Side Tables that Every Room Needs
Kara Cox Interiors
There are several supporting players in our homes that don’t get enough credit. We take them for granted most of the time, but when they are missing, we definitely notice. Side tables are functional pieces that make living easier - they hold drinks, lamps books, magazines, and anything else we want nearby. Often called an end table no matter where they are in a room, there are a lot of sizes and styles, but each one actually was designed for a specific function. Let’s take a look.
Kara Cox Interiors
Lamp Table
Most of the side tables for the home have specific names that let you know exactly what they were designed for, like the lamp table. These are supposed to hold a table lamp at the right height for a person seated nearby. They’re usually either exactly the height of the sofa arm or slightly taller. That puts the lamp at a great point for shining light on a book. These tables are usually a good size for holding other things, like remotes, stacks of books, flowers, or accessories.
Kara Cox Interiors
Martini Table
These smaller tables became popular for the cafe society when the cocktail hour was the most important social event to host at home. They are thinner and designed to hold a drink or two, and at one point they were also called cigarette tables (for obvious reasons). Today, you’ll also hear people refer to this type of table as a drinks table.
Kara Cox Interiors
Foyer Table
This table is sometimes called a console table. It’s thinner in depth so it can easily fit against a wall in an entry. It’s great for a lamp and to be a “holding space” for keys, mail, and other items. Because it’s usually taller, too, this type of table is sometimes used behind a sofa.
Kara Cox Interiors
Magazine Table
I love magazine tables because their shape is unique and their purpose is very specific. The top of the table is usually rectangular to support the hammock shape of the lower portion. It’s designed, as its name suggests, to hold magazines, newspapers, and other papers that are rolled or folded.
Kara Cox Interiors
Accent Table
Accent or “occasional” chairs and tables got their name because they weren’t always supposed to be functional. These designs were meant to “accent” a room with a sculptural or unique look, like the lovely stone table above. Today, we don’t have a lot in the home that doesn’t have a purpose, so the term now just means any extra table in a room that can hold anything you need.
Kara Cox Interiors
C Table or S Table
These tables got their name (or letter, as the case may be) for their shape. The acrylic style of this table above also has a tray-like top, so I used it to function as a small bar table in this room.
No matter which table type you choose, having plenty of surfaces near your seating will make your room function perfectly for you.
All the best,
Kara