Amber Lewis has a way of making even the most mundane pieces feel special, and like something I immediately need to copy. So when she took to Instagram to declare her love for tiny tables, saying that there is truly no good reason why you don't need one, I thought: let me see if this theory has got legs.
And I was sold on this furniture trend. A perfectly placed side table for my coffee mug? A chic perch for a candle by the tub? A catchall for keys in my too-tight entryway? Suddenly, the idea of sprinkling tiny tables throughout my home felt like a genius move, and one I had to try in my own home.
From making my awkward corners feel intentional to solving everyday annoyances I didn’t even realize I had, these tiny additions pack a serious punch. Here’s why I think this might just be the most impactful (and low-effort) design tweak I’ve ever tried.
It is quite rare that a designer declares an item of furniture as being needed in every space. Sure, a lamp to add ambiance works to cozy up any room or a continuous color can help you create your red thread theory, or some might even say a print such as a stripe or floral helps lift every space, but furniture is so subjective – dependent on style, functionality, or the room size itself.
So when Amber Lewis, interior designer and Shoppe Amber Interiors founder, took to Instagram this week to shout about her love for a tiny table I listened. Claiming they bring character and charm to any space, Amber put out a call to action for these small pieces with big personalities.
'A place to prop your bedside essentials or an awkward space in your home that needs a little TLC?! TINY TABLE!' says Amber in her caption. 'Hallway nook or apartment-sized entryway?! TINY TABLE! Somewhere to rest your glass of vino while you watch Real Housewives on the sofa?! TINY TABLE!'
Having a home that constantly feels like a work-in-progress sometimes has its merits. It allows me to really take the time to access each space, noticing any gaps, or decorating mistakes. And I realized I don't think I have enough furniture in my home.
In an attempt to create an idea of space in my small rooms, I've allowed my larger furniture pieces a little bit too much breathing space but I think it is time for a change. So, upon following Amber's advice I started on a mission to add a tiny table to my rooms.
Having heard of the chair + table + lamp hack before, I was familiar with the idea but felt like it would make things feel a little too cluttered – clearly I just wasn't thinking tiny enough.
After strategically placing a handful of small (and I mean really small) tables in different rooms, I found myself wondering how I ever lived without them. In my bathroom, it provides a place for a candle and a glass of wine next to the bath. While in the bedroom, I popped one next to a reading chair and set a little portable lamp atop and it created the perfect reading nook vignette.
The other space I didn't realize was missing a tiny table was my powder room. The room felt too small but after finding a teeny French vintage bobbin table at an antique fair, I managed to squeeze it next to the toilet with a large shell bowl that now houses extra toilet rolls. Making the everyday feel so much more special.
And in the kitchen, where you might think it would get in the way, a little table now sits proudly in an awkward corner I just didn't know what to do with. Now with a candle and stack of cookbooks, it feels so much more intentional. In my entry, which is super small, a narrow tiny table is now the perfect spot for me to place my keys and sunglasses by the front door.
Maybe Amber really is onto something...
Shop my favorite tiny tables
If you're keen to try out Amber's tiny tables styling hack, here are my favorite mini side tables I've found to shop now.
One of the latest drops to her Shoppe Amber Interiors store, the Roberto table has been designed by Amber and team with antiqued metalwork to look like something you thrifted.
Slightly larger in size, this unique end table from Anthropologie features fun little ball feet and a marbled top to make a statement bedside your couch or bed. I love its unique shape too.
At Joanna Gaines' Magnolia, this really tiny (in height and size) accent table sits on a quirky tripod base that has been given an antique-brass finish to lend an old-world feel to any space.
CB2 has a great range of little tables like this one designed to be a pedestal for a single drink or ornament. Made in India from forest green marble, this was designed by David Aguirre to bring a minimalist look.
For farmhouse and cottagecore lovers, this scalloped rattan table designed by Shea McGee for her Threshold™ designed with Studio McGee range at Target will add a charming accent to your living room or sun room.
You can always rely on Lulu and Georgia to do good marble and this little curved side table is no exception to the rule. Made from heavily veined stone to create a statement, the patinated metal legs bring a rustic, vintage edge.
After styling a few tiny tables throughout my home, I can confidently say that Amber Lewis was right – it’s one of those small design choices that makes a surprisingly big impact. A small table might seem insignificant, but when placed thoughtfully, it can make daily life smoother and more beautiful.
I’ve certainly felt that shift. Now, instead of balancing my coffee on the arm of my sofa or tossing my book on the floor before bed, I have the perfect perch for life’s little necessities. Will you be trying it?
