End Table Buying Guide

Powell Masterpiece Antique Black Side Table

Most people furnish their homes similarly to how they furnish their wardrobes. Colors in the closet will coincide with decorating schemes, and wardrobe embellishments are a clue to how plain or ornate furniture choices might be. Measure room space, and select one or two furniture favorites to build upon. Buying end tables is based on balance and the look and feel of the tables in relationship to the size of the furniture and the room.

Common Ground
Harmony within a room is often determined by matching woods. An antique end table can be placed out of its element as long as it matches the rest of the wood in the room. End tables that are too small for the room and its furnishings will look mismatched; instead select larger end tables with storage solutions in light finishes with glass tops and lots of curves for an illusion of additional space. End tables can include Nesting tables should not be confused with accent tables, a class of small tables and side tables prominently placed to showcase the unusual or spectacular.

Comfort and Fit
End tables should not be taller than the arm of the chair or sofa next to which they are placed. Wood end tables with drawers and cabinets and curio end tables reduce room clutter. Metal end tables with glass, slate, marble, or tile tops can be formal or informal, work into most decors, and are often suitable for porch and patio groupings. Construction of wood end tables should include dovetail joints, corner blocks, levelers, back panels, smooth-sliding drawer guides, and sturdy, non-corrosive hardware.

A Bit of Caution
If small children are present, select end tables with curved designs rather than sharp corners. Consider materials that will not showcase their fingerprints. When shopping for end tables for reading chairs, remember that the lower edge of the lampshade must be higher than eye level of the person seated. Condensation is destructive to wood finishes; if beverages will be set on end tables, glass is the practical alternative.

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End Tables

Rectangular End Tables

Square End Tables

Round End Tables

Oval End Tables

Other Shape End Tables

Nesting Tables