On the face of it, there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot of difference between a side table and end table.
Both are smaller, satellite tables that can be used in addition to or instead of a larger coffee table. As Shakespeare famously put it, “A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet”.
But there are subtle differences between the two. Where one might expect slightly more surface area from a side table, an end table instead offers up a little island of room with about enough space to keep a cup of tea, evening cocktail or some snacks. It’s why they’re best placed around sofas or armchairs, though depending on your preference for minimalism, they could also serve well as bedside tables, a plant stand for the hallway or a grand setting for your prized bathroom lotions and potions.
As with side tables, end tables are available in every design you can imagine from overblown maximalist designs that pack a punch despite their compact dimensions, to minimal function-first options that quietly get on with the job at hand.
In the living room, it can be more comfortable to have an end table to keep lamps, candles and books rather than cluttering up the coffee table - especially if you often use it for dinner or snacks.
Look in the right places, and end tables can offer a more economical way to update your interiors instead of forking out on larger investment pieces like bookcases, storage units and sideboards. If you’re not sure quite where to start, help is at hand.
We’ve rounded up the best end tables to spend your money on, from homeware heroes big and small. Whether you want to spend a little or you’re happy to blow the budget on a statement piece, our edit serves up oodles of inspo below.
Shop now
Anthropologie Swirling Marble End Table
Dimensions (short table): 48 x 13 x 25cm
With just about enough room to keep a cuppa or your latest novel, these slim end tables are the perfect bed or sofa-side companions. Crafted from marble and supported with brass-coloured metal, the twin designs are available in two sizes to best suit your needs.
Buy now £138.00, Anthropologie
Bicente End Table
Dimensions: 43 x 35 x 35cm
It’s precisely the small nature of an end table that makes it ideal for seasonal interiors uplifts. Take this cobalt blue version by Bicente, for example. The bright colour will make it pop against existing furniture, making the entire space feel refreshed. The Spanish-made table boasts a satin finish that’s easy to keep clean - but please, insist on coasters when using it for drinks. It’s also available in beige, but when the blue looks this good - why choose anything else?
Buy now £202.99, Wayfair
AM.PM Akrili Acrylic Cube End Table
Dimensions: 35 x 45 x 35cm
If you’re searching for a statement look to give interiors a design-led lift, this interesting cube design has it in spades. Made from fig-coloured acrylic, the solid piece is inspired by 70s aesthetics and can be used indoors and out, although keep it out of direct sunlight.
Buy now £575.00, La Redoute
Oliver Bonas Aurélie Green Mango Wood Bedside Table
Dimensions: 62 x 31 x 31cm
Looking plucked from a vintage furniture market, don’t pay too much attention to Oliver Bonas’s description of this pretty mango wood table - it may say bedside, but you can use it in any neglected corner of the house. The aquatic green and blue colours are finished with gold-coloured handles with plenty of room underneath to store things you can’t tuck away into the pull drawers.
Buy now £195.00, Oliver Bonas
Dunelm Freddie Long Side Table, Rustic Wood
Dimensions: 38 x 80 x 30cm
Slim, streamlined, frill-free: this side table is what your sofa has been crying out for. Its low height keeps refreshments, snacks and the remote within reach, bypassing the risk of overstretching yourself with a coffee table.
Buy now £49.00, Dunelm
Dunelm Bradford Metal Locker End Table
Dimensions: 69 x 38 x 40cm
Fans of the industrial look will adore this end table, which looks like a minimised version of a school locker. The lockable design comes in three colours (taupe, grey and green) and has myriad uses, from creating extra living room storage to using as a bedside table or somewhere to store bathroom essentials. The vented door aids air circulation which will stop weird scents and mould developing.
Buy now £99.00, Dunelm
Umbra Bellwood Storage Table
Dimensions: 68.7 x 24.1 x 34.9cm
We may live in a tech-driven world, but that doesn’t mean we have to put up with endless cables at home. Hide trip hazard wires and cables with this nifty storage table, which features a high-walled basket at the base to keep chargers hidden out of sight. Special hooks and openings also allow wires to be streamlined while devices are being used. The top shelf, though small, offers enough space to keep your handset to avoid it being lost under sofa cushions, while the contrasting handle makes it easy to move around the room when you fancy a change.
Buy now £66.62, Wayfair
Urkitd Small End Table Oval Side Table for Small Spaces
Dimensions: 29 x 60 x 52cm
Living room too small for a full-size coffee table? No matter; this oval-shaped wood design has your storage needs in the bag. There’s a lower shelf to keep books and records with spindles and edges to stop your stuff from tumbling out. A great storage solution at an even better price.
Buy now £19.00, Amazon
M&S X Swoon Figueroa Side Table
Perfect for tucking in corners or adding interesting lines to the room, this M&S and Swoon table allows you to get a touch of designer style in to your space for less. Supported with brass-coloured hardware, the triangle side is small but has just about enough room for a statement lamp or a Happy Hour G&T.
Buy now £149.00, M&S
Dunelm Bath Side Table, Iron
Dimensions: 72 x 40 x 40cm
Metallic accessories give a luxe edge to interiors, and this gold-coloured tripod side table available at Dunelm meets the brief. As well as two levels to keep throws, magazines, drinks and snacks, there’s also an integrated handle so you can move it around with ease.
Buy now £49.50, Dunelm
Oliver Bonas Parker Bobbin Purple Acacia Wood Side Table
Crafted in acacia wood and finished in lovely lavender, we're surprised to find this darling side table hasn't sold out - yet. There are three levels to curate your favourite things, plus a slim drawer to hide away more stuff. Also available in pink and green.
Buy now £175.00, Oliver Bonas
