Side Table Buying Guide UK: What to Look For

Where a side table fits in the home

A side table is a small piece with a surprisingly wide role. It holds a lamp beside a chair, a cup beside the sofa, a book beside the bed and a plant beside a window. Because it turns up all over the home, choosing one well means thinking first about the job it needs to do in a particular spot. A table that suits a reading corner may be quite wrong beside a low modern sofa.

This guide gathers the practical points worth checking before you buy, so the table you choose looks right, sits at the correct height and lasts through everyday use. With a clear idea of what matters, the choice becomes far simpler and the result far more satisfying.

Start with height

Height is the detail that most affects how usable a side table is, and it is the one most often overlooked. Beside a sofa or chair, the table should sit roughly level with the arm so a drink is easy to reach and the surface feels natural to use. Beside a bed, aim for a height close to the top of the mattress for the same reason.

Measure the arm of your seating or the height of your bed before shopping, then keep that figure in mind. Our range of side tables UK covers a broad span of heights, so with a target measurement you can quickly narrow the field to pieces that will genuinely work in your chosen spot.

Think about the surface size

A side table needs enough surface to be useful without dominating the space around it. A top that is too small leaves nowhere to set a cup once a lamp is in place, while one that is too large can crowd a chair or block a walkway. In most homes a top of around forty to fifty centimetres across strikes a comfortable balance.

Consider what the table will hold day to day. A bedside table benefits from room for a lamp, a glass of water and a book, while a table beside an armchair may only need space for a drink. Matching the surface to the task avoids both frustration and wasted space.

Choose a material to suit the room

Material shapes both the look and the practicality of a side table. Wood brings warmth and durability, ages gracefully and suits relaxed, layered interiors. If that appeals, our modern wooden side tables UK show how timber can settle a scheme and cope with years of everyday use.

Glass, by contrast, keeps a room feeling open and light, since the transparent top adds little visual weight. This makes it a strong choice for smaller rooms or busy schemes where a solid table would feel heavy. Our glass side tables UK demonstrate how a slim glass surface can be practical while almost disappearing into the room.

Consider storage and shape

Some side tables offer a drawer or lower shelf, which is invaluable if you want to keep remotes, chargers or a book out of sight. A drawer keeps the surface clear, while an open shelf suits displayed items or a basket. Decide whether hidden or open storage suits the way you live before choosing.

Shape affects both looks and safety. Round tables soften a room and avoid sharp corners, which is helpful in a busy household or a child friendly space. Square and rectangular tables feel more structured and can sit flush against a sofa or wall. Neither is better, and the right choice depends on the room and how people move through it.

Check the finish and build

Everyday life is hard on a side table, which is knocked, leaned on and used to rest drinks far more than a coffee table. Look for a stable base that does not wobble when you set something down, and a finish that wipes clean easily. A reflective gloss surface suits modern rooms and brightens a corner, and our high gloss side tables UK sale show how a smooth finish can bring a crisp, contemporary edge while staying easy to care for.

Where a table has a drawer, check that it runs smoothly, and where it has legs, make sure they feel solid. These small quality checks are what separate a table that lasts from one that loosens and disappoints within a year.

Bringing your choice together

Buying a side table comes down to a handful of clear decisions. Get the height right for the spot, choose a surface size that suits the task, pick a material and shape that fit the room, and check the build quality before you commit. With those points settled, the table you choose will look right and serve you well for years.

Whether you need a warm wooden piece for a reading corner, a light glass table for a small room or a crisp gloss design for a modern scheme, there is an option to suit. We stock a wide range across styles and budgets at Furniture in Fashion with free UK delivery, so finding the right side table for your home is straightforward.

Understanding storage options

Not every side table is a simple surface, and the amount of storage a table offers can be a deciding factor. Some designs add a single drawer, which is ideal beside a sofa or bed for tucking away remotes, glasses and small clutter. Others include a lower shelf that holds books or a basket, giving you extra space without the table feeling bulky.

Think honestly about what you need to store before choosing. A table with a drawer keeps small items hidden and the surface clear, which suits a tidy, minimal look, while an open shelf is handy if you like keeping books or magazines within reach. Matching the storage to your habits means the table earns its place rather than simply filling a gap beside the seating.

Assembly and everyday practicality

It is easy to focus on looks and forget the practical side of living with a table day to day. Consider how a piece arrives and whether it needs assembly, since a table with only a few legs to attach is far quicker to set up than one with many parts. A clear sense of what is involved before you buy saves frustration when the delivery arrives.

Weight and stability also shape how a table feels in use. A heavier table stays firmly in place but is harder to move for cleaning, while a lighter one is easy to shift but should still feel steady when you lean on it. Weighing up assembly, weight and stability alongside the styling ensures the table you choose is a pleasure to live with, not just to look at.

Choosing a material to suit the room

Material shapes both the look and the practicality of a side table, so it deserves early thought. Solid wood brings warmth and hides everyday marks well, making it a forgiving choice for a family living room. Glass keeps things light and works beautifully in a small space, though it shows fingerprints and needs regular wiping. Metal frames feel crisp and modern and are usually very sturdy, while a marble effect top adds a note of quality without the weight of real stone.

Think about the wear the table will face as well as the style you want. A busy home with children may be better served by a durable wood or laminate top than by glass, while a quieter room can carry a more delicate material with ease. Matching the material to how hard the table will work, as well as to your scheme, is the surest way to be happy with it for years.

Getting the size and height right

Size is where many side tables go wrong, and a little measuring avoids disappointment. As a rule, the top should sit close to the height of the sofa or chair arm beside it, so drinks and books are easy to reach. Too tall and the table looms over the seating, too short and it feels like an afterthought. Checking the arm height before you buy takes moments and makes all the difference to how natural the table feels.

The footprint matters too, especially in a compact room where a large table can block a walkway. A slim or round design tucks in neatly beside seating without disrupting the flow of the space, while a larger room can carry a more generous table comfortably. Balancing height and footprint against the furniture and space around it ensures the table earns its place rather than getting in the way.

Frequently asked questions

What height should a side table be? Beside seating, aim for a table level with the arm of the sofa or chair. Beside a bed, aim for a height close to the top of the mattress.

What size surface do I need? A top of around forty to fifty centimetres across suits most homes, giving room for a lamp plus a cup or book without crowding the space.

Which material is most practical? Wood is warm and durable, glass keeps a room feeling open, and gloss brightens a modern scheme. Choose based on the look and the room rather than one being universally best.

Do I need a side table with storage? A drawer or shelf is useful for keeping remotes and books tidy, but it is not essential. Decide based on how clear you want the surface to stay.