A small accent table can add just the right touch of interest to a living room scheme—and our Top 10 Modern Accent Tables illustrate that point beautifully. Choose from cutting-edge side tables to modern tables with full fledged Mid-Century modern credentials.
Modern Side & End Tables
Top 10 Modern Accent Tables
How to Get the Most from Family Room Furniture
Turn family room into the ultimate gathering spot with thoughtfully selected essentials.
Why should I invest in modern end tables?
Every home, regardless of size, benefits for a few modern end tables or side tables, and shopping for these subsidiary furniture pieces can be great fun. Because modern end tables are typically accent pieces, rather than primary furniture, the quest for a striking modern side table should be less fraught and stressful than, say, trying to find that statement modern sofa or dazzling contemporary coffee table. Still, with so many modern side tables to choose from, some basic guidelines will help keep you from making knee-jerk purchases that outlive there welcome a few years later.
The short answer is: versatility and price point. Contemporary side tables are, by definition, small in scale, easily movable, and functionally versatile. Whether acting as permanent bedside tables or additional surface areas for cocktail party accoutrements, modern side tables or end tables are capable of morphing into whatever is needed at a moment’s notice. A well-placed modern end table that’s both handsome and thoughtfully designed for longevity can offer years, even decades, of joy and use by being easily transferable to any room in the house.
The relatively modest price point of modern end tables provides valuable opportunities for rounding out a modern furniture collection without breaking the bank. With their broad range of sizes, shapes, material applications, and colorways, mindfully selected modern end tables can make indelible design statements, whether used as accent pieces or essential design components in a room. Instantly recognizable creations from Mid-Century designers, as well as innovative new arrivals from contemporary stars, make the search for that perfect modern end table a worthy and fun-filled shopping exercise.
What Should I Look For in a Modern Side Table?
What you want from your modern end tables is contingent upon how you intend to use them. If you’re intending for your contemporary end tables or side tables to perform traditional functions—flanking sofas, and providing surface areas for table lamps, for instance—you’ll need to be mindful of a particular height or finish, or need specific features, like drawers or other storage compartments. But if you’re simply in search of a modern side table to add a dash of pizzazz or be a versatile addition to your furniture collection, no design prerequisites, other than personal taste, will be needed.
No matter what you plan to use your side table for, you want to select a quality piece in a style that works best for the aesthetic you are trying to achieve. At 2Modern, we have a wide variety of modern side tables and accent tables in different materials, colors, shapes, and sizes to fit your needs. For sophisticated simplicity, a Scandinavian Side Table is rustic and refined, with functionality and beauty in mind. A modern farmhouse side table is warm and welcoming, perfect for holding a cozy mug of coffee and a richly detailed table lamp. Mid-century modern side tables bring a retro feel to your space, with recognizable details and cool silhouettes for a timeless touch of beauty.
How Modern End Tables Can Accentuate Your Room Decor
Modern end tables and accent tables are a great addition to a variety of spaces in your home to balance out additional furniture within a room and provide much-needed surface area to rest drinks, books, decor, and lighting. Modern end tables are also a great way to carry through the aesthetic you are trying to achieve within your home. Look for natural-finished or rustic end tables for a beautiful farmhouse vignette or sleek, mirrored accent tables for an art-deco or Hollywood glam style living room. Burnished metal side tables are great for an industrial lounge area, while solid wood pieces in a variety of finishes can suit contemporary, vintage, and Scandinavian spaces alike.
Modern Side & End Table FAQs
- How to Decorate a Side Table?
When decorating a modern side table, it all depends on the space the table is in and the function you are looking for it to have. If flanking either side of a sofa, sectional, or arm chair, a stylish table lamp brings additional brightness to your room and can double as a convenient place to charge electronics if outfitted with a USB port. If space allows, a small dish to hold odds and ends or display favorite trinkets looks nice stacked atop designer coffee table books or a decorative storage box. A scented candle or vase of flowers helps promote a relaxing atmosphere, while a convenient set of coasters can be kept to always protect surfaces while enjoying a night of entertainment with friends.
- How Tall Should a Side Table Be?
Standard end table heights range between 18 and 24 inches and have an average width of around 16 to 22 inches. With this in mind, the size of your side table truly depends on the height of your sofa, sectional, or arm chair. A good rule of thumb is to select a side table that is within two inches of your seating. If your sofa’s arm stands at 20 inches, you’ll want to select an end table that is between 18-22 inches. For aesthetics sake, try to have your end table be shorter or the exact height as your seating’s arms for easy access and continuity.
- How Many Side Tables Do I Need in a Living Room?
This really depends on the existing furniture you have and how much surface area is needed. If you have a large living area where you are always entertaining, having enough end tables for everyone to rest a drink on or put down their phone is key. Typically a living room will have one or two end tables, usually flanking a sofa or either side of a lounge chair. Keep in mind you do not want too many end tables in your space as it will feel cramped and cluttered.
