Side and Lamp Tables | Elystra Living
Living Room

Side and Lamp Tables

Browse our full range of Side & Lamp Tables — Living Room essentials, fast delivery and 30-day returns.

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Side and lamp tables for every seat

A side or lamp table is the small piece that makes a living room work - somewhere to rest a cup of tea, a book or a phone within easy reach of the sofa or armchair, and a natural home for a lamp. Our range spans compact tables for tight corners, nests that tuck away, and designs with a drawer or shelf for tidy storage, in oak, walnut, painted, oak-effect, glass and metal-frame finishes to match the way you live.

Below you will find simple guidance on getting the height, size and placement right, so your table looks in proportion and earns its keep beside every seat - with fast UK delivery and 30-day returns on every order.

Getting the height right

Height is the measurement that matters most. As a rule, choose a side table roughly level with the arm of your sofa or chair, or a few centimetres below, so a drink or a book is easy to reach without looking down on it. Most sofa arms sit around 55 to 65cm from the floor, which is a good target range for a companion table. If the table is mainly there to hold a lamp, a little taller is fine so the light falls nicely for reading.

Choosing a shape and size

  • Round side tables - soft on the eye and safe in busy rooms, with no corners to catch as you pass.
  • Square & rectangular - offer the most usable surface for a lamp, a book and a drink together.
  • Nest of tables - flexible surfaces you can spread out for guests and slide away again, ideal for smaller rooms.
  • Tables with storage - a drawer or lower shelf keeps remotes, coasters and reading glasses close but tidy.

Keep the tabletop in proportion to the seat beside it - a slim armchair suits a smaller table, while a large corner sofa can carry something more generous.

Lamp tables and lighting

If the table is home to a lamp, think about the pairing as a whole. A taller, slimmer lamp suits a lower table, while a compact lamp balances a taller one, and the base should not overwhelm the surface - leave room for a drink alongside. Position the table so the flex reaches a socket tidily, and for reading, aim for the bottom of the shade to sit around eye level when you are seated. A drawer in a lamp table is handy for hiding a trailing cable or a book.

Materials, finishes and everyday life

Each finish sets a different tone. Solid and oak-effect wood is warm and forgiving of everyday knocks; painted finishes suit country and coastal rooms; glass tops keep a small space feeling open; and metal frames add a contemporary or industrial edge. In a family room, rounded corners and wipe-clean surfaces make life easier, and a shelf or drawer keeps clutter off the top. Use a coaster or a tray to protect wood and glass from cups and heat.

Side and lamp tables - frequently asked questions

What height should a side table be?

Aim for a table roughly level with the arm of your sofa or chair, or a few centimetres below - usually around 55 to 65cm. This keeps a drink or book easy to reach without looking down on it.

What is the difference between a side table and a lamp table?

They overlap - both are small occasional tables placed beside seating. A lamp table is simply one chosen mainly to hold a lamp, so it is often a touch taller so the light falls nicely for reading.

Which side table suits a small living room?

Look at round designs, glass tops and nests of tables. Round shapes ease circulation, glass keeps the room feeling open, and nests free up floor space when the extra surfaces are not in use.

Do your side tables have storage?

Many do. A drawer or lower shelf is ideal for keeping remotes, coasters, reading glasses and a book close to hand but tidy. The exact storage is listed on each product page.

How big should a side table be next to a sofa?

Keep it in proportion to the seat beside it - a slim armchair suits a smaller table, while a large corner sofa can carry something more generous. Leave room on top for a lamp and a drink together.

How are side and lamp tables delivered, and can I return one?

We deliver across the UK, carefully packed, and every side and lamp table is covered by our 30-day returns policy so you can be confident it is right for your room.

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