If you take a closer look at most living rooms in Dubai, you’ll notice a common pattern: the sofa was chosen with great care, the rug was color-coordinated, but the table next to the sofa is just “some random table.” It’s either completely overlooked or turned into a storage bin: chargers, remotes, magazines, a cup of coffee from the day before yesterday.
But a side table is an indispensable piece. What sits on it sets the mood for the entire corner of the room. One well-chosen item, and the corner suddenly feels “lived-in.”
If you want to buy a side table but don’t know how to style it, this article will help. Our team knows a few simple tips for what to put on a side table, how many items to include, which materials work best, and how to choose the right size.
Living Room Side Table: What Goes on It and Where to Place It
A side table for the living room is usually placed at the edge of the sofa or next to an armchair, at a height of 50-55 cm above the armrest, so you can reach it without leaning over.
What should be on it? A table lamp is the most important item; it creates that warm evening light that makes you want to linger in the living room after sunset. One small decorative item: a ceramic vase or a candle. And be sure to leave a little free space - for a glass, a phone, or a book. Three items maximum, no more.
For example, the Andres Rattan Side Table looks beautiful next to a linen sofa - the natural weave adds texture to a neutral space without overwhelming it. If you have a more modern or minimalist interior, check out the Salvadore Side Table White; its matte concrete surface creates a pleasant contrast with the soft fabrics of the sofa and cushions.
For open-plan apartments in Dubai, placing two side tables on either side of the sofa works well. They visually define a seating area without a single wall. A round side table is perfect for a corner placement next to an armchair (no sharp corners and a soft visual feel). The Olivia Rattan Side Table Natural is a lightweight and versatile option that can easily be moved between the sofa and the armchair depending on today’s furniture arrangement or the mood of the evening.
Bedroom Side Table: Bedside Styling That Keeps Things Calm
A bedside table needs exactly four things: a lamp, a small tray for small items (phone, watch, lip balm), one decorative item (a small vase or candle), and a little space. That’s it. If you overload the bedside table, the bedroom stops feeling like a place to relax, even if the rest of the interior is perfect.
Height rule: the top of the bedroom side table should be level with the top of the mattress, give or take 5 cm. Remember, if you make it too low, it will be uncomfortable to reach for your phone in the morning. If the table is too high, the light from the lamp will shine in your eyes when you read before bed.
The Aurora Concrete White Side Table with a sculptural curved base and a bowl-shaped tabletop works perfectly as a bedside table - modern, clean, and easy to wipe down with a damp cloth in the morning when your hands aren’t quite awake yet.
If you want a pair of nightstands, uniformity isn’t a must in the bedroom. Two different tables made of the same material and at the same height create a cohesive, personal look, as if the interior were tastefully curated rather than bought as a set. For example, the Boho Wooden Side Table Lea on one side of the bed and the Boho Wooden Side Table Emily on the other - same material, different shapes - make the pair look lively rather than “by the book.” Overall, the side table in the bedroom should remain understated and uncluttered. After all, the bedroom is a place where “less” almost always wins.
Hallway, Entrance, and Bathroom: Side Tables in Unexpected Places
Entrance Hall. A small side table against the wall. Perfect for keys, a small tray, and a single decorative vase. In the narrow entryways of Dubai apartments, a round side table with a diameter of 35-40 cm fits perfectly without blocking the passage.
Entrance area. If there is no console table, a small side table by the entrance serves the same purpose on a smaller scale. A single item on the surface (a large ceramic vase or a sculptural piece) instantly adds character to the entrance.
Bathroom. A concrete side table next to the bathtub or a freestanding sink - for candles, a plant, or a stack of towels. Concrete handles humidity perfectly, isn’t bothered by splashes, and requires no special care. The Diego Side Table Black adds drama to a space with white tiles. The dark matte finish and smooth, curved silhouette look almost like a work of art, not just a towel rack.
