What are side tables used for?

Side tables are used next to furniture like beds and couches to provide an accessible place for keeping essential items at hand. In the living room, side tables are often used to display flower arrangements, photos or books as well as to set down a drink. In the bedroom, a side table is typically populated with items like a lamp, bedtime reading material, and a charging device for a phone. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary side tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What are nesting side tables?

A nesting table is a set of tables designed to be stored one inside or under the other, giving them a layered or stacked appearance. A side table is a table that’s placed beside a piece of furniture. A nesting side table would be a series of side tables in graduated heights that can be stacked or nested together. Shop a collection of nesting tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What size should a side table be?

A side table should stand one to three inches below the arm of the sofa or chair it is placed next to.

Is there a difference between an end table and a side table?

There are two differences between end tables and side tables: function and size. Typically, end tables go beside a chair or at opposite ends of a sofa and have smaller tabletops, while side tables go toward the sides of seating areas or against walls and feature a larger surface area. However, many people use the words side and end tables interchangeably, so these differences may not always apply. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of end and side tables.

Should a side table be lower than a sofa?

No, a side table shouldn't always be lower than a sofa. To make it easy to access items on a table, a sofa's arms should generally be no more than 2 to 3 inches above or below the tabletop. This rule of thumb differs from the one for coffee tables, which should be as tall or 1 to 2 inches shorter than the seat height of the sofa to ensure a balanced look. Explore a large selection of side tables on 1stDibs.

What is a tall side table called?

A tall side table may also be called a console table. While these furnishings are not as common in today’s interiors as their coffee-table and side-table counterparts, console tables are stylish home accents and have become more prevalent over the years. The popularity of wood console tables took shape during the 17th and 18th centuries in French and Italian culture, and were exclusively featured in the palatial homes of the upper class. Find console tables today on 1stDibs.

How can you tell if a side table is antique?

To determine whether a side table is an antique, closely examine its details. Older pieces will typically have telltale features like wood pegs, hand-cut dovetails with some slight imperfections and mortise-and-tenon construction. Tables that are a consistent color throughout or have machine-cut moldings or carvings are unlikely to be antiques. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can be a helpful resource when dating tables. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and modern side tables on 1stDibs.

Side Tables Under 500

SCHNEIDER & VOUTIER French Art Deco Table Lamp, 1924-1928

By Andre Delatte

Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR

French Art Deco table lamp by Charles Schneider (Epinay-sur-Seine, Paris) and M. Voutier, France

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Table Lamps

Materials

Wrought Iron

SCHNEIDER & VOUTIER French Art Deco Table Lamp, 1924-1928

H 16.93 in Dm 6.3 in

3-Pop Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

Located in Geneve, CH

startups to fortune 500 companies. In late 2021, and as a continuation of a manufacturing side project, the

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel

3-Pop Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

H 9.85 in W 18.9 in D 6.3 in

3-Pop Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

Located in Geneve, CH

startups to fortune 500 companies. In late 2021, and as a continuation of a manufacturing side project, the

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel

3-Pop Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

H 9.85 in W 18.9 in D 6.3 in

3-Pop Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

Located in Geneve, CH

startups to fortune 500 companies. In late 2021, and as a continuation of a manufacturing side project, the

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel

3-Pop Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

H 9.85 in W 18.9 in D 6.3 in

3-Pop Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

Located in Geneve, CH

startups to fortune 500 companies. In late 2021, and as a continuation of a manufacturing side project, the

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel

3-Pop Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

H 9.85 in W 18.9 in D 6.3 in

Pair of Sculptural Large High-Grade Citrine Geodes with Shiny Orange Druzy

Located in Ametista Do Sul, BR

a frame for the citrine artwork, seemingly forming fiery landscapes on either side. At just under

Category

2010s Brazilian Dining Room Tables

Materials

Agate, Amethyst, Crystal, Rock Crystal

Pair of Sculptural Large High-Grade Citrine Geodes with Shiny Orange Druzy

Free Shipping

H 51 in W 35 in D 15 in

Barracuda Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

Located in Geneve, CH

, Stainless steel. Weight: 2,35kg The Barracuda is a desk lamp designed for large tables, with an adjustable

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel

Barracuda Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

H 17.72 in W 25.6 in D 7.88 in

BB3Pod Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

Located in Geneve, CH

steel. Weight: 2,35kg The BB3Pod collectible edition is a desk lamp designed for small tables and

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Table Lamps

Materials

Aluminum, Stainless Steel

BB3Pod Desk Lamp by Lucio Rossi

H 17.72 in W 25.6 in D 7.88 in

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Art Deco Lamp, 1920, in Chrome, France

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Table lamp Art Deco Materia: chrome Style: Art Deco Country: France To take care of your property and the lives of our customers, the new wiring has been done. We have specialized i...

