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If you think of a room as an outfit, accent tables are the jewellery — small details that pull the whole look together. They add function without shouting, provide a place for your coffee, lamp or latest book, and act as sculptural punctuation in a living room, hallway or bedroom. In the UK, where space is often at a premium, a cleverly chosen accent table can be the difference between a cluttered corner and a calming vignette.
Accent tables work where larger furniture can’t. A narrow side table slips beside a slim sofa, a tray table becomes temporary extra surface for guests, and a round table softens squared furniture layouts. Think of them as the quick-change artists of interior design — easy to move, inexpensive to refresh, and capable of changing a room’s mood in minutes.
Nordic Nest is a go-to destination if you love clean lines, natural materials and modern craftsmanship. Their selection leans Scandinavian — which means oak, ash and muted tones — but it also includes contemporary statement pieces and playful shapes. If your style loves restraint with a twist, Nordic Nest is a great place to start shopping.
The Ferm Living Kona side table pairs a warm oak finish with minimal, rounded geometry. It’s the kind of piece that quietly elevates a corner without stealing the show. Use it beside an armchair to hold a cup or a plant; the oak brings warmth to cool palettes and the table’s proportions suit compact flats.
Hay’s Facet low side table is a modern cabinet and side table hybrid. At about 19 in across, it’s compact yet offers storage behind clean, faceted doors. This design is ideal when you want a tidy surface with a concealed compartment for remotes, coasters and small clutter.
The Bølling Tray Table Model 50 brings the charm of a removable tray top with an elegant, slender base. At roughly 20 in in diameter, it’s great for coffee and bedside use. The tray feature makes it perfect for hosting — lift it to serve drinks, or style it with candles for a quick transformation.
Model 60 is a slightly larger sibling, measuring about 24 in, offering a more substantial surface without sacrificing that airy Scandinavian silhouette. It’s an option when you need more display space but still want the mobility and visual lightness of a tray table.
The simple white finish of the 1898 Vidja side table makes it a chameleon in interiors. It brightens dark corners and pairs well with both rustic and modern furniture. Choose it when you want a crisp, minimal accent that won’t compete with bolder elements in your room.
Zweed’s Moodi 180 blends grey and white surfaces with an oak structure for a subtle contrast. It’s a contemporary piece that suits neutral palettes, and the oak legs add an organic touch that stops the table from feeling too cold. Think of it as a versatile middle ground between modern and natural styles.
The Anemone offers a circular tabletop that’s roughly 20 in in diameter and a sculptural base for a statement look. Its compact round top is perfect for coasters, a plant or a lamp, and the design can act as an art object as much as furniture.
Bloomingville’s Sanibel side table, at about 12 by 33 in, is tall and slender — ideal for narrow spaces like hallways or behind sofas. Its vertical profile helps draw the eye up, creating interest without taking up much floor space, which is a smart trick for smaller UK homes.
If you’re shopping in the UK and want options beyond Nordic Nest Scandi style, there are plenty of retailers that cover every price point and aesthetic. From big-name department stores to niche boutiques, the British market is rich in choice.
John Lewis offers well-made, timeless accent tables that suit traditional and contemporary homes. Expect solid finishes, warranties and a broad price range. Their pieces are a safe bet if you want durability and enduring style.
Wayfair is the place for sheer volume. If you’re hunting for a very specific size, finish or price point, Wayfair’s filters and customer reviews make it easy to compare dozens of similar options in one place.
Dunelm’s strength is value. They offer affordable accent tables in classic and current styles, often in compact sizes that work well in flats. If you want stylish practicality without a premium price tag, Dunelm is worth a look.
For more daring, design-led pieces, MADE and Swoon champion contemporary designers and trend-forward silhouettes. Expect bold shapes, color pops and designer details that become conversation starters in your living space.
Habitat and Heal’s curate collections that balance fashion and functionality. Their accent tables often incorporate mixed materials — metal+wood, marble+brass — which is great if you want a focal piece that reads both modern and luxe.
Picking the right accent table is part math, part mood-board. Here are practical questions to ask yourself before you click “add to basket.”
