Choose a round side table if your room is busy, compact or used by children, because curved edges are easier to move around and safer to brush past. Choose a mirrored side table if the room is short on light or you want a dressier, more reflective finish, as mirrored surfaces bounce daylight and lamplight around the space. If you want both qualities, a round table with a mirrored or glass top is a sensible middle ground.
That is the short answer. The longer one depends on how your room works, and in our collection of modern side tables UK you will find both shapes and finishes in a range of sizes. Below we explain the trade offs so you can decide with confidence.
Side tables are small, but they are used constantly. They hold the cup of tea, the reading glasses, the phone and the lamp. They sit at the end of the sofa, beside a bed or next to an armchair, which means they are within reach and in the way at the same time. A shape or surface that suits your routine makes a room easier to live in. One that does not can become a constant small irritation.
The decision also affects how the rest of the room looks. A round table and a mirrored table change the balance of a space in very different ways, which is why it helps to think about the whole room, from the sofa to the wider modern living room furniture UK pieces around it, rather than the table on its own.
A round table has no corners to catch on. In a compact living room where the route to the window or the kitchen passes close to the sofa, that makes a noticeable difference. People can step around a round table without twisting, and it is less likely to be knocked as someone sits down.
Most living rooms are full of straight lines: the sofa, the TV unit, the window frames, the rug. A circular table breaks that up. It brings a gentle contrast that makes a room feel more relaxed, which is why round tables often appear in Scandinavian, Japandi and mid century schemes.
With no sharp corners at head height for toddlers, round tables are a practical choice in family homes. A sturdy pedestal or tripod base adds stability, and a solid wood or metal top is forgiving of everyday knocks.
Round tables do not tuck neatly into corners or sit flush against a wall, so they can leave awkward gaps. Their usable surface is also slightly smaller than a square table of the same width, which matters if you want room for a lamp and a drink together.
Mirrored surfaces reflect whatever is around them: the floor, the walls, the lamp on top. In a north facing room or a small flat with one window, this helps the space feel brighter and less enclosed. Because you see reflections rather than a solid block, a mirrored table also reads as visually lighter than its size suggests.
Mirrored furniture brings a sense of occasion. It suits rooms with velvet, metallic accents and layered lighting, and it works well in bedrooms where it can pair with mirrored bedside cabinets or a dressing table. If you like a coordinated look, our mirrored living room furniture UK range includes coffee tables, consoles and sideboards that share the same finish.
Many mirrored tables are square or rectangular with crisp edges, which sits comfortably beside a structured sofa or a modern TV unit.
Mirrored glass shows fingerprints, dust and water marks more readily than wood or matt finishes, so expect to wipe it down regularly. Corners on square designs can be sharp. And because mirrored furniture draws the eye, too much of it in one room can feel busy rather than glamorous.
If the room is bright and sunny, you do not need a table to add light, so the decision becomes purely about style and practicality. If the room is dim, a mirrored or glass surface can make a genuine difference to how it feels in the evening.
If the table sits on a main route through the room, a round shape is easier to live with. If it sits in a quiet corner or beside a bed, corners matter less.
In homes with young children or large dogs, round tables with sturdy bases are generally more forgiving. Mirrored glass is usually toughened, but it still benefits from a calmer setting.
Look at the materials already in the space. Warm woods, linen and textured fabrics sit naturally with round wooden tables. Glossy finishes, chrome, velvet and crystal lighting suit mirrored pieces.
A wooden round table needs an occasional polish and coasters for hot cups. A mirrored table needs more frequent cleaning to look its best. Neither is difficult, but it helps to be honest about your routine.
These questions follow the order we would ask them, but they are not a strict sequence. Often one answer, such as a dark room or a crawling baby, will settle the matter on its own.
In a family living room, a round side table at the end of the sofa is often the more practical option. In a smaller, more formal sitting room, a mirrored table can add sparkle beside an armchair, particularly with a table lamp on top that reflects into the surface.
Bedrooms are calmer spaces with less traffic, which makes them well suited to mirrored tables. A pair either side of the bed creates a balanced, hotel style look. Round tables work too, especially in smaller rooms where a bedside table needs to sit close to a door or wardrobe.
In narrow spaces, a small round table is less likely to catch passing hips. A mirrored table can help a dark hallway feel brighter, but choose a slim design and keep it out of the main route.
A round table beside a reading chair is easy to reach from any angle, which matters when you are reaching for a drink without looking.
If neither option feels quite right, there are finishes that sit between the two. Clear glass gives some of the lightness of mirrored furniture without as much reflection, and our glass side tables UK sale include both round and square designs. High gloss finishes offer a soft sheen that catches light while being a little more forgiving of fingerprints than mirror. Smoked glass gives a moodier look that suits darker schemes.
If you are unsure how side tables differ from end tables and lamp tables, our guide to side table, end table and lamp table terms in the UK explains how each is typically used.
Yes, and in larger rooms it often looks more considered than matching everything. A round wooden table beside the sofa and a mirrored table beside an accent chair can both work, as long as there is a thread connecting them. That might be a shared metal tone in the legs, a similar height, or accessories that repeat across both surfaces.
The key is to avoid two tables that compete for attention side by side. If you place them in the same sightline, let one be the quieter piece.
Whichever you choose, the same sizing rules apply. A side table works best when its top is level with, or slightly below, the arm of the sofa or chair beside it. For most sofas, that means a height of around 50cm to 60cm. Leave a small gap of 5cm to 10cm between the table and the sofa so it does not rub the fabric.
For round tables, a diameter of 40cm to 50cm suits most living rooms. For mirrored square tables, a top of 40cm to 55cm across gives enough room for a lamp and a cup without overwhelming the sofa.
There is no universally right answer here. Round side tables are the more forgiving everyday choice, particularly in compact or busy rooms. Mirrored side tables are the better choice when light and a sense of polish matter most. Many homes end up with one of each in different rooms, which is a sign that both have earned their place.
You can explore both styles at Furniture in Fashion, where we offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
They need more frequent wiping than wood, as fingerprints and dust show on reflective surfaces. A soft microfibre cloth and a little glass cleaner keep them looking clear.
Often, yes. A round table has no corners to bump into and is easier to walk around, which helps in tight layouts. A compact diameter of 40cm to 45cm works well.
They can help a room feel brighter and more open, because the surface reflects light and surroundings rather than appearing as a solid block of colour.
Yes. Round tables with mirrored or glass tops combine the easy movement of a curved shape with the light reflecting quality of a mirrored finish.
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