How to Choose an Industrial Side Table That Fits Your Space

Did you know that one-in-four homeowners in Britain redecorate their living room every 25 months on average?

One of the reasons why we decorate is to freshen up our spaces and give ourselves a change. But, there's also a less fun reason why so many of us feel the ongoing need to swap out items in our homes. 

If you don't buy the right furniture pieces the first time around, you'll feel a constant itch to switch them out and try something different. 

Are you looking for the perfect industrial side table for your space?

If yes, you've come to the right place. We live and breathe all things industrial and design, and we have some useful tips to share with you that will make picking out the right side table simple. 

Keep reading to find out everything to consider before you invest in a new side table. 

Get Clear on Your Dimensions

The first step to picking out the perfect industrial side table is to get clear on your dimensions. 

Start by identifying exactly where you want the side table to go. Measure the space to get an exact idea of how much room you have to work with. 

This is a very important part of space planning. Too big, and your side table could get in the way of the traffic flow in the room, or overpower the pieces next to it. 

Too small, and you might lose functionality and balance. 

To get a visual on how big or small to go, you can also tape off the spot where you want the side table to be. Leave the tape there for a bit and experiment with how it impacts the flow of the room by walking around the space. 

When it comes to overall size, you should also think about how the sizing will pair with your existing pieces. For instance, if you have a deep settee, you might want a longer, larger side table that you can easily reach, whether you're lounging back or sitting on the edge of the seat. 

Also, are you planning to combine your industrial side table with another accent piece, such as a floor lamp? If you're placing a side table and a floor lamp together, you might want to opt for a small side table. 

This will help stop the vignette from feeling crowded and give each piece some breathing space. 

Pick the Right Height

When deciding on what size side table to get, you should also think about the height in relation to your other furniture pieces. The general rule of thumb is that side tables should hit at armrest height or slightly lower.

However, we feel that pairing slightly higher side tables with certain layouts can also give a modern flair. 

High side tables, such as this perforated industrial beauty of a table, can also help to give some punchiness and attitude to your space. 

Depending on the design of your other pieces, low side tables can get visually lost among all the other items in your living room. This can be especially true if you have lounge furniture with high arms, such as a Chesterfield. 

Of course, there is a limit as to how far you should push side table heights. As soon as you're cricking your arm and reaching up to set your cup down—that's too high. But as long as you can still comfortably use the surface for setting a beverage or book down, you're free to pick whatever height works best in your space. 

Decide if You Want Your Industrial Side Table to Double as a Storage Solution

Another thing to think about when buying a side table is do you it to also double as an additional storage solution? Housing reports show that 1 in 5 Brits are living in cramped quarters. If you don't have a lot of living space, every little bit of storage can help. 

You might not think that a side table is something you're going to get much storage space out of, but you might be surprised. Depending on the design, you can use a side table to stash a few unsightly items out of view, such as TV remotes and phone chargers. 

If this is all the storage you're looking for, we'd recommend something like our industrial schoolhouse side table. Inspired by a 1950's French school desk, this side table offers a lightweight look, giving you a slim mango wood drawer to store odds and ends in. It also has a metal magazine shelf at the bottom. 

On the other hand, maybe your eyes are lighting up at the thought of some extra space to store games, puzzles, spare blankets, or even some glassware?

If so, then you might want to look into something like our saw-cut bedside table. Although originally designed for next to the bed, there's no reason why you can't leverage a piece like this in your lounge. The deep drawers will give you quite a few litres worth of extra storage, and the wood and metal design will fit perfectly with either a full industrial theme or a boho design style. 

Here at Vincent and Barn, we feel strongly that you can never have enough storage, which is why a lot of our pieces have storage capacity. 

Consider a Double Duty Side Table That You Can Also Use as a Seat

While we're on the topic of functionality, ask yourself whether you want your side table to double as an extra seat.

Here in the UK, we like to entertain at home. Research shows that the average British household hosts at least one dinner party a month. Are you ever in a pinch for extra lounge seating? If so, having a side table that can do double duty as a small seat can be pretty handy. 

If you're looking for ideas, something like our rustic dipped side table is a perfect piece to masquerade as a stool in times of need. 

Figure Out What the Main Function Is

As you can see, side tables can be more than just a place to set your glass down. If you're beginning to get in a muddle trying to sort out what you really want in a side table, consider this. What is the primary function of your side table?

We've gone over additional features like extra storage and the potential of side tables to double as an extra seat. But you should also give thought to what the main need of your side table is. 

Do you just want a small side table to act as a landing place for a drink and book? Or do you want a little more side-table real estate so you can go the extra mile with styling?

If you want space to style things like books, candles, and floral arrangements, then bigger might be better. If you're after extra styling space, you can also opt for a side table with a shelf, such as this sleek Saw Cut Side Table - Distressed. 

Or, perhaps you just need a side table to flesh out your living room design and finish off that extra layer of pieces? If so, feel free to opt for form over function. 

Round or Square?

Another thing to think about is whether to go with a square or round side table. 

Round side tables are usually a safe bet from a decorating perspective, but they might not offer as much space and functionality as a square or rectangular design. It can also be tricky to find a round side table that has an authentic industrial look.

If you have an industrial style and want a round side table, we'd recommend that you look for a rustic piece, or a round side table in a combination of wood and metal, such as this Industrial Tray Table - Set of 2. 

On the pros side, round side tables can help soften up the look of your overall design. This can be especially useful in industrial design. Industrial design can lack warmth and softness if you're not careful, and a round side table can help to break things up and offer a point of interest to the eye. 

Pick a Colour That Will Compliment Your Space

Colour is another important consideration when picking out a side table. Dark and medium wood tones are central to industrial design. Dark iron and aged metals are also an industrial design staple.  

However, if you want to add some quirkiness and edginess to your space, you can also consider doing something completely unexpected with colour. For instance, pairing a piece like this rustic dipped yellow side table with some more serious pieces could add the perfect pop of colour and lend an avant-garde touch to your design. 

You can also switch things up with a neutral look. Most industrial pieces feature dark greys, blacks, and steel tones. If you want something a little softer, while sticking to the industrial style, you could incorporate something like this industrial metal side table in a soft grey. 

Balance Visual Weight

Our final top when choosing an industrial side table is to balance visual weight. 

For instance, if you have a chunky settee, you can balance this solid look by bringing some legs in through your side table. 

On the other hand, if you're looking to place a side table in between two lightweight accent chairs, a solid drawer-style side table can help ground the look. 

Are You Looking for an Authentic Style Industrial Side Table?

Now that you're armed with these insider tips, you're ready to pick out a side table that will work seamlessly in your space and look incredible season after season. 

Are you looking for a place where you can find high-quality industrial furniture? 

Here at Vincent and Barn, we design and stock artisan-crafted industrial and rustic furniture. All of our pieces are handmade. 

Browse our industrial side table range today to find the perfect piece for your space.