Best Nest of Tables UK: How to Choose the Right Set for Your Living Room
A well-chosen nest of tables solves the oldest problem in small living rooms: not enough surface space when you need it, too much furniture when you don't. In our current collection, we found 13 nesting table sets from 3 boutique UK retailers, starting from £300 and running to £1,395. This guide covers the materials, sizes, and styles worth considering -- and which sets stand out at every price point.
What Makes a Good Nest of Tables
The best nesting tables combine three things: a footprint small enough to tuck away, materials sturdy enough to handle daily use, and a design interesting enough to work as a standalone piece when the smaller tables are stowed. Across the sets we reviewed, solid hardwoods (oak, walnut, mango wood) and hand-forged metals (iron, brass-finished aluminium) consistently outlast the MDF and chrome alternatives that dominate the high street.
Weight matters more than most buyers expect. A set of three tables needs enough heft to stay stable when you rest a drink on the smallest table, but not so much that pulling them apart becomes a two-handed job. Solid oak sets from Castlery weigh roughly 15-20kg per pair, which sits in the right range for everyday use without scratching wooden floors.
The other factor worth checking before you buy: leg clearance. Nesting only works if the smaller table slides cleanly under the larger one. Look for at least 3-5cm of clearance on each side and a height difference of 5-8cm between tables.
Materials: What Actually Lasts
Solid hardwood and forged metal are the two material families that hold up best in nesting tables, based on what we see across our catalogue of boutique UK retailers. Here is how the main options compare.
Material | Durability | Weight | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Solid oak | Excellent -- ages well, resists scratches | Heavy (15-20kg per set) | £349-£650 | Traditional and Scandinavian rooms |
Walnut veneer | Good -- warm tone, lighter than solid | Medium | £349-£920 | Mid-century and contemporary spaces |
Mango wood | Very good -- dense grain, distinctive look | Medium-heavy | £349-£850 | Rustic, bohemian, and eclectic rooms |
Iron + glass | Good -- industrial character | Medium | £300-£850 | Modern and industrial living rooms |
Cast aluminium + glass | Good -- lighter than iron | Light-medium | £400 | Contemporary and minimal spaces |
In our current collection, iron and glass combinations are the most common (5 sets), followed by mango wood (3 sets) and solid oak (2 sets). If you want the warmth of natural wood with an interesting grain pattern, mango wood offers the most character at a mid-range price.
For a solid oak option that balances warmth with clean lines, the Castlery Vincent set is a strong starting point. Two tables in natural oak at £349 -- no veneer, no composite core.
Choosing the Right Size for Your Space
Nest of tables come in two main configurations: sets of two (more common among boutique retailers) and sets of three (more common on the high street). For most living rooms, a set of two provides the right balance -- you get a useful side table and a tuck-away extra surface without the visual bulk of a third piece.
Size guidelines by room:
Small living room (under 15 sqm): Choose a set of two with the larger table no wider than 50cm. Round nesting tables work better in tight spaces because they eliminate sharp corners in walkways.
Medium living room (15-25 sqm): A set of two or three up to 60cm wide. You have room to use the larger table as a permanent side table beside a sofa.
Large living room (over 25 sqm): A set of two or three up to 70cm. Consider nesting coffee tables rather than nesting side tables -- they anchor the seating area while giving you flexibility for entertaining.
Height is equally important. The top of your largest nesting table should sit roughly level with your sofa arm -- typically 50-55cm for most sofas. If the table is too tall, it looks awkward; too short, and reaching for a cup becomes uncomfortable.
For compact spaces, the Nkuku Maba set pairs two metal nesting side tables with a slim, sculptural profile that works well beside a sofa without crowding the room.
Style Guide: Matching Nesting Tables to Your Room
Nesting tables are one of the easiest places to introduce a second material into your living room. If your main furniture is upholstered fabric, a set in solid wood or iron adds visual contrast without competing for attention. Here is how the main styles pair up.
Contemporary and minimalist: Clean lines, light-coloured wood or glass tops, minimal ornamentation. The Castlery Hugg Rectangular set (£649) uses oak veneer with softly rounded edges that suit a pared-back room.
Mid-century modern: Tapered legs, walnut tones, organic shapes. The Castlery Bristol set offers a walnut-veneered top with rubber wood legs -- the kind of shape and finish that sits comfortably alongside a mid-century sofa.
Rustic and bohemian: Hand-carved wood, visible joinery, imperfect textures. The Nkuku Aasha nesting side tables in mango wood and iron combine carved detailing with an industrial base -- characterful without being busy.
