What To Consider When Choosing The Best Stone Side Table

Walk in to any room, and the big ticket items—such as the sofas and coffee tables for living rooms or the bed frames in beds—are the first thing you’d notice. At the side of these big ticket items, you would usually see a small yet functional piece of furniture—the side table.

It’s no surprise that small side tables are usually overlooked. As the name suggests, the bedside table is usually placed at the side of beds, sofas, armchairs, and so on and so forth. However, despite its somewhat diminutive size and the fact that it plays second fiddle to other furniture, the space will not function well without a side table living room.

Side tables are meant to expand the surface area of a living space. Side tables provide your room with a ‘stage’ to showcase your kitschy keepsakes, provide a pedestal for lighting, and provide an extra space to set down your reading glasses and hold your glass of coffee or vino whenever you’re relaxing.

Small side tables for the living room might not be the ‘star’ of the show, but surely you won’t be able to fully enjoy and maximise your room’s experience without it.

Things to consider when choosing a stone side table
Despite its smaller appearance, it can be challenging to find the perfect side table for your room. Consider the following to help you get the best side table for your living space.

1. Material

Stone side tables come in a wide range of materials to suit your space. It is important to choose the right material for your side tables, as it affects both the aesthetics and the functionality of your room. Here are three of the most popular stone side tables.

Marble Side Tables

If you’re looking to create a classic space, you won’t go wrong with a marble stone side table. Stone side tables are a great choice for durability, as they are hard-wearing and resistant to dings. In terms of style, it’s classic, timeless, and pretty versatile. You’re able to choose from a wide range of colours and finishes, which can perfectly match your interior style. It does require a bit of care as it can be prone to water stains and scratches, but don’t let that put you off. It’s very manageable to take care of Mable stone side tables. Check out our tips on caring for marble tables here.

One of our favourite marble side tables is the HRST Side Table. It comes with a recessed surface top that will help keep things from sliding off. It’s also multi-functional, as it comes with a drawer as well as a shelf slab, so you can utilise the space underneath.

Travertine Side Table

Looking for something more rustic? A travertine side table would be Their classic charm and natural beauty make them a common choice for many different interior design philosophies. Travertine’s earthy tones and organic textures fit naturally occurring elements like stone and wood in rustic settings, therefore fostering a friendly environment. Travertine tables are a great and long-lasting piece of furniture since their adaptability lets them improve the whole design of any area as well as its visual attractiveness. What we love about the travertine side table is that it looks so natural and beautiful. It’s perfect for when you don’t want to overwhelm your space, especially for smaller living areas. Another good thing about the HRST travertine side table from natural stone is that it has the durability and versatility to elevate any indoor or outdoor space. It comes in a range of colours, from soft whites to deep, vibrant reds. Our travertine side table is hardwearing but will require a bit more care as it is made from more porous material. Check out our tips on caring for a stone side table here.

One of our best-selling travertine side tables would be the HRST travertine side table (comes in two sizes). It’s a round side table with a travertine top as well as an intricate cast travertine base with an aged finish.The HRST is a durable side table that’s both classic and late mid-century minimalism at the same time.

Onyx Side Tables

Want to add a luxury-like vibe to your room? An Onyx Side Table is a great option to use. Onyx marble is a beautiful and unique type of stone. It is strong and durable, making it an ideal material for furniture. Onyx Marble Table is also resistant to heat and scratches, so it will always look great. Additionally, onyx marble is easy to clean and maintain. As with marble side tables, you are able to get onyx side tables in a multitude of colours and finishes. Our Onyx side tables are hard-wearing but will require a bit more care as While it is exceptionally beautiful, onyx has some drawbacks, including: it’s fragile. Refer to our care guide to learn more about caring for your onyx tables.

Our highly-reviewed HRST onyx Side tables are a favourite among our customers. Its luxury style makes it a great side table for your living room or bedroom. Choose this side table to have that ultra-stylish feel to your living space.

2. Shape

Different shapes serve different purposes. That is why side table shape and style are important considerations when choosing a side table, especially when considering floor space.

Round Side Table

A round stone side table, like the HRST Side Table, is a chic, space-saving modern side table that allows you to add extra style and surface area to your room without eating too much of your floor space. Pro-tip: Round side tables are great options for high-traffic spaces, especially when you have kids. Round side tables are less prone to bumping as they lack the sharp corners of square or rectangular side tables. No more ouchies with round side tables!

