A pedestal side table is the better choice when you need to save floor space and legroom, because a single central column leaves the area beneath the top clear. A mirrored side table is the better choice when you want to bring more light into a room and add a sense of polish, because its reflective surfaces bounce light and visually lighten the space. Pedestals solve layout problems. Mirrored tables solve light problems.<\/p>\n
Many homes have one of those problems more than the other, which makes the decision clearer. To compare styles, materials and sizes across both types, start with our range of modern side tables UK<\/a>. Because a side table always sits next to something else, it also helps to look at our wider selection of modern living room furniture UK sale<\/a> pieces to see how each design might relate to your sofa and storage.<\/p>\n A pedestal side table has a top supported by one central column, which rests on a weighted foot or a spreading base. The design has a long history in British homes, from Georgian tripod tables to the sculptural tulip style tables of the midcentury.<\/p>\n The advantage is simple. Without legs at each corner, there is nothing to catch your feet or knees, and the table can be pulled close to a chair or sofa. It also looks tidy from every angle, which is useful when a table is visible from several directions in an open plan room.<\/p>\n The quality of a pedestal table depends heavily on the base. A broad, heavy foot keeps the table steady, while a narrow or light base can make it tip if someone leans on the edge. When comparing designs, look at the diameter of the base relative to the top. As a general guide, the closer the two are in size, the more stable the table will be.<\/p>\n A mirrored side table is clad in mirrored glass on its top, sides or both, usually over a wooden or board frame. Some designs are fully mirrored, while others combine mirror panels with wood, metal or lacquered sections.<\/p>\n The effect is reflective and glamorous. A mirrored table picks up light from windows and lamps and scatters it around the room. It also reflects the floor and nearby furniture, which can make the table itself appear lighter than its actual size.<\/p>\n Quality shows in the details. Look for neatly bevelled or polished edges, panels that are flush and evenly spaced, and a solid frame behind the glass. Our mirrored living room furniture UK<\/a> collection includes side tables, consoles and storage that share the same finishes, which makes it easier to build a coordinated scheme.<\/p>\n In terms of space, the pedestal has a clear advantage. Because the column is central, the table can sit closer to seating, and feet slide easily underneath the top. In a small living room or beside a bed in a compact bedroom, that extra freedom makes a noticeable difference.<\/p>\n Mirrored tables are usually built as boxes, cubes or tables with four legs. Box designs often include drawers or cupboards, which is useful, but they need their full footprint at floor level. If space is tight, a mirrored table with slim legs is easier to live with than a solid cube.<\/p>\n Here the mirrored table leads. In rooms with small windows, north facing aspects or deep layouts where light struggles to reach the back, reflective furniture can make a real difference to how bright the space feels.<\/p>\n The atmosphere is different too. Mirrored furniture tends to feel formal and glamorous, especially in the evening when lamps are reflected in its surfaces. A pedestal table, particularly in wood, feels warmer and more relaxed.<\/p>\n If you like the reflective quality but prefer something less striking, glass is a gentle alternative. Our glass side tables UK sale<\/a> offer light and transparency without the full drama of mirror.<\/p>\n Pedestal tables are generally straightforward to care for. Wooden tops need coasters and occasional polishing, stone tops benefit from sealing, and painted or lacquered finishes simply need a wipe. The main thing to check over time is that the column remains firmly fixed to the top and base.<\/p>\n Mirrored tables require more attention. Fingerprints, smudges and dust show clearly on reflective surfaces. A soft microfibre cloth and a glass cleaner sprayed onto the cloth rather than the mirror keep panels clear without liquid seeping into the edges. Avoid abrasive pads, which can scratch the surface.<\/p>\n Chips are the other consideration. Mirrored edges can chip if knocked by a vacuum cleaner or a heavy object. Positioning the table away from busy walkways reduces the risk.<\/p>\n For households with young children, a pedestal table with a heavy base and rounded top is often the more relaxed choice. There are no sharp glass corners at head height, and a well weighted base resists tipping.<\/p>\n Mirrored furniture uses glass, so it is worth checking that it is made with appropriate safety measures and that corners are finished smoothly. Many families use mirrored pieces in bedrooms or formal sitting rooms where little ones spend less time, and choose sturdier designs for the main family room.<\/p>\n Pets bring their own considerations. Cats may jump onto either type, so stability matters for pedestals, while dogs with wagging tails tend to leave marks on reflective surfaces at their height.