Side Tables And How to Use Them

Side Tables And How to Use Them

By Jane Alexander Ogilvie

While major pieces of furniture (such as sofas) do the bulk of the work in a living room, tables are the soul of interior design; they carry the lamps and ornamentation which give a room its atmosphere and unique personality. Choosing a table is an important process, you're not just choosing furniture, you're creating a home and gaining a friend.

Choosing a table isn't easy, partly because tables have so many names, yet the name rarely matters, what's important is the way the table is used. End tables are often found in pairs, one at either end of a sofa, but exactly the same table, on its own, at the side of a chair, would most likely be called a side table, you might even find it in the bedroom, as a nightstand. Whatever you call the table, it has a purpose, usually to act as a stage or platform for something else, a lamp, a cup, a book or all three. And let me suggest one other important element of your decor; a plant or vase of flowers.

The height of a table is very important. End tables should usually be the height of the sofa's arm and will act as a frame for the larger piece. If your sofa is a modern design, you may find the arm isn't much higher than a coffee table. Add a lamp and if possible have them wired so you can switch them on and off from a wall switch. If rewiring isn't possible, add a simple remote control. Over head lighting destroys the atmosphere in a room.

Your choice of end of table will depend partly on the style of your room, but mostly on the style of your sofa. A modern sofa with straight lines, demands an angular end table, square or rectangular. Check the size carefully, sofa's can be more than 40 inches deep. A 15 by 18 end table could look far too small, whereas a pair of 36 by 36 end tables will take up 18 square feet, and that's not including the sofa between them! If you have room for a sofa table behind your couch, you may not need room on the end table for lamps or flowers, but if not, remember it's these decorative elements that give your home color and personality.

If your room is small, look for a rectangular table the same depth as your sofa, but relatively narrow (14-18 inches). If your sofa has a rounded back or arms, consider a pair of elegantly rounded or oval tables. If you need to save space, use a set of nesting tables on either side of your sofa, and for maximum utility, choose tables with built-in storage; everyone needs space to store remote controls and DVD's. Even the smallest of tables can hold a single flower in a vase. For special occasions, have a suitable vase ready to hold fresh flowers, but for every day, buy a stem of a realistic (often described as 'real touch') but artificial bloom. Just one or two in a small vase will make a huge difference. A flower and a set of candles may be all your need to add a striking accent color to your room; keep the major furnishing neutral and it's an easy, inexpensive process when you want to change your color scheme.

Modern furniture puts an emphasis on glass, however real wood is generally far easier to care for. If you're looking for something with personality, a painted finish will give your living or family room an additional 'wow' factor and if you have modern decor it will help you avoid the 'metal and glass' look. A light colored, painted finish will give your room a fresh feel; there's no need to go for dark colors if you're looking for a traditional style; be fashionably 'shabby chic' by choosing pastel tables with a distressed finish. A light, chintzy or feminine sofa, potted plants and vases stuffed with cottage garden flowers will complete the look, but if you'd prefer something more exotic, try something with a patterned mosaic surface and the warmth of brass, or use a carved ornate trunk to add an air of mystery.

Don't spend time trying to 'match' finishes. Just like a great outfit, a great room isn't made from furniture that matches, but from furniture that blends and contrasts. A single item, in a style different from the rest, can make an excellent focal point to a room, especially when the item is beautifully made.

Interiors are not all about looks, they're about people. Designers use furniture and accessories to give people what they need, functionally, artistically and emotionally. Choosing the right table, and accenting with the right plants and flowers, are important parts of that process.

Looking for interesting ways to decorate with plants, centerpieces and flower arrangements for all occasions? Visit our website where we have centerpiece ideas for every time of year, from Thanksgiving to Christmas, Valentines, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, Mothers Day and beyond!

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Great Ideas for Arranging Living Room Furniture

Great Ideas for Arranging Living Room Furniture

By Jennifer Akre

Getting great ideas for arranging living room furniture is something of a lost art. At one time, living rooms were the formal entertainment spaces, akin to parlors back in the Victorian age. It was used mostly when guests and visitors came by.

Today's living room is much more multipurpose, especially with modern open floor plans where the living room is often connected visually with the kitchen, dining room and perhaps even a family room.

As such, thinking up smart ideas for arranging living room furniture is a bit more challenging as it must not only serve in a more formal role, but be useful day in and day out for the family.

But getting ideas for arranging living room furniture isn't as hard as it seems. The first thing you want to do is decide if your room has a strong focal point. It could be the fireplace or a view window, but just as likely these days it's a large screen plasma or LED TV with a home theater system.

If your home has such a TV, then you will start by arranging living room furniture so that everyone who comes over for a movie can see the screen. You really can never go wrong with centering the sofa or sectional right in front of the TV. If you have occasional chairs, you can add them to the mix by placing them between the sofa and the TV, setting them out a bit so views aren't blocked. If they swivel, so much the better so you can switch between conversation and movie watching.

But what about ideas for arranging living room furniture when you have a sofa and a love seat? The traditional solution is to place them facing each other. But if you have a strong focal point you may want to place them in an L configuration instead, with the sofa on the long end and the love seat at a 90-degree angle. If you have a TV you may want to angle them a bit so all the seating faces the TV.

Ideas for arranging living room furniture don't end with the sofa or sectional, though. Few living rooms are so austere as to have just a sofa, a sofa and love seat or a sectional to consider. There are chairs and end tables to factor in as well as a coffee table and entertainment center.

So, what are the ideas for arranging living room furniture when you have a lot of pieces? The goal is to not make the room too cluttered. While it's tempting to use all the furnishings you have, you want to start from scratch, building from your largest piece set to showcase the focal point and build from there.

One of the important ideas for arranging living room furniture is to have defined traffic patterns. You want to have at least two major entry/exit points for your furniture grouping so that guests can come and go easily. Nothing's more maddening than having to make people get up or tuck in their feet every two seconds so someone can squeeze by. These major traffic patterns should be three feet wide. The lesser spaces around furniture can be 18" wide, such as the space between the coffee table and sofa or the space between occasional chairs and the coffee table.

As noted, the best way to arrange the room is to start with the largest piece and let it focus on the focal point. Then you build around it with the next largest piece, then the next. Finally you add in the smaller tables and chairs, ensuring that you allow plenty of space for traffic patterns. From there, use your judgment. You'll know when the room is right because it will look right. It's as much a feeling as it is a science.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops including that offer both items and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it is coffee tables for your living room or end tables for you newly remodeled home, there are many tips you can use to make any spot both functional and beautiful. Click today and indulge your senses.

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