Have Your Couch’s Back: Sofa & Console Tables Under $250

I tell anyone who’s trying to figure out where to put their sofa that if they can help it and have the room that they should float it in the room (as opposed to having it up against the wall). It divides large, open spaces, creates intimacy in your seating area, not to mention is a creative solution when you don’t have the right wall space for both a sofa and a focal point (or let’s get real, your TV). The only down side to my favorite furniture arranging trick? Starring at the back of a sofa. That’s where the sofa table comes in, because you shouldn’t leave your floating sofa in the lurch.

What’s the different between a sofa table and a console table, you might be asking? Well, honestly, not much more than its intended purpose. For instance, the table in the above image by The Design Co. via Houzz could easily be up against a wall, but it works beautifully behind the sofa to delineate the space. The terms are relatively interchangeable when searching online; the key to finding a sofa table that works for you is knowing the length you need and getting something narrow enough so that it doesn’t look like you propped your dining table up against your couch.

To help facilitate your search, we rounded up 10 of our favorites of varying depths, lengths and styles, all under $250. Happy shopping!

I have a version of this table (with two drawers and a bottom shelf) in my kitchen and it’s just what the design doctor ordered. Plain and simple, but in the best way. The wood is unfinished, so get those creative juices flowing for a makeover (I personally opted to paint mine in an eggshell finish of Farrow & Ball’s Lulworth Blue, and added rose gold bar handles.)

The classic (yet on-trend) combination of black and brass is always a favorite and fits into so many design schemes. I also love the angled bottom bar, which gives this table a unique touch.

It’s rare to see an eye-catching pattern on a console table at this price point. The geometric triangles are at once modern and classic.

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Great against a wall or a sofa, with plenty of surface area for books, decorative objects and beyond.

Keep it simple and streamlined with a white lacquer console table which works seamlessly with traditional, contemporary or glam styles.

Sometimes, every inch of used floor space counts. At 10 inches deep, this super narrow table gives you just the space definition you need without hogging all your square footage.

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If a little distressed furniture here and there work for Joanna Gaines, it works for us.

This table from IKEA is so incredibly versatile. It’s just the right length and height to put behind a standard sofa and simple enough that it doesn’t steal the spotlight from the beautiful sofa you spent months picking out.

Another super narrow option, with perhaps an even more subdued silhouette.

Okay, so this is technically a bookshelf, but I think it’d look so great behind a sofa for a welcome shot of color.