Tag Archives: Side Table

This folding side table uses a unique mechanism to save space when not in use

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Many of us probably wish we had something to put our coffee mugs or phones on beside our lounge chairs or couches. Side tables are perfect for this kind of duty, but there might also be times when you don’t want such a piece of furniture in front or beside you. Perhaps you are economizing on space, or maybe you just prefer to put everything away when you’re done using them. Whatever the reason might be, foldable tables exist for that purpose, but these form-changing pieces of furniture can be complex and are often unattractive. Of course, there are exceptions to this, and this curious side table concept is one of them, especially with its rather unconventional yet simple method of implementing that folding feature.

Designer: Pelin Ozbalci

At first glance, this side table is both a mystery and a work of art. Inspired by ancient Chinese waist fans, the table has a particular design that doesn’t even try to hide the multiple strips of wood that make up its circular top. It also looks almost unbalanced with the way that the tabletop sticks out to the side, away from its one and only leg. It almost feels like the table could topple over with the slightest push or with a heavy burden.

What truly makes this side table unique, however, is its folding mechanism. Rather than folding down the tabletop as a whole, it actually folds in half instead. The loop in the middle keeps the halves from folding down, but a simple 90-degree turn frees the hinge completely. It’s a simple mechanism that requires no extra parts to lock the two halves together, and the table will only fold if the hinge is lined exactly in the middle.

Admittedly, that same bar that holds the two halves in place also limits the size of things you can put on the side table. Then again, the purpose of this table is for small, temporary items that need a brief resting place, like a cup, a phone, or a pocketbook. Anything bigger would require a more permanent table, which is not what this design is for.

As for the table’s stability, the base of the table is made from concrete, so it won’t fall over unless you put something heavier than that. This combination of concrete and wood also turns the table into a somewhat interesting piece of sculptural art when folded. That way, it serves a secondary and more passive purpose even when not in use, making it an ideal solution for space-constrained rooms and living spaces.

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This two-piece side table is a balancing act expressed in contrasting elements

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We all try to achieve a certain degree of balance, whether it’s in our lives or at least in the items we possess. There’s almost something natural about being in a state of equilibrium, and our eyes and minds find well-balanced objects to be pleasing and almost calming. Of course, neither life nor nature is as simple as that, and we often find ourselves beset by conflicting and opposing factors. Finding a stable middle ground between two sides is a major part of life’s journey, and this curious side table makes that struggle visible and real in a design that is both mind-boggling and practical as well.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

At first glance, the Shaolin side table almost looks unstable and unreliable. The tabletop is a simple flat rectangular piece that rests on top of a curve that forms the head of a ribbon-like shape. Of course, the imbalance is only an illusion, but it’s enough to make one pause in the uncertainty of whether the tabletop will topple over on one side or the other. It’s like the balancing act that martial artists like the table’s namesake perform.

In reality, the two parts of the table are not its top and its legs but rather the two halves that make up its left and right sides. These boomerang-shaped sheets of metal interlock perfectly to the point that they support each other to make the table stand and carry the weight of whatever is put on top. It’s almost like it’s the tension of the forces between the two pieces that makes it possible for the table to be so well-balanced.

In addition to its form, the colors of the side table also create a contrast that balance each other in the end. The red and black motif is often used as complementary hues in visual design. Computer scientists might even recognize the association with a certain “red-black tree” that is considered to be a self-balancing data structure.

It’s also almost metaphorical that the overlapping and opposing forms create a small space in the middle where you can safely place some of your important stuff. Of course, given the inclined sides, it won’t be a good place to put things that will easily break when that balance is perturbed. It’s still a convenient location for books, a phone, and other transient objects that make their way to your hands as you try to juggle and balance the sometimes opposing demands of life.

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Side table tips one quadrant to the side to display your books

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I’ve somehow become semi-obsessed with finding the right kind of side table for my living room and my bedroom. There are a lot of existing ones out there that seem functional but don’t really add much to the aesthetic I’m going for. I’ve written a lot about the really interesting ones that we see but most of them are just concepts at this point so I won’t be able to add any of them to my apartment anytime soon. I’m adding this new one to my list.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

Tipping is another concept for a side table that caught my attention because of its unique but also functional design. If you look at it from just one side, it’s a typical circular side table with “legs”. But when you turn it around, you’ll notice that one pie of the circle is actually “cut” and tipping over onto the side. This becomes a space to put your books or notebooks or documents and they are slanted so you can easily see the spines (for the books at least).