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Art Deco Lamp, 1920, in Chrome, France

H 20.08 in Dm 14.97 in

L. Bessin and Daum Nancy Art Nouveau Lamp

By Daum, Paul-Lucien Bessin

Located in NANTES, FR

Art Nouveau lamp circa 1900. Patinated regula representing a nymph, signed L. Bessin for Paul Lucien Bessin. Glass paste tulip signed Daum Nancy. Electrified and in perfect condition...

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Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Table Lamps

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L. Bessin and Daum Nancy Art Nouveau Lamp

H 13.39 in W 6.7 in D 11.42 in

Art Nouveau Bronze and Art Glass Table Lamp by Daum Nancy, 1920's

By Daum

Located in Lisboa, PT

This Art Nouveau table lamp was designed and produced by Daum Nancy, in France, during the 1920's. It has a blown glass shade that is hung in a solid bronze fixture with organic and ...

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Art Nouveau Bronze and Art Glass Table Lamp by Daum Nancy, 1920's

H 13.59 in W 11.03 in D 5.32 in

Tiffany Studios Decorated Arabian Favrile Lamp

By Louis Comfort Tiffany

Located in Dallas, TX

Tiffany Favrile Arabian lamp. Art Nouveau, circa 1910 Tiffany Arabian lamp has blown glass shade and base. Shade is decorated with a green iridescent zipper design against a wave g...

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Vintage 1920s American Art Nouveau Table Lamps

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Art Glass

Tiffany Studios Decorated Arabian Favrile Lamp

H 14 in Dm 7 in

Art Deco Forged Iron Lamp with Müller Freres Shade

By Muller Frères

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Classic French Art Deco table lamp by Mueller Freres, circa 1925, in hand forged iron with molded glass shade. 5. 7.5" diameter x 18" high. MULLER FRÈRES French glass manufactu...

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Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Table Lamps

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Iron

Art Deco Forged Iron Lamp with Müller Freres Shade

H 18 in Dm 7.5 in

Antique French Art Nouveau Period Glass Lamp in Blue and White

By Emile Gallé

Located in Boynton Beach, FL

Exquisite Art Nouveau lamp made in France. Traditional mushroom shape with a rounded dome. Glass base and the two pieces all come together with a brass stem that attaches to the ba...

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Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Table Lamps

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Brass

Antique French Art Nouveau Period Glass Lamp in Blue and White

H 19 in W 11 in D 11 in

Tiffany Studios Bronze and Favrile Table Lamp

By Louis Comfort Tiffany, Tiffany Studios

Located in Dallas, TX

Tiffany Studios Bronze and favrile Desk lamp Damascene iridescent glass with greens, blues, goals and silver. Fine reticulated and patinated bronze base. Original favrile pearl heat...

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Vintage 1910s American Art Nouveau Table Lamps

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Tiffany Studios Bronze and Favrile Table Lamp

H 20 in Dm 7 in

Industrial Bauhaus Art Deco Period Black Metal Desk or Banker's Lamp by Erpees

By Erpees

Located in Lisse, NL

Wonderful and stylish Erpees table lamp from 1920-1930. If you have an Art Deco or midcentury desk and you are looking for a lamp to make it even more stylish and authentic then thi...

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Early 20th Century German Bauhaus Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Chrome, Iron

Industrial Bauhaus Art Deco Period Black Metal Desk or Banker's Lamp by Erpees

H 17 in W 12 in D 14.5 in

Trangenic Light #2 Table Lamp

By Matteo Cibic

Located in Roma, IT

Transgenic lights by Matteo Cibic is a series of three table lamps. The glass structures are inspired by the plant kingdom’s shapes, recognizable despite the genetic mutation process...

