End Tables

1. End tables usually come in pairs, one at each end of the sofa, and should complement the style of your coffee table. This doesn't mean they have to match, but try to avoid a jarring contrast.

2. End tables often have some sort of storage in the base, leaving the top free for lamps or floral arrangements. Drawers are useful for storing remotes or reading material, while open shelves provide space to display treasured photos or mementos.

3. If you need to preserve your open floor space for kids or pets, a pair of end tables can be a perfect alternative to a coffee table. You'll still have a place for drinks and magazines, but you'll open up the living area for play time.

4. The top of an end table should be slightly shorter than the height of the sofa arm. This prevents you from banging your elbow on the table and makes it easier to manage drinks or remotes.

5. Want to experiment with a new style without completely redoing your room? Choose distinctive tables that capture that exotic or modern flair you crave. Adventuresome tables can spice up your living area without overpowering the space.

6. Think of end tables as functional pieces of art. Well-chosen tables can either blend into the background or perk up a space, depending on your decor. They may be small, unobtrusive pieces of furniture, but new end tables can really change the ambiance of your room.

7. End tables are available in a variety of shapes. Square or rectangular tables follow the lines of your sofa for a sleek look, and are perfect for a corner where two sofas intersect. Round or oval tables make more of a statement and are a good idea if they will be visible in your furniture arrangement.

8. There is an endless variety of end table styles available. Choose from traditional carved wood, simple Shaker profiles, or dramatic contemporary innovations to complete the decor of your dreams. Creative end tables are the perfect finishing touch to capture the desired mood of your room.

9. Glass top tables aren't just for contemporary style homes. This versatile style is perfect anywhere you need a hint of sophistication or need to brighten up a room. The clear glass lets light shine through, making small rooms seem larger.

10. End tables were originally designed to display photographs or floral arrangements to enhance visits in a formal seating room. Now the perfect height of end tables has been adapted for displaying lamps, which cast light in just the right place for reading.