Discover our collection of luxury side tables and occasional tables, selected for their considered proportions, distinctive materials and sculptural detailing. From marble, wood and glass to richly finished metals and mixed-material designs, each piece is chosen to complement sofas and armchairs while adding character, texture and a refined finishing detail to the room.

Luxury Side Tables and Occasional Tables

A carefully chosen side table may be compact in scale, but it can have a significant influence on the balance and character of a room. Positioned beside a sofa or armchair, it provides a convenient surface while creating an opportunity to introduce a distinctive material, silhouette or finish.

At K&B London, our collection of luxury side tables and occasional tables brings together designs in marble, natural wood, glass and metal, alongside more sculptural pieces combining contrasting materials. From understated tables that complement the wider scheme to expressive designs intended to be noticed, each piece is selected for its proportions, detailing and material character.

Choosing a Side Table for a Sofa or Armchair

Proportion should be the starting point when selecting a side table. For comfortable use beside a sofa or armchair, the tabletop will usually work best when positioned around the height of the arm or slightly below it.

Diameter or width is equally important. A substantial sofa can make an overly delicate table appear out of scale, while a large occasional table may overwhelm a more compact chair. Consider the relationship between the table, seating and available circulation space rather than choosing by dimensions alone.

A side table can also introduce contrast. Dark timber beside pale upholstery, veined marble alongside bouclé, or a fine metal frame beside a substantial sofa can create a more layered and considered composition.

Individual Side Tables

A single side table is ideal when one clearly defined surface is required beside a sofa, armchair or occasional chair. It also offers an opportunity to introduce a distinctive material or sculptural form without repeating the same piece throughout the room.

Explore our collection of individual side tables and occasional tables.

Sets of Side Tables

Coordinated sets allow several tables to work together as one composition. Different heights and proportions can create visual rhythm while giving the individual pieces flexibility to be repositioned around the room when required.

A matching pair can also be positioned at opposite ends of a sofa to create greater symmetry, particularly in more formal living rooms.

Discover our sets of side tables.

Marble Side Tables

Marble side tables introduce natural pattern, tonal variation and material depth. Light stones create a softer appearance, while darker and richly veined marble can give even a relatively small table considerable visual presence.

Natural stone pairs particularly well with metal, timber and textured upholstery. Where genuine marble is used, variations in colour, veining and mineral markings form part of the individual character of the material.

Explore our marble side tables.

Wooden Side Tables

Wood brings warmth, grain and texture to the seating area. From lighter natural finishes to dark timber and more expressive veneered surfaces, wooden occasional tables can either soften an interior or provide a stronger material focal point.

They work particularly well alongside stone, glass and metal, allowing natural grain to balance more precise or reflective surfaces.

Discover our wooden side tables.

Glass Side Tables

Glass creates a lighter visual presence and allows the structure beneath the tabletop to remain visible. Clear surfaces work particularly well with sculptural or architectural bases, while tinted and smoked glass can introduce greater depth and contrast.

A glass side table can also be useful where additional surface space is required without introducing another visually solid piece of furniture.

Explore our glass side tables.

Metal Side Tables

Metal can give a side table anything from a restrained architectural character to a more expressive sculptural form. Iron, aluminium and steel can be finished in black, silver, antique brass, gold and other tones, each creating a different relationship with the surrounding materials.

Metal is also frequently combined with glass, marble and timber, allowing a compact table to connect several finishes already present within the interior.

Discover our metal side tables.

Tray Side Tables

Tray tables introduce an additional functional detail while retaining the proportions of a compact occasional table. Some designs feature removable tops that can be used separately, while others use the raised tray form primarily as part of the visual design.

They can work beside sofas and armchairs or as flexible accent pieces elsewhere in the room.

Explore our tray tables.

Round, Square and Sculptural Side Tables

Shape influences how a side table relates to the surrounding furniture. Round tables soften the straight lines of sofas and cabinetry and can make circulation around a seating area feel more fluid.

Square and rectangular designs create stronger architectural definition, while asymmetric and sculptural silhouettes can function almost like small decorative objects within the room.

The shape does not need to match the coffee table exactly. Repetition can create cohesion, while a deliberate contrast of forms often produces a more collected and individual interior.

Side Table or Coffee Table?

Although they perform related functions, side tables and coffee tables differ primarily in scale and position. A coffee table normally forms the centre of a seating arrangement, while a side table sits closer to a sofa or armchair and provides a more personal surface within easy reach.

In larger living rooms, both can be used together. They do not need to come from the same collection, but a connection through material, colour or form will help the arrangement feel deliberate.

For larger central pieces, explore our collection of luxury coffee tables.

How to Style an Occasional Table

Because side tables usually offer a smaller surface, styling is most effective when kept restrained. A table lamp, sculptural object, vase or short stack of books can provide sufficient detail while leaving the material and form of the table visible.

Consider the wider seating composition rather than styling the table in isolation. A distinctive lamp may connect the table with nearby lighting, while stone, glass or metallic accessories can echo finishes elsewhere in the room.

Side Tables for Bedrooms and Other Interiors

Although side tables are most commonly positioned beside sofas and armchairs, many designs can also work in bedrooms, dressing rooms, hallways and home offices.

For a bedroom, consider whether you require drawers or additional storage before using an occasional table in place of a conventional bedside cabinet. Where storage is important, explore our dedicated bedside tables and cabinets.

Create a Considered Living Room

A side table is most successful when its scale, material and finish relate naturally to the surrounding furniture. Rather than matching every element, aim for a composition in which different materials and forms feel deliberately connected.

Pair your chosen tables with luxury sofas, luxury armchairs and pieces from our luxury living room furniture collection to create a cohesive seating area.

Side Tables – FAQs

What is the difference between a side table and an occasional table?

The terms are often used interchangeably. A side table usually refers to a table positioned beside a sofa or armchair, while occasional table is a broader term for compact tables that can be used in different areas of the home.

What height should a side table be?

As a general guide, the tabletop should sit around the height of the sofa or armchair arm, or slightly below it. The correct height ultimately depends on the seating proportions and how the table will be used.

Should side tables match the coffee table?

Not necessarily. Matching collections can create a coordinated appearance, but mixing complementary materials and shapes often produces a more individual interior. Look for a visual connection through colour, finish, proportion or material rather than requiring exact matches.

Can a side table be used as a bedside table?

Yes, provided its height and surface area suit the bed and your needs. If storage is required for personal items, a dedicated bedside cabinet with drawers or shelving may be more practical.