5 Things You Will Need for Your Side table

When it comes to living room furniture, the Coffee Table gets all the glory. Aside from the Sofa, it`s one of the first items people look to purchase when they`re setting up house for the first time or upgrading from the hand-me-downs of college days past. It`s easy to understand how the much smaller side table might be easily overlooked, but we`d argue that it`s just as important a player. These flexible pieces of furniture offer a place to set a drink, provide storage, and, depending on the style of the table, pinch hit as an extra seat or a mini-bar.

Even if your side table isn`t front and center, it`s still worth taking the time to style it like you would your coffee table to create a balanced space that reflects your personality. Read on to find out what our favorite must-haves are for a well-styled side table.

1. Lighting

Shed some light on it. Side tables are a great place for displaying other elements in your design. Introduce much-needed accent lighting while displaying a gorgeous lamp that brings a color pop or a shapely design to your decor.

2. Something to read

Take the books off the shelf and bring them into the room. Books can say a lot about your interests and add a touch of color. Add a stack of books (three is typically the magic number) on top or on a secondary shelf.

3. A Favorite Treasure

Put your favorite things on display. Unique accessories, such as a beautiful bowl or dish, a found piece of coral, a special trinket or a had-to-have-it tray, are what make a space your own.

4. A little ambiance

A scented candle in your signature scent adds instant ambiance, as does a pretty bowl of flowers. And if you`re not up to the task of gathering fresh-cut flowers, faux florals or greenery work just as well for year-round color.

5. A Basket or Dish

The key to maximizing style is minimizing clutter. Our go-to strategy for keeping it clean is setting out an attractive basket or dish on a side table to collect the odds and ends. Now you can keep remotes and reading glasses tucked away while you aren`t using them.