apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Who ARE these people who can afford to pay $150 for a TV tray table?!

99% of the time, I'm with you on that, KatGamer. $300 alarm clocks, $2000 couches, $500 end tables.. as much as I like some of it, none of it will ever make its way into my home. That said, I *was* thinking that the DWR Offi Mag Table is almost worth the $150, just because I know how much I would use it.

I'm beginning to think they need another AT section - for the low budget folks among us. And no, a $900 sofa from CB2 vs. a $2000 sofa from Room & Board is not my idea of low budget. I know its possible to find affordable options that are not just Target/IKEA. I just wish we would see more of them on here :-/

How about the Anes bedside table from IKEA for $50? We have a few in the living room that roam around to great effect. In addition to meals and homework, my husband loves using it to work on his laptop while watching an old movie or game. They push away and pull to easily. They can fit under the sofa with table over the sofa etc... Its uses go way beyond a mere nightstand.

Love that Gus Design Group table, it's so perfect and elegant. And honestly, I don't want to see a roster of budget items all day every day. I think AT does a great job of balancing the cheap with the pricey. I like to see good design no matter what its price point, and if it's expensive, well...it can't hurt to dream. :)

Imavunderbrah, that table *is* gorgeous. But I can't afford it. I was thinking a lower-budget AT would be great too.

Cate, thanks for the suggestion! :)

We have two Ikea RIAN side tables ($13) on either end of a 7 foot Bo Concept sofa, and people constantly ask us about them. They slide in nicely to make impromptu desks when we're working in the living room (as I am right now) -- the perfect height for a laptop, but that probably depends on yr sofa.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40090372

On affordability, when you buy the end tables for $13, there's that much more money to spend on a good sofa.

Room & Board has the Eileen Gray table for $299 - I was just daydreaming about buying one the other day and wondering why it was so much cheaper (but still not cheap) there than at DWR.

I'm with typediva, AT does a nice job of mixing high and low. They often have tips on places that have cool used furniture. I'm in the camp that new furniture should be 'expensive' because good furniture requires good material and intention, which cost money.

I've had my eye on the Offi Mag table for months - but not the budget to finally purchase it. What I do have is patience and the internet, and I found a knock-off by Bellacor for $62 (!), just search bentwood desk on their website. It's also sold on shop.com.

While the Offi table has perfect proportions, I'm sure many of you could compromise on a few angles at 40% of the price.