how do i choose an end table for my living room

How to Choose the Right End Table for Your Space

• 1. Function. Before purchasing or arranging tables, decide how you need them to work for you. Consider things like – What will you use the table for? How much do you need to fit on the table top? Will there be a lamp on the table? Do you need storage?
• 2. Size. End table heights generally vary between 22-26″, with some exceptions. ...
• 3. Style.

Full Answer

How do you choose an end table?

An end table works best if it is about an inch or two or three below the arm of a sofa or chair. Easy-peasy to get the height right. Just measure from the floor to the top of the arm of a sofa or chair and subtract one to three inches for your perfect side table height.

Should end tables be taller or shorter than couch?

Here's the rule: your end table should be within two inches of your sofa's arm height. If your couch's arm stands at just 18 inches, then, you'll want a shorter end table (between 16-20 inches). Accordingly, taller couches require taller end tables.

Do end tables in living room need to match?

Remember also that end tables needn't match each other. As long as the sizes and styles relate to each other, it's perfectly acceptable to have different end tables on either side of a sofa or bed.

How tall should living room end tables be?

End tables should be within two inches of a sofa's arm height. For example, if the sofa's arm is 22" tall, a proper end table can be anywhere from 20" – 24" tall.

What is the difference between side table and end table?

While sometimes used interchangeably, the terms side table and end table refer to distinctly different pieces. An end table is shorter, has less tabletop surface, and is positioned near the ends of a sofa or next to a chair. A side table is taller, has more tabletop surface, and is positioned against your room walls.

What is the average size of a living room end table?

Standard end tables are typically 14" to 24" wide and work well with any sofa size. When choosing the right end table width, think about how much surface space you'll need. Consider any items, such as table lamps, books, or plants, that you plan on placing on top of the end table.

Should you have matching coffee and end tables?

Your coffee table and end tables do not need to match, but it is best to keep a thread of consistency throughout your design. You can accomplish this through color, material, shape, or scale. Scale. As with any room, the scale of your furniture is important.

Can you mix and match side tables in a living room?

Accent tables come in a wide range of shapes, especially for the living room, and mixing and matching a few different configurations can add style to a space. Try teaming a small round accent table with a long, rectangular coffee table, or an oval coffee table with square end tables.

What color should my side tables be?

Typically, it's best to use a white colored nightstand if you want to make your room feel clean and airy or if you have already used other bright colors to decorate. Wooden finishes that are either light or dark are also preferred since they can match any decor.

What can I put on end tables instead of lamps?

What Should I Put on My End Table?Lamps.Decorative Books.Vases.Small Plants.Coasters.Decorative Items.Candles.

What is a good height for an end table?

“End tables for living rooms are usually 25 to 30 inches tall, but the arm height of most sofas is 25 inches, which means most end tables are taller than the sofa arm,” he said.

Do you need 2 end tables?

The number of end tables you should have in your living room depends on the placement of your other furniture and what you will use them for. Typically most living rooms will have one to two end tables next to the sofa or individual seats.

Can a side table be taller than the couch?

CAN A SIDE TABLE BE HIGHER THAN A SOFA? Yes! Sofa heights are so varied with many having high backs and lower arms or no arms at all, making this a hard “rule” to equate.

Should a sofa table be taller than the sofa?

Height: Your sofa table height should be equal to or a few inches below the top of your couch. If your sofa is an inch or two taller that the table that is okay, but don't go much over. Length: Your sofa table should be at minimum about half the length of your sofa.

How tall should side table be next to chair?

First, let's tackle one of the most important considerations: height. Ideally, a side table should be equal to or just below the arm of the seat it's next to.

How tall should end tables be next to bed?

between 24 and 30 inchesHow to Choose the Right Nightstand Height. The average height of nightstands on the market today is between 24 and 30 inches. Beds average approximately 25 inches from the floor to top of the mattress. A nightstand should not be more than 5″ higher or lower than the top of the mattress.

What to consider when choosing an end table?

You also have to consider material, size, type, and different features some end tables offer. We’ve gathered up some of the best ways to differentiate and ultimately decide on the perfect end table (or end tables) for your space.

How big should an end table be?

