This Game-Changing $56 Find Is the Most Useful Item in My Tiny Studio (Perfect for Working from Home!)

Over time, I’ve realized that studio apartments definitely have their pros: They’re less work to clean, and when they’re decorated well they can be extremely cozy. Of course, there’s also the fact that it’s a money-saver. I didn’t have to buy nearly as much furniture for my tiny place as I did for the multi-room apartment that I shared with roommates in the past. Of course, studios are also the most affordable option if you want to live alone in an expensive city like New York, like I do. 

That being said, there are a number of downsides — well, “challenges” may be a more accurate descriptor. Before I moved in, I debated my studio layout at length so that not an inch would go to waste, and I’m still constantly thinking of improvements I can make. But no matter how I arrange my furniture, there’s no spot for a dining table. For months, perched on my couch, I ate with my plate on my lap. The solution I knew I needed? A C-shaped table.

I finally bought a wobbly $15 one off of Facebook Marketplace and made do, but once I discovered Songmics’ VASAGLE C-Shaped Side Table, I knew it was the upgrade I needed. Thanks to its multifunctionality and abundance of smart design features, it’s quickly become my favorite, most useful piece of furniture in my small apartment.

This isn’t your average C-shaped table. The top portion is equipped with two outlets and two USB ports, so you can charge your laptop, phone, and more all at the same time. All you have to do is plug the table’s cord into an extension cord or outlet, and then it’s good to go. It’s also even more space-efficient because there’s a storage bag on the side, where you can keep your remote or any other essentials within reach. 

Further, it’s stylish enough to look right at home with the rest of your furniture and decor. The design is simple, and its overall build is compact; it measures approximately 12 inches deep, 16 inches wide, and 2 feet tall. It can slide discreetly underneath your sofa and bed, and you can choose a color that blends in with it: black, white, or brown.

I truly don’t know how I went so long without this table. It’s completely elevated the functionality of my shoebox of an apartment. Beyond finally giving me a makeshift dining table, it solved another problem my studio has: limited outlets. Because all of my furniture is squeezed into the space, a lot of it blocks the majority of the few outlets that are scattered around the space. I have extension cords galore, but whenever I charge my phone or laptop, they stay near my bed where the outlet is easiest to reach.

However, this table has made that an issue of the past. I plugged an extension cord into the outlet behind my couch, and the table’s cord is more than long enough to reach it. I also appreciate that its cord is discreet; I thought that it would be a bit of an eyesore until I saw how the cord rests against the table’s leg, thanks to pieces of Velcro. Now, I can charge my phone and laptop at the same time and in the same location, which is especially a game-changer while working from home. In fact, I use this table more than my desk at this point — it’s just as stable and sturdy.

I also can slide the table flush against my couch so it takes up less space and is less noticeable. Not that I really mind how it looks — the design is sleek and no-frills, so it doesn’t clash with my vintage-inspired decor. The outlets aren’t an eyesore, either, which I was a bit worried about initially. Also, the basket underneath works as a decluttering solution, keeping my remote and cords out of sight when I’m not using them. I haven’t lost my remote once since it came into my life, which is a real feat for me.

For a while, I kept this ingenious piece right next to my bed while I was recovering from leg surgery. It was a lifesaver then, and it’s still an essential part of my living space now. Trust me — $56 is barely anything when you consider how much this table has to offer!

Buy: VASAGLE C-Shaped Side Table with Charging Station, $55.99