Under the surface

Occasional tables come in all shapes and sizes. James Patmore, design manager at Soho Home, explains how to choose the right one for you…

What should you consider first when choosing a side table? A side table needs to be easily accessible, which depends on the arm height of the accompanying sofa or chair. The size of the room is also a major consideration. I prefer a piece that offers lots of negative space when working with smaller rooms; a table with a frame base provides the needed surface area without visually taking up a large footprint that might crowd the space. Meanwhile, heavier side tables work with large, upholstered pieces to create a sense of comfort and permanence. How about materials and colour? You can create a statement with occasional tables, so be a little braver. At Soho House we love to use marble, as it conveys colour and texture in a natural material. Side tables present an opportunity to be playful and daring without overpowering a room. Tonal shades work for calming schemes, whereas contrasting colour is a little more fun.

Does the choice of shape affect a room? I find contrasting shapes add friction to a space and make it feel more eclectic, so round or organic footprints work well with boxy sofas and angular side tables definitely pair best with curved pieces. I try to not use storage side tables in a living room – when faced with a choice between getting a small drawer’s worth of storage versus making a visual statement, go with the statement. How many side tables should you have in a space? Two or three, depending on the size of the room: one either side of the sofa, then one by an occasional chair. Nesting sets tend to be quite versatile and can be used individually as bedside tables in tight spaces, as well as dotted around the house to accent alcoves or unused corners. sohohome.com