Often overlooked when styling your home, nesting tables are a timeless furniture staple and a fantastic solution if you’re short on space or frequently find yourself entertaining more guests than expected.

Functional pieces of furniture, like a nest of tables, can sometimes be thought of as only practical, rather than decorative, but that doesn’t have to be the case. With this guide, you’ll come away with loads of ideas on how to style your nest of tables.

Where to put a nest of tables?

Small corners needn’t go unused when you’ve got the right bit of furniture. Suddenly the forgotten space that usually just collects dust can become another opportunity for you to style and add some personality. Nesting tables work great on the ends of your sofa for a convenient stackable coffee table to rest drinks on. You can also put them in the corner of a living room with a lamp on to brighten any darker areas of the space.

Why not get creative with your nesting table placement? Find out where else you can use them here.

How to decorate nesting tables

Often the reason for using a set of nesting tables is to save on space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t decorate them. The key is in the details – get creative with beautiful statement lamps, coffee table books, or other ornaments that you’ve collected. This way, you’ll ensure that they are a feature in themselves, and not just a practicality.

Try channelling your colour scheme throughout your space by styling your nest of tables with accessories that complement the rest of your living room styling. Use textures and colours from the other elements of the room to really pull the look together.

Jensen sofasHove nest of tablesHove coffee table | @laurievokes

What do you put on top of a nest of tables?

If you’re a fan of feeling at one with nature, then incorporating foliage and florals to the home is a surefire way to add some style to your nest of tables. Plants are a visually-appealing staple in any space and there are plenty of smaller varieties that would work perfectly placed in decorative pots on the largest of the tables.

Candles provide a cosy glow and mood-boosting scent, while trinkets unearthed in second-hand boot sales are a simple but effective way to add hints of vintage to your home.

Don’t feel you have to go overboard with your accessories if you prefer minimalist decor. Sometimes less is more, and a few choice ornaments or treasured family photographs will bring that much-needed interest for the eye without making the room too busy or maximalist.

Canterbury nest of tables | @our_radleigh_home

Can I paint a nest of tables?

Depending on the wood finish your nest of tables has, you may be able to sand it down and paint it to match your room’s colour palette. However, if you’re desperate for the painted furniture look, you can get sets that are already painted with beautiful finishes, like these pictured below.

St. Ives nest of tables | @xenia_ballard

So, are nesting tables the missing piece of your home decor? We’d love to see how you have arranged and decorated your own. Share your photos with us on Instagram by using #OakFurnitureland.

Looking to invest in a set of nesting tables? Take a look at our latest selection to see if we’ve got one to suit your style.