Best Side Table Living Room
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
A side table living room choice is a table that sits beside a sofa or chair and holds a lamp, a drink or a stack of books. The narrow tables in this roundup are often sold as sofa tables or console tables, because they sit behind a couch or against a wall. The options include a three-tier console with open shelves, a slim table with a mesh shelf, a rolling table for a bed or sofa, and a low floating table. Choose the depth first, since a deep table steals space in a small room, and then check the shelf height and the stated load.
Quick answer
- For a narrow table behind a sofa, the OOTDTY three-tier table is listed at 11 inches deep and 31.5 inches wide, with open shelves.
- For a table with a mesh shelf underneath, the Simple Trending listing gives 10.5 inches deep and a 50-pound maximum weight recommendation.
- For a table with a lower shelf and a slim frame, the Vantimo listing gives 9 inches deep and a 40-pound maximum weight recommendation.
- For a table that stores items in drawers, the HOOBRO narrow console has two fabric drawers, though it is a console rather than a side table.
How to choose a side table for the living room
Start with the depth. Measure the gap between the back of the sofa and the wall, and the space beside the arm. Most of the narrow tables here are between 9 and 11 inches deep, which fits a gap behind a couch. The Simple Trending listing gives 10.5 inches deep and 32 inches wide, and the Vantimo listing gives 9 inches deep and 29.5 inches wide. Keep at least a few inches of clearance so the table does not press against the sofa frame.
Next, look at the height. A table that stands about 30 inches tall works with most sofa arms, while a lower table suits a sofa with a low back. The OOTDTY listing gives 31.5 inches tall and the Simple Trending listing gives 30.5 inches. The HOOBRO narrow console is 29.5 inches high.
Then decide what the table must hold. Open shelves suit books and décor, while drawers suit cables, remotes and small items. Only the HOOBRO console states drawers in this group. The rest rely on open or mesh shelves, so check the stated load before you stack books on the lower tier.
Materials and build
Most of these tables use a metal frame with a wood or particleboard top. The OOTDTY listing describes a rustic brown wood top on a metal frame with thickened tubing and adjustable legs. The Vantimo listing describes a black metal frame with brown wooden panels and square corner connections. The Simple Trending listing describes a wood panel top on a metal frame with four adjustable feet. The HOOBRO console uses a metal frame with particleboard and a wooden tabletop.
Stability matters for a narrow table. The OOTDTY listing says it has an anti-tipping mechanism, and the Simple Trending listing describes four adjustable feet, which help the table sit level on an uneven floor. The Vantimo listing mentions adjustable footpads for the same purpose. Set the feet before you load the table, and keep heavier items on the lower shelf.
Placement ideas for a small living room
A narrow table can do more than sit behind a couch. The Vantimo listing describes it as a butler for keys and magazines at the entrance, a plant display next to a window, or a storage assistant beside a chair, so the same table can move from room to room. The OOTDTY listing says it can serve as an entryway table, a sofa table, a doorway table or a hallway table. Pick the spot where the table will be used most, then check that the walkway stays clear.
In a room with a sofa against a wall, a table of 9 to 11 inches deep leaves enough space for a lamp and a few objects without blocking the seat. In a room with the sofa floating in the middle, a table with a lower shelf can hold items that you want to reach from either side. Measure the room before you buy, and place the table where its top sits level with the sofa arm for easy reach.
Comparison table
| Listing | Type | Size (listing) | Storage | Stated load | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OOTDTY 3-tier console table | Narrow sofa table with open shelves | 11 x 31.5 x 31.5 in (spec) | Three open tiers | Not stated | Particleboard, metal frame, wood top |
| Simple Trending console table | Two-tier sofa table | 32 x 10.5 x 30.5 in | Mesh shelf beneath the top | 50 lb maximum recommendation | Wood panels, metal frame |
| Vantimo narrow console table | Narrow console, behind a sofa | 29.5 x 9 x 29.5 in | No drawer or shelf stated in the bullets | 40 lb maximum recommendation | Engineered wood, metal frame |
| HOOBRO 29.5-inch narrow console table | Console with two fabric drawers | 29.5 x 9.4 x 29.5 in | Two fabric drawers and two mesh shelves | Tabletop 88 lb in bullets; 44 lb in spec | Metal frame, particleboard, wood top |
Roundup: one block per listing
OOTDTY 3-Tier Console Table with Open Shelves
This narrow table is listed as a sofa side table and an entryway table. The spec field gives 11 inches deep, 31.5 inches wide and 31.5 inches high, with a rustic brown wood top and a metal frame. The bullets describe three open tiers for everyday items such as keys and small décor. The listing says it has an anti-tipping mechanism and adjustable legs, and that all panels are numbered for assembly. It can sit behind a sofa, beside a chair or in a hallway. The listing does not state a load, so keep the shelves for light items.
