No matter how minimalist we think we are, clutter always seems to accumulate – and finding enough storage to keep everything neat and tidy can feel like an endless battle, especially for those of us with more compact homes. A coffee or side table with integrated storage makes an easy yet stylish solution, so for the latest post in my ‘best of’ series I’ve rounded up 21 of my favourites.
All of the below designs combine sleek, timeless looks with drawers, compartments or magazine racks, and they’re a great balance of form and function. They’re ideal for small spaces, and particularly useful for everyday items like TV remote controls and charger cables, which need to be kept close at hand but which don’t look particularly pretty when left out on display. As always there are options for all budgets, from a £70 IKEA bargain to investment pieces that will last for decades to come, and I’ve tried to include a selection of sizes and colours to suit different spaces. I hope you find something you like!
- Woud ‘Arc’ side table with storage compartment beneath rotating top (available in black-stained or white-pigmented ash), £621, Nest.co.uk
- Ercol ‘Romana’ coffee table with storage compartment beneath sliding top (available in oak only), £749, Furniture Village
- Kristina Dam ‘Curved’ side table with magazine rack (available in black powder-coated steel, stainless steel or beige powder-coated steel), £249-£349, Utility Design
- ‘Stave’ coffee table with storage compartment behind flap-down door (available in oak veneer only), £399, John Lewis
- Menu ‘Turning’ coffee table with storage compartment beneath rotating top (available in black ash or white oak), £449.95, Made in Design [AD – affiliate link]
- ‘BORGEBY’ coffee table with storage shelf (available in birch veneer only), £70, IKEA
- Northern ‘Mass’ side table with magazine rack (available in brushed steel, brushed brass or black powder-coated steel), £335, Made in Design [AD – affiliate link]
- ‘Nordic’ coffee table with storage drawer (available in oak only), £979, Ethnicraft
- ‘Kilby’ coffee table with two storage drawers (available in black-stained mango wood or light mango wood), £399, MADE.com [AD – affiliate link]
- Mid-century coffee table with two storage drawers (available in walnut finish only), £529, West Elm
- Ferm Living ‘Plant Box Large’ (available in ‘Cashmere’ beige, black, light grey or olive green), £255, Someday Designs; can be paired with a matching pot (£65) and a tray (£75) in oak, smoked oak or black oak
- Swedese ‘Log’ side table with storage compartment beneath lift-up top (available in oak veneer only), £585, Utility Design
- Woud ‘Sentrum’ side table with magazine rack (available in grey, taupe, dusty green or burnt orange), £424, Nest.co.uk
- Ferm Living ‘Podia’ coffee table with two storage compartments beneath lift-up top (available in black- or burgundy-stained ash veneer), Made in Design [AD – affiliate link]
- Plywood coffee table with storage drawer, £195, Urbansize
- ‘Noyeto’ coffee table with storage compartment behind sliding doors (available in walnut veneer only), £450, La Redoute
- ‘Tambo’ coffee table with storage drawer (available in oak only), £399, MADE.com [AD – affiliate link]
- Fredericia ‘Magazine Table’ (available in black or natural lacquered oak), £451-£473, Nest.co.uk
- AYTM ‘Sino’ side table with magazine rack (available with black or gold metal legs and black or brown marble top), £449-£569, Utility Design
- ‘Chiva’ coffee table with storage compartments beneath lifting tops (available in walnut veneer with dark marble, matt white lacquer with white glass, espresso oak veneer with dark marble, matt ash-grey lacquer with grey ceramic or dark oak veneer with dark marble), £1,104.15, BoConcept
- Woud ‘Arc’ coffee table with storage compartment beneath rotating top (available in black-stained or white-pigmented ash), £784, Nest.co.uk
Of the above options, Ferm Living’s ‘Podia’ table has the most storage, with two generous compartments that are ideal for cushions, blankets and the like – in fact I recently recommended it for a client who wanted somewhere to keep bedding for guests using her sofabed. The grooved sides and oval shape prevent it from looking too monolithic, and the dimensions mean it fits into a wide range of spaces. Swedese’s ‘Log’ side table revolves around a similar concept and can store a surprising amount inside.
If you’re planning to use your table to hide away items that you’ll need to access frequently, it’s worth looking for a design with storage that you can access without having to move everything off the surface first. Anything with drawers or sliding fronts will fit the bill, as will Menu’s ‘Turning’ table and Woud’s ‘Arc’ series, both of which have rotating tops that don’t need to be lifted up. After all, having to clear away drinks, candles or vases every time you need the TV remote control isn’t conducive to a relaxing environment!
If you just want a bit of space to help keep magazines and books tidy, Woud’s ‘Sentrum’ table, Kristina Dam’s ‘Curved’ table, Northern’s ‘Mass’ table and AYTM’s ‘Sino’ table are ideal. I’m also a big fan of Fredericia’s ‘Magazine Table’, which was designed by Jens Risom all the way back in 1949 but which works brilliantly in today’s increasingly compact homes. I particularly love the way the books or magazines peep up through the top, creating a sculptural display out of something very practical.
Finally, I have to mention Ferm Living’s ‘Plant Box’ which, although not designed specifically as such, acts as a brilliant coffee or side table. It comes in a range of colours and can be paired with a matching lid and pot, allowing you to add extra surface space and store items out of view. It can also double as a bench, making it a very versatile piece that can be adapted as your needs change.
Please note this post contains affiliate links (all clearly marked), which means I will receive a small commission on any resulting sales. You won’t pay any more by clicking on these links than you would by visiting the websites directly.
All images via the respective brands above
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