Side Table Height and Size: A Simple Guide
Updated
Choose a side table whose top is level with the sofa arm or up to about 5 cm lower, with a top of 40–60 cm, and place it within easy reach of the seat so you can put down a cup without stretching. Our side tables are 50 cm high, most with a 50 × 50 cm or 50 cm round top, and two narrow designs of 50 × 25 cm fit tight gaps; they start from SAR 810 and are made to order in the finish you choose.
Side table height: the simple rule
| Seat | Side table height |
|---|---|
| Sofa or armchair with arms | Level with the arm, or up to about 5 cm lower |
| Armless chair or chaise end | About level with the seat, or a little higher |
| Floor seating | Much lower, about 30–35 cm |
The right height depends on the actual sofa, so measure your arm height and compare; there is no single number for every sofa.
Top size and space
- Top: 40–60 cm is enough for a cup, a lamp and a book.
- Gap: measure the space beside the sofa and leave the walkway clear; include the base and any projecting legs, not only the top.
- Distance: about 5–10 cm from the sofa arm, so the table does not touch the fabric.
- Drawers or shelves: if the design has them, check they open without hitting the sofa.
Our side tables
| Design | Top | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Most designs, such as Olivia, Stella and Taylor | 50 × 50 cm | 50 cm |
| Round designs: Moira, Rowan, Opal, Millie, Saoirse | 50 cm diameter | 50 cm |
| Willa | 50 × 60 cm | 50 cm |
| Ruby and Petra (narrow) | 50 × 25 cm | 50 cm |
All 14 side tables start from SAR 810 before offers, in the finishes available for each design.
Prices before offers, checked 22 October 2026. Prices include VAT and are the starting prices of the configurations shown on each design page; the price on the design page is the one that applies.
Round or square?
- Round: softer in a walkway and beside curved sofas; nothing to bump into.
- Square: sits neatly against a straight arm and holds more on the same width.
- Narrow: a 25 cm deep table fits between a sofa and a wall or in a small room.
Where to place side tables
- At each end of a sofa, or one end if the other side is a walkway.
- Between two armchairs, shared by both.
- At the corner of a corner sofa, where the two runs meet.
- In a majlis, about one for every two or three seats.
Styling without crowding
A side table works best when there is still room to use it. Start with what you reach for from the sofa, then add one or two details that suit the room.
- Give each item a purpose: a lamp, a book or a small tray can be enough; leave a clear area for a cup.
- Balance height and footprint: a tall vase can overwhelm a compact table; try the arrangement while sitting beside it.
- Keep cables clear of the walking route.
- Protect the finish: use coasters and pads, keep flower water off the surface and follow the care instructions of the finish.
Styling accessories in our photos are not included with the table.
Matching side and coffee tables
Side tables do not have to match the coffee table exactly. Repeat one element, the finish, the leg shape or the metal, and vary the shape. For coffee table sizes, read coffee tables: sizes, shapes and finishes; for a full majlis plan, how many tables a majlis needs.
A lamp on a side table
A table lamp should light the book, not the eyes: when you sit, the bottom of the shade should be about at eye level. Choose a shade no wider than the table top, so the lamp does not overhang, and a heavy base on a small table. Keep the cable behind the table and away from the walkway.
Side tables in the bedroom and the majlis
- Majlis: about one side table for every two or three seats, and one at each corner where two runs of seating meet.
- Bedroom: a side table beside a reading chair or a daybed; for the bed itself, a bedside table of the bedroom design matches the set.
- Entrance or corridor: a narrow 50 × 25 cm table holds keys and a small tray without blocking the way.
Common mistakes
- A table much higher than the arm, which makes every cup a reach.
- A table so close that it rubs the sofa fabric.
- Too many objects on a small top, leaving no space to put anything down.
- Choosing only by colour: check the size, the base and the finish care as well.
Questions about side tables
What height should a side table be?
Level with the sofa arm or up to about 5 cm lower; our side tables are 50 cm high.
Can a side table be used as a bedside table?
It can, if its height suits your bed; for the bedroom we also make bedside tables in matching finishes.
How far from the sofa should a side table be?
About 5–10 cm from the arm, close enough to reach a cup without stretching.
Do your side tables come in other sizes?
Each design has its listed dimensions, and its page shows the options available for that model. For a size outside them, send your design and we will send you a quotation.
See it in a showroom
Our showrooms in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam are open Saturday to Thursday in two shifts and on Friday evening. Bring your measurements or room photos, compare the fabrics and finishes side by side, or message our design team on WhatsApp.
Browse side tables and majlis tables, or visit our Riyadh showroom.