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2010s Italian Modern Table Lamps

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Brass

Trangenic Light #2 Table Lamp

H 17.72 in W 5.91 in D 4.73 in

Sintesi Desk Lamp by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide

By Ernesto Gismondi

Located in Dallas, TX

Architectural Sintesi desk lamp in unusual original blue finish designed by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide. Gismondi was the founder of the Italian company Artemide. The lamp adjusts ...

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Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Table Lamps

Sintesi Desk Lamp by Ernesto Gismondi for Artemide

H 20.5 in W 5.5 in D 10.25 in

1980s Ferdinand Porsche PAF Design for Italia Luce Jazz Desk Lamp in Red

By Ferdinand A. Porsche

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Listed for sale is a pair of (sold separately) 1980s PAF Design for Italia Luce Jazz desk lamps in red. These lamps were designed by Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, designer of the orig...

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Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Table Lamps

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1980s Ferdinand Porsche PAF Design for Italia Luce Jazz Desk Lamp in Red

H 24 in W 5 in D 8 in

Antique French Art Nouveau Period Glass Lamp by Daum Studio

By Daum

Located in London, GB

This exquisite Art Nouveau lamp is by the celebrated French glasswork studio Daum which was founded in 1878 in Nancy, France. The lamp is inscribed ‘DAUM, NANCY’. The lamp is of ...

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Antique Early 1900s French Art Nouveau Table Lamps

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Antique French Art Nouveau Period Glass Lamp by Daum Studio

H 16.54 in Dm 9.06 in

Daum Nancy Art Deco Globe Iron Table Lamp Circa 1925 signed L Katona

By Daum

Located in Oakland, CA

Art Deco acid-etched French Globe Iron Table Lamp by Daum and Katona. This beautiful and unusual lamp is crafted in the “pate de verre” technique of thick glass heavily etched and ca...

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Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Table Lamps

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Daum Nancy Art Deco Globe Iron Table Lamp Circa 1925 signed L Katona

H 13 in W 6 in D 6 in

Art Deco Lamp, France, 1920, in Chrome

Located in Ciudad Autónoma Buenos Aires, C

Table lamp Art Deco Materia: Chrome Style: Art Deco Country: France To take care of your property and the lives of our customers, the new wiring has been done. If you want to live i...

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Art Deco Lamp, France, 1920, in Chrome

H 21.26 in Dm 14.57 in

Teak Double-Sided Rotating Mirror

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Elegant teak double-sided mirror. Scalloped base. Mirror rotates 360 degrees and is mirrored on both sides. Perfect for a make up counter or store display. Excellent vintage condition.

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Vintage 1950s German Table Mirrors

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Teak Double-Sided Rotating Mirror

H 14.25 in W 9.5 in D 3.75 in

Charles Schneider French Art Deco Lamp, 1924-1928

By Andre Delatte

Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR

French Art Deco table lamp by Charles Schneider, Epinay-sur-Seine (Paris), 1924-1928. Mottled glass shade, powders are applied between two layers that comes on its elegant wrought-ir...

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Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Table Lamps

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Wrought Iron

Charles Schneider French Art Deco Lamp, 1924-1928

H 15.56 in Dm 5.71 in

Recent Sales

Thomas O'Brien for Hickory Chair Modern Mahogany Library Table or Desk Bookcases

By Thomas O'brien, Hickory Chair Furniture Company

Located in Dayton, OH

sides and one central lap drawer. The high gloss finish makes it tough to see the beautiful burled

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Late 20th Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables

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Mahogany

Thomas O'Brien for Hickory Chair Modern Mahogany Library Table or Desk Bookcases

H 30.25 in W 60 in D 36 in

LOVE IS IN THE AIR, Signed Authenticated Contemporary British Screenprint 34/500

By Banksy

Located in New York, NY

LOVE IS IN THE AIR, Signed, Authenticated Contemporary British Screenprint 34/500 Banksy (British

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Early 2000s Contemporary Figurative Prints

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LOVE IS IN THE AIR, Signed Authenticated Contemporary British Screenprint 34/500, 2003

H 19.69 in W 27.56 in

George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller

By Herman Miller, George Nelson

Located in Los Angeles, CA

the remaining 3 sides are exposed being finished in black as well as the steel frame. The desk is

