This Clever $20 IKEA Find Creates a Side Table Out of Thin Air

I’m in the process of rearranging and redecorating my living room right now, and my biggest headache might just be the smallest piece in the room. I am in desperate need of a good side table. I eat almost every meal on the couch (no shame), and there’s nowhere within arm’s reach to set my beverages. This has resulted in more than a few spills, I must admit. 

So when I took a trip to my local IKEA last month, I was on the lookout for a good side table. But what I found was even better: IKEA’s TRANERED Armrest Tray Table is the perfect solution!

This small-but-mighty piece is so ingenious, I can’t believe I haven’t seen it anywhere else before. Essentially, it’s a tray that can be attached to the arm of your sofa — a side table that takes up exactly zero floor space!

I’ve seen armrest trays before, sure; but none quite so stylish (or useful) as this one. The tray portion is made from solid wood, with rounded edges and a dark stain that makes it look super luxe. Securing it to the couch are two chrome “arms,” which are adjustable, of course, allowing TRANERED to work with almost any sofa. 

The result is a beautiful modern piece that proves style and function can coexist beautifully. While traditional armrest trays look like eyesores to me, this one actually adds to the vibe of the room rather than taking away from it. It’s a great alternative to a C-table for small spaces, and keeps the front of your sofa looking streamlined and more open to traffic. 

I’m not the only one whose eye was caught by this little tray table. IKEA shoppers seem to love the TRANERED, giving it an overall score of 4.7 stars. Several reviews praise the piece’s versatility, saying they use it to hold their coffee, wine glasses, and remotes. 

Buyers also confirm that this piece works with a variety of different armrest types. “I have a reclining sofa with very thin armrests and could not find something to fit,” one shopper writes. “The adjustable arms took care of that. It’s sturdy and very reasonably priced.” Another reviewer adds, “I have a sofa with a super skinny arm, so the adjustable width was perfect. It is very sturdy once you get the measurements right. I’m obsessed.”

It’s worth noting that the tray might not hold larger items well. One IKEA shopper writes, “When I put a plate of food on one or my laptop [on the tray], it dipped down on the outside causing the inside to slide up dumping everything on the floor.” So I’d start with smaller items at first just to be safe — especially if your sofa has slightly rounded arms. TRANERED is meant to keep your beverages, remotes, and smaller electronics within reach, not to replace your coffee table. 

Because it costs just $19.99, you really can’t go wrong with this purchase. TRANERED is an incredibly versatile piece, and it’s unlike most other armrest trays on the market — in terms of both style and functionality. Honestly, what’s not to love? 

Buy: IKEA TRANERED Armrest Tray Table, $19.99