Is the table mainly decorative, or will it hold a lamp and your evening tea? If it needs to support a lamp, prioritize stability and the right height. For occasional serving, a tray table or removable-top design is handy.
Measure the gap between seating and walls in inches before shopping. A general rule: leave at least 12 to 18 in of circulation space around the table so it doesn’t feel cramped. If in doubt, pick a narrower or round model to improve flow.
A tiny side table next to a large sofa can look lost; a large table beside a delicate armchair may overpower it. Aim for proportion: the tabletop should be roughly the same height as the armrest of the adjacent seat — usually within 2 to 4 in.
Wood brings warmth, metal reads modern, and marble says luxe. If you have kids or pets, durable finishes like sealed oak or powder-coated metal are sensible. For low-maintenance living, avoid soft finishes that scratch easily.
Styling an accent table is part art, part function. With a few tricks, you can craft a display that looks intentionally curated rather than cluttered.
Group items in odds — three pieces create a pleasing balance. Combine heights: a small lamp, a stack of two books and a decorative object make a neat trio that’s both useful and pretty.
A tray organizes items and adds texture. It’s particularly smart on round tables where items can otherwise feel like they’ll roll away. Consider a metal or woven tray to introduce contrast against a wooden top.
Stacking books or adding a taller sculptural object draws the eye up and prevents the table from feeling flat. Just balance the verticals with a small, low item to ground the composition.
Absolutely. Mixing eras and materials makes interiors feel collected rather than catalogued. A sleek metal accent table can provide a fresh counterpoint to a plush, vintage sofa. The key is cohesion: repeat a material or color elsewhere in the room so the mix feels intentional.
Echo a metal tone from a lamp on the table with a picture frame on the wall, or match wood tones subtly with flooring. These small repetitions help disparate pieces sing together harmoniously.
Accent tables cover a broad price spectrum. You can buy a functional piece for under £50, mid-range statement pieces for a few hundred, or designer works that cost much more. Decide early whether the table is a long-term investment or a flexible accent you may swap later.
If the table will be used daily — as a bedside or sofa table — consider investing in sturdier construction and a finish that stands up to wear. For an occasional decorative piece, you can prioritise looks over longevity.
A little regular care extends a table’s life. Dust often, protect surfaces from heat and moisture with coasters, and use felt pads under objects to avoid scratches. If you choose a wood piece, a seasonal polish helps maintain the finish.
Minor surface scratches on wood can often be minimized with a matching-colour wax or a walnut rubbed over the scratch. For metal tables that tarnish, a non-abrasive cleaner usually restores the shine without harming finishes.
Need a shortlist? Here are quick pairings based on common styles to jumpstart your search.
Nordic Nest, Ferm Living and Hay pieces — look for light oak finishes, tapered legs and neutral tones. These will create that calm, uncomplicated Scandinavian vibe.
Wayfair, Habitat and John Lewis offer metal-and-wood combos and darker palettes that feel urban and robust. Choose powder-coated frames for durability.
Dunelm and Wayfair have lots of affordable finds that mimic higher-end designs without the price tag. They’re perfect if you like to change your décor seasonally.
Before you press purchase, run through a short checklist: measure the gap in inches, confirm the table height relative to your seating, check the material and finish for durability, and look at reviews for real-world feedback. A little preparation saves returns and disappointment later.
Some accent tables arrive flat-packed to save shipping costs, while others come pre-assembled. Think about staircases and tight doorways if you’re ordering a larger piece — narrower profiles and knock-down designs can be lifesavers in older UK homes.
Accent tables are small but mighty — they bring function, polish and personality to your rooms without a huge commitment. Whether you favour the warm minimalism of Nordic Nest oak selections, the design-forward silhouette of a MADE piece, or the bargain-friendly finds at Dunelm and Wayfair, there’s an accent table for every corner and budget. Measure, match and style with intention, and your next side table will feel like it was always meant to be there.
| Accent Tables | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Nature Culture Macy A Side Table 55 Cm Mangowood | £ 128,97 | |
| Normann Copenhagen Block Table Light Grey | £ 168,24 |