Rectangular Side Table

Have more space to spare? Why not choose a rectangular stone side table? With rectangular side tables, you can do more with your side table thanks to its larger surface area. You can get to place mood lighting while also displaying mementos, curiosities, or even your favourite plant to help add to your room’s chic vibe. What’s more, rectangular side tables usually come with built-in drawers, thus giving you added storage for a clutter-free space. One of our favourite rectangular stone side tables is the HST Bedside Table. It offers a spacious top surface and comes with three spacious drawers.

Square Side Table

Similar to round side tables, square side tables are also space-saving, but with a classic look. Due to its shape, it becomes easier to create an efficient and well-balanced room arrangement. One of our best-selling stone side tables is the HRST black side table. This sleek square side table features a recessed, tray-like top that’s both stylish and functional. With its square shape and compact style, this is a space-saving side table that gives your rooms an elegant Hamptons-inspired vibe. What’s more, you’re able to fully utilise the space underneath the side table, so you get added storage space.

3. Colour

Green stone side table

Black stone side table

 

White stone side table

When designing the perfect room, it’s important to think about each and every facet of your space. The room’s interiors should not only be stunning; they should also work well for you and your lifestyle.

That is why picking the best stone side table for your room is key. It complements your big pieces and adds to the functionality of your room. It may be a small thing, but the perfect side table makes a big difference to your bedroom or living room.

HRST Designer-picked and expertly crafted, we offer the perfect range of stone side tables that’s well suited for your home. Choose from a wide range of round side tables, white side tables, and marble side tables to match any interior style.

Featuring the best marble and hardware, our side tables are carefully built for long-lasting durability. Ending the craftsmanship journey, we carefully hand finish each and every part of our side tables to meet your exacting standards.To give you further peace of mind, we deliver your side table fully assembled to ensure the assemble construction quality.

Create beautiful living spaces today. Visit us online and chat with HRST!

FAQs

1. What should I consider first when choosing a stone side table?

Start with placement and purpose. A stone side table next to a sofa needs the right height for drinks and remotes, while a bedside stone side table should support a lamp, book, and daily essentials without feeling cramped. Because stone has strong visual weight, scale matters a lot—an oversized piece can make a room feel crowded fast. Choose a size that fits your circulation path, keeps walkways clear, and looks balanced with nearby furniture.

2. What is the ideal height for a stone side table next to a sofa or bed?

A good rule is to match the tabletop height to the sofa arm height or sit slightly below it, so you can reach items comfortably. For bedside use, the tabletop usually looks best close to mattress height, making it easy to grab a phone or glass of water without stretching. If the table is too tall, it can feel awkward and block sightlines; if it is too low, it becomes less functional and can look visually “lost.” Getting height right is one of the quickest ways to make the table feel custom-fit to the room.

3. Which stone type is best for a side table: marble, travertine, onyx, or other stones?

Marble is the classic choice for a refined, luxury look, thanks to its natural veining and wide colour range. Travertine feels warmer and more organic, often used for calm, natural, minimalist interiors. Onyx is more dramatic and artistic, sometimes with a translucent depth that makes it a strong statement piece. If you want a low-stress daily surface, focus not only on the stone type but also on finish and how carefully the table will be used in real life.

4. What finish and edge details are most practical for everyday use?

Polished finishes look glossy and high-end, but they can show fingerprints or water spots more easily. Honed or matte finishes feel softer and often look more forgiving day to day. Edges matter for both durability and comfort: eased or rounded edges reduce the risk of chipping and feel better in high-traffic spaces. If the side table will be used frequently, choosing a practical finish and safer edge profile can make the table feel easier to live with.

5. What should I check for stability, build quality, and maintenance before buying?

Stone is heavy, so the base must be solid and well-balanced. Check that the table does not wobble and that the base footprint is wide enough to support the top safely. Look for clean joins, smooth surfaces, and protective pads under the base to prevent scratching floors. For maintenance, plan simple habits: use coasters, wipe spills promptly, and avoid harsh or acidic cleaners. A well-built stone side table should feel stable, look proportional, and stay easy to care for with a consistent routine.