Solid Oak Coffee and Side Tables – Made to Order in the UK
Our solid oak coffee and side tables are made to order in a choice of three original designs. Made in the UK using high quality full stave oak, each table can be made to your preferred size, height and finish. Whether you need a compact side table or a small coffee table for your lounge, these tables are simple, modern and built to last. Choose from round coffee table, square or rectangular coffee table tops with rounded corners and smooth edges, finished in clear, warm or dark hardwax oil. Perfect for homes, cafés or workspaces, every piece is made with care and delivered across the UK – ideal if you’re looking for coffee tables UK that combine style and quality.
Three Original Designs To Choose From
All of our side tables and coffee tables follow the same principle as our dining tables and desks: made from real wood, built to size and finished by hand. They are designed with proportions that work in modern homes and made strong enough to handle everyday use.
Canopy 12 Coffee or Side Table
(Best Seller)
Canopy 12 is small, round and friendly looking. It has three legs set into a circular top and the edges are gently softened with a shallow bevel. This table works well at the side of a sofa, at the end of a bed, or next to a reading chair. It is also a great option for placing a speaker, plant or lamp where you want a natural look without a bulky shape.
It stands around 38 centimetres high and the default top diameter is 48 centimetres, although other heights and diameters are easy to request.
Dowel 50 Coffee or Side Table (Popular)
Dowel 50 is a square table with rounded corners and turned oak legs set close to the corners. It sits lower than a dining table but has enough surface area for a few drinks, a stack of books or a large magazine. The shape and leg position make it ideal for use between chairs or sofas, and it is often picked for small flats or living rooms that need practical surfaces with clean lines.
We usually make Dowel 50 in a 60 by 60 centimetre format at 38 centimetres high, but you can request any custom size in one centimetre steps.
Surface 25 Coffee or Side Table
(Practical & Durable)
Surface 25 is low, rectangular and smooth edged. This is the table to choose if you want something with a simple, modern look that stays out the way but still does the job. The corners are curved, not sharp, and the rounded legs are spaced wide enough for stability. This design is often used as a small coffee table, but also works well as a stand for vinyl players, magazines or trays.
Standard size is 60 by 40 centimetres with a height of 38 centimetres, but as always, you can ask for different measurements.
What makes a good quality coffee or side table and where can I find one made to size?
A good quality coffee or side table is made from strong, long lasting material like solid oak. It should be sized to fit your room, shaped to suit your furniture layout and built with enough care that it still looks good many years down the line. At Tablemaker, every table is made by hand in London, using full stave oak, hardwax oil finishes and your chosen shape, size and style. Whether you need a compact table for your favourite chair or a round coffee table as a centrepiece for the living room, we make each one to order so it fits your space and gets used daily.
Tables are made to exact measurements. That means if you need a 105 centimetre table to seat six with the right amount of clearance, that is what we build. Edge profiles can be square, rounded or chamfered depending on the design – just like a well-made modern coffee table or coffee table with storage, tailored to your needs.
What sizes can I order and how are they finished?
We make every table to order, which means you can ask for almost any dimensions you need within a sensible range. Our oak boards are available in widths up to 115 centimetres and lengths up to 280 centimetres, and we can work to 1 centimetre increments where needed. You might want a low coffee table height for a lounge area or a wider table for an open plan living room coffee table. We will always help find the best setup based on how you plan to use the piece.
Our standard top thickness is 24 millimetres using full stave prime grade oak. Edges are slightly rounded for comfort and to protect from knocks, especially on tables used around children or in high traffic areas – a great option if you’re looking for a family-friendly coffee table like a rounded coffee table or something sturdy like a solid wood coffee table.
For the finish, we apply a hand rubbed coat of hardwax oil. This can be clear to show the raw tone of the wood, or tinted warm or dark depending on your preference. The oil provides a satin seal that repels water and light spills. Legs can be finished to match the top, or painted or stained in a wide range of colours including RAL references and popular tones from brands like Farrow and Ball.
If you are not sure what shade will work best, you can order solid oak samples online – perfect for planning a custom oak coffee table with storage or a bespoke rectangular coffee table.
Why solid oak and not veneer or MDF?
The reason we use solid oak instead of veneer, chipboard or MDF is very simple. It lasts longer, looks better and can be repaired if it ever gets damaged. Veneers are often less than one millimetre thick and once they wear through, you are left with a surface that cannot be fixed. A solid oak coffee table top can be lightly sanded and re-oiled years down the line and still look good.
