A side table is neither a coffee table nor an end table. Rather, it is a table that can be distinct in an of itself, allowing you to stray from the status quo of a room and add a little panache of personality that is all your own.
However, choosing the right side table still requires that you follow some general principles, or should we say guidelines. Since it is still part of the room, it can’t be so glaringly different that it distracts from the focal point of the room or create conflict in the eye of the beholder. It should stand out for the right reasons, not the wrong ones. That’s why choosing the right side table requires a delicate balance between your own preferences and traditional standards in design.

Before choosing the right side table, let’s look at the advantages of a side table in the first place. First, it offers you extra real estate when you entertain, allowing you to serve drinks, appetizers and even some vintage bottles of wine. Because side tables often have drawers, you even have a convenient place for a wine opener, some cocktail napkins and serving ware.

Because side tables are small and light, they are also easy to move around so you can use them in different places around the room or even in different rooms. That way you can go about choosing the right side table for a number of rooms, not just one. For example, a side table can give you a little extra counter space in a cramped kitchen during the holidays or offer guests a little extra space in the bathroom to refresh themselves with some nice scents, soaps or oils.

When choosing the right side table, here are some other great uses:
Nightstands in the bedrooms. Because they are small and light you can use side tables in the bedroom in place of nightstands. In fact, you can end up with two entirely different styles, tied together with matching lamps.
Plant stands. If you want to add greenery to your room, you could start by choosing the right side table that can hold several plants or flower arrangements to add color, freshness and a little bit of oxygen to your room.

Displays. If you have family heirlooms or souvenirs of your world travels you can use a side table to display them in an artistic fashion. This not only showcases some of your favorite things but also adds a little artistry to the room.
Choosing the right side table is easy, largely because there are so many choices out on the market these days. Online retailers offer literally hundreds of choices, from fairly traditional models to themed pieces that look as if they have been shipped in from the four corners of the world or were brought back during your travels to exotic lands. Because they don’t have to necessarily match the rest of your furnishings, they can have their own personality. When choosing the right side table, you need to be aware of its scale compared to the other pieces of the room. You want it to complement the room, not overwhelm it.

If space is at a premium, you may want to consider nesting tables or side tables where the top can be locked in an upright position so it sits flush against the wall. It can then be lowered and used while entertaining, but remain out of the way the rest of the time. Some side tables are also stackable, so you can create a multi-tiered shelf-like arrangement that can be used to display knickknacks most of the time but be pressed into service during a party or the holidays when every inch of table space is at a premium.

Author Bio: Jesse Akre owns Edenvale Shoppes and hosts numerous furniture and furnishings for any home whether it be living room tables or cabinet hardware styles and designs.

Category: Home Management
Keywords: living room furniture,kitchen furniture,dining furniture,patio furniture,benches,cabinet hardware,ba