How to Style a Side Table

Side tables are a very personal sentimental piece of furniture.  They often hold pictures of your loved ones, your favourite books & flowers.  But how do you create a harmonious balance?  When does it start to look cluttered or too bare?  In this post, we will be giving tips on how to choose your table, the layout & how to accessorise it.

“A design principle which affects every room of your home. It dictates layout, size and shape of objects, the work triangle of a kitchen, even the color, pattern and fabric designs of your room.”

Choosing Your Table

Side tables are a way to enhance a living room or family room. It’s important to keep a side table’s function in mind but just as important to choose a side table for its beauty and the way it exhibits your personal style.

They can cost thousands, or even pennies.  Pick one up at your local second-hand shop.  Some of the most beautiful pieces of furniture are found in a bad state & beautifully restored to match your style & taste.

Things to consider when choosing your table

  • Are you planning on storing things in or on a side table?
  • Will you use it to stack books or other things?
  • If you will be using it to hold drinks and food, glass, marble or other stone would be a good choice.
  • Is the area for a side table small. Stacking tables are a great way to expand usable area.

Grouping Objects

Depending on the size and style of a coffee table, grouping pieces together is another way to create balance. When using two tables, a glass table two-tiered table, or square table, symmetry works well as a way to achieve balance.  This includes playing with height & shape. Using objects with varying heights will keep the eye moving and create more visual appeal.

Accessorising Your Table

There are so many ways to style/accessorize a table, and really there are no rules. However, if you aren’t sure where to begin below is a list of basic items to use that you can’t go wrong with:

  • A lamp
  • Artwork/mirror
  • Books
  • Floral/branches

Just a couple little tiny blooms in a small bottle would add life and beauty to a side table. Other organics like sticks and twigs or even a very very convincing faux plant would soften up the table too!

Layer your accessories.  Don’t be afraid to let your lamp cover a portion of the artwork.  Add pops of colour & include items collected from your travels. This is a great way to start a conversation & will make your decor unique.

Which Look Appeals to You?

Feminine

Mix warm metallics like this accent table with velvety jewel-toned pillows for a romantic look.

Refined

Try an elegant, leggy side table and fl oor lamp on top of an overdyed Persian rug, and finish off with ikat pillows.

Country

Gather relaxed elements like a jute rug, colourful pillows and a shapely table lamp. Rustic wood nesting tables provide extra surface space.

Contemporary

Limit your palette to a few key neutrals and keep the details streamlined. Choose an accent table with a drawer to hide remote controls.

Inspire, surprise & challenge yourself –  How will you style your table? 

Let your creative juices flow & have fun!