In living rooms, end tables should be within two inches of a sofa’s arm height (so choose a 20-24 in. end table if the sofa’s arms are 22 inches in height). End tables shouldn’t overpower the sofa or chairs around them, nor should they be tiny in comparison. The room will look well-balanced when you select the correct sizes.

What is a chairside table?

As the name suggests, chairside tables are end tables that can easily sidle up to your accent chairs. Narrower and smaller than the average end table, chair side tables help to visually anchor a standalone accent chair while having a surface for reading materials, drinks, a table lamp, and more.

What is a C table?

An excellent way to save space in your living room, c-shaped end tables or c tables are like snack and drink tables. The surface is longer and can nestle right up to your sofa or chair, less bulky than a coffee table and way more stylish than a fold-out snack table. It hovers over the arm of a sofa or chair and sometimes takes up less space ...

How to soften a room?

To soften a room, try a round end table. If you have a square or rectangular coffee table, this is an especially good way to mix and match shapes. Garden stools or drum tables are great statement-making alternatives to traditional end tables. Garden stools come in all kinds of colors and designs, sometimes with patterns.

What is a tray top end table?

Tray top end tables are usually pretty minimalist in design, making them ideal for Scandinavian or mid-century-inspired spaces. These pieces have lift-off trays that make moving books, coffee, or food to another part of the house with ease. They’re super easy to clean and look every bit as stylish as other end table styles.

What is a mid century modern table?

One of the most recognizable styles, mid-century modern has a distinct look usually involving tapered legs, wood grain, clean lines, and gentle curves with minimal design. Retro-inspired, mid-century modern end tables are often warm wood or marble and have tapered wood or metal hairpin legs with occasional pops of bold color.

Where to use end table?

In addition to using an end table at the end of a sofa/sectional or at the side of a chair, consider using one as a night stand in a bedroom, extra tabletop space in an office, or with a chair in a foyer or entry.

What is an end table?

When it comes to furnishing a living or family room, end tables are a small, but important piece of the equation. They’re most commonly used at the end of sofas or sectionals, or beside or between chairs, to provide a place to set a lamp/drinks/books and possibly add additional storage.

How to make a cocktail table accent chair?

Four easy ways to do that: 1. If you do have a matched set of cocktail and end tables, pop something a little different beside the accent chair. 2. Match one end table to the cocktail table, and then use a different end table on the other end of the sofa. Mix another table in by a chair or chairs.

How high should an end table be?

End table heights generally vary between 22-26″, with some exceptions. An end table right at, or 1-2″ below, the arm height of the sofa or chair that it’s sitting next to is usually the best idea. It’s easy to reach over or down, rather than up, to set a glass or pick up a book, and it visually makes sense.

Can you put a round table on a square?

The same is true for shapes. Adding a round table to a square mix or vice versa will make a space feel more interesting and balanced at the same time.

Do sconces add to a room?

They provide function, certainly, but also add to a feeling of completeness to a room.

Can you use a shorter table for an armless sofa?

Armless furniture – For sofas or chairs with very low, or no, arms, a standard table height should still work, or you can choose to use a shorter table or stool. Be sure to match the scale of your end tables with the scale of the furniture and the room that it’s in.

Why Mix and Match End Tables?

Many people wonder why mixing and matching is becoming such a decorating trend. It is so much harder to achieve just the right look when you are not purchasing a pre-matched set to plop into a room.

Keys for Designing Mix and Match Spaces

There are just a few keys to keep in mind when choosing to mix and match. They are easy to learn and get easier with practice.

Shake Up the Classic Matching End Tables

Owning matching end tables is not the end of the world. They do not have to be discarded to create a more mix-and-match interior.

Matching Color End Tables

Rather than purchasing two identical end tables, many people choose to purchase two tables that match in a single attribute such as color, but have a different shape or are made from different materials. This sense of matching makes them coordinate rather than creating a directly matching set.

Complementary Color End Tables

Complementary colors are a more energizing way to coordinate colors in a room. They help to balance the warm and cool palette in a room and create a sense of evenness. Where a room that is done only in cool colors may feel impersonal and uninviting, a room done in only warm colors may feel overly stimulating and chaotic.

Choose Shapes That Match

Any single attribute can be chosen to coordinate, creating a resonance throughout the room. This single attribute does not have to be only in the end tables. This attribute can reappear like a rhythm throughout the room, drawing the eye from piece to piece.

