Sculptural and Statement Making, the Best Side Tables Are More Than Just a Surface

It seems like side tables are constantly taking a back seat to more attention-seeking pieces of furniture, like couches and coffee tables. Don’t forget how hardworking a side table is, though. Where else would you set your cup of coffee or glass of wine? What other piece of furniture so beautifully displays statement-making lamps and holds them at just the right height for reading?  

It’s time for them to get the respect—and attention—they deserve. That’s why we’ve rounded up the 10 best side tables, each with an unexpected element, whether it’s made with an interesting material or a pattern taken straight from an iconic architect’s repertoire. Read on for our favorites.

Our Favorites

• Best overall: &Tradition Shuffle Table
• Best value: Hay Don’t Leave Me Side Table
• Best marble: CB2 I Beam Pink Marble Side Table
• Best customizable: Inside Weather Latte Hanna Side Table
• Best metal: Blu Dot Note Side Table
• Best sculptural: West Elm Monti Lava Stone Side Table
• Best colorful: Kartell Colonna Green Stool
• Best woven: The Nopo Maho Side Table
• Best glass: Hikari Signature Table
• Best wood: Sarah Ellison Freddie

Best Overall: Tradition Shuffle Table

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Dimensions: 27.2 inches high x 17.7 inches diameter | Material: Lacquered MDF, solid wood | Assembly needed: Yes

Why we chose it: This table’s sculptural design can be rearranged for countless seriously stylish looks.

Does this shape-shifting table remind you of something? Classic wood toys from your childhood, perhaps? That’s what designer Mia Hamborg was going for, and we think she nailed it. Its design toes the delicate line between nostalgic and forward-thinking, which is one of many reasons it’s our overall favorite side table. 

Assembly is required, but this is one furniture-assembling session you’ll enjoy—we promise. Arrange this table into any configuration you’d like, deciding the shape, color combination, and height. And whenever inspiration strikes, you can rearrange it for endless possibilities. Its versatility, combined with practicality and impeccable design, is ideal for those who like to switch up their space often. 

Best Value: Hay Don’t Leave Me Side Table

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Dimensions: 23 inches high x 15 inches diameter (for the regular size), 25.75 inches high x 19 inches diameter (for the extra-large) | Material: Powder-coated steel | Assembly needed: No 

Why we chose it: This side table gives you high design without a high price point.

Chances are you’ve seen this Hay side table before, and for good reason: The Don’t Leave Me is a fan favorite for its sleek, thoughtful design. The lightweight table was made to be portable, with a handle that makes it easy to carry from room to room, so it can serve various functions in various places. 

It’s also, as far as side tables go, affordable. At this price, you might consider purchasing a pair, either in matching or complementary colors. (It’s available in seven colors, including sunny yellow, toffee, and black.) 

Best Marble: CB2 I Beam Pink Marble Side Table

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Dimensions: 20 inches high x 15 inches wide x 12 inches deep | Material: Honed pink marble | Assembly needed: No 

Why we chose it: This marble side table manages to be both sturdy and sexy. 

There’s something undeniably sexy about marble; no wonder the ancient Greeks and Romans preferred it for their sculptures. This CB2 side table is a work of art in itself. To create this beauty, honed pink marble pieces are cut to shape, then jointed together and finished by hand. Its slim, sturdy shape can squeeze into just about any tight space, but we suggest leaving plenty of breathing room so it can be admired. Each table’s veining will vary, making for a one-of-a-kind piece you’ll have forever. 

Best Customizable: Inside Weather Latte Hanna Side Table

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Dimensions: 21.75 inches high x 20 inches wide | Material: Baltic birch plywood and an American maple veneer | Assembly needed: Yes 

Why we chose it: A side table that brings Frank Lloyd Wright’s iconic patterns to your living room. 

The legacy of Wright lives on, and now you can bring a (little) part of it into your home. In partnership with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, Inside Weather created this geometric side table, named after Wright’s Hanna House, known for its innovative use of hexagonal shapes. 

The history is cool, and the customizable options are even cooler. Choose between two wood finishes, latte or espresso, then mix and match dozens of colors and 18 different Wright patterns for the tabletop and shelf surface. The only downside is how tricky it is to pick just one.

Best Metal: Blu Dot Note Side Table

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Dimensions: 22 inches high x 16 inches diameter | Material: Powder-coated steel | Assembly needed: No 

Why we chose it: With its slim profile, this side table is subtle yet striking. 

This Blu Dot side table is so discreet we wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t give it much thought at first. But take a second glance and you’ll realize how brilliant the subtle design is, gracefully complementing other furniture without stealing the show. 

It’s also durable. The powder-coated steel makes for a sturdy material that supports a cantilevered tabletop and base. We love that it’s available in eight colors—some classic, some unexpected—for every living room’s color palette. 

Best Sculptural: West Elm Monti Lava Stone Side Table

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Dimensions: 18 inches high x 15 inches diameter | Material: Lava stone | Assembly needed: No

Why we chose it: A distinct material + a soft shape = a showstopper of a side table.  

This West Elm design caught our attention with “lava stone” and kept it with a cool, sculptural shape. Despite its industrial style, there’s nothing cold about this side table, thanks to its soft, curved lines. It’s created with a recipe of volcanic ash, stone, fiberglass, and sand resin—or lava stone—which is hand-cast and finished to mimic the look and feel of aged stone. We also love that this table can be used indoors or out—it would look just as beautiful on a patio as it would in a living room.  

One caveat: Volcanic stone is porous, making it sensitive to scratches and staining. Though it comes presealed, be sure to use coasters under all beverages and blot up any spills right away. 

