The Best Supporting Act

Side tables are the perfect petite opportunity to go bold

The sofa, dining table and chairs, armchair are all quite a serious decision to make when we’re pulling together a room. But the side table is pure fun. We can choose something a little more expressive with this less committal piece.

Here are 20 new and some classic favorites in various price points. Thank you to the paid subscribers here, you get access to the full list after the first 14.

A wonderful menagerie of side tables. By Tali Roth. Photo by Caitlin Mills for The Design Files

---

Textural Side Tables

1. The Cork range by Vitra is rubust and classic. 2. This Trove Burl Side Table by Globewest features the most stunning finish that is having a moment.

1. I love this stool and own one myself. It sure does get a good knock about with the kids as they roll it around the lounge room! It’s made of solid cork and is so tactile. There’s a little family of shapes made by Vitra. They come in just under $1000 and you can find them online.

2. The Trove Burl Side Table by Globewest ups the ante by adding texture in the space. Burl is a beautiful finish that we’re enjoying seeing again because it’s quite special and rare. This one is around $820.

3. The Stomboli side tables by India Mahdavi. 4. Twist side table from Globewest.

3. The texture, the shapes, the way it nests, it’s all pretty perfect. Designed by India Mahdavi from Studio ALM.

4. Classic and a little quirky. The Trove Twist side table by Globewest is around $820.

   

   5. Side table by Christopher Norman. 6. Mori side table by Castlery.

5. There is something so substanial about solid wood furniture. This is crafted by Christopher Norman based in California.

6. There is a nice wood detail to this side table from Castlery. It’s well priced at under $300.

The side table is the humble side-kick to a space. Reliable and cute, they are the unsung here if you ask me. Studio Varey Architects. Dagny Studio.

---

Black Beauties

Sometimes a room needs a punch of black to add contrast and create depth. A black side table is the perfect way to do it.

7. Duncan Round side table from Castlery. 8. Inset side table by Ferm Living.

7. The Duncan Round side table is a sweet design and adds a playful touch to a space. From Castlery and under $400.

8. The Inset side table by Ferm adds a sculptural element. From DesignStuff.

9. Lisa Ertel Dune Stool Burned Edition side table. 10. Horn Variations IV by Destroyers/Builders from Criteria.

9. The pattern of the natural wood in this solid wood is enhanced by being sandblasted and burned. Designed by Lisa Ertel, a Berlin based artist and designer and available from Objects with Narratives.

10. This solid wood side table is simple and a perfect punctuation to a living space. Called Horn Variations IV made by Destroyers/Builders designed by Linde Freya Tangelder and from Criteria.

---

Playful Side-kicks

The side table is a super easy way to add an element of fun to a space.

11. Mirror Block Table in pink by HK Living from House of Orange. 12. Olwen Side Table from Castlery.

11. Whao, add a bubblegum pink side table and suddenly we’re really fun people! This side table by HK Living is available from House of Orange.

12. The Olwen Side Table takes a soft almost marshmallow-y form. From Castlery.

13. The Ledge side table is handmade in LA and available from Criteria. 14. Owl side table by HK Living.

13. Ledge Side Table BZIPPY is designed, hand built, glazed and firedmade in LA by Bari Ziperstein. Available from Criteria.

14. If you wanted quirky, I found one for ya! This Rattan Owl side table is surely a conversation starter. Let’s not take our spaces so seriously and have some fun. By HK Living from House of Orange. It’s brand new so ask them for pre-orders.