Side & End Tables

Find the Perfect End Table for Your Living Room

Start with height. A side table works best when the top sits roughly level with the arm of your sofa or a little below it, so you can set a drink down without lifting your elbow. Sofa arm heights vary a lot between designs, so measure yours and check it against the dimensions on the product page rather than guessing from the photograph.

Then think about what the table is actually for. If it is holding a lamp, you want a stable top with enough depth that the base is not overhanging the edge. If it is taking books, remotes and the general clutter of a living room, a drawer or a lower shelf keeps the top clear. Pedestal bases such as the Penrose free up floor space visually and are easier to vacuum around than four legs.

Shape follows the space. Round tables suit tight corners and rooms with children, with no sharp edges at shin height. Square and rectangular tops give more usable surface for the same footprint, which matters if the table is doing real work beside a busy sofa. For the wider scheme, our coffee tables and console tables ranges cover the larger surfaces in the same room.

Glass, Wood and Marble Side Tables

Glass side tables are a popular choice for their modern look and light footprint. A glass top reflects light back into the room and does not block the floor behind it, which keeps a small living room feeling open. Many of the glass designs in our range pair the top with chrome or brushed silver legs, and glass wipes clean in seconds, which is worth something on a table in daily use.

Wood brings the opposite quality. Solid oak, walnut and acacia designs add warmth and grounding to a room full of hard modern surfaces, and they take the knocks of everyday life without much fuss. Eight of the designs in this collection are FSC certified, meaning the wood is sustainably sourced, and you can read more about how we approach sustainability.

Marble and marble effect tops sit between the two, giving a heavier look without the weight of solid stone, and pair well with both metal and wood elsewhere in the room. For a warmer metallic finish, our gold side tables range works well against darker walls, while white side tables keep a lighter scheme consistent.

Space Saving Side Tables for Living Room Corners

Not every living room has space for a coffee table, and in a smaller room a coffee table can be the thing that makes it feel crowded. A compact side table beside the sofa does most of the same work, takes up a fraction of the floor, and leaves a clear route through the middle of the room.

Nesting sets are worth considering if you entertain. Three tables stack into the footprint of one and pull apart when there are more people than surfaces. Slimline and pedestal designs work along the same lines, giving a usable top without a bulky base.

Several designs in the range are dual-purpose and are listed as both side tables and bedside tables, so a piece that does not find a home in the living room has somewhere else to go. All of our side tables are straightforward to assemble, and free next day delivery is available to mainland UK addresses on qualifying orders. Full terms are set out on our delivery page.

FAQs

What is the difference between a side table and an end table?

In practice, very little. Both describe a small table placed beside seating. End table is more common in American English and usually means a table at the end of a sofa, while side table is used more broadly in the UK for any small table beside a chair, sofa or bed. We list them together for that reason.

How tall should a side table be?

Aim for a top roughly level with your sofa arm, or slightly below it. That puts a drink or a book within easy reach from a seated position. Because sofa arm heights differ considerably between designs, measure yours before ordering and compare it against the height listed on the product page.

Can a side table replace a coffee table?

In a smaller living room, often yes. A side table beside the sofa gives you somewhere to put a drink without occupying the middle of the floor, which keeps the room feeling open and the walking route clear. If you regularly need more surface, a nesting set gives you the flexibility of two or three tops that store as one.

What shape side table works best in a small room?

Round tables tend to work best in tight spaces. Without corners they are easier to move around, and they are the safer option in a home with young children. Square and rectangular tops give more usable surface for the same floor area, so the choice comes down to whether you need space to move or space to put things.

Are your side tables easy to assemble?

Yes. Our side tables are designed for straightforward home assembly with the fixings and instructions included in the box. Most are a single-person job. If you would rather not do it yourself, an assembly service is available, with the details set out on our website.

Do glass side tables mark easily?

Glass shows fingerprints and water rings more readily than wood, but it cleans faster. A dry microfibre cloth handles most marks, and glass cleaner sprayed onto the cloth deals with anything greasier. Coasters help, mainly because a wet ring is more visible on glass.

Do you offer free delivery on side tables?

Free next day delivery is available to mainland UK addresses on qualifying orders, with the expected date confirmed at checkout. Our delivery page sets out the full terms and any exclusions.