Traditionally, interior designers erred on the side of caution and chose matching pieces of furniture. That means matching sofas and chairs, matching side tables, and even matching lamps.
However, modern interior design now encourages a mix-and-match approach. When you get it right, you can create a unique and stylish space.
The good news is that with the right-side tables, it’s surprisingly easy to mix and match like a designer.
Table of Contents
Start With the Basics
Before you start looking at side tables take a moment to check your current decor. Your style is unique but you’ll generally find it’s easier to get the side tables right if you have a neutral palette to work with.
Cream or beige sofas paired with a luxurious rug and a statement chair, perhaps in a contrasting yet complementary colour. That’s a great start.
With this in place, you’ll know what types of side tables and colour schemes are likely to work.
Go With Different Sizes
You’ll find small, medium and large side tables on the market. To mix and match like a designer you’ll want to choose two different size side tables.
Larger side tables are the perfect addition to the end of a sofa. They look good, make the room feel larger, and offer a practical option for drinks and other items. We’d recommend pôsitioning them at the end of your sofa.
Just make sure they don’t block the traffic flow.
Pair this with a smaller side table. It’s a good option to serve as a coffee table or you can place it between two armchairs or even two sofas. The small side table will help tie the furniture together and make the space feel more complete.
Balancing Your Materials
A natural wood table next to a modern, plastic option is likely to look strange, regardless of where you position them in your room.
The key to successfully mixing and matching is to keep some similarities between the side tables. For example, two wooden side tables will work, even if one is a dark wood and the other a light one.
This level of variety makes the room interesting but not chaotic. You can pair modern side tables but we recommend going with natural materials, such as wood.
Getting The Shape Right
It’s much easier to get harmony in any space if you choose side tables that are the same shape. They don’t have to be the same size but two circular tables are a better option than one circular and one square.
Two tables of the same shape simply work better together.
Quirky Matches
Finally, to ensure your side tables look fantastic, look at the small details. A fine carving in both tables can add unity to the room. Alternatively, if both tables have the same leg design.
Taking a moment to study the details can make a huge difference when creating your living space.
Summing Up
Mixing and matching is a great way to add personality to your space. The good news is it’s quite easy to do. Simply adhere to the simple rules above and don’t be afraid to experiment.