Small homes don’t have to feel cramped. A compact, double-decker side table under £20 is turning clutter into calm.
B&Q’s low-cost two-tier end table is catching attention for doing what bulky furniture can’t: adding a second surface without stealing more floor. At £16.95 online, it slips beside a bed or sofa, holds the essentials, and keeps budgets intact.
Small-space anxiety meets a £16.95 fix
When floor area is precious, you need furniture that works twice as hard. The URBNLIVING 40cm Height Rustic Brown 2 Tier S-Tube End Table offers two shelves within a tiny footprint, making it an easy upgrade for studios, box rooms and rented flats. Its height, a touch over 40cm, lands close to many sofa seats and low bed frames, so you reach your lamp, book or brew without awkward stretching.
The rustic brown surfaces and slim black legs hit that sweet spot between modern and homely. It blends with Scandi pale woods, industrial metal accents or cosy soft textiles, which means you won’t need to redecorate around it. Because it’s lightweight, you can move it from living room to spare room in seconds, and it won’t dominate a narrow hallway.
Two tiers, one footprint: double the storage and surface, without paying in square metres.
What you get for the money
- Price: £16.95 online, staying under the £20 threshold many households set for quick fixes.
- Height: roughly 40cm, handy beside low beds, futons and sofas.
- Design: two shelves in a rustic brown finish with slim, dark legs.
- Function: works as a bedside, sofa-side end table, or compact stand for plants and speakers.
- Assembly: simple parts and a few screws; setup takes minutes.
- Maintenance: wipe-clean surfaces, unfussy materials and an unfussy look.
A small outlay, a visible gain: extra surface for lamps, mugs, phones and paperbacks, all in one tidy stack.
Bedside or end table? Real-world uses that stretch its value
In a bedroom, the upper shelf is perfect for a lamp and alarm, while the lower tier corrals books or a charging dock. In a living room, it keeps remotes, a coaster and a plant in easy reach, with spare space for magazines below. If your hallway swallows keys, post and sunglasses, park one by the door and reclaim your console table. Students can put a Wi‑Fi router on top and keep notepads underneath. Home workers can perch a small printer overhead and tuck copy paper below, freeing the desk.
| Room | Typical load | Handy additions |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | Lamp, phone, water glass; books underneath | Coaster, cable clip, soft-edge bumpers |
| Living room | Remote tray, mug, small plant; magazines below | Felt pads, mini tray, plant saucer |
| Hallway | Keys, post, sunglasses; baskets beneath | Shallow catch-all dish, fabric basket |
| Home office | Compact printer; reams of paper below | Surge-protected extension, cable ties |
| Kids’ room | Night-light; bedtime reads underneath | Corner protectors, bookend |
Will it suit your decor?
The warm, rustic brown top softens modern rooms, while the slim black frame keeps lines clean. Urban renters often pair two as matching nightstands to frame a double bed without crowding the room. If you favour a boho look, add a rattan basket on the lower shelf and a textured lamp above. For an industrial mood, pair it with a filament bulb lamp and charcoal textiles. The neutral palette lets it sit quietly in the background so your textiles and art can speak up.
Smart hacks to make it last
- Stick felt pads under the feet to protect vinyl, laminate and parquet.
- Use coasters and plant saucers to prevent rings and moisture marks.
- Distribute weight evenly; place heavier items low for stability.
- Check fasteners after the first week; a quick tighten keeps it sturdy.
- Add a small anti-tip strap if you have toddlers who climb.
Keep heavy items on the lower shelf and light items on top; stability rises as the centre of gravity drops.
What to watch for
Scale is the trade-off. The top isn’t enormous, so large lamps or stacks of coffee-table books may feel cramped. Because it’s light, thick rugs or uneven boards can make it wobble unless you level the feet. If your mattress sits high, a 40cm table may feel a touch low; measure first. Aim for a bedside that roughly matches the height of your mattress top for the most comfortable reach.
Alternatives under £25 to consider
If your sofa sits high, a taller nesting side table set can serve better and still cost little. Wall-mounted shelves free floor space if you can drill. A slim, three-tier rolling trolley gives similar vertical storage with wheels and suits kitchens and bathrooms. That said, for a quick, no-fuss piece you can lift with one hand, the two-tier side table hits a rare balance of price, practicality and looks.
Buying tips before you hit checkout
Grab a tape measure and note three heights: your mattress top, your sofa arm and your seating height. If they’re around 40–50cm, this table will sit neatly within reach. Place masking tape on the floor to mark the footprint; if doors still swing and walkways remain clear, you’re set. If your bed is higher, you can quietly raise lamp height with a thick book or a slim riser without cluttering the look.
Consider pairing two tables side by side as a flexible “split coffee table” in tight lounges, pulling them apart when guests need more perch points. Renters who move often will appreciate the flat-pack size and the way it works in several roles; one piece that adapts puts money back in your pocket over time. Using it daily for a year takes the cost to pennies per use, which is exactly the kind of value small homes demand.
Bought this for £16.95 last week—setup took 6 mins, tops. Fits beside my low sofa, holds a lamp + remotes, and doesn’t hog floor. Defintely feels more premium than the price.