The change made to the typical side table is small but makes the “special feature” pretty interesting and useful. By just tipping one quadrant of the circular top, you get this extra storage area aside from the surface. It’s not much of a space saver since you don’t really get extra space per se, but it adds some texture so to speak to what would have been just a standard side table. If you’re looking for something that’s more of a space saver, you can look for other designs as there are several out there.

But if what you’re looking for is something more for display and for extra storage with a flair in your living room or in your bedroom, Tipping is an interesting concept design. But then again I won’t be able to actually have one so the search for an actual side table with a unique design is on.

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This eye-catching side table is like a geometric puzzle for your stuff

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Just by their name, you’d almost think that side tables are like sidekicks to your furniture. They serve a useful purpose, for sure, but they’re not exactly critical unless you really designed a room around them. They’re sometimes even hidden in corners where only their tops are seen and accessible. Of course, it’s entirely possible to have side tables become the center of attraction, especially if they look good enough to warrant moving away from the sidelines. They can also do more than just be pieces of furniture you place items on top, just like this side table that provides more than one functionality with a very unique visual. In fact, its unusual form warrants it to be a living room centerpiece, which means it can be more than just a table on the sides.

Designer: Dezin Aktay

Compared to a coffee table or a desk, a side table is almost always a smaller piece of furniture where you place cups, books, magazines, or even your phone on top. Given the scarcity of space in most homes and rooms these days, however, such a single-function object almost feels like a waste. That’s why some side table designs and concepts incorporate some sort of storage below the tabletop, turning the side table into a side shelf of sorts.

Linked does exactly that while also thinking outside the box when it comes to design, almost literally. Inside of a straightforward rectangular shelf or even a cylindrical body, the side table is actually composed of three hollow boxes. But rather than have these boxes arranged in an organized and regular fashion, they are instead interconnected with different offsets, creating what almost looks like a random composition of shapes, lines, and spaces.

These spaces are, of course, where you can place objects inside. There is actually only one space in the middle than can be big enough for anything other than books or smaller items. All other open areas are narrow, thin, or have an irregular L-shape that makes them less convenient for other objects. That said, filling these up with objects of different sizes also adds to the whimsical personality of the table. Given that you’ll be placing items where they fit best, you might find the overall aesthetic a bit disorganized or even chaotic.

The Linked side table’s wooden boxes make it perfect for almost any room arrangement, regardless of the motif you’re aiming for. Given its uneven shape, it might not be conducive to keeping it at the sides only. It can, of course, also function as a central table, both visually and functionally, one that can keep more than just your drinks or reading materials within easy reach.

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Praying Mantis side table is minimalist furniture with legs and “arms”

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Side tables are pretty much some of the simplest kinds furniture. While there are those designed to be multi-purpose like using them as shelves or even as a bed for your pets, the main reason to have a side table is so you can place stuff on top of it when it’s placed beside your couch or bed. If you’re concerned with not just its function but also aesthetics, there are a lot of designs and concepts out there that can make the furniture part of your room’s design.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

At first glance, the Praying Mantis side table looks like just a simple, circular piece of furniture. But the name itself indicates that there’s something a bit different from this concept. Yes you get a circular surface on top but when you look at the legs, that’s where it becomes a bit more unique. The legs actually look like arms folded in prayer, hence the name. The insect it’s named after doesn’t exactly look like the side table’s legs but the idea is there.

The way the side table is designed means that it uses solid wood. The designer says that there is no complex bending needed to be able to come up with the Praying Mantis. Looking at it though, I am not assured that it’s all that stable. Unlike most circular side tables, this doesn’t really have three legs. There are two legs and a praying arm so the latter maybe provides the balance to the entire table. The product renders don”t show anything placed on top so we don’t know if that is able to balance it out.

You wouldn’t be able to put a lot on the Praying Mantis side table as it just have the surface to place things on. But if you just need somewhere to place that cup of coffee or to display a few books or to have somewhere to put down your phone or tablet, then it should be enough.

