In a sea of living room tables - accent tables, end tables, coffee tables and occasional tables - sofa tables get little attention.
Yet sofa tables can be one of the best investments you can make, not only for their beauty and functionality, but their versatility, too.
Accent Side Tables
Sofa tables are usually a higher table that can be placed behind the sofa. It has many uses, both in the living room and elsewhere in your home.
For instance, you can use a sofa table to provide additional lighting for the sofa. You can place one or two lamps on the table behind the sofa, providing illumination. You can also add some collectibles, photos or souvenirs to the table to give it more visual weight in the room.
While sofa tables are ideal behind a sofa that extends out into the room, you can also place the table behind a sofa that would otherwise be against a wall. Sofas really shouldn't be butted up against a wall. It makes a room look boring and the sofa simply blends into the wall instead of standing out. Placing a table between the wall and sofa creates a buffer and adds more depth to the room.
Let's face it: the back of a sofa isn't the most beautiful part of any living room. Sofa tables can break up this wall of fabric, making the room look larger, thanks to its horizontal lines which break up the shape of the sofa. Just make sure that your table is a bit lower than the back of the sofa.
Sofa tables can also be used as a room divider in a great room, breaking this large open space into more manageable and specialized bits, such as defining space for a conversation nook.
Sofa tables can be used in a hall or entryway, or against any wall where a taller, thinner table could come in handy. They can replace an accent table or a side table. Because they are often a littler taller and not very wide, they even work well in a hallway where a bigger table wouldn't fit.
In a bedroom you can use sofa tables as a place to hold candles. Or you can place your make up on it or your favorite accessories, such as hats, scarves and gloves so they're readily available.
When shopping for sofa tables it's a good idea to take a look online first. This will allow you to get a sense of the wide selection of models, styles and materials out there so you can narrow your choice before you do too much shopping in earnest. Of course, online retailers also offer really competitive deals for top quality goods and have the added benefit of offering free shipping in many cases. They also have a broader selection, since their showrooms are virtual.
Before you start looking for sofa tables, be sure to measure the space you have first. These tables come in all lengths and heights, and you want to make sure the one you select will fit in the space you have available. If placed behind a sofa, the table should be two-thirds to three-quarters the overall length of the sofa. As far as height, you want it to be up to six inches shorter than the sofa back. You never want it to be higher.
If you're using it in a hallway, you may want to pay additional attention to the table's width. You don't want to end up with a table that juts too far out into the hallway where it will become a nuisance instead of a prized addition to your interior décor.