A side table holds a lamp, a book and a cup within arm's reach of a sofa or armchair. Pick one that stands within 5 cm of the arm height, usually 50 to 60 cm, with a top of 40 to 50 cm across: big enough for a mug and a phone, small enough to tuck in.
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Buying guide
These small tables do a quiet job, which is why they are easy to get wrong. Too low and you lean over to find your drink; too big and the sofa looks squeezed. Measure the arm you are standing it beside, then the floor space next to it, and think about what will live on top: a reading lamp needs a wider, steadier surface than a cup of tea.
The top should sit level with the sofa or chair arm, or up to 5 cm below it. Most arms are 55 to 65 cm high, so side tables of 50 to 60 cm cover the majority of living rooms. Next to a bed, match the top of the mattress instead, usually 50 to 65 cm. Beside a low lounge chair, drop to 40 to 45 cm so the surface stays within easy reach.
A top of 40 to 50 cm takes a lamp base and a cup. Round tops are easier to walk past and sit well beside curved armchairs. Square ones line up with boxy sofas and fit neatly into a corner. C-shaped designs slide under the seat so a laptop or plate comes over your lap, which is handy in small flats without a desk.
In the UK the two names describe much the same piece. An end table traditionally sits at the end of a sofa; side tables can go anywhere, including beside a reading chair, in a hallway or as a bedside table. Lamp tables are simply taller versions built to hold a table lamp at a comfortable reading height.
In a narrow room, yes. One small table at each end of the sofa, or a pair of nesting tables, frees the floor in front and still gives everyone somewhere to put a glass down. Nesting sets also give you an extra surface when guests arrive and slide back together afterwards.
Solid wood can be repaired if it gets marked. Lacquer and powder-coated metal wipe clean with a damp cloth. Glass and marble look light but show rings, so keep coasters close. Check the weight if the table will hold a heavy lamp: a wider base or a heavier top keeps it steady when someone brushes past.
Most side tables are small enough to arrive in one box. Some come ready to use; others need their legs or base screwed on. The product page lists the assembly time and any tools needed.
Matching side tables at both ends of a sofa give a calm, symmetrical look, especially with two identical lamps. Mixing them works too: a round wooden table on one side and a slim metal one on the other, kept within a few centimetres of the same height. Side tables in a bedroom follow the same rule, one each side of the bed, sized to the space between the bed and the wall.
Within 5 cm of the sofa or chair arm, which usually means 50 to 60 cm.
Very little in the UK. An end table sits at the end of a sofa; side tables can stand anywhere, including next to a bed.
In a narrow room, two side tables or a nesting set free the floor in front of the sofa and still give you a surface.
Round, around 40 cm across, or a C-shaped table that slides under the sofa seat.