We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. From the polished finish of a marble end table to the grounding touch of a solid oak design, side tables bring your space together while punctuating your curation. Our thoughtfully curated collection of timeless and modern side tables is perfect for your home, beautifully blending form and function.
Two things are essential in every living room: seating and surface space. Whether perching drinks, adding a table lamp, or creating a corner vignette, side tables are a practical touch that help you define your living space. Here at Lulu and Georgia, we have something outstanding for every interior, no matter your taste.
Not sure what style fits your aesthetic and home best when searching for a side table to buy? Don't worry; we have got you covered. Check out a few tips below for ideas and inspiration as you browse.
Style on the Side: Side and End Table Style Guide
A side table can be used in numerous ways depending on how and where you place it, but considering the construction and silhouette is a good starting point when shopping. So, let’s break down side tables by shape and material.
Let’s start up top with the basics—that is, round side tables and square side tables. Round side tables offer a softer impact with a compact footprint. Smaller pieces like this Casella Round Side Table are perfect for tucking in next to a seat for coffee or cocktails. The lack of sharp corners also provides a practical edge for homes with young children running around.
Square side tables provide a clean and symmetrical look with their linear profile. They also maximize usable surface space, which may be perfect if you’re styling it between two accent chairs or as part of a reading nook where a lamp, book, and drink compete for real estate.
For a more modern end table, you can try an organic shape—soft with a sculptural bearing—or a geometric design to add a striking edge to your curation. Some tables, such as nesting and bunching tables are designed to give you flexible surface space that can be grouped or split as the moment calls for. But shape is only half the story. Let’s talk about the stuff side tables are made of.
Wood Side Tables
Wood side tables can be the perfect complement for a warm space full of cozy touches and soft natural layers. Wood can also offer warm minimalism with a clean pared-down profile, such as with the Ada side table. Solid wood end tables are the perfect organic touch to tie a room together.
Stone Side Tables
Stone can be a super dynamic material for your space. For a polished look, a marble side table is a luxe touch with timeless appeal. Rough-hewn stone surfaces can ground a room with moody tones. Stone end tables often have a powerful visual weight, making them brilliant statement pieces.
Metal Side Tables
Metal side tables offer a sleek, modern aspect. Depending on the finish, they can also reflect subtle industrial notes or elevate opulent tones in a space. Check out our Loletta Nesting Side Tables for an airy design with a clean-lined metal base.
Mirrored and Glass Side Tables
Glass and mirrors are often used to bring surfaces into a smaller area while keeping the space light and open. A thoughtful design with glass or mirrors, such as the Nicolina side table, can do so much more. Its smooth, glossy touch is a refined accent that can reflect and vitalize other materials for a striking effect.
Rattan + Cane Side Tables
Whether looking for something vintage-inspired or coastal and breezy, rattan and cane end tables are an ever-fresh way to bring natural artisanal texture into a room. Pair with other rattan furniture and smooth upholstered pieces for timeless casual elegance.
Concrete Side Tables
This versatile material is marked by a rare pairing of earthy and modern tones. Whether polished or given a rough finish, concrete has a distinctive texture often set off with a sculptural profile. Many concrete end tables, such as the Kai table, can also be styled outdoors.
How To Choose A Side Table For Your Space
Now, it’s time to bring that expertise home. When choosing a side table for your space, you’re marrying form—i.e., the shape and material—to fit and function. Nobody is an authority on your space and tastes like you, so take some time to think about where you’re placing the table and how it will fold into the aspect of the room.
Start by making sure you’re fitting the piece to the whole. Side tables can be a great way to layer a new color or texture into your curation but mind your palette. You also want to think about how the lines complement other elements in the room, such as a coffee table or console table. Softer lines and organic shapes can help keep your space feminine and grounded, while modern side tables with angular silhouettes can bring an artful edge to your edit. Even with a small side table, you’re not buying a piece that will sit in isolation; you always want to think about the overall effect on your design.
Secondly, mind your measurements. If you’re styling the piece as an end table, you’ll want to consider its scale in relation to your sofa or accent chair. The rule of thumb here is that a side table should be within two inches of the height of the armrest. If there is no armrest, you can sit on the seat and mime perching a drink to get a rough idea of the ideal height. This is important for reaching things, but it is also important that a lamp sits at eye level without shining directly in your eyes. Our advice is always to measure twice and order once.
Even if it’s a small side table used as a pedestal for decor or a larger accent table, you still want to consider its visual weight in the room. In general, larger objects in darker finishes carry more visual weight. This can be great if you want to add impact, or you may want to find an airier design or lighter finish to maintain visual balance in the space.
Finally, you want to think about added functionality. Are you looking for more storage? Consider designs with a lower shelf or even a cabinet or drawer. We may picture more traditional designs when we think of storage pieces, but something like this Ahn Side Table makes the perfect modern end table with a cavity to display some favorite art books and magazines. If space or flexibility are a concern, you can also consider nesting side tables for a more dynamic layout. As with anything, you’re picturing the side table in your space and thinking about how you will use it.
Lulu and Georgia Side Tables + End Tables
However you decide to style it, your side table allows you to showcase the nuances of your design aesthetic. Loved ones and visitors can immediately get a sense of who you are by seeing how you have utilized this essential accent to complete your look.
When you shop for a side table at Lulu and Georgia, you'll find designs that will complement the style of your home but also make it feel more elevated. Choose from our wide range of side and end tables to find the perfect purchase for your place. Check out our Living Room Shop by Room page for more ideas and inspiration on creating stylish everyday living spaces.
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