I think they are meant to hold magazines. What they will hold is dust.

Nice Arts and Crafts style here!

Nothing. Although they'd soon fill up with junk in our house.

A couple coffee table books stacked.

Look closely. pretty wood work. westy

A low wide basket to hold a few magazines

Yes to a baskets. Similar ones for each side.

At my house, if not books it would be something seasonal.

Nothing. The empty space is nice. The bottom is so close to the floor that it would feel like you are just placing objects on the floor. Why catch extra dust?

Nothing at all would be so easy to keep dusted. I have more books than any household needs (in two rooms) so I might do books.

I have a similar shelf in matching sofa end tables and have an extra throw and extra pillow on one end, and - surprise! books on the other.

I do have part of my mothers armani porcelain collection here but in a cabinet behind a door. I gave the larger pieces to other women in the family - truthfully they aren't quite my style but she loved them. I could display those there, but then I'd have to dust......

You can always try find a basket with a lid fit under there have a light throw in there for you or a guest to use.

I agree that some type of storage basket would look neater than just a pile of books or magazines

Another vote for a basket. Easy to pull out to access contents. (or to DUST)

Thank you for all the comments! LOL I’d be happier if that bottom shelf wasn’t there because I’m well aware it’s going to be a dust collector. But I love the tables which were thrifted and a great price. The tables they replaced were actually so bad I was embarrassed about them.

I have three that have a shelf at the bottom. One is about the size of yours and has nothing at the moment. Two are smaller. The one by a chair in the living room has a lidded glass jar with rose petals and the one by my chair in the bedroom has kleenex and a small statue. I will probably put silk flowers in the one in the den.

A beer fridge! Probably wouldn't fit.

Agree with basket or books

Agree a basket or old wooden box..looks like you like a bit of vintage style with the lamp full of buttons😊

" A beer fridge! Probably wouldn't fit. "

Easily done. Pick out the little beer fridges you'd like and then put a square piece of wood on top of each.

Another vote for nothing at all! The woodwork is beautiful. My husband would end up throwing project crap down there, it's a struggle to keep things minimized with him.