Terrace. Rattan side table between two outdoor chairs - for drinks, a lantern with a candle, or a small plant. The Miguel Rattan Side Table Black handles outdoor conditions well on a covered terrace. Many homeowners underestimate the importance of the placement of a side table in Dubai. Yet, it is precisely this that transforms an outdoor seating area from a “temporary arrangement of chairs” into a thoughtfully designed space.
Choosing the Right Material: Rattan, Concrete, and Wood
Now it’s time to look at materials. Currently, the three most popular materials in Dubai are chosen most often:
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Rattan side table
Warm, organic, lightweight. Works best in living rooms, bedrooms, and on covered terraces. This is the most versatile material, as a rattan side table looks equally good in boho, coastal, Scandinavian, and natural interiors. It pairs effortlessly with linen sofas, jute rugs, and wooden furniture.
The Rattan Side Table from our collection is one of our most popular items: made from natural, eco-friendly material, and if needed, it can be used as a pouf for extra seating when there are more guests than chairs.
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Concrete side table
Sculptural, modern, and heavy. Best suited for living rooms, bathrooms, and outdoor spaces. It withstands humidity, UV rays, and sand without any special treatment. Salvadore in white and Diego in black offer two distinct color schemes within a single material - you can choose one to match a lighter or darker interior. The concrete side table is a low-maintenance option that’s perfect for modern, industrial, and minimalist spaces.
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Wood
A classic. A warm tone and natural texture that works almost anywhere. The most neutral material choice if you haven’t yet finalized your style.
All three materials work well as bedside tables, since rattan adds warmth, concrete brings a modern touch, and wood offers classic coziness. For the UAE climate, all three thrive in air-conditioned interiors. For outdoor use, the first choice is concrete (fully weather-resistant), the second is rattan, but only for covered terraces.
Sizing Rules: Height, Width, and Proportion
Height. The golden rule: the top surface of the side table should align with the armrest of the sofa or the top of the mattress next to which it stands. A standard sofa armrest is approximately 55-60 cm. A standard mattress top is approximately 55-65 cm. Most tables 50-60 cm tall are universally suitable, and this is a convenient range if you’re choosing a single table for multiple rooms.
Width. A small side table with a diameter of 35-40 cm is sufficient for a lamp and a tray. Anything less than 30 cm is too narrow to be useful: a lamp simply won’t fit next to a tray. Anything over 50 cm, and your table starts to compete with a coffee table.
Proportion to the room. In a compact Dubai apartment, one small side table next to the sofa is enough. In a villa’s living room, two tables on either side of the sofa create symmetry and a more “furnished” look. In the bedroom, choose two identical or matching bedside tables (in terms of material).
Round vs. square. A round side table softens a room with linear furniture. A square or rectangular table, on the other hand, suits a space with organic, curved furniture. Contrasting shapes almost always work better than repetition. If you’re looking for something very small yet with its own character, check out Avery Travertine Small Round Table: natural travertine, a compact shape, and enough texture to avoid looking like “just a stand.”
Where to Buy Side Tables in Dubai
Most mass-produced side tables on the market are identical plastic tables made with absolutely no soul. And, one would think, with the variety of materials available in the 21st century, the selection should be simply enormous. But more often than not, everything ends up looking too similar.
But we have a completely different aesthetic and a different story. Handcrafted, substantial weight, and a natural surface texture that factory-made items simply can’t provide. A solid concrete side table, rattan side table, or wooden table - you can find all of these here.
What to look for when choosing: weight (real concrete and dense rattan are always heavier than they appear at first glance), handcrafted surface finish, and natural variations between pieces - each item is slightly different from the next, and this is part of its character, not a flaw.
Price guide: rattan side table - from 590 to 990 AED, concrete side table - from 890 to 1190 AED, wooden side tables - from 690 to 990 AED.
The complete collection, with same-day delivery in Dubai, is available in our side table collection. Whether it’s a side table for the living room, a bedside table, or an accent piece for the terrace, the right side table in the UAE transforms the feel of an entire corner of the room, rather than simply filling a space.