<\/p>\n Pedestal tables are adaptable. A turned wood pedestal suits traditional and country interiors. A slim metal column with a marble top suits contemporary rooms. A sculptural tulip base suits midcentury schemes. Because the form is simple, the material does the work of expressing a style.<\/p>\n Mirrored tables suit glamorous, Hollywood inspired and art deco interiors, as well as modern schemes with a soft, luxurious edge. They pair well with velvet upholstery, crystal or glass lighting, and soft colours such as champagne, blush, grey and navy.<\/p>\n Living rooms:<\/strong> both work well. Choose a pedestal beside a well used armchair and a mirrored table where you want to brighten a darker corner.<\/p>\n Bedrooms:<\/strong> mirrored side tables are a long standing bedroom favourite, especially alongside mirrored wardrobes or chests of drawers. A pedestal works in very small bedrooms where you need to get in and out of bed easily.<\/p>\n Hallways and landings:<\/strong> a narrow pedestal table takes up little floor and gives a place for keys or a plant. A small mirrored table can lift a dark hallway, provided it is out of the way of bags and coats.<\/p>\n Reading corners:<\/strong> pedestals win here, because the clear space beneath lets you pull the table close to the chair.<\/p>\n Whichever design you choose, the table should sit at a comfortable height beside the seat. For most sofas and armchairs, a top level with or slightly below the arm works best, which usually means somewhere between 55cm and 65cm. Beside a bed, aim for a height close to the top of the mattress.<\/p>\n Pedestal tables are often round, and a top of around 40cm to 50cm across holds a lamp and a drink comfortably. Because the base is narrower than the top, a pedestal looks lighter than a four legged table of the same size, so you can sometimes choose a slightly larger top without crowding the room.<\/p>\n Mirrored tables tend to be square or rectangular. Their reflective sides reduce their visual weight, but their footprint is fixed, so measure the gap carefully. In a narrow room, a slimmer rectangular mirrored table placed lengthways against a sofa arm can be easier to live with than a deep cube.<\/p>\n Think about what the table will hold. A heavy ceramic lamp needs a broad, steady surface, which favours a pedestal with a substantial base or a mirrored table with a solid frame. Lighter accessories give you more freedom.<\/p>\n Yes, and it can look very considered. A common approach is to use mirrored furniture for the larger storage pieces, such as a sideboard or chest of drawers, and a pedestal table beside the seating where flexibility matters. Linking them through colour, such as a pedestal in a soft metallic finish that echoes the mirror frames, keeps the scheme cohesive.<\/p>\n If you are drawn to pedestals because of how they free up space, our article on why pedestal base tables are practical in UK homes<\/a> explains the same advantages from the dining room perspective. When you are ready to compare designs, our full collection is available at Furniture in Fashion<\/a>, and returns are available up to 30 days.<\/p>\n A well made pedestal table with a broad, weighted base is very stable. Compare the size of the base with the top: the closer they are, the steadier the table will be.<\/p>\n Yes, reflective surfaces show marks more than most finishes. A quick wipe with a microfibre cloth keeps them clear, and regular light cleaning is easier than occasional deep cleaning.<\/p>\n It can be, with sensible placement. Many families use mirrored pieces in bedrooms or quieter rooms and choose sturdier finishes for busy living spaces.<\/p>\n Both help in different ways. A pedestal saves floor space and legroom, while a mirrored table makes the room feel brighter. If floor space is your main limitation, choose a pedestal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Pedestal side tables and mirrored side tables solve different problems. A pedestal design rests on a single central column, which frees up floor and legroom and suits tight spots beside armchairs, sofas and beds. A mirrored design is clad in reflective glass, which bounces light…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":78801,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[1839,8317,1403],"class_list":["post-78800","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-living-room-furniture","tag-mirrored-furniture","tag-pedestal-side-tables","tag-side-tables"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78800","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=78800"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/78800\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/78801"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=78800"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=78800"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=78800"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What defines a pedestal side table<\/h3>\n
What defines a mirrored side table<\/h3>\n
Footprint and legroom<\/h3>\n
Light and atmosphere<\/h3>\n
Durability and everyday care<\/h3>\n
Safety with children and pets<\/h3>\n
Which interior styles suit each design<\/h3>\n
Where each works best in the home<\/h3>\n
Height, size and proportion<\/h3>\n
Can you use both together?<\/h3>\n
Frequently asked questions<\/h3>\n
Are pedestal side tables stable?<\/h3>\n
Do mirrored side tables show fingerprints?<\/h3>\n
Is mirrored furniture practical in a family home?<\/h3>\n
Which is better in a small room?<\/h3>\n