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The Winding side table doubles up as a stool and features an interesting ‘nose’

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If you’ve ever even remotely spent time in the design world on Instagram, then you’ve for sure come across Deniz Aktay. His simple, minimal, yet genius furniture pieces have slowly but surely taken the IG world by storm. The success of his designs lies in the fact that they’re oh so simple, elegant, and yet packed with massive functionality. The simplicity will almost make you wonder ‘Why didn’t I think of this?’, but unfortunately for us and luckily for Aktay, no one else can conjure these designs up except him. He’s created wonders – from a unique bookshelf that functions as a side table to a coffee table design with intriguing layers. And, we’re currently drooling over the Winding side table.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

There’s just something about a multifunctional piece of furniture that ticks all the checkboxes for me! Imagine a product that’s been designed to work as a clothing rack and a treadmill. Or a side table that transforms into a chair. Space-saving goals much? That’s the magic of a multifunctional furniture design. It looks like a single product, but functions as more than one! They’re a smart option for our modern urban homes, which tend to be pretty cramped, hence adding multiple bulky and cumbersome furniture designs to them isn’t really an option. But multifunctional pieces that serve a variety of purposes, and solve a bunch of unique problems can be a lifesaver in such situations. And the Winding side table is one such brilliant design.

This minimalistic and warm side table also doubles up as a stool. Aktay’s designs are infamous for doubling up as something or the other and doing so extremely subtly and smartly. The furniture piece is like a continuous piece of plywood folded and bent into varying angles. It artfully curves at the top to create a thick platform that functions either as a side table or a stool, depending upon your mood – whether you want to place your favorite vase or your bum on it.

The curve which is formed to build the main platform of the design is its most stark highlight. You can compare it to a ‘nose’, or you could in fact call it the ‘nose’ of the furniture design. The nose is made using multiple plywood shims to give the impression of a singular piece of plywood that although bent, still maintains a continuous and harmonious form.

The Winding side table has a compact size, which makes it ideal for our modern-day cramped homes, or even the ever-popular tiny homes. You can deftly slide the table/stool into any corner of your home, and it would seamlessly merge with its surroundings owing to its neutral and soothing aesthetics.

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Bookgroove is a unique bookshelf and side table in one

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I’m a huge fan of unique-looking furniture that is also very functional. I also like those that can serve more than one purpose as they are space savers. Those that are cleverly designed also get plus points. And if they involve books of any kind, then, of course, I would be interested since I’m always in need of stuff to put books in. We’re seeing a lot of product concepts for tables, shelves, and sideboards that can house books so designers need to create something that will stand out.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

The Bookgroove is a bookrack and table in one that has a pretty unique shape. The table itself is circular at first glance but there’s an almost J-shaped carving on one side that can fit several books. It’s not the most usual way to store books as they have to follow the shape of the built-in shelf on the side table. The top part is where you can place other items like a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, although I’m not always that comfortable with having any liquids near my books.

This concept is definitely eye-catching and maybe something that book lovers will want to have to display their favorite titles. Well, at first probably. But the books that will be at the bottom of the curve may get damaged over time because of its positioning. It’s also probably difficult to get some of the books when you want to read them. If your purpose is to just display them though then that should be fine. But having to take them out and put them back in regularly may not be that easy.

I would personally like to have this minimalist piece of furniture around in my living room but more as a side table and not really for my books. However if not books, I wonder what else would fit in that shape.

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Crazy Slice is a sideboard with a unique shelf turned 45 degrees

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When I do my furniture shopping, or at least online window shopping, I always look for function over form. I look for what can best fit my needs rather than what would look good in my house. But of course, it would also be nice to have something that looks great and be decorative as well as useful. There are a lot of product designers out there who continue to reimagine what furniture could look like if it was even more well thought of.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

As someone who has a lot of books, I’m always in need of shelves or anywhere I can store all of the books that I can’t seen to stop buying. Crazy Slice is a concept for a side table or sideboard and small shelf that plays around with the shape and orientation of the normal ones that we see. What the designer did was to just tweak part of it just a little bit and what you get is a uniquely designed piece of furniture that also gives you even more storage and space.

