A selection of the best side tables for New Zealand homes

Like any type of furnishing, a side table can take many forms and can be used in many different ways. They make a great companion to an armchair or sofa for placing food and beverages. They can be used with coffee and end tables as a suite. They can even be purely decorative. Whatever your intention, you'll want to choose from the best of the best and this selection of stylish side tables represents exactly that.

An exquisite choice for any living room, the Lato Side Table enhances a space with its sculptural appeal. The slim, oval or round table top elegantly balances on an oval-shaped base, creating a striking and poetic design. Inspired by an upside-down lollipop, the table's simplicity speaks volumes about sophistication. Crafted by the talented designer Nichetto, Lato embodies timeless elegance and attention-grabbing allure. Its artistic roots in the creativity of Murano artisans ensure a harmonious blend of form and function, making it a captivating piece that doubles as both a side table and a captivating sculpture.

The Calacatta Viola Side Table will instantly elevate your living room with its stunning Italian marble plinth. The luxurious marble material exudes elegance and sophistication, adding prestige to any space. Its unique veining and adaptable design allow you to naturally integrate it into your decor, making it an excellent choice for enhancing both style and functionality. It is also available as a coffee table and cube allowing you to create a bit of cohesion when combining them together for a striking look.

Related article: 17 coffee table decor ideas to spruce up your home

The Husk Small Table by B&B Italia is a circular metal tray resting gently on sturdy die-cast supports. Available in white or black, its top features a copper finish as a tribute to classical aesthetics while embracing contemporary sensibilities. The option to choose between white or black, with a copper finish, adds a touch of classical charm. Its refined appearance and timeless materials make it a perfect complement to any living room decor.

The ingenious creation of Vincent Van Duysen, the Louisa Small Table by Molteni&C offers a remarkable side table option for your living room. Blending the tactile charm of wood and cement, this side table showcases an innovative design. The conical central plinth, elevated from the floor and hollowed out, adds a touch of modernity and elegance. The suspended tray-like table tops, available in a variety of finishes, feature a captivating radial motif achieved through a unique joining procedure. With its protective essence, the Louisa exemplifies the perfect harmony of modern architecture and design.

The Bell Table by Classicon and designed by Sebastian Herkner presents an innovative choice for a living room, challenging perceptions with its glass base supporting a seemingly floating metal top. Crafted through traditional hand-blowing techniques, the transparent tinted glass base creates a sculptural presence, complementing the solid brass frame reminiscent of a bell's elegant silhouette. This side table elevates domestic interiors with its reflective surfaces, contrasting materials, and appreciation for craftsmanship. You can choose from various base colours and top frames in brass or black burnished steel, with tabletop options including crystal glass, black lacquered, or marble for a truly distinctive look.

The metal Tray Table by Hay is a smart addition that combines style and practicality. With its detachable tray on a table frame design, it serves as a versatile side table that allows for the easy transport of items, making it incredibly useful for daily needs. Its minimalist design adds a touch of modern elegance, perfectly complementing various interior styles. Whether you need a convenient surface for drinks or a portable tray for carrying essentials, you'll find that the Tray Table will meet your needs in more ways than one.

Embodying a powerful Japanese aesthetic, the Tomo Side Table is an ideal choice for a living room, bedroom, or any space that craves personality. Crafted from polypropylene and recycled waste materials with minimal environmental impact, this side table is both lightweight and eco-friendly. Its versatility makes it perfect as a side table, bedside table, or even a stool. With four captivating colour options to choose from, the Tomo Side Table adds a touch of charm and sustainability to your living room setup.

Related article: 16 bedside table ideas that are simple and stunning

The Pedestal Side Table in Fleck White displays confident curves and a modern design to make it a stylish addition indoors or out. Its generous tabletop offers ample space for drinks, appetisers, books, or decor. Made from a lightweight, durable fibre-cement blend, it's both water-resistant and crafted to last. With its versatile design and unique white fleck finish, this side table suits both contemporary and classic settings, blending seamlessly into any space. A practical and elegant choice.

