We wouldn’t blame you if, when we said “living room design”, you first thought about a sofa. It sure is a functional piece! But what about its buddy that goes unnoticed—sometimes even ignored?
We mean, the sofa table. This is a multifaceted piece of furniture that offers more benefits that you would instantly think of. If you choose sofa tables with shelf, you can also get some additional storage space—our topic of discussion today.
Keep reading for the ultimate guide to sofa tables with shelf! 🤍
The Role of Sofa Tables with Shelf
Sofa tables—sometimes called console tables—have a big say in living room aesthetics (and functionality, too!). These slender, elongated tables are usually placed behind a sofa (and sometimes against a wall). They are typically 28 to 32 inches in height, which means they provide just the right platform to showcase family photos, flower vases, lamps, etc. Bonus points if you choose a sofa table with bottom shelf; this gives you even more storage space.
A sleek sofa table won’t take up much floor space, but it’ll really affect the room’s ambiance. This is especially because you can find them in various materials and colors. So, you can choose a piece that makes your living room truly your own.
Let’s see why every home needs a sofa table with shelf:
It’s incredibly storage-savvy. Remotes, magazines, etc. can all find a home right next to your sofa.
It’s a space enhancer. If your sofa backs up to an open area, a sofa table with a shelf can define the space (but without blocking the flow).
A sofa table is decorative on its own—but also gives you room to display all your decor accessories.
How Big a Sofa Table Should Be
Just like living rooms and sofas come in different sizes, sofa tables do too (they’re usually anywhere between 24 and 60 inches). That means size is one (big) factor to consider when choosing a sofa table. The general rule of thumb is, you want the sofa table to be no smaller than half the length of your sofa. Plus, there should be at least a foot of space on either side of the table.
For the height, it should sit slightly lower—approximately an inch or so—than the back sofa cushions. You want to position the table so that it’s centered on the back of the sofa; this makes sure the overall look is symmetrical.
Sofa Tables with Shelf: Our Top Picks
If you’ve been looking for a side table with shelf that can make room next to your sofa…we’ve got you covered with these fantastic pieces:
Dorte Wood Console Table
Product: Dorte Wood Console Tabler, 47"
Price: $199
Shop: Her Nest
The light wood finish of this piece makes it a unique addition to your living room. It easily adds texture to the space. Plus, it balances the vintage and modern styles. So the piece you get is quite a timeless addition to any space.
Modern Narrow Black Console Table
Price: $280
Shop: Homary
If you’re looking for a touch of glam, this is THE piece. Its black shelf and drawers + gold legs factor in luxury. We especially love this paired with a sleek golden sofa in your living room.
Ley 47 Inch Wood Sideboard Console Sofa Table
Price: $182
Shop: Casa Gear
This sofa table with bottom shelf features a classic mid-century vibe. Its curved forms and wooden elements give it a traditional vibe. Two shelves—one at the top and the other at the bottom—make sure there’s enough room to store and/or display items.
Hoctieon Gold Console Table
Price: $50
Shop: Hoctieon Store, Amazon
This one’s double the fun—with double the shelves! When we saw this piece on Amazon, we knew it was a must to add to the list. The Hoctieon gold console table is slim enough to fit into even the most compact spaces. Plus, it has two shelves (under the top one), giving you plenty of room for storage.
Modern Sintered Stone Console Table
Price: $550
Shop: Homary
If you’ve got some space for a slightly bulky piece, we’d recommend this sintered stone top console table. It’s typically designed for entryways, but can create a statement when placed behind a sofa. We especially love how its bulky presence can distinctly delineate different spaces.
How to Add a Sofa Table with Shelf to Your Space
A sofa table will traditionally sit behind your sofa (or sectional). This can be against a wall—or floating in the middle of the room.
Because we’re focusing on pieces with shelving, the decision is yours to make. If you will be displaying items that double as decor, you can allow your sofa table to float in the middle of the room. If you’d rather use it for everyday items—like a remote or perhaps a quick spot to put a drink—you can place it between your sofa and the wall. This keeps items on the shelf hidden from sight.
If you’re using your sofa table for everyday storage BUT have it positioned in the center of the room, you can always use decorative storage baskets on the bottom shelf. You can toss in your items here and still keep them hidden from sight.
How to Style a Sofa Table
Your sofa table with shelf provides storage space, sure. But it also provides a surface that’s great for displaying photos, decorative accents, personal mementoes, etc.
That said, there are three design rules you want to stick to when it comes to decorating your sofa table:
Use objects of various heights. This creates dimension. E.g. a tall table lamp on one end, a shallow bowl in the middle, and a picture from on the other end.
Layer objects and materials so that they can add warmth to the space. This can be a leather box, a metal tray—basically anything that diversifies the textures used.
Think in odd numbers. This is important because you’ll often find yourself displaying a collection of pottery or perhaps some candlesticks. Assembling them in odd numbers can create a visually appealing display.
Also, if your sofa table is placed against a wall—you can extend the decor vertically by hanging something above it, like some artwork.