Shrinking living rooms and tighter budgets push many of us to seek compact pieces that work harder than they look.
A £17 two-tier side table sold through B&Q is drawing attention for squeezing storage into tight corners without shouting for space. First highlighted in 2023, the URBNLIVING 40cm Height Rustic Brown 2 Tier S-Tube End Table has become a small-home standby for renters, students and busy families who want function, not clutter.
What’s driving the buzz
The headline here isn’t a gimmick finish or a designer badge. It’s a modest footprint, a neutral wood-look top and a second shelf that doubles your usable surface. At roughly 40cm high, the unit slides beside a sofa or under a low window, and works as a bedside table in rooms where a full-size nightstand overwhelms the layout.
Price around £16.95; two shelves; about 40cm high; rustic brown top with black tube legs; sold online.
Because the shape is clean and the materials are easy to wipe down, it blends into most schemes: Scandinavian light, industrial black-and-wood, or a cosy family mix. You get extra storage for the everyday bits that otherwise sprawl across floors and window ledges.
Compact size, real storage
The top shelf handles a lamp, a book and your phone. The lower shelf gives a home to the things that usually float: headphones, remotes, bedtime reads, kids’ toys or a small storage basket. Put the lighter items up top and reserve the lower tier for weightier objects to keep the table steady.
- As a sofa end table: park a reading lamp and keep remotes in a shallow tray underneath.
- As a bedside table: hold a small lamp and alarm clock; stash books and a water carafe below.
- In hallways: use the top for keys and post; tuck a shoe-cleaning kit on the lower shelf.
- In kids’ rooms: top for a night light; bottom for picture books and soft toys.
- As a plant stand: display a medium plant up top; keep watering accessories beneath.
Two levels mean one footprint, twice the function — a simple win in rooms starved of floor area.
A look and build that suit many homes
The rustic brown surface warms a space, while black tube legs keep the outline light. That balance prevents the “boxy” feel that bulky furniture brings to small rooms. The finish wipes clean with a damp cloth, and the open sides avoid visual heaviness.
The frame feels light enough to move around for weekend cleaning or a quick rearrange. It’s not a heavy-duty piece, so treat it as an occasional table rather than a load-bearing shelf. Coasters and felt pads will protect the surface and your flooring.
Assembly and care
Expect a short build with a few screws and a straightforward sequence. A cross-head screwdriver usually covers it. Tighten fixings evenly, checking the table sits flat before the final turns. Add non-slip pads if your floors are polished, and keep hot mugs on a coaster to avoid ring marks.
Most buyers put it together within minutes, with no specialist tools and minimal packaging fuss.
Designed for families and renters
Lightweight furniture helps when a room must flex from play zone to guest space. This format travels between a living room and a spare room without drama, and the two tiers keep chaos contained. At well under £20, it passes the “no regrets” test for renters who don’t want to invest heavily in pieces that may not fit the next place.
Safety matters if you share your home with curious toddlers. Keep heavy items on the lower shelf, avoid placing the table where it can become a step, and anchor tall lamps separately so the centre of gravity stays low.
Where it fits best
At about 40cm high, the table pairs neatly with low sofas and platform beds. If your mattress sits high, use this as an end table rather than a primary bedside. Two units can flank a compact sofa for visual balance, while a single unit pairs well with a floor lamp to create a slim reading nook.
| Use | Best pairing | What to store | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedside table | Low bed or futon | Book, alarm, tissues; basket below | Keep the lamp base centred to avoid knocks at night |
| Sofa end table | Compact two-seater | Remotes and chargers; magazines underneath | Route cables down a leg with reusable ties for a cleaner look |
Price, stock and what to check before you buy
The table sits at around £16.95 online at B&Q-branded listings at time of writing, with stock and colours varying. If you spot a price bump, weigh up three practical checks before paying more:
- Stability: nudge it on the shop floor or check reviews for wobble reports.
- Shelf spacing: ensure a standard hardback and a small storage box fit the lower tier.
- Finish: a textured or laminate top hides scuffs better than a glossy surface.
Under £20, the two-tier design delivers more day-to-day utility than many single-shelf side tables.
Ways to style it without crowding the room
Keep the top to three items: a lamp, a small tray for bits, and one personal object. That rule keeps surfaces useful, not messy. On the lower shelf, slide in a lidded box to conceal cables, or line up two matching baskets to turn it into a mini-console.
Match the metal legs to other black accents — picture frames, a floor lamp or a curtain pole — so the table feels deliberate, not random. If your space leans warm and soft, add a linen placemat beneath the lamp to soften the contrast against the brown top.
Extra tips for small homes using the 40cm rule
Measure the arm of your sofa; aim for a side table whose top is level with, or up to 5cm below, that height. This 40cm piece will sit lower than many arms, which works for relaxed spaces with floor cushions and low seating. For higher seats, stack the visual height: a tall lamp and a framed print above the table draw the eye upwards, balancing the shorter profile.
If you work from the sofa, combine the table with a slim lap desk and place a charger on the lower shelf. For bedrooms, pair with a clip-on reading light to reclaim more of the top surface for water, hand cream and your phone on a stand.
One versatile piece used three ways often beats three single-purpose items in a studio flat.
Care, longevity and a simple upgrade
Wipe surfaces with a damp microfibre cloth and dry immediately. Avoid standing water from plant pots; use a saucer. Tighten screws every few months, especially if you move the table between rooms. For a quick upgrade, add adhesive felt to the shelf edges for a softer look, or choose a woven tray that echoes your rug to create a visual link.
When you move home, keep the original fixings in a labelled bag taped to the underside of the lower shelf. The flat-pack nature makes storage easy, and the neutral finish helps it slot into a new scheme, whether it ends up in the hallway, beside the guest bed, or under a window with a fern on top.
Is the rustic brown more orange in person? Pics pls!
At 40cm, wouldn’t this sit too low as a bedside for taller beds? Any owner pics next to a standard mattress would help—trying to gauge reach distance before I buy. Also, do you reccomend non-slip pads on wood floors?