Simple Trending Console Table, 32 Inches
This two-tier table is 32 inches wide, 10.5 inches deep and 30.5 inches high. It has a sturdy mesh shelf beneath the top, and the bullets say it holds books, vases, DVDs and storage boxes. The wood panels sit on a metal frame, and the listing gives four adjustable feet. The maximum weight recommendation is 50 pounds. The listing describes it as a compact side table for small rooms, and it suits a living room, a hallway or the space behind a couch.
Vantimo Narrow Console Table, 29.5 Inches
This narrow table is 29.5 inches wide, 9 inches deep and 29.5 inches high, with a black metal frame and brown wood panels. The listing describes it as a helper for small spaces, behind a sofa, in a hallway or by a window. It has adjustable footpads and a square frame connection, and the maximum weight recommendation is 40 pounds. The bullets describe a table that can hold keys, magazines or a plant. The listing does not state a drawer or a shelf, so plan for a surface rather than storage.
HOOBRO 29.5-Inch Narrow Console Table with Two Fabric Drawers
This is a console table rather than a side table, but it suits a living room that needs a narrow table with storage. It has two non-woven fabric drawers and two mesh shelves below a wooden top. The listing gives 29.5 inches long, 9.4 inches deep and 29.5 inches high. The black metal frame and particleboard are finished in rustic brown and black. The bullets give a tabletop load of 88 pounds and 33 pounds per mesh shelf, while the spec field gives 44 pounds for the top, so use the lower figure.
Review: OOTDTY 3-Tier Console Table with Open Shelves
For a narrow table that works both as a sofa table and as an entryway piece, the OOTDTY table is the most complete listing here. Its three open tiers give you a place for keys, a plant and a few books, and the spec field gives 11 inches of depth, which is a useful size behind a couch. The rustic brown top and metal frame suit an industrial look.
The listing says the table has an anti-tipping mechanism and adjustable legs, which are both useful for a narrow piece that stands on a floor that may not be level. The panels are numbered, and the listing says the assembly steps are clear and concise. Set the legs to level the table before you load it, and place heavier books on the lower tier.
The listing does not state a weight limit for the tiers, so keep the table for light décor. The bullets describe three tiers but do not give the height of each tier, so measure the gap between the shelves against the items you plan to store.
Two close alternatives are the Simple Trending table, which has a mesh shelf and a stated 50-pound maximum, and the Vantimo table, which is slimmer at 9 inches deep and has no shelf.
Sizing and fit checklist
- Measure the gap between the sofa and the wall, and the depth you can spare beside the arm.
- Check the table height against the sofa arm, so the top sits at a comfortable reach.
- Decide whether you need shelves or drawers. Only the HOOBRO console has drawers in this roundup.
- Check the stated load, and use the lower figure when a listing gives two numbers.
- Level the table with its adjustable feet before you place items on it.
Mistakes to avoid
The first mistake is buying a table that is too deep for the gap. A 9 to 11 inch depth suits most gaps behind a sofa, but a deeper table will stick out into the room.
The second mistake is stacking heavy items on the top shelf of a narrow table. Put heavier books and objects low, where the weight sits closest to the floor.
The third mistake is ignoring the floor. A narrow table on an uneven floor can wobble, so use the adjustable feet and check that the table sits level before you place anything valuable on it.
FAQ
What is a side table for the living room?
It is a small table beside a sofa or chair. The listings here are sold as sofa tables or console tables, and they sit behind a couch or against a wall.
How deep should a living room side table be?
Most of the narrow options here are between 9 and 11 inches deep. Measure the gap behind your sofa, and leave a few inches of clearance.
How much weight can a living room side table hold?
It depends on the listing. The Simple Trending table gives a 50-pound maximum recommendation, the Vantimo table gives 40 pounds, and the HOOBRO console gives 88 pounds on the top in its bullets. The OOTDTY listing does not state a load.
Can I put a side table behind a sofa?
Yes. Several of the listings describe behind-the-couch placement, including the Vantimo and OOTDTY listings. Check the depth against the gap first.
Does a living room table need assembly?
Yes, all of these come in parts. The listings describe numbered parts and clear instructions, and the HOOBRO listing says its parts are clearly labeled.
Are there drawers in any of these tables?
The HOOBRO narrow console has two fabric drawers. The others do not state drawers, so use their shelves for open storage.
Bottom line
For a narrow table with open tiers behind a sofa, choose the OOTDTY table. For a table with a mesh shelf and a 50-pound maximum, choose the Simple Trending table. For the slimmest footprint, choose the Vantimo table. For drawer storage in a narrow console, choose the HOOBRO table. Measure the gap, check the height against the sofa arm, and keep heavier items low.
Related guides
For wall-mounted living room storage, see our small wall shelves for living room comparison. For a bookcase option beside a sofa, read best small living room with bookshelves.
