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The Best Living Room End Table

Last updated on January 17, 2024
Best Living Room End Table

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End tables serve a very important purpose in a living room. Not only do they typically hold decorative items like framed photos and plants, but they can also be very functional. You’ll often find items like lamps and coasters for holding drinks on end tables.

If you’re shopping for one of these pieces of furniture for your own living room, you probably have a general idea of what you want. Think of the items you’ll likely keep on each end table and make sure you’ll have a surface area that will easily hold everything.

In addition to the width of the table’s surface area, height is also an important factor. If you reach over to grab your coffee cup in the morning, will you need to reach down or will it be level with you? Decide what height you find ideal and look for an end table that matches.

You may also want multiple end tables. If you’re buying one for each end of your sofa, for instance, coordinating them can improve the appearance of your living room. Keep in mind that you’ll be paying double the price and shop for a piece that fits your budget.

Our Picks For The Top Living Room End Tables

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Product Overview
Our Take
 We Also Like

FURINNO Rounded Corner Living Room End Table

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

FURINNO

Rounded Corner Living Room End Table

If space is an issue in your dorm, apartment or home, you'll want to go with this living room end table. Although this table is small, it comes with three tiers for holding plants or displaying collectibles. Users will also appreciate that no tools are needed to assemble this table, which can be put together in as little as five minutes.

Overall Take

Multiple Color CombinationsThis living room end table comes in two-tones, including white and oak, gray and black and walnut and black.

 We Also Like

Furinno Simplistic End Table, Set Of 2

Furinno

Simplistic End Table, Set Of 2

Made from CARB compliant composite wood and PVC tubes, these tables are sturdy without breaking the bank. You can assemble both tables in less than 10 minutes using a twist-and-lock mechanism. Each table features rounded corners to help reduce the risk of injuries.

Overall Take

Multiple Configuration OptionsThese end tables are stackable, allowing you to put them together to create multiple different one-table designs.

 Strong Contender

Winsome Eugene Beech Wood Living Room End Table

Winsome

Eugene Beech Wood Living Room End Table

The rich espresso finish on this living room end table is truly beautiful to behold. It works just as well as a side table in your bedroom as it does an accent table in your living space, making it a versatile choice. In fact, you can even use it in a dining room as a coffee or drink station.

Overall Take

Extremely VersatileThis beechwood living room end table has both a built-in upper drawer and a lower cabinet.

  The Best Value

FURINNO Just 3-Tier Accent End Table

FURINNO

Just 3-Tier Accent End Table

This accent table looks great in a livingroom, office or bedroom. In addition to being extremely versatile, the table is also functional. It comes with three tiers for everything from family photos to aloe plants to your coffee cup when relaxing with a good book. The table is scratch and water resistant and features rounded corners for added safety...

Overall Take

Great StorageAlthough this accent table is designed for small spaces, it's extremely functional with three separate tiers.

What to Look For

  • Sturdiness is something to consider in an end table. Sure, you won’t likely be piling it down with heavy items, but an end table built with high-quality materials can hold up over the years. Some tabletops can be prone to splitting or warping, so consider that while shopping.
  • It can be convenient to buy furniture and have it shipped to your house. After all, that means you won’t have to try to get a fully assembled piece of furniture home or pay extra for delivery. But online furniture needs assembly, and that can take time. If you aren’t handy with a hammer and wrench, keep that in mind.
  • Take a close look at the measurements before buying. Make sure the table won’t be larger or smaller than you expected once you get it home.
  • Storage is also a consideration. Many end tables come with at least one extra shelf for storing things. Some include baskets or doors to hide your clutter.
  • If you have wood floors, make sure the feet of the table won’t scratch. If they will, you may need to consider a rug to protect your flooring.
  • The color of the end table is worth noting, as well. You’ll find that espresso end tables look classy, but a rustic look may be a better fit for your space’s existing décor. If you find a table you like, check to make sure the manufacturer doesn’t sell the same table in various finishes.

More to Explore

If you use your end table primarily as a place for setting your coffee cup or drink glass, you’re in good company. In the 1770s, small “tea tables” were used by the elite for presenting tea. When it wasn’t tea time, they were moved off to the side. As tea tables evolved, they moved from their original square shape to rectangular, with some having trays that made serving easier. However, the increased tea prices after the American Revolution led to the decline of tea tables, as consumers moved away from daily tea times. Today, you’ll find these tables in antique shops, along with other types of furniture that speak volumes about how people once lived.

More to explore