For most conservatories, a side table with a top between 40 and 50cm across and a height of around 50 to 60cm works well. It should sit close to the height of the chair or sofa arm it serves and leave a clear walkway of at least 60 to 70cm through the room. In very compact lean to conservatories, a 35 to 40cm top is often enough; in larger P shaped or Edwardian spaces, you may want a pair of tables or one up to 60cm across.
Conservatories are one of the trickiest rooms to furnish because their shape, light and temperature differ from the rest of the house. Our modern side tables UK sale collection includes compact and generous sizes in a range of materials, and our wider modern living room furniture UK range has seating and storage that suits garden rooms. The steps below will help you find the right fit.
A conservatory used for morning coffee needs only a small surface beside one chair. A conservatory used as a second sitting room, with a sofa and two armchairs, may need a table at each seat or one central table shared between them.
Think about the largest thing the table needs to hold. A cup and a book need a top of around 35 to 40cm. A lamp, a tray of tea and a plant need closer to 50cm.
Take three key measurements before you shop:
Sketch the layout on paper and mark where you would like the table. Then use masking tape on the floor to outline its size and check how it feels to walk around.
A side table should sit within about 5cm of the arm height of the seat beside it. Conservatory furniture varies widely:
If you have mixed seating, choose a height that suits the chair you use most. For relaxed, low seating such as lounge chairs, a lower table keeps drinks at a comfortable reach. Our lounge chairs UK collection shows the range of seat and arm heights available.
These are usually long and narrow. Place seating along the house wall and keep tables small, with tops of 35 to 40cm. Round or oval tables help keep the walkway clear.
The rounded bay end is a natural seating spot. A pair of chairs facing into the room with a round table of 40 to 50cm between them makes good use of the curve.
The square or rectangular shape gives more usable floor space. You can use larger tables of 50 to 60cm, or place a table beside each seat.
These often have two zones: a lounge area and a dining or work area. Use side tables to define the lounge zone and keep them in proportion with the seating there.
Conservatories often act as a route between the house and garden, so clear paths matter. Aim for:
If a table narrows the route to the garden, swap it for a smaller design or move it to the other side of the chair.
Much of a conservatory’s appeal is its connection with the garden. Bulky furniture can block views and make the room feel crowded. To keep it open:
Our glass side tables UK sale range suits conservatories particularly well for these reasons.
Conservatories can be hot in summer, cool in winter and occasionally humid. Some materials handle this better than others.
Even with modern glazing, conservatories receive more light than other rooms. Rotating accessories and occasionally turning the table helps any gradual change in tone stay even.
In a small conservatory with two chairs, a single table between them is often the neatest solution. Make sure both people can reach it comfortably without leaning. A top of 45 to 50cm usually works.
In larger conservatories, or where seating is spread out, give each seat its own smaller table. Nesting tables are a flexible middle ground, letting you separate them when guests arrive and bring them together afterwards.
Many conservatories now double as dining rooms or home offices. In these cases, the side table plays a supporting role rather than being the main surface. Beside a dining table, a small side table can hold a jug of water, a fruit bowl or serving plates, keeping the main table clear. Around 40cm across is usually enough.
In a conservatory office, a side table beside the desk chair is useful for a cup of tea, a phone or reference books. Keep it lower than the desk so it does not interfere with your arms as you work.
Conservatories change with the seasons more than any other room. In summer, you may want seating near the open garden doors, with a table close by for cold drinks. In winter, the seating often moves closer to the house wall, where it is warmer.
A lightweight side table makes these shifts easy. Choose something one person can lift comfortably, and avoid very heavy stone designs if you expect to rearrange the room regularly. Felt pads underneath help tables glide across tiled floors without scratching.
Conservatories are natural homes for plants, and a side table often ends up holding one. If that is your plan, choose a table with a top large enough for a pot and a saucer with room left over for a cup. Always use a saucer or tray beneath plants, as water marks are one of the most common causes of damage to table tops. Glass, metal and stone cope best with occasional splashes.
Conservatories can feel stark in the evening under a single ceiling light. A small lamp on a side table adds warmth, but it needs a large enough top and a nearby socket. If space is tight, a floor lamp behind the chair leaves the table free for drinks and books.
Once you have chosen a size and material, consider how the table relates to the rest of the room. Repeating the finish of the table in another piece, such as a plant stand or a mirror frame, makes the conservatory feel complete. If you are unsure of the names different retailers use, our guide to side table, end table and lamp table terms in the UK explains the main differences.
The right side table for a conservatory is one sized to your seating, your floor space and the way you use the room. Measure carefully, match the height to your chairs, keep walkways clear and choose materials that handle sun and temperature changes. Explore our full range of tables and seating at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Aim for a table within about 5cm of the chair arm height. For most conservatory chairs, that means a table of roughly 50 to 60cm.
A round or oval table with a top of 35 to 40cm usually fits well and keeps the walkway clear.
Yes. Glass handles temperature changes well, is easy to clean and lets light pass through, which helps keep the room feeling open.
Strong direct sun can gradually change the tone of some woods. A sealed finish, blinds and occasionally turning the table help keep any change even.
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