What you get is a sideboard with two sections. One is the usual square-shaped shelf with a more elongated body. You can use it as a shelf or as a side table to place drinks, decorations, or even more books. The front part or the back part, depending on the orientation, is turned 45 degrees. This means you get to use that skewed shelf as not just a place to put your books but also as a bookmark for books and magazines. And of course, it looks more unique than just a simple shelf.

Crazy Slice has a metal triangular stand with a white coating. It seems to be attached to the shelves rather than just a stand where the shelves are placed on so this seems to be more stable. I wouldn’t mind having this sideboard in my living room since we’ve already established I do need more places for my books.

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Fluff Stack is a fluffy furniture set made from denim waste

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There are a few things in life that humans can never get enough of that aren’t food. These include furniture for living spaces and clothes for our bodies. Fortunately, these two classes of products are quite ubiquitous, mostly thanks to manufacturing technologies and cheap materials. Unsurprisingly, mass-produced products aren’t the most sustainable products, and even seemingly innocent textiles have their own dirty laundry, no pun intended, when it comes to the environment. There’s also the matter of wasted unused materials like scraps and overruns that are simply discarded, often at the expense of the planet. Finding a good use for these bits and pieces might not be that easy, but one such artist thought outside the box to turn denim waste into the unlikeliest of new products: pieces of furniture.

Designer: Lenny Stopp

Common fabrics are often dyed using processes and chemicals that tend to be toxic to the environment, making it one of the textile industry’s worst secrets. Simply throwing clothes could still end up harming the planet in the long run, but even their production can be problematic from a sustainability point of view. Some pieces of clothing or fabrics might be recyclable, but scraps and bits of material aren’t so easy to reuse because of their small sizes.

A better solution would be to use them as the base for something else that may not be directly related to the world of textiles and clothing. This three-piece furniture set composed of a side table, a stool, and a lamp is one such example, using denim waste not to simply cover the surface of the furniture as you might expect. Instead, the pieces of denim come together to form the furniture’s core and structure while also giving it a texture and visual that is truly one-of-a-kind.

The idea for Fluff Stack came from the observation that denim pulp is actually very strong. This new kind of material was made by putting denim pieces into an industrial pulp machine and then was mixed with cornstarch and water. The result was a material that looked and felt fluffy but had certain durability to it, allowing it to be pressed into molds to become more rigid shapes.

The ultimate test of the strength of this new kind of material is to use it for products that need to support a lot of weight or withstand rough use. Furniture, of course, is the perfect representative of such products, and, thus, the Fluff Stack series was born. Even without knowing the history behind these art pieces cum functional furniture, Fluss Stack easily captures one’s attention and interest. Rather than straightforward forms, the pieces are composed of blocks of solidified denim pulp arranged in a maze-like combination. The fluffy appearance of their surfaces also makes them stand out as if covered with fur all around.

Fluff Stack probably won’t become a common furniture design, but it does open the doors to what can be done with fabric waste. In an ideal world, nothing really gets wasted, and even scraps can be used as foundations for something else, forming a large part of a circular economy. And apparently, they can also look good, too, which goes a long way in making them attractive as functional decor or fancy furniture.

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Peel is a coffee table design with different layers

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Coffee tables and side tables have become more than just furniture to place your coffee cup or book on. People expect them to not just be meticulously designed but to also have more purposes than just be a simple table. There are a lot of good designs out there already but there’s always room for more of course. There are also concept designs out there just waiting to be crafted into actual furniture that people can buy and place in their living rooms.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

The Peel all-around coffee table design is something that I, for one, will want to have by my couch. The name is pretty obvious once you see the design as it is like a banana being peeled. Of course, it uses wood and not any fruit. He designed it using three plywood sheets but put together using a triangular outline. Originally, they have the same height but then they are bent at different levels so you get a table with different layers for different purposes.

The final design of the coffee table does look like a piece of wood being peeled open. So now, you’ll be able to place different items at different levels. Your coffee cup or cocktail can be placed at the tallest part for easier access. You can also place your phone at a lower level so it will not be easy to go for it when you’re supposed to be reading a book or talking to someone and not scrolling through your phone. The other level can be for some decorations or ornaments.

Because the plywood are peeled, then you get a solid triangular wood element in the middle. This not only gives your coffee table a stable center but you also get a storage area for your magazines or books. So your side table gets several purposes and you also get a nice-looking piece of furniture to adorn your living space.

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