The Re-Form tables showcase the art of transformation, merging elements into cohesive and visually intriguing pieces. The side tables are part of a collection that includes a range of other options, like coffee tables, offering flexibility for standalone use or combinations. With a design that blends straight lines and graceful curves, each piece exudes a minimalist style while maintaining a striking personality. Multiple heights and wood types, like Oak, Walnut, Smoked Oak, and Black Oak, provide endless creative possibilities to suit different spaces and styles.

A stunning collaboration between Molteni&C and Foster+Partners, the Vicino Side Table combines high-tech innovation with sophisticated design, making it a standout piece. Its unique sliding tops allow you to adjust the surface, making it versatile for holding objects and bringing essentials within easy reach. Crafted with a sturdy frame in red, pewter, or bronze lacquered steel, it conceals a refined mechanism that enables smooth movement of the marble or eucalyptus tops. The slim yet durable tabletop materials add a touch of luxury while enhancing functionality.

The Chess Table by Moooi is as playful as it is functional, with a unique design that can double as a game board, making it perfect for social gatherings or quiet pastimes. Its white and black colour scheme gives it a timeless look that complements a wide variety of interior styles. Compact in form, it’s an ideal size for small spaces or as a decorative accent piece. Made from quality wood with an internal steel frame and finished with high-gloss lacquer, it combines elegance with durability. This table brings a blend of fun and sophistication, making it a great conversation starter in any room.

Related article: 9 brilliant accent furniture ideas to refresh your space

Now that you've seen how many stylish examples of side tables there are, the next step is deciding which is going to be the best choice that meets all your needs. By following these steps, you'll cover all the bases and have criteria to narrow down your choices to a select few.

1. Determine the purpose

With most furnishings, functionality is key, so knowing what you'll use your side table for is key. Will it be used mainly for holding drinks, displaying decor, a decorative accent, a statement piece or something else? Being able to answer this question will help you narrow down the features you'll need in terms of things like surface area, storage, shape and more.

2. Think about dimensions

Another important practical factor is the size, shape and dimensions of the options you're looking at compared to the space it'll be in. For this, you'll need to get your measuring tapes out to ensure you're picking something that's a good fit. In stating the obvious, small spaces will need compact or narrow designs while large spaces can accommodate more expansive pieces. If your side table is going to be paired with a sofa or chair, as most are, you'll want to be sure it aligns or sits slightly below the armrest so that it's comfortable to use and balanced to the eye.

3. Look for complementary materials and finishes

Despite its generally diminutive size, the look of your side table is no less important and you should think carefully about how it matches with your room's current style. The choice of material is also crucial here as different options can have contrasting impacts on a space. For example, metal finishes suit an industrial look, marble exudes elegance and wood can bring warmth to a space. Glossy finishes can bring a modern sheen while matte finishes bring classic vibes.

4. Look for additional features

By this stage in the process, you may have a few great options on your shortlist but could be struggling to decide which one to pick. Looking for additional features is often a great way to differentiate one product from the next. These can be things like adjustable heights, indoor-outdoor versatility, built-in storage/lighting etc. Features like these can actually make quite a bit of difference in the way you use these furnishings so are definitely worth considering in some depth.

5. Brand, quality and price

Last but not least, the brand of side table you buy, which directly influences the quality and price are decisive factors. As with any piece of furniture, you'll find options at a range of different price points. For example, you'll find budget and entry-level side tables from $50 - $100, mid-range options anywhere between $100 - $500 and premium options above and beyond that.

It's important to think about your purchase as a long-term investment as something that will last 10 years and maybe more. While the cheapest options will always be enticing, if it's poorly made and needs replacing after a relatively short time, the initial savings will quickly be eaten away.

Looking at established brands with a track record for quality manufacturing and craftsmanship will mean your side table will retain its original condition for longer. There also tend to be more options in terms of style and design at the mid and upper-range price bracket, giving you a greater chance of finding something unique and on-trend.

As you can see, the side tables featured make inspired choices for a living room or any space in the house for that matter. Whether you're after an option featuring an exquisite material like marble or a multi-functional choice that can double up as a stool, you'll find there are plenty of superb options to choose from. And, by following our selection criteria, you'll be sure you pick something that does everything you need it to and more.

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(This article was updated on the 30th October 2024)