A side table holds a lamp, a glass or a book within reach of a seat. Height decides whether it works. Material decides how it ages. Start with the seat it sits beside, then choose the surface.
Match the height to the seat
A side table should sit within 5 to 10 cm of the arm of the sofa or chair beside it. For a sofa with a 65 cm arm, a table between 60 and 70 cm works. A table that is too tall makes you reach up for a drink. One that is too low makes you lean down.
Bedside tables usually run 55 to 65 cm so the top lines up with the mattress. Beside an armchair, 50 to 60 cm suits a compact top of 30 to 40 cm.
Top size and clearance
A 40 cm round top holds a lamp and a phone. A 50 cm top adds room for a small plant or a book. Leave about 45 cm of walkway beside the table, and keep it within arm's reach of the seat. Between the sofa and the table, 30 to 45 cm works for most rooms.
Stone
Travertine is natural limestone with pale tones and organic veining, so no two pieces match. The Orlo Side Table is solid travertine, 40 cm round. It is porous, so use coasters and keep wine and citrus off it.
The Portico Side Table is black marble with deep veining that varies from stone to stone. Marble is softer than it looks, and acids such as vinegar can mark it, so wipe spills promptly.
Metal over stone
The Halo Side Table pairs a fine black metal top with a solid marble base, 40 cm across. It also comes in moka, which has a warmer base for rooms with timber and boucle. The weight sits in the base, so the top can stay slim.
Round tables for curved sofas
Round tables follow the line of a curved sofa. The Delia 3-piece Sofa sits on low black timber legs, so choose tables with a similar visual weight. The Luna Coffee Table and Earth Coffee Table are low rounds that work with a side table at arm height.
One table or two
One side table beside a sofa works. Two give the sofa a frame. They do not need to match, but they should share a height and a weight. Two Halo tables in black make a matching pair. A travertine Orlo at one end and a black marble Portico at the other makes a mixed pair, where the materials differ but both are natural stone and both are compact.
Open-plan rooms
Where the lounge runs into the dining area, a table behind a floating sofa marks the edge of the seating zone. Keep it lower than the sofa back so it does not block the view across the room.
Beside a bed
Choose a top large enough for a lamp and a glass of water, and a height that lets you reach it lying down. A 40 cm round such as the Orlo leaves room for both without crowding the walkway.
Care
Wipe stone with a damp cloth and dry it. A stone sealer helps on travertine. Use coasters on any natural stone. Our furniture care guide covers timber and upholstery as well.
Questions we hear
Can I mix stone and metal? Yes. Keep the heights close and one colour in common, such as black. Do I need a sealer? Travertine benefits from one. Marble is better protected by wiping spills quickly. How many should I put beside a sofa? One at each end gives balance, and one is enough if the room is small.
See them in person
Browse all side tables, or visit our Parnell or Grey Lynn showroom to see the stone and finishes. Each piece of natural stone varies, so seeing it in daylight is worth the visit.
