The Space-Saver Every Small Apartment Needs
If I had to vote for the one piece of furniture that amplifies modern apartment living, it would be the c-side table. Hitting the design scene hard in the past decade (though the handy table dates much further back), the airy furnishing is widely available at most stores that cater to a young, urban market. The curved, three-sided table is everything small-space dwellers love: It's tiny, easy to move, serves a multitude of functions, and can be used in almost any room.
This afternoon, a co-worker asked me if I own a dining table. "I do," I confessed. "It's actually pretty big," I admitted. "My dad built it," I tried to explain. (I left out that it was beautiful, because at this point the fact that I could even fit a single large piece of furniture into my Brooklyn apartment sounded like bragging.) "I don't actually eat at it, though, I pretty much always eat on my couch," I told the truth. If I'm home and not asleep, there's a 90% chance I'm on my couch. It's my home office (I'm on my couch as I type this!), my dining nook, my entertainment zone, my craft room, all rolled up into one IKEA EKTORP. Which is why, when I discovered the multi-tasking wonder that is the c-side table, it was love at first sight. This tiny table tucks around the edge of a sofa and is just as good at holding a laptop as it is at balancing a beer.
Shop for one right from the comfort of your—you guessed it—couch:
10 of Our Favorite C-Side Tables:
Cube Side Table at West Elm, $199
This is the beaut that sparked my fascination with the c-table. When I spotted this sculptural stunner across the room at an event last month, I couldn't take my eyes off it. There was something about the construction of a marble cube, plus a brass pipe, plus a walnut circle that added up to a cubist masterpiece. And although its shape is a departure from what's now the standard c-side table form, it certainly got me Googling. Read on for the fruits of that labor.
Peekaboo Acrylic C-Table at CB2, $179
I honestly thought I couldn't love the concept of the c-side table any more than I did, but then I spotted CB2's wheeled acrylic one moonlighting as a bar cart. Clearly, this "work hard, party hard" piece leads a balanced life: Wheel it beside your couch for a work surface, then stock it with bottles when friends come over.
Alemeda Laptop Table at World Market, $80
The search for the perfect laptop perch is over. At just 14 by 18 inches, this extra surface is there when you need it, but will never feel in the way.
Accent Table at Target, $60
No one would guess that this stylish accent table only costs $60. The contrasting combination of a dark wood top and a shiny chrome base would work well in a modern home.
Charley C-Side Table at West Elm, $199
This trendy table will feel right at home in the hippest of apartments. The thin t-shaped brass base can slide under even a lower couch.
Slim C-Table in Color at Room & Board, $219
Homes that aren't afraid of color can't go wrong with this streamlined pick that's all planes and lines.
Siena C-Table at Crate & Barrel, $199
A delicate table with a pretty brass finish, this option is open and airy so it won't make a small living room feel cluttered.
Takat C-Table at Pier1 Imports, $120
This table may be small, but it can tackle everything from a study session to a cheese platter.
Sloan Concrete C-Table at Pottery Barn, $149
If you're on the hunt for a c-side table that can handle the elements, this concrete-topped version is for you. Take it outside so it can hold your sangria as you watch the sunset.
VITTSJO at IKEA, $30
Naturally, this IKEA options boasts a minimalist design as well as an unbeatable price—no surprise there.
Round Brass C Table at CB2, $229
For those with a brass addiction.
