Created using our Inspire by Carlisle MOODBOARD, great for planning!
Time to talk occasional tables.
But, what actually is an occasional table? According to Freedom, an occasional table takes care of all the things you like to have close at hand, an extra surface to hold decorative items, reading matter and lamps. So, occasionally it’s a table, sometimes it’s a book holder, other times it looks after your keys, maybe it keeps your cuppa close by or displays your favourite artwork but we all need them – occasionally.
Danielle Taylor, Carlisle Homes Interior Design Manager, gives us a quick tour through bedside, hall and sofa tables to give you some inspiration for your new home.
Bedside tables
No one really buys the complete bedroom suite anymore, with matching bed and side table. Rather, the trend is to go non-traditional by collecting individual pieces to inject your own personality into a room. Structural items like vintage trunks, rustic crates or boxes and wicker baskets, all make interesting elements in a bedroom while still serving a purpose.
(images sourced from West Elm, Houzz and Apartment Therapy)
The challenge is to decide what size your bedside table should be. A good rule of thumb is to stick with a table around the same height as your mattress, making for easy access to items without having to leave the cosy confines of your bed! Choose tables that fit the scale of the other furniture in the room, a teeny table can be easily dwarfed by a king size bed and a large bedhead can fill a room not leaving much visual space for bulky pieces. Perspective is the key!
The Pavillion on display at the Aston Estate, Craigieburn
Add some luxurious glamour to your bedroom suite with the inclusion of mirrored bedside tables. The perfect partner to an elaborate bed head by adding a feeling of light and space.
Indiana on display at the Featherbrook Estate, Point Cook
Another style we love is the use of bed-end tables. Aside from providing another ‘occasional’ surface to hold your stuff, they can provide a handy storage solution for items like magazine collections or extra pillows and blankets.
Montclair on display at Greenvale Gardens Estate, Greenvale
Winslow on display at the Ambrosia Estate, Cranbourne West
Canterbury on display at Somerfield Estate, Keysborough
Hall tables
When choosing a hall table, or console as they are sometimes called, you may be looking for a piece to merely break up the space void, add some interest to a blank wall or provide a storage option for infrequently used items. It is important to look for balance in this space and use a critical eye to judge practicality. Filling a hallway with a buffet that is so wide that you need to make a conscious effort to step around it as you walk past will just not work. Look for items to fit into niches or occupy dead space, i.e. you never need to cross that space to get around your home.
Montclair on display at Greenvale Gardens, Greenvale
Indiana at Somerfield Estate, Keysborough and Barwon at Williams Landing Estate, Williams Landing
Montpellier on display at Selandra Rise, Clyde North
Sofa tables
End tables traditionally have been like the support crew for the star of the show, the sofa, low key and almost invisible. More so, we are now seeing these tables finding their time to shine by creating a design statement, the balance has shifted! Think interesting textures, eclectic material mixes and injections of colour!
Again, table height comes down to ease-of-access from your sofa for the remote control and cup of tea. Go for options slightly lower than the arm of the sofa, and don’t be afraid to mix styles for an interesting effect. Don’t overdo the side table, not every sofa or armchair needs one or maybe the side table nest (as displayed ain the Barwon at Ambrosia Estate, Cranbourne West) is your answer, where you can pack them away when not in use.
Canterbury on display at Somerfield Estate Keysborough
Carrington on display at Timbertop Estate, Officer
Barwon on display at Ambrosia Estate, Cranbourne West
Granada on display at Selandra Rise, Clyde North
While not technically an occasional table, we do love the use of the wicker trunk in the bathroom of the Montclair on display at Greenvale Gardens Estate, Greenvale, perfect for towel storage!
To experiment with themes and find your perfect signature interior style make sure you check out our new Inspire by Carlisle. Be prepared to lose track of your time while you customise your home by choosing paint colours, bench tops, tiles and much more AND see it change in front of your eyes with Visualiser! Explore the Carlisle Collections to get the low down on feature items for each of our unique display home themes, and build your own moodboard to create a visual diary of all the ‘must haves’ for your new place. And, because we promise you, you will be coming back for more, you can save all your favourites in your own inspiration book to share with friends and continue to refine, over and over again!
View all of the Carlisle Homes design themes via our extensive image galleries and virtual tours and plan your display home tour of our stunning homes. Register for our next Spectra Sneak Peak Evening and meet our interior designers to start your new home journey.
For a behind the scenes experience and to get the scoop direct from the design team, be sure to follow us on Instagram, @Carlislehomes.
