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linley1_gw

Mismatched end tables - do these work together?

14 years ago

I was trying to go the eclectic route in adding some tables to our LR but I'm not sure it's working.

I generally like the coffee table but the two end tables just seem off balance to me even though they are about the same height. I was planning on putting a small lamp on each - would that help balance things out?

My dh thinks they look fine and I'm overanalyzing but I wanted to get some other opinions.

Comments (16)

  • 14 years ago

    I agree with you. I think they look very unbalanced. The one on the left just looks too small compared to the right one and they both look too high to me also. When you are sitting on the couch is it comfortable to put a glass or cup onto the tables?

  • 14 years ago

    I think they are both too tall, and the box is too small. The one in the fireplace corner could actually be quite large in surface area, to occupy more of the space.

    Why is the rug off center?

    If it needs to be I would line it up with one end of the sofa or the other, rather than have a near miss. Otherwise I would center it with the sofa.

  • 14 years ago

    Have you tried switching sides?
    With the sofa centered with the window, it appears the space near the fireplace is wider than the other side and maybe it will look more balanced with the larger end table near the fireplace.

  • 14 years ago

    Love the couch, chairs and rug. The large table looks like it would look good between the two chairs. The tables do look unbalanced. Do you have any other side tables in the house you could switch out? As patty said, they look high as well.

  • 14 years ago

    Ditto everything Pal said. And I would shift everything to the left (facing FP). The sofa looks too close to the window, and everything looks off (to me). Can the rug turn the other way?

  • 14 years ago

    I think I'd rather see some matching tables with rounded edges-- something like this:

    If you want mismatched, then I would do something with the lighting-- lamps that are the same height/"weight" but different.

  • 14 years ago

    Ideally end tables should be the height of the sofa arms.

    What bothers me the most is that the larger table is partially off the rug so would not be level.

    Absolutely love the color of your chairs!

  • 14 years ago

    Linly, you have a beautiful living room. I have the same layout btw and I also have a tendency to overanalyze:) I think if you are using the same lamps then you might want to consider the same endtables to continue the symmetry.

    If you lined up your rug with the borders lining up perfectly under your sofa then the legs of both of your endtable's would be partially on the rug. That might help.

  • 14 years ago

    Thanks for the opinions. I am open to any other suggestions. I have spent hours searching for tables and am very frustrated at this point. Normally, I gravitate toward matching things and symmetry but all the design mags seem to advocate this non-matching look. Uggh, I think you have to be a professional to pull it off.

    Regarding some of the suggestions - I tried switching the tables and it looks about the same if not worse. I cannot turn the rug in the other direction as it would extend into the hallway. Also, I tried turning the couch to face the fireplace but it just feels very uninviting as it basically blocks off the entryway to the room and squishes the seating area because the sofa's fairly deep.

    The arms of the sofa are fairly low (only 21") so it's very hard to find tables that match that. These tables don't seem too high when you're sitting on the sofa but I agree they look that way from the pictures.

    I really wanted to add some lamps to the room for softer lighting. Is it a complete no-no to have the tables partially on the rug? Would a sofa table between the couch and the window work better than the side tables?

  • 14 years ago

    I don't think the end tables have to be an exact match, but these 2 are too different in size. I have used non-matching, but they have both been from the same furniture manufacturer's collection so that they are the same height and wood, just a different shape.

    How high are your tables? The tables in my living room are all 21", about an inch lower than my sofa and chair arms. Also, can you not just move the rug over a little so it is centered to the sofa/window? I LOVE your color palette in the room- gorgeous!

  • 14 years ago

    Can we see more pictures of the room? What if you switched the sofa with the chairs (don't angle chairs), put the larger end table in between chairs then put a sofa table behind the sofa.

  • 14 years ago

    Can you take a picture of the potential placement of the tables but with the tables' longer sides parallel with the sofa? (ie, turn each table 90 degrees).

    I do agree with anele on table shape BTW. It appears that everything in the room is a square or rectangle. I don't think rounded-edged tables would necessarily have to match however.

    Also, can you move both coffee table and sofa closer to the chairs? So that the table is more centered on the fireplace, and the distance between chairs and coffee table and sofa and coffee table is more or less the same.

  • 14 years ago

    I like it a lot. I don't like matching tables in LR's or
    family rooms. In your room you already have two matching chairs.
    You don't need matching end tables and lamps too.
    That would be safe, but boring.

    I have one tall table next to my sofa in the
    LR with a tall and thin lamp on it--the table 29" high
    and lamp 28" high...the other side is a
    low table, but I plan on making a tall table on the other
    side as well.That table will be approximately 27" high.

    Firstly, move the sofa to the left a few inches to center
    it on the rug. Put a lamp (not a small lamp) on the big table.
    If you need another lamp you could put a floor
    lamp behind the sofa on the left side, perhaps a lamp that bends toward the sofa.
    On the smaller table by the
    FP put a real bonsai plant or an orchid plant.

    You said you like the tables(I do as well) so try and make them work.

  • 14 years ago

    i also think your tables look abit too high...

    once you center your rug to the window, both tables of any type would have legs 1/2 on and 1/2 off the rug...i wouldn't like that look.
    do you have a sofa table you could just try behind the sofa--- i'm thinking i wouldn't like that look either in your room.
    maybe you can look at some interesting floor lamps?? if i stayed with that rug running in the direction you have it and kept the sofa on top of it, i would probably forget about end tables and look into floor lamp options.

  • 14 years ago

    You have a very lovely room.

    I like the table anele posted. I also think a large round table, maybe with a shelf, would work well in the corner between the sofa and wall. The box table would look nice between the two chairs, and for the other side of the sofa, maybe a beautiful ceramic garden stool and a aged brass pharmacy lamp.

    I can't remember the last time I saw two matching tables in a living area and I also prefer non-matching lamps, unless it's on a console table, in a bedroom or the room is formal.
    Dee

  • 14 years ago

    You have a beautiful living room!

    As far as the end tables, the scale of the tables both relative to each other and to the couch is a bit off. Also, I agree with others that the room could benefit from the addition of a table(s) with a less angular shape. You might also consider using different materials for the two tables. For example, a round metal tray table with wood base on one end and a square/rectangular wood piece on the other that are similar in scale and no higher than the sofa arms. Another round option would be a porcelain Asian garden stool.

    On a side note, I am planning a similar color scheme for our living room but am having difficulty finding furniture/accessories that I like and was wondering if you could provide details regarding the art over your fireplace as I have been looking for something similar. I love your chairs. Were those custom? Thanks!