Side Tables

Side tables are a low-risk way to introduce a new material or finish to a room. A marble-topped table beside a linen sofa creates an appealing textural contrast, while a brass or black metal frame adds a contemporary edge to a traditional setting. Mismatching your side tables — different styles but a similar height and colour family — is a designer trick that gives a room a collected, lived-in feel rather than a catalogue-perfect sameness.

Match the table height to your sofa arm or within 5 cm below it — typically 50–65 cm for most sofas. Allow a surface of at least 35 cm diameter for practical use. Side tables start at £50–£100 for simple designs, with quality solid-wood or marble options ranging from £150–£400. Nesting tables offer the best flexibility for small rooms, expanding when you need extra surface area and stacking away when you don't.