Home workers should look for a side table that is stable enough to hold a laptop without wobbling, sits at a height that suits the chair or sofa they work from, has a top large enough for a laptop and a drink together, and stands close to a power socket. Storage for chargers and a surface that copes with daily mugs are useful extras. A table that meets these points can support short spells of work without turning the living room into an office.
Many people across the UK now work from home for at least part of the week, and not everyone has a spare room. A well chosen piece from our modern side tables UK collection can give you a practical perch for emails, calls and reading, then go back to being a living room table in the evening.
Before looking at designs, think about the kind of work you do from the sofa or armchair. Answering emails for half an hour and reading reports is very different from full days of typing. A side table works well for lighter, shorter tasks. For long stretches, a proper desk and chair are kinder to your back and shoulders.
That distinction shapes the choice. If the side table is a secondary workspace, it can prioritise looking good in the living room. If it will be used daily, practicality should come first.
A laptop is heavier and more valuable than a cup of tea. The table needs to stay still when you type, lean on it or knock it with an elbow. Look for:
Give a table a gentle push at the corner when you can. If it rocks noticeably, it will feel unsettling with a laptop on it.
For general use, a side table should sit level with the sofa arm or slightly below. For work, the question is different: where will the laptop sit relative to your hands?
C shaped tables, which slide under the sofa or chair and extend over your lap, are often the most comfortable option for typing because they bring the laptop closer. A table with adjustable height is even more flexible, letting you lower it for typing and raise it for reading or video calls. A standard side table beside the chair works better for a tablet, a notebook or a phone than for sustained typing.
A typical laptop needs a surface of at least 35cm by 25cm, and you will want space for a mug or a notepad too. Very small round tables, however attractive, can feel cramped. A rectangular or square top of around 45 to 50cm across gives more room to work.
Think about the surface itself. Wood offers a warm, quiet feel under the hands and hides minor marks. Glass and high gloss look sleek but show fingerprints, which become more noticeable with daily use. Metal tops are durable and easy to clean. Whatever you choose, use a coaster for hot drinks.
The best placed table in the world is frustrating if the charger will not reach. Position it near a socket, or plan for a neat extension lead that runs behind the sofa rather than across the floor. Some tables include a small cable gap or a shelf where an adapter can sit out of sight.
Keeping cables tidy matters more in a shared living space. A cable left across the room after work is both untidy and a trip hazard, especially in homes with children or pets.
One of the main challenges of working in a living room is the clutter left behind. A side table with a drawer can hold chargers, a mouse, earphones and a notebook, so they disappear at the end of the day. An open shelf can take a laptop itself, though it will remain on view.
If you need more space for paperwork and equipment, our living room furniture UK range includes sideboards and cabinets that can absorb work items, and our home office storage UK sale pieces are designed for exactly this kind of overflow.
The chair or sofa you work from decides more than you might expect. A deep, soft sofa encourages you to lean back, which pushes the laptop further from your hands. A firmer armchair with a higher seat keeps you more upright and works better with a table beside it. If you have a choice, the chair with the firmest support is usually the more comfortable place to work.
Sit in your usual working position and measure from the floor to the top of your thighs and to your elbows. A table surface a little above your thighs lets you type with relaxed shoulders. If the only table you have is much higher or lower, a laptop stand or a cushion behind your back can help bridge the gap for shorter sessions.
A side table used for work is still a living room table. At the end of the day it may need to hold a lamp, a drink, a remote control or someone else's book. Choosing a design that looks just as good with a laptop as without one helps the room switch roles without fuss.
It also helps to agree a simple routine. When work finishes, the laptop goes into a drawer or bag, chargers are unplugged and the surface is cleared. Small habits like this protect the evening from the working day and keep the table useful for everyone who shares the room.
A lightweight table, or one on discreet castors, can be moved to wherever the light or quiet is best on a given day. Being able to pull the table close for work and push it back for the evening helps separate the two parts of the day.
Castors should lock so the table does not roll away while you are working. On carpet, a slightly heavier table without castors is often steadier.
If you find yourself working at the side table for several hours a day, it may be time for a dedicated workspace. A compact desk in a bedroom corner, a hallway alcove or beneath the stairs can make a real difference to comfort. Our modern computer desks UK include slim designs that fit small spaces.
Many home workers settle on both: a desk for focused work and a side table for lighter tasks from a more relaxed seat. Our guide to working from the sofa as a UK homeworker explores how living room desks and tables can share the load.
If you take video calls from the sofa, the side table and what sits on it may end up in shot. A tidy surface, a lamp that lights your face softly and a plain background help you look composed. Wood and natural textures often read warmly on screen. For more on this, our piece on how wooden desks look on video calls in UK home offices covers the principles, many of which apply to side tables too.
A side table for home working should feel at home in the living room while quietly supporting the hours you spend on a laptop. Focus on stability, size and power first, then choose a finish that suits your room. You can browse tables, desks and storage across our collections at Furniture in Fashion.
For short tasks, yes. For full working days, a proper desk and chair are more comfortable and better for posture.
C shaped tables are popular because they slide over the seat and bring the laptop closer to your hands.
Wood and metal tend to cope well with daily use. Glass and gloss look smart but show fingerprints more readily.
Choose a side table with a drawer, and keep a basket or cabinet nearby so equipment can be put away each evening.
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