The Side Table Alternative For Your Couch That's Way More Functional

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Good living room furniture can (and should) do more than just sit there and look pretty. Take your side table, for instance. Some people choose side tables that are affordable or for their looks rather than how useful they actually are, and we've gotten used to leaning over and straining to grab the remote or the drink we placed on it earlier. Fortunately, if you're tired of having to stretch and reach for those things, there's a clever alternative: C-tables.

The C-table is a genius and terrific solution to this inconvenience. It literally gets its name from its C-shaped design: there's a horizontal base that slides under the frame of your seat, a vertical stand to elevate it, and another horizontal tabletop that juts out in the same direction as the base, like the letter "C." It's this smaller and comparatively unique design that makes it excel as a side table alternative.

This flexibility is the C-table's superpower, and can make a small space feel bigger. For movie nights, move it between you and your friends to hold snacks and drinks. When you need to check emails or write stuff for work, it converts your sofa into a temporary desk. It's also a brilliant space saver, since the base pretty much disappears underneath your furniture, making it great for cozy reading nooks and even compact apartments.

Before you start shopping for a C-table, first should grab your measuring tape. You'll need to measure two things to make sure your C-table fits with your couch. One, the distance between the ground and the bottom of your couch so you can make sure the table's base can easily slip under it without getting stuck. And two, the height of your armrest, to ensure the tabletop comfortably reaches over it. It's also worth noting that some offer adjustable heights.

C-tables are available in a decently wide variety of materials, like wood, steel, and acrylic, so it should be pretty easy to find a table that's the right size and style for your room. If your home leans modern, we recommend looking for options with clean lines, such as one with polished brass and either a clear glass or white marble top. For a warmer and more rustic vibe, you could look for C-tables with carved natural wood surfaces, perhaps oak or rich walnut. Crafty DIYers could even paint one to match their unique style so it blends in with the rest of your decor when you're not using it.

You can find C-tables from many retailers, from upscale options like the Allen Rectangular Extending C-Table from Pottery Barn to more affordable options such as the SJIE C Table from Amazon. No matter which option you choose, though, these adorable little tables are ready for adventure wherever you set them up.