In this article, we will answer the following question: What is the difference between end table and side table and nightstand?
Before we will answer what the difference is between an end table, a side table and a nightstand we will discuss what each of these accent furniture tables consists of.
End Tables vs Side Tables vs Nightstands
However here is a quick and handy overview of what exactly the difference is between an end table and a side table and a nightstand. You can quickly see what each of these accent tables look like and what the main feature is of these different tables.
What Is An End Table?
An end table typically has a rectangular shape and has the same height as the arms of your sofa.
Therefore, you can easily put drinks, snacks, books, lamps or other handy items on top of it where it is easily reachable from your couch.
In addition end tables usually also come with a drawer and a shelf for extra storage space!
On the image below, you can see a classic end table that will look gorgeous in any home.
The end table is handcrafted and has the following attributes: it is made from wood and has a square shape.
The dimensions are 20 x 20 x 18.5 inches.
The Cosmopolitan End Table has a beautiful design, while also having an antique feel to it. It comes in three available colors. Wherever you will put this end table, it will warm up the room.
There are also many other shapes an end table can have, which we will discuss in the paragraph: Types of End Tables.
End tables are used to be placed next to your sofa in your living room and therefore should match the height of the sofa.
Later on, in the article, we will answer the following question in more detail: How do you know what size end table to buy?
What to quickly know which end table is the best?
What Is A Side Table?
A side table is a table that typically is placed at the side of a room. A side table is not meant as the main table in a room.
Side tables can come in different kind of shapes as well.
An example of a side table:
The side table has a nice tower design with three shelves for storage. It comes in multiple colors, is handmade and has lots of storage space.
It is made from wood and has a square shape. The dimensions are: 19 x 20 x 19 inches.
The Acadian End Table is a sturdy and very good looking addition to any room.
Other uses for a side table:
Instead of using a side table to put on drinks or books, you could use a side table to hide a pet crate!
Or you could place plants on top of it and use the side table as a decorative statement piece in your home.
What Is A Nightstand?
A nightstand is a small table that is placed next to your bed, whereupon you could place your mobile phone, lamp, books, medicine or glasses.
An example of a nightstand:
This nightstand has a classic look and enhances any bedroom!
The Carlton End Table is a handcrafted piece of furniture, available in three colors.
The attributes of the piece are: made from wood and has a square shape. The dimensions are: 18 x 18 x 20 inches.
This is a beautiful piece of furniture to own.
The Difference Between Nightstand And Bedside Table
When you are thinking of purchasing a nightstand, you might come across something called a bedside table. So, what is the difference between a nightstand and a bedside table?
Nothing!
A nightstand and bedside table are just different words to say that you have a small table next to your bed in your bedroom where you can put stuff upon.
The Difference Between End Table And Nightstand
The difference between end table and nightstand is minimal. The biggest difference is the place where the end table or nightstand is placed in a home.
A nightstand is placed in a bedroom and a end table is placed in a living room.
Can You Use A Nightstand As An End Table?
Sure, why not! It is your home! Therefore, you could easily use your nightstand table as an end table. Or you could use an end table and use it as a nightstand.
It really does not matter, as long as your happy with your small decorative table.
End Table vs Night Stand
An end table or a night stand?
As we stated in the paragraph above you can easily use a night stand as an end table and vice versa.
But, is there really a difference between the two accent tables?
Yes, there is!
An end table is used to be placed next to your sofa in your living room.
A nightstand is used to be placed next to your bed in your bedroom.
Difference Between End Table And Side Table
So, we have just discussed the difference between an end table and a nightstand. Now we will find out if there is a difference between an end table and a side table!
End Table vs Side Table
Like we stated earlier:
An end table is used to be placed next to your sofa in your living room.
A side table is a table that is not the main table in a room.
In addition, a side table can be placed anywhere in a room as long as it is not placed next to your couch, as it then would be called a :
End table.
How do you know what size end table to buy?
In general, the surface of an end table should be more or less the same height as the arms of your sofa.
A good rule of thumb is that the difference between the end table and the sofa should not be more than 2 inches, in either way. For example, let’s say that a sofa’s arm is 20 inches, then the end table can be anywhere between 18-22 inches tall.
The horizontal length of an end table should also be close to the sofa’s length. Of course, these are just some general guidelines and you can differ from them if you want.
An example of the right height an end table should have:
The Contemporary Chairside End Table is a great small end table for any home.
The attributes of this piece of furniture are as follows: it has a rectangular, square shape and is made from wood. The dimensions are 13 x 22 x 23 inches.
How to decorate an end table?
There are many ways you can decorate small end tables with storage.
You could go the traditional way and put lamps on top of the end table.Otherwise, you could put some vases with flowers, plants or other vase fillers on your end table.
We have reviewed the best glass vases and listed some cool vase fillers ideas in this article.
In addition, you could put a bowl of fruit, or a bowl with other decorative items, on your end table. Books are also a good option to store away on an end table.The last hint is to display pictures of your loved ones on the table.
Types Of End Tables
An end table gives a home that little extra style improvement. End tables come in many shapes, materials, and sizes.
Popular shapes, for example, are round end tables and square end tables. They can be made of glass, wood, plastic or metal. In addition, the size of it can be small, medium or large.
Extra storage space can come in handy because you can hide away items like the remote control if you choose an end table with closed storage. The result is that you will have less visible clutter in your home.
You can also have end tables with open storage spaces, which are perfect for decorating purposes.
We will showcase some beautiful looking and different types of end tables with storage space!
Classic Square End Tables
The table is another handcrafted and high-quality end table with the following attributes: it has a square shape and is made of wood.
The dimensions are 20 x 18 x 19.5 inches. The Warm Shaker End Table is available in many colors.
It also has lots of open and closed storage space. This is a good looking functional end table to put next to your sofa.
Rustic Wedge End Table
The end table has a unique design and has a rectangle shape.
The dimensions are: 24.1 x 14.1 x 23.2 inches.
It has lots of storage space to display your favorite home decor accents.
The Mestler Chair Side End Table has a rustic look that will fit in with any other furniture.
Wedge Shaped End Table With Drawer
The design of the end table is stylish and elegant.
The attributes of the end table are: made from wood and has a wedge shape, which becomes narrower towards the front.
The dimensions are: 24 x 17 x 24 inches.
The Wedge End Table is a gorgeous piece of home furniture that will fit in any space.
Conclusion: Difference Between End Table And Side table And Nightstand
The main difference between end table and side table and nightstand is the placement of the item:
An end table is placed next to a sofa.
A side table is a table that can be placed anywhere in a room and is not the main table.
A nightstand is a small accent table that is placed next to a bed.
What if you want to use the table in an other spot or room? Then you should just move your new table over to the spot that you want it to be in, because it is your home and you can do anything in it. It does not really matter if the table is not in the “technical” spot it is supposed to be, as long as the table is useful, then it will fullfill it’s purpose in a home.