Choose Subtle Lines That Match

Matching lines are a little different than matching shapes. Shapes are more distinct, and lines are just a bit more ethereal, but they are just as easy to decorate with and bring subtle coordination and class to any living space.

How wide should a side table be?

Side table widths and diameters vary a lot too, from 10 inches (or sometimes even less) and up, but I like a surface width that's at least 18 inches across. Anything smaller isn't quite as functional. If you're putting a standard-sized lamp on the table, you'll need one that's at least 22 inches in diameter. Arland 26"W x 26"D x 24"H table, $299, broyhillfurniture.com for stores

What is a side table?

Just about any table that sits to the side of a piece of furniture can be considered a side table. You'll most often find one in a living room, by a sofa or chair. But depending on its height, you can also use one as a nightstand or as a coffee table in a small room. Side tables are a great place to add color or texture. Here are some pointers for finding one (or two or three) for your space.

How tall is a sofa arm?

A standard sofa arm is around 24 inches tall, so aim for a table about that height.

How big is an Elisha coffee table?

They add another shape to a room that typically has a lot of rectangular pieces, like a sofa, coffee table and chairs. Elisha 24"-H x 15 1/2"-diameter table, $229, ethanallen.com

Can you mix and match side tables?

You Can Mix and Match. One pair of identical side tables in a room is fine, but if you have more than two tables, don't match the rest. Do stick with a similar look, though: Maybe all the tables are made of warm wood, like oak and walnut, or they could all have brushed nickel or bronze accents.

Can a sofa have a side table?

Any sofa or chair can have its own side table, or two seats can share one. Let's say you have a sofa with two chairs facing it, plus a coffee table. I would put one side table between the two chairs and two other side tables on either end of the sofa, if the room is big enough. Martini 25"-H x 20"-diameter spool table, $439, ...

What is a good coffee table for a small room?

If your couch or chairs make a statement (or that's your plan), it’s best to go with a more neutral coffee table to balance out the room. This round coffee table is a good fit for smaller spaces and is made of rattan, a material composed of palm stems. It's designed to be lightweight and durable and its natural texture and color make it a great neutral option — whether it's complementing other pieces or that's just your preferred style.

What to look for when buying a coffee table?

With work from home being the new norm, you may be looking for a coffee table with a lift top to function as a desk. Or if you’re looking to upgrade your decor, you may want to try an accent piece or something simpler to display your coffee table books, hold your wine or house plants.

What is a West Elm coffee table lift top?

If you’re looking for something with hidden storage that also offers a bit of elevation, this West Elm coffee table lift top is a classic. This coffee table is available in Walnut, Winter Wood and Dark Mineral and is accompanied by a marble slab to complete that mid-century look. The pop-up top not only allows for storage beneath it, but also serves as a bit of a dining tray. This makes it ideal for bigger families or anyone looking to store items and keep them hidden while also making room for remotes, cups, and the like.

Is Olwina coffee table worth it?

If you’re looking to splurge with a coffee table that encapsulates an impression of soft glamour, the Olwina is worth considering. It has tufted, distressed leather resting atop brass legs, giving the table a sense of elegance and luxury. It's an investment, to be sure — if you’re looking for a statement piece that fits contemporary and traditional styles, it might be worth it. Beware, Williams advised, that a piece like this is not very kid-friendly.

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Is it a good idea to buy a coffee table?

When it comes to furnishing a room, buying a coffee table might not be first on your list. Perhaps you are more focused on finding the right couch for your space or the perfectly comfortable armchair. But according to Los Angeles-based interior designer and CEO of KMW Interiors Kita Williams, the coffee table is often the anchor in the room — especially in larger living spaces. Some of the best styles to consider include coffee tables with lift tops for extra utility, coffee tables with storage for similar function and round coffee tables to manage smaller spaces.

function.

Size.

• End table heights generally vary between 22-26″, with some exceptions. An end table right at, or 1-2″ below, the arm height of the sofa or chair that it’s sitting next to is usually the best idea. It’s easy to reach over or down, rather than up, to set a glass or pick up a book, and it visually makes sense. Armless furniture – For sofas or chairs w...

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