No living room is complete without a side table or end table; a table that’s slim enough to fit into the space at the end of the sofa. They’re perfect and much needed for setting down your drink or a book. Give the following ideas a try:
Chair
This one may not strike you so easily but you remember how stylishly Carrie used a chair as a night stand in Sex and the City , right? Put an old chair to good use by making it stand in for a side table. This works particularly well for corners.
Trolley
Usually used as a bar cart in most homes, a stylish trolley — be it wood or metal — can make for an extremely fetching side table. The bonus? You get two surfaces to use and style.
Stool
Most homes have cheap wooden stools of varying heights in the utility area to perform cleaning and other sundry jobs. Pick a small stool, decoupage with paper napkins and you have a stunning side table that no one else will.
Suitcases
Old hard-top suitcases piled up on top of each other make for an interesting side table. Look for similar-sized suitcases to create an even grouping or stack them — smallest on top, largest at the bottom — to create more impact.
Trunk
Vintage trunks are often repurposed to serve as coffee tables but you can use any old trunk lying around the home to create a side table that blends storage and style.
Drum
Give your room a musical flavour and oodles of personality by using a drum as a table. It’s fine if you have one; or else, simple explore bazaars and kabaadi markets till you find one that you like.
Speaker
Small Bluetooth-enabled speakers that are smaller than your fist have made large speakers that we all bought with our music systems redundant.
The size is perfect for a small end table that you can slide into a small space. Paint or paste fabric to give it a new look.
Magazines
If you have too many magazines, stack a pile and use it as is, or tie them up with a belt to make sure they don’t keep falling. You can also use a stack of coffee table books.
Barrel
Channel the industrial décor vibe by bringing in an old barrel, be it plastic or metal. It will help create an unusual look and is ideal for an informal space such as the family room or kids play area.
Log
If you can get a wooden log and have your carpenter treat it and cut into two, you have two simple and rustic end tables in no time. These are ideal for the outdoors, be it a porch or a verandah.
Bookstand
Small bookstands that are a little taller than your sofas can be pressed into use as end tables. You don’t even need to put much effort into styling them. Stash books inside; put an artefact and coaster on top, and you re good to go.
Upcycle
There are plenty of old things that you can recycle and put to use as a stylish end table.
An old crate, drawers, toughened cardboard boxes, small stepladders…there’s plenty around the home that can work as a side table!
