How high should a side table sit compared with my sofa arm?

We recommend the side table top sit roughly level with the sofa arm or up to 5 cm higher so reaching items feels natural, and we suggest measuring sofa arm height in centimetres before you buy.

How much walkway clearance do I need beside a side table?

Keep at least 45-60 cm of clear path beside the table where people pass so movement isn’t cramped; measure the available floor space beside the sofa (width and depth) before choosing a footprint.

Which materials work best in South African family homes with kids and pets?

For busy households we recommend metal frames for durability or solid treated wood for warmth and easy cleaning, while tempered glass can keep sight-lines light but needs careful placement around children or pets.

When should I choose nesting or stackable side tables?

Choose nesting or stackable tables for compact living or flexible entertaining - they tuck away when you need space and pull out for guests, making them a practical option for smaller flats.

What should I check before I add a side table to my cart on Bash?

Confirm height versus sofa arm (within 5 cm), check the table footprint against your clearance and walkway, note weight and assembly needs, and measure doorways/stairwells so the tabletop will fit through on delivery.

Choosing a side table for your living room

Practical, simple advice for selecting a living room side table that fits your sofa, space and everyday needs. Measure, match style, and shop Bash Tables.

Published:July 10, 2026

Updated:September 9, 2026

4 min read

Photo by dada _design on Pexels

Measure first

Check sofa arm height and walkway clearance before you shop.

Why the right side table matters

A side table quietly does a lot: it holds your drink, keeps the lamp steady, gives your phone a place to charge and helps the room feel balanced. When we choose a side table for the living room, we look for more than looks - size, stability and how it fits into daily routines matter most.

Measure first, choose second

Start with two simple measurements: the gap between the sofa arm and the floor, and the available floor space beside the sofa. As a rule of thumb, the top of the side table should sit roughly level with the sofa arm or up to 5 cm higher so reaching items feels natural.

Measure sofa arm height (cm) and side clearance (width and depth).
Note nearby walkways - keep at least 45-60 cm of clear path beside the table where people pass.

Decide what you need it to do

We recommend listing daily uses before you pick a style. Common roles include:

Surface for drinks and snacks.
Bedside-style lamp or task light for reading.
Charging station for phone/tablet.
Extra storage (drawers or lower shelf) for remotes and coasters.

Match form to function

If you want a stylish accent, a narrow round or sculptural side table works well. For everyday family life, choose a sturdier, wipe-clean surface and a wider base. For compact living, stackable or nesting side tables give flexibility - pull them out when guests arrive and tuck them away when you need space.

When materials meet South African homes: metal frames can stand up to busy households, treated wood warms a living space, and tempered glass keeps sight-lines light but needs thoughtful placement around children or pets.

Style without mistakes

We like to anchor a look by repeating a material or finish from nearby furniture - for example, a brass lamp on a wood-top side table that echoes a wooden coffee table. If you have a patterned couch, choose a simpler table to avoid visual clash; if your sofa is plain, a textured or coloured side table can lift the room.

For more on arranging furniture with future flexibility, our article on Planning home furniture by room with a flexible, future-first approach gives a helpful method for mapping growth over time.

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How to pick by type and use

Here are practical types and when we suggest them:

Round side table: soft edges, good for tight walkways and homes with children.
Square/rectangular: more surface area for lamps and books; suits formal seating groups.
Nesting set: flexible for guests; smaller tables tuck away neatly.
Drum or pedestal: strong visual anchor for a statement lamp.
With drawers or shelf: keeps remotes and chargers out of sight.

A short shopping checklist

Before you add to cart, we use a simple checklist to avoid returns and disappointment:

Confirm height vs sofa arm (within 5 cm).
Check table footprint fits your clearance and walkway.
Note weight and assembly needs - heavy tops with thin legs can wobble.
See if surfaces are wipe-clean and whether finishes need maintenance.

Where to look on Bash

We keep a varied selection across categories so you can compare looks and function quickly. If you’re furnishing a full seating area, try browsing our Furniture category to compare side tables with matching Couches and Tables. For compact or temporary setups, look at nesting sets inside the Tables category.

Practical examples, South African homes

Example 1 - Small lounge in a flat: choose a slim round metal-top side table (height level with sofa arm) and a moulded lamp; the round top reduces knocks in tight walkways.

Example 2 - Family living room with kids and pets: pick a solid wood-top table with a lower shelf and a durable stain finish so spills are easy to clean. Add a cable clip or small tray to keep chargers organised.

Delivery, assembly and returns

When ordering, check whether the product includes assembly or if it arrives flat-packed. Measure doorways and stairwells - a 60 cm wide tabletop needs a 62-65 cm clear opening to move easily. If you need help matching pieces across a room, our Furniture category listings make it simple to compare sizes and finishes.

We’re here to make this easy: try filtering by height and material in the Tables category to narrow choices quickly.

Next steps

Measure your sofa arm and floor clearance, choose the table type that fits how you live, then compare similar pieces in the Furniture and Tables sections. If you’d like to plan the seating area first, revisit our Planning home furniture by room with a flexible, future-first approach article for a quick mapping tool.

Sources

Furniture - Bash
Tables - Bash
South African Guild of Building Design guidance
How to style a side table - House Beautiful

Last updated: September 9, 2026

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Choosing a side table for your living room

Measure first

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Why Choose Bash?

Free Delivery

30-Day Returns

Nationwide Support

Match use to type

Shop with purpose

Why the right side table matters

Measure first, choose second

Decide what you need it to do

Match form to function

Style without mistakes

How to pick by type and use

A short shopping checklist

Where to look on Bash

Practical examples, South African homes

Delivery, assembly and returns

Next steps

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