Choosing the right kind of living room furniture can be a tricky business, especially when it comes to deciding on the small pieces of furniture that can accentuate the overall living room design. The most ignored element of the living room is the side table.

You may think that choosing a side table is an easy affair. But often, it becomes a really stressful choice as a side table is an essential component which has to blend and integrate with the overall living room design.

Here are some useful tips to help you choose the right kind of side table which complements the other living room furniture while also adding an extra edge to the look of your living room:

#1 Be mindful of the size of the side table

The size of the side table can make or break a deal when it comes to living room designs. Make sure that the size, breadth, and height of your side table are proportionate to the surrounding living room furniture. In an ideal living room, the height of the side table falls just below the arm of the seating chair or sofa.

To go for a more modern look, you can elevate the height slightly. But no matter what look you go for, make sure that you have checked for accurate measurements before you go for the purchase.

#2 Ask yourself: What purpose does it serve?

Before you make your decision on the perfect side table, you should factor in the function that it will serve. If you intend to use it for candles, lamps, vases, or other accessories, then you can go for a taller side table with a smaller surface area. But if you intend to use it as a snack table or a reading table, then you should select shorter tables with a bigger surface area.

Deciding on the size and function of the side table will bring you closer to deciding on the style that you want to pick.

#3 Create contrasting styles with your living room furniture

Be creative with the style of your side table by mixing it up. For example, if you have a traditional wooden chair, you pair it up with a modern and contemporary glass-top side table to jazz up the integrated look of your living room furniture.

However, sometimes it is safer to go with similar styles. If your living room furniture is mostly made of mahogany wood, then a traditional marble-top broad side table looks elegant and sophisticated.

A great way to do this is to choose the side table after you’ve already finalized all the other living room furniture. Choosing the side table in the end will allow you to mix up the style accordingly- to add the last missing elements to your living room design.

#4 Use different materials for your side table

Side-tables are elements that allow one to be creative and experimental. You can use different materials for a side table- like mahogany wooden legs with a black glass-top side table as a display for candles and flower vases.

You could use other unconventional materials like marble-tops, cement slabs, and even irregularly-cut stone blocks as side tables. You could also use elevated wooden stools as side tables- just throw in a nice table-cloth with a décor item on top.

#5 Experiment with shapes

If you have a spacious living room, you can think of various shapes for your side-tables which will contrast itself with the shape of your other living room furniture. If you have a rectangular centre table, go for an oval-shaped side table. Likewise, a round or oval centre table should be complemented with a square or rectangular side table.

Don’t be afraid to choose unconventional shapes and feel free to experiment. Modern and contemporary living room designs show a variety of irregular shapes, even irregular edges of a side table-top. You may also use a huge block piece of wood or stone as a side table to give your living room an extra edge.

#6 Add colours and synchronize it with the colour-scheme

It is important to choose the right colour of your side table so that it blends perfectly with your other living room furniture and the colour of the walls. If you have softer tones for the walls, you could use a bright coloured side table to add colour to your living room.

However, you should avoid using bright colours if the other living room furniture or the colour of the walls have already dashes of colour in them. In that case, you should go for a more simplistic and basic colour and design for your side table.