Sofa tables are often matching tables placed on either side of your couch--but of course you can also buy them singly to place beside chairs or next to your bed, as well. The idea is that they provide a surface for a lamp, a drinking glass, a book, or anything else you might need while seated. They are also an opportunity to add the perfect finishing touches to a room and to tie a design scheme together.

If you've selected major pieces from different collections, this puts a large responsibility on your smaller pieces and accessories to make the room work as a whole. If you try to add even more variety, you'll get a room which looks chaotic and over-decorated. A simple, elegant, understated table and lamp will soothe the eye and make the room seem warmer and more comfortable.

Sizing Sofa Tables

The height of your sofa tables is very important. If they are too high or too low, they'll throw off the whole balance of the room. Ideally, you want a table which is about two inches shorter than the sofa arm. This makes it most convenient for beverages and most pleasing to look at.

If you are going to read, the bottom of the lamp shade on the table next to you should be just above shoulder height. That way, the light cast on the page will be unobstructed. Do not get a taller sofa table to make this happen, get a taller lamp or elevate the lamp's base. This will preserve the right proportion of the overall furniture grouping.