Add This One Piece of Furniture to Update Your Living Room
A side table can make all the difference to the finish and functionality of your living space. Be inspired by these sofa and table combos
Becky Clarke
10 August 2016
As well as being a Houzz UK and Ireland contributor, I have been involved in creating beautiful homes and interiors for 15 years. A regular contributor to the UK's top interiors magazines with room makeovers, practical and inspirational guides and furniture upcycle projects I love to work out all the wonderful ways to make our homes even better than we dreamed. My website is www.beckyclarke.com and my blog is https://beckyclarkeinteriors.wordpress.com follow me on twitter: @diydivachick
As well as being a Houzz UK and Ireland contributor, I have been involved in creating... More
Turn the space at the end of a sofa into a hard-working spot with a side table, perfect for lamps, books, cups of tea or seasonal flowers.
There are so many options, from decorative metal finishes to clear acrylic to natural, carved or painted wood. Have something that’s not only beautiful to look at and easy to keep clean, but adds something to your current room scheme – in particular your sofa or even a favourite comfy chair – to make it an even more pleasant place to lounge.
There are so many options, from decorative metal finishes to clear acrylic to natural, carved or painted wood. Have something that’s not only beautiful to look at and easy to keep clean, but adds something to your current room scheme – in particular your sofa or even a favourite comfy chair – to make it an even more pleasant place to lounge.
Introduce bright colours for a welcome lift
In a neutral room, like this one with its plump grey sofa, a few vibrant accessories will give personality and confidence to the scheme.
The sunny, metal-topped tables here are a great addition for several reasons: the colours are bold yet don’t overpower; they link to other accessories, such as a few choice cushions; the practical stacking design means there aren’t numerous surfaces cluttering the space (especially good in small homes) and the smooth tops are a breeze to clean.
In a neutral room, like this one with its plump grey sofa, a few vibrant accessories will give personality and confidence to the scheme.
The sunny, metal-topped tables here are a great addition for several reasons: the colours are bold yet don’t overpower; they link to other accessories, such as a few choice cushions; the practical stacking design means there aren’t numerous surfaces cluttering the space (especially good in small homes) and the smooth tops are a breeze to clean.
Know when to tone it down
There are lots of strong elements vying for attention here – geometric wallpaper, a dramatic piece of art, and two pieces covered in vibrant velvet – all of which balance each other well.
The satin brass, delicately formed side tables are a clever choice for this scheme: their metal frames have enough strength to not be overlooked, yet they recede well to let the sofa and coffee table be the stars.
Check out 10 stylists’ tricks to steal for the living room
There are lots of strong elements vying for attention here – geometric wallpaper, a dramatic piece of art, and two pieces covered in vibrant velvet – all of which balance each other well.
The satin brass, delicately formed side tables are a clever choice for this scheme: their metal frames have enough strength to not be overlooked, yet they recede well to let the sofa and coffee table be the stars.
Check out 10 stylists’ tricks to steal for the living room
Balance a statement sofa
In this simply decorated white room, there’s a stunning teal velvet sofa with beautifully patterned cushions that shout out for attention. Had a small, unobtrusive table been put with it, the sofa could have looked like an island, but this glorious, oversized, brass and mirror number is the perfect companion. It matches the sofa in drama and the two work together perfectly, giving the room style and substance.
If you have a bold sofa, an equally bold table can look fantastic – just remember to keep the surrounding walls and flooring in a supporting role.
In this simply decorated white room, there’s a stunning teal velvet sofa with beautifully patterned cushions that shout out for attention. Had a small, unobtrusive table been put with it, the sofa could have looked like an island, but this glorious, oversized, brass and mirror number is the perfect companion. It matches the sofa in drama and the two work together perfectly, giving the room style and substance.
If you have a bold sofa, an equally bold table can look fantastic – just remember to keep the surrounding walls and flooring in a supporting role.
Upcycle to get a perfect match
If you haven’t found the perfect piece of furniture to partner your sofa, then roll up your sleeves to create your own. This drawer unit may well have started life as a bedside table, but with a lick of paint on the frame and some typographic offcuts, perhaps from a roll of wallpaper, glued to the drawer fronts, the result is a perfect match that would be tricky to track down on the high street.
Old pine items are ideal for this sort of project: rub all over lightly with fine sandpaper, remove the drawers and paint the frame. Use wallpaper paste or PVA glue to stick wallpaper cut perfectly to size to the drawer fronts. Fit new knobs or paint the wooden ones as a finishing touch.
If you haven’t found the perfect piece of furniture to partner your sofa, then roll up your sleeves to create your own. This drawer unit may well have started life as a bedside table, but with a lick of paint on the frame and some typographic offcuts, perhaps from a roll of wallpaper, glued to the drawer fronts, the result is a perfect match that would be tricky to track down on the high street.
