What Size Side Table Do You Need for a Reading Corner?

For most reading corners, a side table with a top between 40 and 50cm across, set at the height of your chair arm or no more than about 5cm below it, is the right size. That gives enough room for a lamp, a drink and a book while keeping everything within easy reach. In tight alcoves, a top of around 35cm still works if you move the lamp to the floor.

Those figures are a reliable starting point, but the right size for your home depends on your chair, your floor space and what you like to keep beside you. Our modern side tables UK sale come in a wide range of heights and diameters, so it pays to measure first and shop second.

Start With the Chair, Not the Table

The chair dictates almost every measurement. A low lounge chair needs a lower table than an upright wing chair, and a chair with wide upholstered arms changes how far you need to reach.

Before looking at tables, take three measurements from the chair you read in:

1. Arm height. Measure from the floor to the top of the arm. This is the key figure.
2. Seat height. Measure from the floor to the top of the seat cushion when compressed slightly, as if someone were sitting in it.
3. Overall width and depth. Note how far the chair extends, so you know how much floor remains around it.

With those three numbers written down, choosing a table becomes much simpler. It also helps to see the chair in the context of the whole room, and our modern living room furniture UK range lets you compare finishes across different pieces so the corner stays consistent with your scheme.

Getting the Height Right

Height affects comfort more than any other dimension. A table that is too low forces you to lean and twist, and a table that is too high puts the lamp shade at the wrong level and makes cups awkward to lift.

Chairs with arms

Choose a table whose top sits level with the arm, or up to around 5cm lower. At this height your hand falls naturally onto the surface as you lower your arm. If the table is slightly higher than the arm, that can also work, but more than a few centimetres above becomes uncomfortable.

Armless chairs and slipper chairs

Without an arm to guide you, take the seat height and add roughly 15 to 20cm. This brings the top to about the level of your elbow when seated, which is where most people find it easiest to set things down.

Low lounge chairs

Some contemporary lounge chairs sit very low to the floor. Here a lower table, sometimes as little as 40cm tall, looks and feels more natural. A standard height table beside a low chair can tower over it and look out of proportion.

Choosing the Width or Diameter

The size of the top determines what you can keep beside you. Think honestly about your reading habits before deciding.

• Around 35cm: Holds a mug and a paperback. Best for very small spaces, ideally with a floor lamp.
• Around 40 to 45cm: Holds a compact table lamp, a drink and a book. Suits most reading corners comfortably.
• Around 50cm or more: Holds a lamp, a drink, a couple of books and glasses or a phone. Useful if you read for long stretches and like everything to hand.

Larger is not always better. A broad top invites clutter, and in a corner it can push the chair further from the wall than you would like.

Depth and Clearance

Depth matters for square and rectangular tables, especially in alcoves. Measure the space between the side of the chair and the wall or bookcase. Your table should fit within that gap with a little room to spare, ideally around 5cm, so it does not scrape the wall or rub against the chair upholstery.

Also consider the walkway. If the reading corner sits near a door or a route through the room, keep at least 60cm of clear space for people to pass. A round table is helpful here because it has no corners to catch a hip or a bag.

Matching Table Size to Reading Corner Type

The chimney breast alcove

Alcoves in period terraces are often around 80 to 100cm wide. With a compact armchair filling much of that, there may only be 25 to 35cm left beside it. In that case, a slim C shaped table that slides over the chair arm, or a narrow pedestal table, will fit where a standard square table would not.

The bay window

Bay windows usually offer more depth. A round table of 45 to 50cm placed between the chair and the window gives you a generous surface without blocking light. Keep it below the sill height so it does not interrupt the view.

The open corner of a living room

Where the reading chair sits in a broader corner, you have more freedom. A two tier table of 45 to 50cm gives a useful surface plus a lower shelf for books, and it can comfortably hold a decent sized lamp.

The bedroom corner

Bedroom reading corners are often squeezed between a wardrobe and a window. A table of 35 to 40cm keeps the area feeling uncluttered, and you can rely on the overhead light or a wall light rather than a table lamp if space is very tight.

Sizing Around Lighting

The lamp you plan to use directly affects the table size. A table lamp needs a base that sits comfortably on the top with room to spare, typically leaving at least half of the surface free for other things. If the lamp base is 15cm across, a top under 40cm will feel crowded quickly.

Many people find that a floor lamp is the better solution for reading. Positioned slightly behind the chair, it directs light onto the page and leaves the table free. Our modern floor lamps UK sale include arc and adjustable designs that reach over a chair without crowding the corner. If you choose this route, you can opt for a smaller table without losing practicality.

Lamp height matters too. When you are seated, the bottom of the lampshade should sit roughly at eye level or just below it. A table that is too tall will lift the shade higher and spill light into your eyes rather than onto the book.

Visual Proportion

Beyond comfort, the table should look right beside the chair. A few principles help:

• Keep the table visibly smaller than the chair. As a rule, it should not exceed about two thirds of the chair width.
• Match visual weight. A chunky upholstered chair can take a solid table. A slim, leggy chair looks better beside a lighter frame.
• Consider surrounding storage. If a bookcase sits next to the chair, a smaller table is enough because books have somewhere else to live.

For corners where books spill over, pairing the chair and table with one of our modern bookcases UK can keep the table surface clear and the space feeling ordered.

How to Test the Size Before You Order

A little preparation removes most of the guesswork.

1. Stack a few boxes or books beside your chair to the height you are considering, and sit with them for a few minutes. Reach for an imaginary cup. You will quickly know whether it feels right.
2. Cut a circle or square of cardboard to the top size and lay it on the stack. Place your lamp, mug and book on it to see whether they fit comfortably.
3. Mark the footprint on the floor with masking tape and walk past it a few times to check clearance.

This simple test often reveals that a table you thought was too small is actually right, or that the one you liked would have blocked a doorway.

Related Reading

If you are unsure which type of small table you actually need, our explainer on side, end and lamp tables in UK homes covers the differences. And for a similar approach to sizing small tables in the bedroom, our article on bedside table measurements for UK bedrooms uses the same principles of height, reach and clearance.

Summary

Measure your chair arm, choose a table at that height or slightly lower, and select a top of 40 to 50cm for most corners or around 35cm where space is tight. Leave room to pass, size the table around your lamp, and keep it visually smaller than the chair. Follow those steps and your reading corner will feel comfortable from the first evening.

When you have your measurements to hand, you can find a wide choice of sizes and finishes at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a standard side table height?

Most side tables sit between about 45 and 60cm tall. For reading, the right height is the one that matches your chair arm, so measure the chair before choosing.

Can a side table be taller than the chair arm?

Slightly taller can work, but more than a few centimetres above the arm becomes awkward to use and lifts a table lamp too high for comfortable reading.

Is a round or square table better in a small reading corner?

Round tables are easier to pass and suit tight walkways. Square tables fit neatly into alcoves against a wall. Choose based on the shape of the space beside your chair.

How much space should I leave between the chair and the table?

A gap of around a hand width is usually enough. It stops the upholstery rubbing and lets you move the table slightly for cleaning.