10 Fresh Ideas for Living Room Side Tables
Bring some function and style to your living space with this smart new look at side tables
Amanda Pollard
30 May 2017
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Looking for a side table for your living room? There are a number of options to choose from – you just need to decide whether you want to add a touch of interest, show off your design scheme, maximise the space or simply provide an extra surface when you need it. Check out these clever ideas to find a side table that suits your needs.
1. Grab some cube shelves
Some lateral thinking is always useful when it comes to designing a room. Here, a couple of cube shelves have been put to good use and stacked as a side table. The effect is more interesting than a usual table, and it allows for some flexibility. If another surface is needed, the top cube can be removed and placed elsewhere.
Some lateral thinking is always useful when it comes to designing a room. Here, a couple of cube shelves have been put to good use and stacked as a side table. The effect is more interesting than a usual table, and it allows for some flexibility. If another surface is needed, the top cube can be removed and placed elsewhere.
2. Split up your coffee table
If you can’t find a large coffee table, consider grouping smaller versions. Two square tables form an attractive shape in the centre of this living room. It’s a simple idea, but very effective and again, gives the added bonus of flexibility.
Unsure how to arrange your living room furniture? Check this handy guide
If you can’t find a large coffee table, consider grouping smaller versions. Two square tables form an attractive shape in the centre of this living room. It’s a simple idea, but very effective and again, gives the added bonus of flexibility.
Unsure how to arrange your living room furniture? Check this handy guide
3. Put it on wheels
A drinks trolley makes an interesting alternative to the standard side table. This one adds a touch of vintage glamour to the space. The wheels are practical too and allow the table to be moved around as needed.
A drinks trolley makes an interesting alternative to the standard side table. This one adds a touch of vintage glamour to the space. The wheels are practical too and allow the table to be moved around as needed.
4. Revisit the nested table
Nested tables have had a revival lately. Here, they’ve been reinvented in a very modern way. The block design and tonal colours look stunning together, and there’s no arguing with the practicality – three surfaces in one is a win-win.
Nested tables have had a revival lately. Here, they’ve been reinvented in a very modern way. The block design and tonal colours look stunning together, and there’s no arguing with the practicality – three surfaces in one is a win-win.
5. Double it up as a seat
Create a soft look in your living room by using a padded stool as a table. If you’re worried everything will fall off, place a tray on top to act as a hard surface. This one complements the tones in the sofa and cushions, and can double up as a handy footstool or seat.
Create a soft look in your living room by using a padded stool as a table. If you’re worried everything will fall off, place a tray on top to act as a hard surface. This one complements the tones in the sofa and cushions, and can double up as a handy footstool or seat.
6. Pop in some perspex
Stop your side table overshadowing other items in the room by opting for a perspex version. Bright colours and bold patterns dominate this space, so the transparent side table provides an unobtrusive surface in the background.
Got a small living room? See how to create a sense of space
Stop your side table overshadowing other items in the room by opting for a perspex version. Bright colours and bold patterns dominate this space, so the transparent side table provides an unobtrusive surface in the background.
Got a small living room? See how to create a sense of space
7. Repurpose a dining table
No space for a permanent dining table? How about this clever idea? A drop-leaf table sits neatly in the corner and works as a unique side table and drinks storage. As soon as the guests come round for dinner, it can be pulled out and transformed into a dining table.
Spectacular Dining Table Settings to Bring in the Festivites
No space for a permanent dining table? How about this clever idea? A drop-leaf table sits neatly in the corner and works as a unique side table and drinks storage. As soon as the guests come round for dinner, it can be pulled out and transformed into a dining table.
Spectacular Dining Table Settings to Bring in the Festivites
8. Go back to nature
Bring an earthy feel into your living space by using a tree trunk as a side table. This one has been beautifully restored to form a smooth surface. It warms up the grey colour scheme and ties in with the exposed beams above.
Bring an earthy feel into your living space by using a tree trunk as a side table. This one has been beautifully restored to form a smooth surface. It warms up the grey colour scheme and ties in with the exposed beams above.
9. Take the lid off
For a versatile surface, look out for a side table with a tray on top. This one is perfectly designed to slot over your lap, but the tray can also be removed for full TV-dinner indulgence. If you fancy one of these, hunt around as there are tray tables on the market to suit all budgets.
For a versatile surface, look out for a side table with a tray on top. This one is perfectly designed to slot over your lap, but the tray can also be removed for full TV-dinner indulgence. If you fancy one of these, hunt around as there are tray tables on the market to suit all budgets.
10. Make the most of radiator covers
In this pretty space, the radiator cover doubles up as a handy side table. If you’ve covered your own radiator, think about how you can arrange your seating to maximise its potential. Place an armchair beside it and a lamp on top to create a cosy, warm corner.
Read more:
Expert Speak: How to Design the Perfect Living Room
Effortless Ways to Style Your Coffee Table
Tell us:
Have you found a side table idea that you love? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
In this pretty space, the radiator cover doubles up as a handy side table. If you’ve covered your own radiator, think about how you can arrange your seating to maximise its potential. Place an armchair beside it and a lamp on top to create a cosy, warm corner.
Read more:
Expert Speak: How to Design the Perfect Living Room
Effortless Ways to Style Your Coffee Table
Tell us:
Have you found a side table idea that you love? Share your photos and ideas in the Comments below.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Photo Books
30 Best Sofa Designs
This guide gives a rundown of sofa types that will leave you spoilt for choices
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
How to Make Your Living Room Look Bigger
By Neila Deen
Decorating a small living room? These 10 tips will help you make it more beautiful and welcoming
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
12 Sofa Colour Combinations You Can Blindly Trust
We've put together a tasteful mix of sofa shades that can take your living room from meh to magnificent
Full Story
Indian Homes
Design-Forward Indian Living Rooms, Bedrooms & Kitchens on Houzz
Take cues, ideas and inspiration from this compilation of 50 inspiring Indian spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
Which False Ceiling Material is Better: Gypsum or POP?
Here is all you need to know about the difference between gypsum and POP before you commit to a ceiling
Full Story
Small Spaces
9 Seating Arrangement Ideas for Small Living Rooms
Discover ways to live large with these pocket-sized living areas
Full Story
Colour Guides
5 Best Colours for Small Living Rooms
These paint colours will set the mood, update your space and make a small space seem larger than it is
Full Story
Dining Rooms
Remarkable Pairings: 40 Gorgeous Living Dining Combos
Here are inspiring living and dining room ideas for small and big spaces
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Contemporary Chic: How to Design a Modern Rustic Living Room
Love natural, rustic style, but want to keep it contemporary? Take a look at these design ideas
Full Story
Colour Guides
What Colour Curtains Go With Cream Walls?
Here are exciting and surprising curtain colours that match cream walls
Full Story
Thank you for the great feature Amanda - we have a huge collection of stylish side tables for our interiors including these stunning bronze top tables which come in a whole range of gorgeous colours.
Helix - Cattelan
Fly - Flexform
Nido - Cattelan
Lothar - Cattelan
Looking for a coffee table for your living room? Here are some photos of coffee tables of the best italian brands, such as Cattelan and Flexform. We are sure you will find the perfect ones to furnish your home with style and elegance. On our website you can admire many other elements of furniture, unique and excellent in aesthetics and functionality!