When choosing a side table with storage for a bungalow, prioritise easy reach and a light footprint. A table with one or two drawers at a height of 55cm to 65cm, raised on legs, gives you hidden storage without crowding rooms that often open into one another. Choose open shelves for items you use daily, closed drawers or doors for clutter, and keep finishes consistent across rooms, since bungalows tend to be seen as one continuous space.<\/p>\n
We stock a wide variety of modern side tables UK<\/a> with drawers, shelves and cupboards. The points below will help you narrow the choice for a single storey home.<\/p>\n In a house, much of the everyday clutter ends up upstairs, in bedrooms, landings and spare rooms. In a bungalow, everything lives on the same floor, and the rooms you relax in are often a few steps from the rooms you sleep in. That makes concealed storage especially valuable.<\/p>\n Many bungalows also have open or semi open layouts, with the living area flowing into the dining space or a conservatory. When rooms are visible from one another, furniture choices need to feel connected. A side table is a small piece, but it can help tie a single level home together if it shares a finish with your wider modern living room furniture UK sale<\/a> choices.<\/p>\n Finally, many people choose bungalows for the ease of living on one level. Furniture that is simple to open, reach and move around fits naturally with that.<\/p>\n A drawer keeps small items out of sight and the top clear. It suits remotes, glasses, chargers, notepads and medication. Look for drawers that run smoothly and have a handle you can grip easily. Recessed finger pulls look sleek, but a simple knob or bar handle is often more comfortable for everyday use.<\/p>\n A lower shelf is quick to use and keeps a table visually light. It suits books, magazines, a basket of throws or a tablet. The trade off is that whatever sits on the shelf is on show, so it helps to keep it tidy or use a lidded box.<\/p>\n A side table with a small door gives the most concealed storage, useful for bulkier items such as board games or spare bulbs. It adds visual weight, so it suits larger rooms or corners where the solid body will not crowd the space.<\/p>\n Many storage side tables combine a drawer with an open shelf beneath. This is often the most practical option for a bungalow living room: hidden storage for clutter, open storage for things you reach for daily.<\/p>\n A side table with storage needs to be comfortable to use from a seated position, as that is how you will usually reach into it. A height of around 55cm to 65cm suits most sofas and armchairs. The top should sit level with or just below the arm of the seat beside it.<\/p>\n Think about where the drawer sits. If it is right under the top, it will be easy to open while seated. Drawers or shelves close to the floor are harder to reach and better kept for items you use less often.<\/p>\n Depth matters in rooms where furniture sits close to walkways. A depth of 35cm to 45cm is usually comfortable beside a sofa. In narrow spots, such as beside a bed or at the end of a corridor, a shallower table of 30cm or less keeps the route clear.<\/p>\n A storage side table at the end of the sofa can replace a separate cabinet for remotes, coasters and reading material. If the living room opens onto a dining area, choose a table in the same wood or finish as the dining furniture so the two zones feel connected.<\/p>\n In bungalows, bedrooms are often close to living areas and may double as a quiet sitting room or study. A side table with a drawer and shelf works as a bedside table, keeping medication, glasses and a phone charger within easy reach at night. If space beside the bed is tight, a narrow table with a single drawer is often more useful than a wider one with a cupboard.<\/p>\n Many bungalows have a conservatory or garden room used for reading or relaxing. Here, choose a storage table in a finish that copes with changes in temperature and light, such as metal, painted wood or a sealed finish. Keep fabrics and paper items in closed storage, as strong sun can fade them.<\/p>\n A slim side table with a drawer at the end of a corridor or near the front door gives a place for keys, post and a lamp. Keep it shallow enough to leave the walkway clear.<\/p>\n When every room is on one floor, you often glimpse several rooms at once. Furniture that shares a finish creates a calm, joined up feel. This does not mean everything must match exactly. Instead, choose a palette of two or three finishes, such as oak, white and brushed metal, and repeat them across rooms.<\/p>\n Storage furniture is a good place to start, because it tends to be the most visible. If your bungalow already has a sideboard, bookcase or cabinet you love, choose side tables that echo its tone. Our modern storage furniture UK<\/a> range includes pieces that can be coordinated across a whole home.<\/p>\n If a single storage side table is not enough, or the room is too small for one, consider a nest of tables. The largest table holds a lamp, and the smaller ones slide out when guests arrive. Some sets include a drawer or shelf in the main table. Our nest of tables UK sale<\/a> covers a range of sizes and finishes.<\/p>\n Other options include C shaped tables that slide under a sofa or bed, wall mounted shelves with a drawer, and small chests of drawers used as side tables in bedrooms. Each trades some storage for floor space in a different way.<\/p>\n Wood is a popular choice in bungalows because it brings warmth to rooms that can feel wide and low. Light oak suits rooms with limited daylight; walnut adds depth in larger spaces. High gloss finishes reflect light and are easy to wipe, which suits busy living areas. Glass tops keep a storage table looking light, even when it has drawers underneath.<\/p>\n Consider the light in each room. Bungalows with large windows and conservatories can have strong sunlight in summer, which may gradually change the tone of some wood finishes. Positioning a table out of direct sun, or choosing a finish less prone to fading, helps it last.<\/p>\n Some bungalows, particularly those built in the middle of the last century, have lower ceilings than older houses. That can make overhead lighting feel flat, so table lamps become more important for creating a warm, layered glow. A storage side table with a sturdy top is a natural home for a lamp, and a drawer below keeps spare bulbs and remotes close at hand.<\/p>\n If the table will hold a lamp, check that the top is large enough to take the base with room to spare for a cup or a book. A top of 40cm across or more usually works well.<\/p>\n The most frequent mistake is choosing storage that is too bulky for the space. A solid cupboard table can look heavy in a modest living room, especially when the room flows into another. A second is mismatched heights: a storage table that is noticeably taller or lower than the sofa arm looks awkward and is uncomfortable to use. A third is too many small storage pieces in one room, which can feel cluttered even when each piece is tidy.<\/p>\n If you are unsure what kind of table you need, our explainer on side table, end table and lamp table terms in the UK<\/a> helps clarify how each is typically used. For bedrooms where space beside the bed is limited, our article on choosing a bedside cabinet for a small UK bedroom<\/a> offers further options.<\/p>\nWhy Bungalows Need a Different Approach<\/h3>\n
Drawers, Shelves or Cupboards?<\/h3>\n
Drawers<\/h3>\n
Open shelves<\/h3>\n
Cupboards<\/h3>\n
Combinations<\/h3>\n
Getting the Height and Depth Right<\/h3>\n
Room by Room Ideas for Bungalows<\/h3>\n
Living room<\/h3>\n
Bedroom<\/h3>\n
Conservatory or garden room<\/h3>\n
Corridor and entrance<\/h3>\n
Keeping the Look Consistent Across a Single Level<\/h3>\n
Space Saving Alternatives<\/h3>\n
Practical Features Worth Looking For<\/h3>\n
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Choosing Materials and Finishes<\/h3>\n
Lighting and Lower Ceilings<\/h3>\n
Common Mistakes to Avoid<\/h3>\n
Bringing It Together<\/h3>\n