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Occasional tables are the quiet problem-solvers of a home - a nest you pull out when guests arrive, a lamp table beside the armchair, a slim accent table to fill an awkward corner. Our range covers nests of tables, side and end tables, lamp tables and decorative accent designs, in oak, walnut, painted, glass and metal finishes that slot in wherever an extra surface is needed.
Below you'll find helpful guidance on choosing the right type for the job, getting the height and scale right, and using occasional tables to add both function and character - with fast UK delivery and 30-day returns on every order.
A useful occasional table sits close to the height of whatever it stands beside. Next to a sofa or armchair, aim for a top near the height of the arm - a little above or below is fine - so it's comfortable to reach a mug or lamp switch without stretching. In a hallway or corner, scale matters more than function: a taller, slimmer table suits a narrow space, while a low, wide piece anchors a broad corner. Always measure the spot first and leave enough room to move past without the table blocking the walkway.
The finish sets both the look and the upkeep. Solid and oak-effect wood is warm and forgiving of daily life, painted tables suit country and coastal schemes, glass tops keep small rooms feeling light and open, and metal frames add an industrial or contemporary edge. If you're short on storage, a lamp or side table with a drawer or lower shelf hides remotes, coasters and clutter. In homes with young children, rounded corners and wipe-clean surfaces make everyday use far easier.
Because they're small, occasional tables are easy to style - and easy to overload, so keep it light. A lamp with a book and a small dish is plenty for a side table, while a nest looks best with just one or two pieces on the top table so the smaller ones stay free to use. Mixing finishes works well here: repeat a material or a tone already in the room to tie a mismatched pair together, and let one decorative accent table stand alone as a little moment in a corner.
An occasional table is a small, flexible surface for whenever you need one - holding a lamp or drink beside a chair, offering extra space when guests visit, or filling an awkward corner. Nests, lamp tables, side tables and accent tables all fall under the term.
Aim for a top close to the height of your sofa or chair arm, a little above or below is fine, so it's easy to reach a mug or the lamp switch. In a hallway or corner, choose the height to suit the space rather than a seat.
Yes, especially in smaller rooms. The tables tuck neatly together to save space day to day, then spread out to give everyone a surface when guests arrive, making them one of the most flexible occasional pieces you can buy.
Not exactly - they just need to feel related. Repeating a wood tone or a material already in the room ties everything together, while a contrasting accent table can stand alone as a deliberate feature in a corner or hallway.
Nests of tables, slim side tables and glass-topped designs are ideal. Nests free up floor space when not in use, slim tables keep walkways clear, and glass tops help a compact room feel open and uncluttered.
We deliver across the UK, carefully packed, and every occasional table is covered by our 30-day returns policy, so you can be sure the size and finish work in your room.
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