly decorative, holding a lamp or a vase, an open oak design brings warmth to an otherwise practical space.

Home offices and spare rooms

In a room that doubles as a study, a side table with drawers can hold stationery and cables, freeing up space on the desk. In a guest room, an open oak table gives visitors a welcoming surface without the feeling that they are using someone else's storage.

Thinking About Longevity

If you see your side table as a piece you will keep for many years, perhaps moving it from room to room as your home changes, versatility matters. A well made oak table with a single drawer adapts easily: it can serve as a lamp table in the lounge today, a bedside in a few years and a hallway table after that. Simple shapes and classic proportions tend to outlast more fashionable designs, so if longevity is your aim, look for clean lines, solid joints and a finish that can be refreshed rather than replaced.

A Quick Comparison

Oak side table: warm, natural and long lasting. Best for rooms where looks and texture matter most and storage is available elsewhere.

Side table with drawers: practical and tidy. Best for rooms where small items collect and storage is limited.

Oak side table with a drawer: a balanced choice for most homes, combining material quality with everyday function.

Explore our full range of wooden and storage side tables at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes. Returns are available up to 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is solid oak better than oak veneer for a side table?

Both have merits. Solid oak can be refinished over the years, while veneer over a stable core is less prone to movement. The choice depends on budget and how you plan to use the table.

Can a side table with drawers be used as a bedside table?

Yes. Check that the height suits your mattress and that the drawer is deep enough for the items you want to keep close at night.

Does oak furniture change colour over time?

Oak can mellow and develop a patina with age and exposure to light. Many people see this as part of its appeal.

How many drawers does a side table need?

For most living rooms one drawer is enough. In bedrooms or studio flats, two drawers provide more useful storage without needing a full cabinet.