Modern industrial: Iron frames, glass tops, brass or bronze finishes. The Nkuku Jiya set uses hand-forged iron with a brass finish and glass tops -- a statement pairing for rooms that lean towards the dramatic.
Traditional and formal: Decorative metalwork, antique finishes, mirrored glass. At the top of the range, the OKA Versailles nesting consoles (£1,395) bring an antique bronze frame with mirrored glass -- more console than side table, designed for hallways and formal sitting rooms.
Nest of Tables vs Side Tables vs Coffee Tables
If you are weighing up nesting tables against other living room table options, the decision comes down to how you use your space day-to-day.
Feature | Nest of Tables | Side Table | Coffee Table |
|---|---|---|---|
Surface area | Variable -- expand when needed | Fixed | Fixed, usually larger |
Footprint when not in use | Compact -- tables stack | Small but permanent | Large and permanent |
Best for | Flexible spaces, entertaining | Permanent drink/lamp placement | Central seating area |
Typical price (boutique UK) | £300-£1,395 | £150-£600 | £250-£1,200 |
Nesting tables make the most sense when you regularly need extra surfaces -- hosting friends, working from the sofa, or managing the general clutter of family life -- but want to reclaim that floor space afterwards. If you mostly need one permanent surface beside your sofa, a single side table is simpler and often less expensive.
For rooms where a coffee table would dominate the floor plan, a nest of two coffee-table-height tables gives you a similar effect with more layout flexibility. You can separate them for a longer seating arrangement or stack them into a corner when you need the floor space for other activities.
What to Check Before You Buy
A quick checklist to avoid the common regrets:
Measure your sofa arm height. Your largest nesting table should be within 3cm of this measurement.
Check the nesting clearance. Some sets look nested in photos but have legs that catch. Ask for dimensions of both tables individually.
Consider the floor. Heavy iron bases can scratch wooden floors. Look for felt pads included, or budget a few pounds for stick-on protectors.
Think about cleaning. Glass tops show every fingerprint. Wood tops need occasional oiling. Metal frames are the lowest maintenance option.
Test the weight. If you plan to move the tables frequently (from sofa side to dining area, for instance), lighter aluminium-and-glass sets are more practical than solid hardwood.
Explore Nesting Tables on MeetFelix
MeetFelix brings together nesting tables from boutique UK retailers -- so you can compare solid wood, iron, and glass options from Nkuku, Castlery, OKA, and more in one place. Browse all nesting tables, explore side tables for your living room, or discover coffee tables if you want a single larger surface instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are nest of tables still in style?
Nesting tables have moved well past their 1970s reputation. Contemporary designs in solid oak, mango wood, and hand-forged iron bear little resemblance to the flat-pack sets of previous decades. The current trend towards flexible, multi-functional furniture -- driven by smaller average room sizes in UK homes -- has made nesting tables more relevant than they have been in years.
How many tables should a nest of tables have?
Most boutique sets come as a pair (two tables), while high-street options often come in threes. A set of two is generally more practical: it gives you the extra surface when you need it without the visual clutter of a third piece. Sets of three work better in larger rooms where the smallest table can serve as an occasional plant stand or lamp table in a different part of the room.
What is the best material for nesting tables?
Solid hardwood (oak or walnut) is the most durable choice for everyday use. It resists knocks, ages gracefully, and can be refinished if scratched. Iron-and-glass sets are a strong alternative if you prefer a lighter visual weight -- the glass tops make the room feel more open, though they do require more frequent cleaning.
Can nesting tables replace a coffee table?
Yes, particularly in smaller living rooms. A nest of two coffee-table-height tables (around 40-45cm tall) can sit together as a central surface and then be separated or stacked when you need the floor space. In our current collection, Castlery and Nkuku both offer nesting coffee tables designed specifically for this purpose, starting from £349.
How much should I spend on a nest of tables?
At time of writing, MeetFelix lists nesting tables from £300 to £1,395 across boutique UK retailers. The £300-£450 range gets you solid wood or metal-and-glass sets from brands like Castlery and Nkuku. Above £600, you are paying for premium materials (hand-forged iron, carved mango wood) and more distinctive designs. Sets above £1,000 tend to be statement pieces from brands like OKA, designed for formal rooms.
Where should I put a nest of tables in my living room?
The most common placement is beside a sofa arm, where the larger table serves as a permanent side table and the smaller one tucks underneath until needed. Other good spots include: next to an armchair as a reading companion, in a corner as a display surface for plants or books, or flanking a hallway console for extra surface space near an entrance.
