A side table is a small, freestanding table placed beside a sofa, chair or bed to hold everyday items such as a lamp, a drink or a book. Around that simple idea sits a surprisingly long list of terms: end tables, lamp tables, nests, pedestals, C tables, veneers, sintered stone and more. This glossary explains each one in plain language, so you can understand product descriptions and choose with confidence.<\/p>\n
Whether you are browsing our modern side tables UK sale<\/a> or planning a wider refresh with modern living room furniture UK<\/a>, these definitions will help you compare designs accurately. We have grouped the terms into types, shapes and bases, materials, finishes and measurements, so you can jump straight to what you need.<\/p>\n The general term for a small table placed beside seating or a bed. In the UK, it is used loosely for most small occasional tables, regardless of shape or material.<\/p>\n A side table designed to sit at the end of a sofa, usually at or just below arm height. End tables are often slightly larger than standard side tables and may include a shelf or drawer. Browse our modern end tables UK<\/a> to see typical sizes.<\/p>\n A side table intended primarily to hold a table lamp. It is often taller or square, with a stable top that suits a lamp base. In many UK homes, lamp table and side table are used interchangeably.<\/p>\n A catch all term for small tables used as needed rather than for a fixed purpose. Side tables, coffee tables and nests are all occasional tables.<\/p>\n A set of two or three tables in graduated sizes that slide beneath one another to save space. You can pull them out when guests arrive and stack them neatly afterwards. Our nest of tables UK sale<\/a> range includes designs in glass, wood and high gloss.<\/p>\n Also called an over sofa table, a C table has a base that slides beneath the sofa or bed, while the top hovers over the seat. Viewed from the side, the frame forms the shape of the letter C. It is useful for laptops, snacks and small rooms.<\/p>\n A very small, often tall and slender table designed to hold a single glass or cup. It suits reading chairs and tight spaces.<\/p>\n A traditional hallway table, sometimes with a built in seat or shelf, originally designed for a landline telephone. Today it is often used as a compact hallway drop zone.<\/p>\n A side table placed beside a bed. A bedside table is usually open, while a bedside cabinet includes drawers or a cupboard.<\/p>\n A tall, narrow table designed to display a plant at height. Some are styled like side tables and can double as one.<\/p>\n A single central column supporting the top, typically resting on a wider foot. Pedestal tables have no corner legs, making them easier to move around.<\/p>\n A smooth, flared pedestal inspired by mid century design, widening gently at the floor and beneath the top.<\/p>\n Three legs, either straight or splayed, joined at the centre or at the top. Common in traditional and Scandinavian designs.<\/p>\n A cylindrical table with a solid or enclosed base, sometimes with storage inside. Drum tables look substantial and sculptural.<\/p>\n A square box shaped table, often solid or with an open side for storage. Popular in high gloss and wood finishes.<\/p>\n Two supports joined by a horizontal bar, usually seen on larger tables but occasionally scaled down for side tables.<\/p>\n A frame where the legs form a continuous loop or runner along the floor, like the runners of a sledge. Often used in metal designs.<\/p>\n Legs that angle outward from the top to the floor, a hallmark of mid century style. They add stability and a light, open look.<\/p>\n Legs that narrow towards the floor, giving furniture a lighter, more elegant appearance.<\/p>\n A table with two or more levels, usually an upper top and one or more lower shelves for storage or display.<\/p>\n Furniture made entirely from natural timber such as oak, walnut, ash or pine. It can be sanded and refinished over time.<\/p>\n A thin layer of real wood bonded to a stable core, usually MDF or plywood. Veneers give the look of solid wood with greater stability and less movement in changing humidity.<\/p>\n Medium density fibreboard, an engineered board made from wood fibres and resin. It is smooth, stable and often painted, lacquered or veneered.<\/p>\n Glass that has been heat treated for strength. If it breaks, it shatters into small, blunt pieces rather than sharp shards, making it safer for furniture.<\/p>\n A natural stone with distinctive veining. It is heavy, cool to the touch and porous, so it benefits from sealing and care with acidic spills.<\/p>\n An engineered material made by fusing natural minerals under heat and pressure. It resists scratches, heat and stains, and can mimic marble or concrete.<\/p>\n A surface designed to look like marble, created with printed laminate, resin or paint effects. It is lighter and generally lower maintenance than real stone.<\/p>\n A highly reflective metal plating, usually applied over steel. Polished chrome is mirror like; brushed chrome has a satin finish.<\/p>\n Metal finished with a durable baked on coating, often in black, white or bronze. It resists chips and scratches.<\/p>\n Natural plant fibres woven into open patterns. Rattan is the whole stem; cane is the outer skin, often used in a lattice weave.<\/p>\n A porous natural stone with a pitted, textured surface, usually in warm creams and beiges. Often filled and honed for furniture.