Side table – a stylish and practical addition to your home
A side table is more than just a small piece of furniture next to the sofa. It provides a place to put your favourite book, a coffee cup or a reading lamp, whilst also adding a stylish touch to your living room. At Möbel Ehrmann, you’ll find a carefully curated product range of side tables in a variety of materials, shapes and styles – from minimalist and modern to warm and natural, from understated to striking.
As a family-run business with over 30 years’ experience in the furniture trade, we ensure that every model is crafted to a high standard and blends harmoniously into a variety of interiors. At our furniture showrooms in the Palatinate, Baden and Trier, you can take your time to view and handle the tables, and receive personalised advice from our interior design consultants.
What a good side table should offer
A side table fulfils several functions at once in everyday life. It serves as a storage surface next to a sofa, armchair or bed, visually fills empty spaces in a room and can also act as a small display area for a vase, a stack of books or decorative objects. For a model to prove a lasting success, its height, footprint and material quality should be suited to its intended use.
A tried-and-tested rule of thumb is that the tabletop should be roughly at seat height or slightly above it, so that you can comfortably reach cups and books without having to stretch. For a classic sofa, this height is usually between 50 and 60 centimetres. If you’re looking for a side table as a substitute for a bedside table, you should adjust the height to match the top edge of the mattress.
Wooden side tables – natural warmth for every interior style
A wooden side table brings warmth and character to a room. Solid woods such as oak, walnut or wild oak feature vibrant grain patterns and knotty sections that give each piece its own unique character. Veneered versions are ideal if you prefer a very understated, uniform look or if your budget calls for a more modest price point.
If you enjoy combining natural materials, a wooden side table can create a lovely contrast to modern upholstered furniture. In our table range, you’ll find a wide range of wood types and finishes – from oiled and lacquered to textured vintage looks. Wooden surfaces should be cleaned regularly with a soft, slightly damp cloth and occasionally refreshed with a suitable care oil to keep the grain looking vibrant.
Metal side tables in black or gold
Metal side tables impress with their sleek lines and high stability, despite their delicate appearance. Black models have an understated look and complement almost any interior style – from industrial lofts to elegant period properties. A side table in black pairs particularly well with light-coloured sofas and natural tones, creating a sense of calm and clear structure in the room.
If you prefer a warmer, more festive look, you can opt for a side table in gold or with brass-coloured accents. Such designs create striking focal points and harmonise beautifully with muted wall colours such as sage, petrol blue or dusky pink. Powder-coated surfaces should be cleaned with a dry or slightly damp cloth; there’s no need to use harsh cleaning agents, as this will help the finish remain even and durable for a long time.
Glass side tables – lightness and transparency
A glass side table looks light and takes up little visual space. This makes it a good option for smaller living rooms where you want to create extra storage space without visually cluttering the room. Clear glass tops allow a view of the floor, ensuring that carpet patterns and floor coverings remain visible.
Tempered safety glass, with a thickness of eight to ten millimetres, is commonly used in the home and reliably withstands everyday wear and tear. A matt-etched or tinted glass top can be useful if you want to minimise the appearance of water marks and fingerprints. If required, we’d be happy to show you the differences between the various glass options in our showroom and advise you on the right table height.
Round side table or square – a question of style
The question of ‘round or square’ often has a greater impact on the look of a room than you might think at first glance. A side table with a round shape gently breaks up clean lines and creates a friendlier, less austere atmosphere in the room. Round models are also useful along walkways, as they have no sharp corners.
Square or rectangular side tables create a sense of order and complement the lines of your sofa, shelving unit or sideboard. They are particularly well-suited if you wish to arrange several tables side by side or in a staggered formation to create a small ensemble. Two- or three-piece sets can be nested inside one another to save space and can be flexibly arranged around the room as required.
Small side table for the living room and bedroom
A small side table serves several everyday purposes at once. In the living room, it replaces a missing coffee table in compact layouts; next to an armchair, it provides a discreet place to set down a cup and reading glasses; and in the bedroom, it takes on the role of a minimalist bedside table. Make sure the surface area is large enough to hold your essential items securely, yet remains compact enough not to clutter the room.
Anyone looking for a side table for the living room should also consider how easy it is to move. Models with a carrying handle or lightweight legs can be moved effortlessly – for example, when you have guests and need to rearrange the seating. In our range of coffee tables, you’ll also find larger models that can be harmoniously combined with small side tables.
Side table set – can be combined flexibly
Sets of side tables, often referred to as ‘nesting tables’, consist of two or three tables of different heights that can be nested inside one another. You can place them together as a set in front of the sofa or, if required, arrange them individually around the room. This option is ideal if you regularly entertain guests or wish to create flexible storage space.
The same applies to sets: the materials should complement the rest of your décor. A combination of wooden tops and slender metal frames creates a modern look, whilst a consistent solid wood finish creates a calmer, warmer feel. In our range of tables, you’ll find set solutions in both styles.
Find the right side table – we’d be happy to advise you
A side table is a small piece of furniture with a big impact. To ensure the right model for you suits the room, its intended use and your existing interior style, it’s worth clarifying a few points before buying: What height do you need? How much surface area should the top provide? What materials are already present in the room? Should the table serve as a statement piece or blend in discreetly?
Our interior design consultants take the time to answer these questions. In our furniture showrooms, you can place models side by side, compare wood grains and finishes, and get a feel for their height and footprint. You’ll find an overview of our locations on the locations page – we look forward to your visit. If you prefer to browse from home, you can also view our brand portfolio and get an overview of our manufacturers.
Upon delivery, our in-house assembly teams will handle the set-up – without the need for third-party contractors and leveraging their many years of experience. Upon request, we can also provide advice on affordable financing options to ensure your new side table integrates seamlessly into your personal plans. Be inspired – we look forward to working with you to find the model that’s just right for you.