End tables are often an afterthought in a living room or great room. Often, so much time goes into making decisions about the upholstered pieces, the coffee table, the lamps and the paint, that it becomes an, "oh, and we also need some end tables" type of decision.
Sad, since these tables can really complete the look of the room and not only give you some much needed storage and stacking areas, but also add character. That's because they come in so many varieties, styles and sizes.
So how do you go about choosing the right table? The first considerations are scale and the space available. An end table shouldn't dominate the space it's in. Rather, it should complement the other furnishings, especially those pieces nearest it. Additionally, if you already have a coffee table in place, you want the end tables to be in the same finish and style.
Some people purchase their tables as part of a table set. This usually includes a matching coffee table. But you don't have to purchase them this way. Conceivably, each table can be different, if they have the same general design elements, the same palette of color or stain, the same architectural lines, etc. If you have two end tables in the room, you do want these to match, but they can contrast with the coffee table.
That said, your biggest decision is probably what kind of table you want in the first place. For instance, some homeowners prefer the end tables on the small side, large enough to hold a lamp and perhaps a glass or small plate, but not much more. Others want their tables to be as large as possible, so they have maximum real estate when there's a party of holiday gathering.
Some prefer to have a table that has several drawers for storage; others prefer a single drawer with perhaps a small shelf along the bottom. It largely depends on the needs of your home. A single drawer table with long legs is visually lighter than an end table with drawers or a drawer and a lower shelf. The "visual weight" of a piece is important in keeping a room from looking too crowded.
The lines between what is and what isn't an end table has blurred in recent years. In fact, accent tables will now do very good service as end tables, adding a little more character to the room.
When selecting tables you'll find there's an endless selection, particularly online. Not constrained by available showroom space, these retailers have literally hundreds and hundreds of tables to choose from.
To narrow your selection, start by the style, then the size. Many end tables come in different sizes. You also want to pay particularly attention to the height. There's no set standard height of an end table, but the general rule of thumb is that it should be within two inches of the furniture it is next to, so guests don't have to reach down to set a glass or dish while they visit.
Finally, you can think out of the box, these days. One of the newest trends is redefining what an end table even is. For example, you can find a table that serves dual duty. There are models out on the furniture market in Bhiwandi that are actually kennels for your pets. You can remove the front grate so that it doubles as a pet condo. For added comfort you can always add a small dog pillow inside. The table has plenty of slats around it so your dog can get air, even when it's being used as a kennel.
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