Best Colorful: Kartell Colonna Green Stool

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Dimensions: 18.11 inches high x 13.58 inches diameter | Material: Technopolymer | Assembly needed: No

Why we chose it: A standout side table for those who aren’t afraid of a little—or a lot—of color.

All-neutrals-all-day folks, keep on scrolling: This near-neon stool is for color lovers only. And as much as we love its bold lemon-lime hue, the wavy stool also makes our list for its versatility. It can serve as extra seating, a perch for party snacks, a place to put your feet up, or—of course—a side table. (Our chief content officer, Kate Berry, uses the Colonna all ways.) It’s also indoor- and outdoor-friendly, upping its versatility twofold. 

Best Woven: The Nopo Maho Side Table

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Dimensions: 15.74 inches high x 15.75 inches diameter x 11.81 inches base | Material: Metal structure, woven in chuspata | Assembly needed: No

Why we chose it: Expert artisans and a handmade approach make for a worldly side table. 

We love the beautiful simplicity of this woven side table and the story behind it even more. Using fair-trade practices, the Nopo works with artisans around the world to create its handmade goods, which, in turn, helps preserve the heritage of these time-honored traditions. 

The Maho side table is handwoven in Mexico using chuspata, a reed that grows near Lake Pátzcuaro and is harvested by the artisans of Ihuatzio. We especially love its spacious top (nearly 16 inches in diameter) for holding plants, lamps, and a drink or two—all at the same time.

Best Glass: Hikari Signature Table

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Dimensions: 17.7 inches high x 17.5 inches wide x 19.5 inches long | Material: Acrylic with glass coating | Assembly needed: No

Why we chose it: This iridescent design is ultra-modern, with ever-changing colors and vibrant shadows. 

This acrylic and glass Hikari design is coated with a special iridescent finish, making for a wild display of colors and shadows that change depending on the angle of the light and your vantage point. It’s just about the coolest glass side table we’ve seen. 

The table is hand-shaped by the brand’s artisans, and don’t worry about being too precious with the glass top: The long-lasting finish keeps it shiny and reflective. The table comes with a two-year, no-questions-asked return option, if for whatever reason it doesn’t work for your space. We doubt you’ll need it, though.

Best Rattan: Sarah Ellison Freddie

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Dimensions: 17.3 inches high x 15.7 inches diameter | Material: Rattan with brass detailing | Assembly needed: No

Why we chose it: Quality craftsmanship and materials merge to make a stunner of a side table.

We know timeless design when we see it, and this Sarah Ellison side table is just that. Made of rattan with a hint of sophisticated brass detailing, it would look just as beautiful in a bedroom as it would a living room.

The rattan is treated with a light coating of clear lacquer, so you don’t have to worry about everyday wear and tear. It’s easy to clean, too; a simple wipe-down will do. Pair its versatility and practicality with its fresh geometric shape, and you have a winner. 

How We Chose These Products

These side tables have been through our research wringer. First and foremost, we looked for tables made with quality materials from respected brands. We also prioritized practicality, sufficient surface area, ease of cleaning and maintenance, and durability, as well as reasonable return policies and a range of price points, so you can find a beautiful side table, no matter your budget. And, of course, good design. 

Our Shopping Checklist

Design

No more side tables as afterthoughts: We think they present an opportunity to add statement-making, timeless, versatile design to a room, whether sculptural or minimal, clean-lined or bold, eclectic or traditional.

Dimensions

A side table should be just shorter than the arm of your sofa or chair—about 2 inches. That makes for a comfortable height to turn on a lamp or set down a drink. For chairs without arms, keep your side table no higher than 8 inches taller than the seat. 

Materials

Side tables run the gamut in terms of materials: stone, steel, marble, wood, and more. Even lava can be turned into a beautiful side table, as in one of our picks. When considering a material for your table, pay attention to how heavy it is (Is it difficult to move yourself?), whether it’s a potential hazard for children (sharp steel corners do not pair well with little ones), and its durability. Other considerations: Can it be easily cleaned? Can it be used indoors and outdoors? What is its weight capacity? 

Assembly

Before purchasing a side table, read the fine print to see if it comes assembled or if you’ll be sprawled out on your living room floor with a screwdriver and an instruction manual. If assembly is required, are the tools included? Most of the side tables we chose do not involve assembly, and the few that do are ultra-easy. 

Ask Domino

Q: What’s the difference between an end table and a side table?

It’s all in the name. An end table is placed at, well, the end of a piece of furniture and is generally slim—no more than 18 inches in diameter—so it can squeeze into tight spaces. A side table, meanwhile, is more of a “look at me!” design feature. It lives more out in the open alongside another piece of furniture and also features additional surface area (it’s usually between 18 and 26 inches in diameter). The function of both is the same: a convenient place to set necessities within arm’s reach of a couch or chair.

Q: I like an eclectic look. What can l use as a surface instead of a traditional side table?

Whether or not traditional side tables float your design boat, we all still need a place to set a book or hold a lamp. The good news is there are many unexpected options to use instead of a conventional side table. What about a floating shelf? A stool (or a cluster of a few stools) is another way to go, as long as it has a flat surface. You could also stack coffee-table books, salvage a tree stump, or use a sleek bar cart. 

Q: What is an occasional table?

Think of an occasional table this way: It’s used on occasion for occasions. It is generally small, portable, and pretty. Its greatest asset, though, is its versatility, as it can be used in any room for any purpose. 

The Last Word

When shopping for a side table, balance beauty with practicality. As much as we love a stellar design, a side table must function well as a comfortable place to house a lamp or set a drink. If it is too short or unsteady, or requires too much maintenance, no amount of cool design can save it.