When your morning brew is too hot, your chapter gets interrupted, or the remote needs a home, the best end tables ensure that there’s a nearby place to rest whatever might need holding. Whether a larger side table that doubles as record storage, or a pedestal with just enough room for a single martini glass, end tables are endlessly versatile. Honestly, we think these pieces are the unsung heroes of any functional living area when your coffee table is too far away or your accent chair needs a companion. Some can even be considered major design moments as well. From structured stone to small-space-friendly builds, our favorite end tables do so much more than just stand there and look pretty; they make your living room (or patio, or bedroom) a more enjoyable place to hang out.
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For the Collector
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Joss & Main Bayline Glass Top End Table
Part curio cabinet, part end table, this high-quality piece from Joss & Main serves as a display case for your cherished trinkets while also providing storage space. The traditional-leaning table features a glossy black frame and an additional drawer beneath the closed display area. Showcase your rare books, favorite matchbooks, or simply keep remotes and coasters out of reach from curious kids and pets.
Best for Small Spaces
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Cleverly shaped like the letter C, this Thuma end table is ideal for spaces where furniture needs to adapt to a limited square footage. The minimal form can tuck around a sofa’s arm or accent chair’s curve, providing you with a clever workspace that occupies a small footprint.
Outdoor-Friendly
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Lulu and Georgia Mona Drink Table
Crafted from concrete with a faux travertine finish, Lulu & Georgia’s Mona accent table is both indoor- and outdoor-friendly. The durable stone ensures that condensation won’t leave any unsightly rings. Choose from a grey or orange speckled finish for a welcome contrast from furniture’s typical soft textures and various wood tones.
Best for Storage
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Photo: Erika Owen
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Photo: Erika Owen
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Kartell Componibili Round Modular Stacking Unit
The Kartell Componibili units are modular and stackable, meaning you can adjust the end table to best suit your sofa’s height or storage requirements. This long-time best seller features three sliding doors that easily open to reveal cubbies that can house anything from excess charging cables to extra books. Commerce market editor Kate McGregor uses hers as nightstands for additional bedside storage. The small stature also allows for plenty of space behind it for a floor lamp.
Best Metal End Table
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AllModern Level Steel Top End Table
Longer than most traditional side or end tables, AllModern’s Level option is the perfect length (24 inches long) to sit flush with a standard-depth sofa. The refreshing cobalt blue colorway would blend into any Danish modern home, while the shelving itself provides ample display space for your favorite coffee table books. In small spaces, this piece can also double as a console table or sideboard to display your favorite serveware.
Designer-Approved
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Pierce & Ward Metal Side Table
As part of AD-100 design firm Pierce & Ward’s eclectic West Elm collaboration, this side table provides an industrial edge to their 1970s-leaning aesthetic. Although with a slipcovered sofa and rustic accents, the piece could easily elevate a farmhouse-style living room. The ball feet add a sense of playfulness without looking overly abstract. With a Soft Oil-Rubbed Bronze finish, the cast metal accent table is durable against drink spills and pet claws alike; simply wipe to clean.
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Castlery Hugg Nesting Side Table
Rather than two side tables nested together, this combination includes a pouf underneath the tabletop. Ideal for when extra seating is needed last-minute (and you don’t have the storage space for actually beautiful folding chairs), Castlery’s Hugg side table is a cozy take on traditional tables. Choose from a rectangular version with two U-shaped stools, or the side table with one pouf.
Worth the Splurge
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Soda Blown Murano Glass High Table by Yiannis Ghikas
A favorite of our senior visuals editor, Melissa Maria (and a slew of celebrity home tours), this blown glass side table is both a sculptural art piece and a place for parking the drink in your hand. The slightly opaque form reflects light across your space. Though it’s available in several jolly-rancher-esque colorways, we particularly love that the petrol grey looks slightly blue in direct light.
Best Side Table with Shelving
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House of Leon Ojai Valley Side Table
For those with an overflowing amount of books, print media, or records, look for an end table that can double as a bookcase for your favorite pieces of home decor. This one from House of Leon features two surfaces with an open bookshelf in between that just happens to be the perfect width for LPs (the table is 14 inches wide). The natural oak would fit right in in a Scandinavian living room, while the walnut feels distinctly midcentury.
FAQS
What is the difference between an end table and a side table?
For most people, the terms end table and side table are interchangeable. However, there are a few differences between these two product types. According to furniture brand Joybird, end tables are often smaller tables, used at the end of a sofa or accent chair to provide a surface for setting down a drink or a book. A side table, on the other hand, is typically a bit larger and usually placed between accent chairs, in a reading nook, or in larger living rooms. On this list, the Joss & Main Bayline end table is most similar to a side table, while the Yiannis Ghikas Murano glass piece is a true end table. End tables also more commonly feature storage, like shelving or drawers.
What is the best shape for an end table?
The best shape for an end table or side table will often depend on your living room’s layout. In larger spaces, opt for a square or a round table that can fill up the negative space and provide ample surface area for table lamps and living room decor. For a mid-century modern room e, a square or rectangular wood side table can bring warmth and classic 1950s geometry to your space. If you’re more minimalist, look for simple forms like circles or ovals in neutral shades (black, white, wood tones, or metal) that can soften the often boxy silhouettes found in a family room.
