How to Choose a Side Table: Height, Material and Placement (Plus Design Side Tables You Can Buy in Taiwan)

The side table is probably the most overlooked piece of furniture in a living room. It decides how far you have to reach to put down a coffee cup, a book or the remote, and it is very often the visual anchor of the whole space. Below we look at four things — height, material, placement and size — and close with design side tables you can buy from stock in Taiwan, along with their price bands.

1. Height: level with the sofa arm

Aim for a top level with the sofa arm, or 2–5cm below it, so that your hand falls naturally onto it while you're seated. Sofa arms in Taiwan mostly sit between 50 and 65cm, which puts most side tables at 45–60cm. Beside an armchair, or used as a bedside table, match the height of the seat or the mattress instead.

2. Material: decide what will sit on it first

A stone top resists heat and scratching and carries a certain gravity; hot cups are no problem, and it works well as a focal point. The trade-offs are weight and a vulnerability to strong acids. Norr11 Quartz and Norr11 Fin both fall into this category. Solid and stained wood is warm and ages well, and sits easily in Nordic and wabi-sabi interiors — just don't leave it standing in water. See the 101 Bow side table or the 101 Artist side table. Metal and sheet steel are crisp, modern and easy to clean, as with the Audo Androgyne; the one thing to prepare for is how cold they feel to the touch in winter.

3. Placement: beside the sofa, beside an armchair, behind the sofa

Beside the sofa, leave 5–10cm between the two so you can get in and out easily; a top big enough for a cup and a book is plenty (Ø40–45cm). Next to an armchair or in a reading corner, a small round table is the most flexible option — a narrow one like the Androgyne Ø40 can be picked up and moved without thinking. Behind the sofa, as a console-style backdrop, a slim arched form works best, such as the Bow side table, finished off with a vase or a lamp on top.

4. Size: keeping it compact in a smaller home

In a living room of 20–30 ping (roughly 66–99 m²), a diameter of Ø40–50cm with rounded corners is a good rule, so nothing juts into the circulation route. If you want one piece to do several jobs, choose a slightly larger top such as the Soho or the Mazo FER and let it serve as a small coffee table and side table in one.

Design side tables in stock in Taiwan (indicative price bands)

Model	Character	Price band
Norr11 Quartz	Stone top, entry price	From NT$9,800
Norr11 Fin	Marble, in stock	NT$13,750
Audo Androgyne Ø40	Small metal round table, easy to move	NT$17,520
101 Artist side table	Stained wood, wabi-sabi feel	NT$18,200
101 Bow side table	Arched form, console-style backdrop	NT$41,000

Frequently asked questions

Should a side table be the same height as the sofa?

We suggest the top sits level with the sofa arm, or 2–5cm below it, so that your hand falls naturally onto it while seated. Sofa arms in Taiwan are usually 50–65cm, which puts most side tables at 45–60cm.

What size side table suits a small living room?

For 20–30 ping (roughly 66–99 m²), a diameter of Ø40–50cm with rounded corners keeps the circulation route clear; if you want one piece to do several jobs, choose a slightly larger top and share it as a small coffee table.

Is a marble side table difficult to look after?

Stone resists heat and scratching, and a dry cloth is all it needs day to day, but it is vulnerable to strong acids (lemon, cleaning products). Wipe up any splashes immediately to avoid staining.

Where can I buy one in Taiwan, and can I see it in person?

NOSA is the official distributor in Taiwan for 101 Copenhagen, Audo, Norr11 and other brands. Our curated physical space in Taichung is open for viewings by appointment, and we deliver nationwide in Taiwan; both in-stock and pre-order pieces can be ordered online.

NOSA, curated design from Europe, Japan and Korea, official distributor in Taiwan for multiple brands. Physical space in Taichung, nationwide delivery in Taiwan, in stock and pre-order.