Solid oak is also more resistant to wear and knocks. Over time, the wood builds up character rather than losing quality. And because our tables are finished in a hardwax oil, they keep their natural feel while still being protected – ideal for a rustic coffee table or a mid century coffee table that’s meant to last.
All of our oak is full stave and comes from reliable sources. It is glued and clamped in our North London shop before being shaped and sanded to size. We use internal straightening bars underneath the tables to help prevent the wood moving with moisture. This means your table stays flat and safe to use, even as the seasons change – a practical choice for those seeking durable coffee tables for living room use.
How do I look after a solid oak side table?
Oak coffee tables are very easy to maintain. A damp cloth and a little soap is usually enough to clean the surface. Avoid anything with strong chemicals or bleach, as these will wear away the oil over time. If something spills, wiping it up quickly will stop any marks. The protective hardwax oil layer will resist most stains but needs time to settle if you ever top it up.
Do not use scouring pads or anything abrasive. This could scratch the surface or dull the finish – especially on lighter finishes like a white coffee table or more delicate options such as a glass top coffee table. If the table ever starts to look tired, we recommend applying a fresh coat of hardwax oil to bring it back to life.
We have written a full care and maintenance guide if you would like to know more – ideal for keeping your oak coffee table with storage or modern coffee table looking its best for years to come.
Can these tables be used in cafés, bedrooms or shop displays?
Yes. All of our designs can be used in both homes and commercial settings. We have supplied side tables and coffee tables for cafés, wine bars, and shop displays, as well as homes across the UK – including spaces looking for a coffee table for living room or a coffee table restaurant layout.
Because we build everything to order, we can tweak the size, shape or design to better suit your needs. For example, we have supplied small coffee tables for shop windows, wall mounted coffee tables for a North London café, and sets of matching tables for waiting rooms and salons – sometimes incorporating styles like a round wood coffee table or a modern coffee table set.
If you are looking for multiple pieces or need something that fits a specific location, we are happy to help. Just get in touch using our trade enquiry form.
Ordering and lead times
Each piece is made by hand in our Hornsey workshop, packed with care and delivered across the UK. If you are in London, you can collect in person or arrange to see samples before ordering. Just contact us first to arrange a time.
Start browsing the coffee and side tables section or send your idea using the custom enquiry page.
Specialists In Making Tables From Wood
Why Choose Tablemaker For Coffee Tables and Side Tables
Built in the UK
We make all tables in our London workshop. This helps us keep control over the materials, sizing and finish and means you can get help or advice from the people building your table – whether it’s a round coffee table, a square coffee table, or something more custom like a nest of coffee tables.
Made to measure
Everything is cut and built to your measurements. That means better fit, easier placement in your home or business, and less compromise on layout – especially useful if you’re after a coffee table with drawers or a coffee table set for a specific space.
Faster than average
Most tables are built and delivered in two to three weeks. If you have a deadline, let us know and we will confirm if it is possible – ideal if you’re furnishing quickly and need a modern coffee table or oak coffee tables without the usual long wait.
Questions We Get Asked
Table Making
If you have a question of your own, then please ask.
Yes. We offer both wood samples and finish swatches which can be ordered directly from our Samples page. They’re a great way to see how each option looks in your space, under your lighting.
Because our tables are made to your specifications, they are not eligible for return unless faulty. We always send order confirmations with measurements and options for your approval before we start, so make sure to check everything carefully.
Need help choosing size or care?
How to choose the right size table
If you are not sure what size table to order, our table sizing guide gives examples of space per seat, table spacing and clearance.
Looking after your table
See our care guide for how to keep solid wood looking good. Includes advice on cleaning, oiling and handling small marks.
How to order a made to measure side table or coffee table
You can order online by choosing your design, entering your size and selecting the finish. If you need something not listed, use the customise form or send us an email with your request. We usually reply the same day. Once everything is confirmed, we will start making your desk.
Desks are usually ready within two to four weeks. Delivery is available across the UK or you can collect in person from our North London shop. For commercial orders or large projects, we can arrange scheduled deliveries.
Visit The Tablemaker Store
Our workshop and retail space is located in London on Hornsey High Street. Visitors are welcome by appointment. If you would like to see oak samples, go over a sketch or ask for technical advice, please contact us to arrange a time.
We are happy to offer help choosing a desk or planning a room layout. You can reach us through the contact form on our website, by phone or by email. If you have plans or drawings to send, we will respond with feedback and recommendations quickly.
Contact Form For Wooden Coffee Tables and Solid Wood Side Tables
To get in touch about a product, custom project, restoration or to make a general enquiry, please use either the contact form, email address or phone number.
