How do you decorate your Narrow living room side tables?  This was the question I received this week, and I realized that I have blogged about kitchen tables, dining room tables, coffee tables, sideboards, buffets, and even bedroom end tables…but never narrow side tables!  I just love a beautifully curated display.  🙂 Here are a few tips if you find yourself stumped on yours!

Tip #1: Keep an Eye on Function

Narrow Side tables are more than just a platform for décor – they serve a purpose, too (and sometimes several!).  Consider what needs to be on the table, like a lamp or a coaster for drinks, and work around those necessities.  However, side tables can also become catch-alls for items that don’t actually need to be there.  This is a great time to evaluate those items and pare down if needed.  PRO TIP: Sometimes necessities aren’t terribly attractive, like TV remotes.  If you can, add a decorative box or some other item to provide a disguise.

Tip #2: Create a Vignette

Generally speaking, side tables offer limited real estate, and curating small vignettes for these limited spaces can be a challenge. I like to start simple with a riser (books are great!), a taller item like a candle or a potted plant, and then add in a small decorative object.  This is just a basic framework, but it can be altered to suit your space and décor.  Swap in framed photos, small art pieces, or small dishes of trinkets.  The sky is the limit!  PRO TIP: One of the most basic tenets in design is the theory that the eye prefers odd numbers.  Working in groups of 3s and 5s will seem more interesting and effortless.

Tip #3: Containment Strategies

Once you have your vignette selected, give it a polished appearance with a tray.  Much like the border of an art piece, a tray will hem in your pieces making them feel more cohesive.  You can think beyond the borders with alternative tray options, too – a large book, a pretty cloth, or even a large string of chunky beads can provide a “hemming” effect.  PRO TIP: If your side table is against a wall, you can also add a backdrop of an art piece leaning against the wall to add interest and eye appeal. No wall?  Look for a freestanding piece!

BONUS TIP: I’m always looking for ways to showcase items in my vignettes, especially when they are on the smaller side.  I recently read an article with a great solution – a glass cloche.  These transparent “bell jars” bring a spotlight on individual items in such a fun way.  A cheese cloche would be great for shorter applications, too.  I can’t wait to find one at a thrift store and give it a try!