What is a side table

What is a Side Table? Just as its name suggests, a side table is placed beside a piece of furniture a person would sit on, such as a couch or a bed. Its main purpose is to ensure that essential items are within easy reach. When placing side tables beside chairs and sofas, it’s important to get the height right.

What is an end table for?

End tables, or side tables, are small tables that are typically placed besides a chair, loveseat, or sofa. They provide a convenient platform for lighting, resting beverages, and storing books.

Can end tables be different?

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.

What is the difference between a side table and a nightstand?

They’re similar to accent tables in shape and size, so this is an easy swap to make, even if you want to use pieces you already have on hand. Whereas many end and side tables are just legs attached to a tabletop, nightstands typically have some built-in storage—and at best, a mixture of both open and closed varieties.

How do you use side tables?

1. Turn a side table into a bookshelf. …
2. Use side tables to create balance. …
3. Create order in a home office. …
4. Improve lighting with reflective surfaces. …
5. Add a functional surface with a bathroom side table. …
6. Draw attention to a floral display. …
7. Use a compact side table as a TV stand.

Should a side table be higher than the sofa?

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.

What is the difference between a side table and a coffee table?

There is a difference between end tables and coffee tables. Coffee tables are larger and lower than end tables. An end table sits at either end of the couch, at about the same height as the couch arms. A coffee table sits in front of the couch, at the same height as the couch seat.

How tall is a side table?

Most end tables are between 22 and 30 inches tall, though shorter end tables (approximately 16 inches tall) are also available. In order to determine the best height for your end table, measure from the floor to the top of the armrest and then look for an end table with a similar height.

Can a side table be higher than the sofa?

Yes, an end table can be higher than a couch. … There are various possible scenarios if end tables are taller than two inches above the arms or shorter than two inches below the armrest on your couch.

Can I use a side table as a nightstand?

An end table may make a perfectly good nightstand if it fits into your bedroom decor, while a piece marketed as a nightstand may look great in the living room with no one the wiser.

Article first time published on

What is the point of a night stand?

They are often used to support items that might be useful during the night, such as a table lamp, alarm clock, reading matter, cell phone, eyeglasses, tissues, sex toys, a drink, or medication.

What is the difference between a nightstand and a night table?

The words nightstand, night table and bedside table all refer to the same thing: a small table or cabinet that stands in the bedroom. It is usually placed next to the bed. On the other hand, end table is a piece of furniture that is usually found in living rooms, next to a sofa or a chair.

Where do side tables go in living room?

Ideally, a side table should be equal to or just below the arm of the seat it’s next to. Not only does it create a nice visual flow in the room, the table is within easy reach for setting a drink down or turning on a lamp. Standard sofa arm heights can range between 24 and 32 inches, so get out your measuring tape.

Do end tables have to be the same color?

Your furniture like your coffee tables, end tables, and tv stand don’t need to match. You can feel free to match, for example, the end tables from one set, and the coffee table and TV stand from another, or any mixture of things.

How do you choose an end table?

Choosing the Right Size 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.

Do you have to have side tables?

As you can see, end tables aren’t always necessary. This bright living room space is end table free and uses a tall freestanding lamp to bring light into the space rather than using smaller table lamps. … So if you don’t have use for an end table, don’t be afraid to go without.

How far from Wall should end table be?

Avoid banged up walls and keep diners comfortable by leaving at least two feet between a dining chair and a wall. That will allow enough room to walk behind and pull out the chair. Chairs should be spaced about two feet apart. When space allows, place the dining table about four feet from the room’s entrance.

How tall is 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.

What is accent table used for?

Console tables, also known as hall accent tables, are long and thin, designed to fit between a couch and the wall or in a narrow entry by a door. These can be used to hold decorative vases, pictures, purses, mail or keys.

What is an occasional table?

occasional table in British English. noun. a small table with no regular use.

What do you call a table between two chairs?

Small Accent or End Table. One of, if not the, most popular items to place between two accent chairs is a small accent table or end table. This is a great way to create a small area for conversation.

How tall should a side table lamp be?

The table lamp should be tall enough for the bottom of the lampshade to come to the eye level of the person seated beside it. This will provide the best light without glare from the bulb. Bedside lamps should be in proportion to the bedside table and typically 19 to 21 inches from the top of the mattress.

Can a side table be higher than the chair?

Height of a Side Table. An end table should be no taller than the height of the arm of the chair(s) they‘re serving, and no lower than the height of the seat. … For chairs without arms, aim for a table top that’s no more than 8 inches above the seat height.

How big should a living room be?

The average size of a living room is three hundred and forty square feet (340 sqft). The average dimensions of a living room are 16 x 20 feet. A living room usually takes up about 15% of the space in a small home, but only 8% percent of the space in a large home.

How tall should a bed side table be?

It’s probably about 22.5-25.5 inches from the ground to the top of the mattress (25 inches is typical for most standard beds). Choose a nightstand that’s approximately 23.5 inches high for the perfect fit.

How much space do you need between dining table and wall?

Distance between the walls and the dining room table: Ideally, provide at least 36″ between the dining table and any walls or other furniture on all sides to allow seats to slide out easily.

What are the dimensions of a side table?

TABLESHeightWidthDining, Side1919Dining, Arm2418Easy2526Kitchen1919

Should a coffee table be lower than the couch?

“I prefer the table to be approximately two inches lower than the seat height on your sofa. Keep approximately 16 inches from the edge of the table to the sofa and at least 28 to 30 inches to the TV cabinet or furniture opposite the sofa. A table should be two-thirds the length of your sofa for correct proportion.”

What can I use instead of a bedside table?

• A Bar Cart. Kelly Zugay. One Kings Lane.
• A Garden Stool. Style Me Pretty. Little Green Notebook.
• A Floating Shelf. HGTV. Decorative Bedroom.
• A Single Chair. Smart Furniture. Justine Taylor.
• A Desk or Vanity. My Domaine. Cobi Style. …
• A Stack of Books. McGrath II. …
• A Vintage or DIY Ladder. Remodelista.

Can you use a coffee table as a bedside table?

Try stacking a few coffee table books on the seat to create a stable surface for a petite lamp, reading glasses, and other bedside essentials.

Should bedside tables be higher than the bed?

As a general rule of thumb, the top of your nightstand should be level with the top of your mattress, or about 2-4” taller. It’s much easier for somebody to reach above to grab something when they’re laying on the bed, as opposed to reaching below.