What Height Should a Side Table Be Next to a Sofa?

A side table next to a sofa should sit level with the top of the sofa arm, or up to about 5cm below it. For most sofas sold in the UK, that means a table somewhere between 50cm and 65cm high. At this height you can reach a cup or a book naturally without lifting your arm or bending down, and the table looks visually connected to the sofa rather than floating above or below it. In this guide we explain how to measure your sofa correctly, how the rule changes for low lounge sofas, armless designs, chaise ends and recliners, and when it makes sense to break it. We also look at width, depth and the gap between table and sofa, how lamps affect your choice, and how to handle rooms where the sofa and armchairs have different arm heights. A short FAQ at the end answers the most common sizing questions....