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George Nelson Desk for Herman Miller

H 29.5 in W 42.13 in D 18.5 in

Jaeger LeCoultre, Original Red Atmos Clock, Embassy, 1971

Located in Greven, DE

brass case with original wine red finish on front and sides. Dial with Roman numerals and with a lily

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Vintage 1970s Swiss Mid-Century Modern Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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Jaeger LeCoultre, Original Red Atmos Clock, Embassy, 1971

H 8.67 in W 6.7 in D 4.34 in

Migrants, Mayra, Picnic... Skateboard Deck by JR

By Prune Nourry and JR

Located in Jersey City, NJ

visitors could eat off: one eye was on a table in Tecate, on the Mexican side of the border, while the

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2010s Belgian Wall-mounted Sculptures

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Migrants, Mayra, Picnic... Skateboard Deck by JR

H 8 in W 31 in D 2 in

WWII Molly Pitcher '1943' Ship Hatch Whale Form Anchor Nautical Coffee Table

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Vintage custom-made Reclaimed Ship Hatch Coffee Table from the Maiden Voyage of the Sunken American

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Vintage 1970s American Folk Art Nautical Objects

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Iron

WWII Molly Pitcher '1943' Ship Hatch Whale Form Anchor Nautical Coffee Table

H 15.5 in W 60 in D 24 in

American Tavern Table

Located in Culver City, CA

A good early 19th century side (or tavern) table, with bread board ends, one drawer and standing on

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Antique 19th Century American Side Tables

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Pine

American Tavern Table

H 27 in W 40 in D 27 in

1950s Brown Teakwood Sewing Table by Hans Wegner

By Hans J. Wegner, Finn Juhl, Andreas Tuck Møbelfabrik

Located in Frankfurt, Hessen, DE

sewing table in teak is foldable on both sides. The drawer has a detailed, practical subdivision for

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Vintage 1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

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1950s Brown Teakwood Sewing Table by Hans Wegner

H 24.02 in W 26.38 in D 22.84 in

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Questions About Side Tables Under 500

What are side tables used for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Side tables are used next to furniture like beds and couches to provide an accessible place for keeping essential items at hand. In the living room, side tables are often used to display flower arrangements, photos or books as well as to set down a drink. In the bedroom, a side table is typically populated with items like a lamp, bedtime reading material, and a charging device for a phone. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary side tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What are nesting side tables?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A nesting table is a set of tables designed to be stored one inside or under the other, giving them a layered or stacked appearance. A side table is a table that’s placed beside a piece of furniture. A nesting side table would be a series of side tables in graduated heights that can be stacked or nested together. Shop a collection of nesting tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What size should a side table be?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A side table should stand one to three inches below the arm of the sofa or chair it is placed next to.
Is there a difference between an end table and a side table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
There are two differences between end tables and side tables: function and size. Typically, end tables go beside a chair or at opposite ends of a sofa and have smaller tabletops, while side tables go toward the sides of seating areas or against walls and feature a larger surface area. However, many people use the words side and end tables interchangeably, so these differences may not always apply. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of end and side tables.
Should a side table be lower than a sofa?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
No, a side table shouldn't always be lower than a sofa. To make it easy to access items on a table, a sofa's arms should generally be no more than 2 to 3 inches above or below the tabletop. This rule of thumb differs from the one for coffee tables, which should be as tall or 1 to 2 inches shorter than the seat height of the sofa to ensure a balanced look. Explore a large selection of side tables on 1stDibs.
What is a tall side table called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
A tall side table may also be called a console table. While these furnishings are not as common in today’s interiors as their coffee-table and side-table counterparts, console tables are stylish home accents and have become more prevalent over the years. The popularity of wood console tables took shape during the 17th and 18th centuries in French and Italian culture, and were exclusively featured in the palatial homes of the upper class. Find console tables today on 1stDibs.
How can you tell if a side table is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
To determine whether a side table is an antique, closely examine its details. Older pieces will typically have telltale features like wood pegs, hand-cut dovetails with some slight imperfections and mortise-and-tenon construction. Tables that are a consistent color throughout or have machine-cut moldings or carvings are unlikely to be antiques. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can be a helpful resource when dating tables. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and modern side tables on 1stDibs.