For most snugs, a side table with a top of roughly 35 to 50 centimetres across and a height level with, or just below, the arm of your sofa or chair will work well. That size holds a drink, a book and a remote without crowding a small room. The exact figures depend on your seating, so measure the arm height of the chair it will sit beside and leave a clear walkway of comfortable width around it.
Snugs are small by nature. That is their charm, but it also means a side table that would look modest in a large lounge can feel bulky in a compact room. Choosing from our range of modern side tables UK becomes much simpler when you start with a tape measure and a clear idea of how you use the space.
The single most important measurement is the height of the arm on the sofa or chair beside the table. Measure from the floor to the top of the arm. A side table that sits level with this, or two to five centimetres lower, allows you to reach a mug or book with a natural movement of the hand.
If your chair has no arms, as with some slipper chairs and modern lounge designs, measure the seat height instead. The table top should then sit somewhere between the seat and your elbow when you are seated, so that you are not reaching down to the floor or up to shoulder height.
Deep, low sofas, which are popular in snugs because they feel cocooning, often have lower arms than standard living room sofas. If yours is one of these, a lower table will look and feel more natural.
Next, think about how much floor space you can give to the table. In a snug, the table usually sits in a gap between a chair and a wall, or between two pieces of seating. Measure that gap and subtract enough space so that the table does not press tightly against either side. A little breathing room makes the arrangement look relaxed rather than squeezed.
As a general guide:
Round tables are easier to fit into tight spaces because their curved edges are gentler to walk past. Square tables sit neatly against walls and in corners. Oval and rectangular designs can slip into narrow gaps between a sofa and a wall.
A snug often has a single entrance and a fairly short route from the door to the seating. Make sure the side table does not narrow that route uncomfortably. A walkway of around 60 centimetres is often the minimum that feels comfortable for one person, though more is better if you can manage it.
Consider doors, radiators and windows too. A door that opens inward needs clear space to swing, and a radiator needs air to circulate. Avoid placing a wooden table directly against a radiator, where heat can affect the finish over time.
It helps to see the snug as a scaled down version of a main living room. Looking at how pieces sit together across our modern living room furniture UK sale can give you a sense of proportion, which you can then adapt to the smaller footprint.
Physical size is only half the picture. Visual weight, how heavy a piece looks, matters just as much in a small room. A solid wooden cube and an open metal frame might have the same footprint, but the cube will look larger.
To keep a snug feeling spacious:
That said, a snug can benefit from one substantial piece to anchor it. If you love the look of a solid drum or a stone topped table, let it be the focus and keep the other furniture lighter.
Snugs often feature tub chairs, compact armchairs or a single deep reading chair rather than a large sofa. Each has its own proportions.
Tub chairs tend to have rounded backs and arms at a fairly consistent height. A small round side table echoes their curves and slots neatly between two chairs. Our modern tub chairs UK sale include compact designs that pair naturally with small round tables.
A reading chair paired with a footstool is a classic snug arrangement. In this case the side table needs to hold a lamp, a drink and a book, so a top at the larger end of the range is useful. A footstool can also act as an occasional surface with a tray on top. Our range of footstools UK includes upholstered designs that work well alongside a compact side table.
With a small sofa, consider whether you need one side table or two. A pair gives balance, but in a narrow room a single table at one end, perhaps with a floor lamp at the other, may be more practical.
In a snug, a side table may need to hide a few items. A lower shelf is handy for magazines, while a drawer can hold remotes and chargers. Storage adds bulk, so weigh it against the space available. If the room already has a small bookcase or media unit, the side table may not need storage at all.
If you are unsure what to call the kind of table you need, our guide to side, end and lamp table terms in UK homes explains the differences. For a closely related approach to measuring small tables, our article on bedside table measurements for UK bedrooms uses the same principles of height and clearance.
A useful trick before buying is to mark out the table's footprint on the floor with a sheet of paper or masking tape, and place a stack of books at the intended height. Live with it for a day or two to see how it feels as you move around the room.
It helps to think about the specific items your table will hold. Gather them together: perhaps a table lamp, a mug, the remote, your phone and the book you are reading. Place them on a sheet of paper or a tray and see how much space they occupy. This gives you a far more accurate idea of the top size you need than any general guideline.
If a lamp is involved, measure its base and allow a few centimetres around it. A lamp that sits too close to the edge is easily knocked, particularly in a snug where people settle into chairs in the dark. You may find that a table at the larger end of the range is worth the extra floor space for the sake of stability.
If the table is mainly for a drink and a phone, you can go smaller. Some of the most charming snug tables are little more than the width of a saucer and a book side by side, and they suit very compact rooms well.
When you have your measurements to hand, you can browse a wide choice of compact designs at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.
Aim for the top to sit level with the sofa arm or up to around five centimetres lower. This keeps items within comfortable reach.
Round tables are easier to walk around in tight spaces, while square tables fit neatly into corners and against walls. Choose according to where the table will sit.
Yes. If it cannot hold a drink and a book together, or wobbles under a lamp, it will not be practical. A top of at least 35 centimetres across is a sensible minimum for most uses.
Not always. In a very small snug, one or two side tables may be enough. A footstool with a tray can also act as an occasional central surface.
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