A side table brings as much functionality to a room as it brings an extra pop of color or personal style. But with so many options, how do you know if your room needs a round or square top? Open shelving or drawers? Take a deep breath, take a long look at your space and follow these tips and tricks.
When it comes to height, a side table should be equal to or just below the arm of the chair it’s next to. That opens up a nice visual flow for the room while ensuring the table’s within easy reach for setting down items such as a drink or turning on a lamp. For context, standard sofa arm heights range between 24 and 32 inches.
If you have a lot of accessories and things you need but don’t necessarily want displayed (think: remotes, magazines, books, games and even tablets), then you need a table that has extra storage under the table’s surface. Look for shelves or drawers to instantly maximize storage.
When deciding on the shape of an end table, the rule of thumb is a round table brings balance to square room with boxier pieces. Square tables, however, are slightly more functional in that they provide more surface space for lamps, remote holders and other accessories. Square side tables look great when tucked into corners or flanking a sofa and chair at a right angle.