Old pine items are ideal for this sort of project: rub all over lightly with fine sandpaper, remove the drawers and paint the frame. Use wallpaper paste or PVA glue to stick wallpaper cut perfectly to size to the drawer fronts. Fit new knobs or paint the wooden ones as a finishing touch.
Be clever with shape around a big sofa
In a room where there isn’t much space at the ends of the sofa, don’t be afraid to move the tables forward slightly. These teardrop designs are ideal – they flow nicely from the sofa arms and there’s space for more than one item – lamps and candles plus a teacup or wine glass.
If you use this concept, choose tables with slim legs so they don’t obstruct the view, as that may make a small space look even smaller.
In a room where there isn’t much space at the ends of the sofa, don’t be afraid to move the tables forward slightly. These teardrop designs are ideal – they flow nicely from the sofa arms and there’s space for more than one item – lamps and candles plus a teacup or wine glass.
If you use this concept, choose tables with slim legs so they don’t obstruct the view, as that may make a small space look even smaller.
amorybrown.co.uk
Match without being matchy-matchy
This 1930s-inspired room uses a mismatched approach to keep the sofa and surrounding area looking fresh rather than completely traditional. This coffee table and side tables share the same colour metal frame, but have subtle differences, such as contrasting tops and decorative detailing.
A matching set could have looked twee, so try going for designs that have a common thread instead.
This 1930s-inspired room uses a mismatched approach to keep the sofa and surrounding area looking fresh rather than completely traditional. This coffee table and side tables share the same colour metal frame, but have subtle differences, such as contrasting tops and decorative detailing.
A matching set could have looked twee, so try going for designs that have a common thread instead.
Paint it black
In an eclectic living space like this, with its lovely mix of prints and accessories, having accents in a dark shade, such as black, is a good idea to help to anchor the scheme.
It’s a classic interiors trick, and you can see the effect the black picture frames and cushion details have here, helping to create a pulled-together look, even though the overall style is relaxed. In the design world, three is a magic number, and here, the nest of side tables is the perfect third black detail to complete the effect.
Search charity shops for solid wood tables and paint the legs yourself.
In an eclectic living space like this, with its lovely mix of prints and accessories, having accents in a dark shade, such as black, is a good idea to help to anchor the scheme.
It’s a classic interiors trick, and you can see the effect the black picture frames and cushion details have here, helping to create a pulled-together look, even though the overall style is relaxed. In the design world, three is a magic number, and here, the nest of side tables is the perfect third black detail to complete the effect.
Search charity shops for solid wood tables and paint the legs yourself.
Partner with a comfy chair
If you don’t have room for a sofa and side table combo, create a similar effect with an armchair. Here, a corner of the room is put to work beautifully with this trio of table, armchair and artwork.
The table helps to make the chair look welcoming and useable, but the two are really supporting artists to the main feature – the witty canvas. The chair blends into the wall somewhat; the table is unobtrusive, but has just enough presence thanks to the dark legs.
This demonstrates that, sometimes, sitting in the background is as important as being centre stage, and that’s especially true for an area designed for quiet reading. When planning a corner of a room around a piece of art, consider keeping the scheme a little quieter.
Discover 9 of the best reading nooks on Houzz
If you don’t have room for a sofa and side table combo, create a similar effect with an armchair. Here, a corner of the room is put to work beautifully with this trio of table, armchair and artwork.
The table helps to make the chair look welcoming and useable, but the two are really supporting artists to the main feature – the witty canvas. The chair blends into the wall somewhat; the table is unobtrusive, but has just enough presence thanks to the dark legs.
This demonstrates that, sometimes, sitting in the background is as important as being centre stage, and that’s especially true for an area designed for quiet reading. When planning a corner of a room around a piece of art, consider keeping the scheme a little quieter.
Discover 9 of the best reading nooks on Houzz
Knock it back
In a small room where you want minimal furnishings – as shown here with the neutral sofa and simple accessories – your main concern may be to keep the space uncluttered, but how to achieve this when you also want a table?
Transparent acrylic designs, like this one, are almost invisible to the eye and, if kept clear when not in use, they won’t draw attention, helping to keep the space looking neat.
Another option is to paint a slim-legged table in the same colour as your wall. The effect will be stronger if your skirting boards match your walls.
Do you have a side table next to your sofa or armchair? Or have these schemes inspired you to get one? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
In a small room where you want minimal furnishings – as shown here with the neutral sofa and simple accessories – your main concern may be to keep the space uncluttered, but how to achieve this when you also want a table?
Transparent acrylic designs, like this one, are almost invisible to the eye and, if kept clear when not in use, they won’t draw attention, helping to keep the space looking neat.
Another option is to paint a slim-legged table in the same colour as your wall. The effect will be stronger if your skirting boards match your walls.
Do you have a side table next to your sofa or armchair? Or have these schemes inspired you to get one? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.
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Some great unique pieces here to spice up your space
I like the contrast of the traditional fireplace and the fresh modern design of the furniture in the 6th picture.