From sculptural terracotta forms to richly veined marble and woven silhouettes that channel a relaxed coastal mood, the humble side table is no longer simply functional. Increasingly, these smaller pieces are where designers are taking risks, experimenting with materiality and introducing moments of personality into a room.
Whether positioned beside a sofa, anchoring a reading corner or acting as a bedside companion, the right side table has the ability to quietly shift the mood of a space. Right now, there is a noticeable move towards pieces that feel tactile and artisanal: scalloped steelwork, hand-shaped timber, woven textures and organic forms replacing anything overly polished or predictable.
Below, House & Garden’s editor shares the side tables currently at the top of her wish list.
Incanda Furniture Nalu Medium Side Table
There is something deeply calming about the softened silhouette of the Nalu Side Table by Incanda Furniture. Hand-shaped from lightweight paulownia wood, its sculptural base and rounded top celebrate the beauty of natural grain rather than hiding it. The shape feels quietly elemental, almost pebble-like, bringing warmth and softness to contemporary interiors. I particularly love how it balances practicality with artistry, offering just enough surface space for a coffee, lamp or bedside essentials without feeling visually heavy.
Nisa Willcockx Tulip Rosa Marble Side Table
Red marble continues to dominate the design conversation this year, and this Tulip Rosa side table by Nisa Willcockx captures the trend beautifully. Crafted from richly veined Rosa marble, the piece feels both weighty and organic, with curved forms that soften the dramatic materiality. It is the kind of table that instantly becomes the focal point of a room, particularly when paired with neutral upholstery or layered against darker interiors.
Coast & Country Waverley Steel Side Table
The Waverley Side Table by Coast & Country proves that metal furniture can still feel playful. Finished in matt black steel, the table’s scalloped detailing introduces a decorative rhythm that feels slightly nostalgic yet entirely contemporary. Topped with glass, it maintains a lightness that makes it particularly suited to smaller living spaces or layered interiors where visual breathing room matters.
La Grange Interiors Loon Side Table
Part side table, part sculpture, the terracotta-toned Loon piece by La Grange Interiors leans into the growing appetite for interiors that feel collected rather than overly coordinated. Crafted from glassfibre reinforced polyester with a textured rustic finish, its abstract silhouette introduces an earthy, almost hand-built quality to a room. I love pieces like this because they blur the line between furniture and art objects.
Pezula Interiors Octagon Side Table
Woven furniture continues to have a moment, particularly as homes lean towards a more relaxed, layered sensibility. The Octagon Side Table by Pezula Interiors embraces that mood with its woven construction, octagonal shape and practical lower shelf. It feels relaxed and coastal without veering into cliché territory, and would work equally well in a beach house or alongside more contemporary pieces needing warmth and texture.
Anatomy Design Janis Nesting Side Tables
Designed in 2024 as an extension of the Janis range, these nesting side tables by Anatomy Design strike a beautiful balance between refinement and personality. Finished in black with turned detailing, the pair can be styled together or separately depending on the space. There is a certain elegance to their proportions that feels almost heirloom-like, while the nesting functionality makes them particularly versatile for modern living.
Dennismaass ‘Pyramid’ Side Table by Studio Lorenz Noelle
Not currently available in South Africa, but firmly on our radar, the Pyramid Side Table by German design brand Dennismaass feels part collectible object, part futuristic storage solution. Designed by Munich-based Studio Lorenz Noelle, the monolithic form draws on the geometry of ancient pyramids, reimagined through contemporary 3D-printing technology. Its grooved exterior creates a shifting play of light and shadow throughout the day, while a concealed internal chamber hidden beneath the removable lid offers discreet storage for everything from magazines to throws. Crafted from plant-based biopolymers with cork and laminate detailing, it is the kind of design piece that manages to feel both experimental and deeply functional.