<\/p>\n A reflective lacquered finish that bounces light and suits modern interiors. Easy to wipe, though it shows fingerprints.<\/p>\n A flat finish with little or no shine. It hides fingerprints well and gives a soft, contemporary look.<\/p>\n A finish between matt and gloss, with a gentle sheen.<\/p>\n A hard protective coating applied to wood or MDF, available in gloss, satin or matt.<\/p>\n A finish where oil soaks into the timber, enhancing the grain and giving a natural feel. It needs occasional reapplication.<\/p>\n A smooth matt finish on stone, as opposed to a polished shine.<\/p>\n Vertical grooves or ridges carved into a surface. Fluted designs have concave channels; reeded designs have convex ridges.<\/p>\n A deliberately aged finish, with worn edges or texture, used in rustic and vintage inspired furniture.<\/p>\n A built in pad that charges compatible phones and devices without a cable.<\/p>\n Drawers or doors fitted with dampers that close gently and quietly.<\/p>\n A raised edge around the tabletop that keeps items from sliding off.<\/p>\n Holes, channels or clips that route lamp and charger cables neatly out of sight.<\/p>\n Adjustable feet that compensate for uneven floors, common in older UK properties.<\/p>\n The height of the sofa or chair arm, which a side table should usually match or sit just below.<\/p>\n The area of floor a table occupies, often different from the top size on pedestal designs.<\/p>\n The space needed around furniture for comfortable movement, usually at least 45cm for occasional walkways and more for main routes.<\/p>\n The maximum weight a table or shelf can safely hold, particularly relevant for glass shelves.<\/p>\n When you read a product description, these terms give you a clear picture of how a table is built and how it will behave in your home. A veneered oak drum table with a lacquered finish, for example, tells you it has a real wood surface over a stable core, a solid cylindrical shape and a protective coating that resists marks.<\/p>\n For a closer look at the most commonly confused terms, our article on side table, end table and lamp table differences in UK homes<\/a> goes into more detail. You can explore our full range of occasional tables at Furniture in Fashion<\/a>.<\/p>\n An end table is a type of side table designed to sit at the end of a sofa. It is often slightly larger and may include storage. In everyday use, the terms overlap considerably.<\/p>\n No. Veneer is a thin layer of real wood bonded to a core such as MDF. It looks like solid wood and is often more stable, but it cannot be sanded down as deeply.<\/p>\n Sintered stone is an engineered surface made by fusing minerals under heat and pressure. It is durable and resists stains, heat and scratches.<\/p>\n A C table slides its base under a sofa or bed so the top sits over the seat. It is handy for laptops, drinks and snacks in small spaces.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Product descriptions for side tables are full of terms that can be confusing at first glance. Is an end table different from a lamp table? What exactly is a C table, a tulip base or a sled base? How does veneer compare with solid wood,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":79167,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3334],"tags":[1416,6574,6751,1403],"class_list":["post-79166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-how-to-guide-for-your-home","tag-buying-guide","tag-furniture-glossary","tag-furniture-terms","tag-side-tables"],"acf":[],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79166","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=79166"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79166\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79167"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79166"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79166"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.furnitureinfashion.net\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79166"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Types of Side Table<\/h3>\n
Side Table<\/h3>\n
End Table<\/h3>\n
Lamp Table<\/h3>\n
Occasional Table<\/h3>\n
Nest of Tables<\/h3>\n
C Table<\/h3>\n
Drinks Table<\/h3>\n
Telephone Table<\/h3>\n
Bedside Table or Bedside Cabinet<\/h3>\n
Plant Stand<\/h3>\n
Shapes and Bases<\/h3>\n
Pedestal Base<\/h3>\n
Tulip Base<\/h3>\n
Tripod Base<\/h3>\n
Drum Table<\/h3>\n
Cube Table<\/h3>\n
Trestle Base<\/h3>\n
Sled Base<\/h3>\n
Splayed Legs<\/h3>\n
Tapered Legs<\/h3>\n
Tiered Table<\/h3>\n
Materials<\/h3>\n
Solid Wood<\/h3>\n
Veneer<\/h3>\n
MDF<\/h3>\n
Tempered Glass<\/h3>\n
Marble<\/h3>\n
Sintered Stone<\/h3>\n
Faux Marble<\/h3>\n
Chrome<\/h3>\n
Powder Coated Metal<\/h3>\n
Rattan and Cane<\/h3>\n
Travertine<\/h3>\n
Finishes<\/h3>\n
High Gloss<\/h3>\n
Matt<\/h3>\n
Satin<\/h3>\n
Lacquer<\/h3>\n
Oiled<\/h3>\n
Honed<\/h3>\n
Fluted and Reeded<\/h3>\n
Distressed<\/h3>\n
Features<\/h3>\n
Wireless Charging<\/h3>\n
Soft Close<\/h3>\n
Lipped Top<\/h3>\n
Cable Management<\/h3>\n
Levelling Feet<\/h3>\n
Measurements and Sizing Terms<\/h3>\n
Arm Height<\/h3>\n
Footprint<\/h3>\n
Clearance<\/h3>\n
Load Capacity<\/h3>\n
Using This Glossary<\/h3>\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h3>\n
What is the difference between a side table and an end table?<\/h3>\n
Is veneer the same as solid wood?<\/h3>\n
What does sintered stone mean?<\/h3>\n
What is a C table used for?<\/h3>\n