The phrase “relax on the couch” can sound like an oxymoron, when you constantly have to sit up and reach for the drink, snack or remote that’s on the coffee table in front of you. If you really want to relax, all of those things should be in arm’s reach.
Enter the couch arm table. This simple but ingenious table is crafted to fit snugly onto the arm of a sofa and hold whatever you’d like to have beside you: a drink or remote, a stand for your phone and tablet, or a book to read at halftime. It can also function as a stunning accent piece for your couch.
There are two styles most often used to build couch arm tables, and the first has three solid pieces joined in an inverted “U” shape. The bottom of the “U” is the table, and the two sides snug up against either side of the sofa arm. The second style is often called a “couch wrap.” It consists of a series of flexible slats, allowing the wrap to bend and conform to the shape of the sofa’s arm. You can find each of these tables with a matching, built-in smartphone holder or magazine rack.
Some of these couch arm tables are made from pressed wood or similar manufactured products, but you can easily find them in solid woods like oak or pine as well. Choosing the right wood, veneer or stain ensures that the table fits with any décor from rustic to modern. Custom-made wooden arm tables are often the best choice, so you can be sure they’ll fit perfectly onto your sofa’s arm. Since the tables are small pieces, even high-end, handcrafted models are relatively inexpensive.
There are two other possibilities. One is using a sofa tray table built onto an “L”-shaped base; just push or roll the base under the arm of the couch (if there’s room) and the table will sit right next to you. And if all else fails, there’s an enormous selection of side tables which can sit flush against the arm of your sofa and serve as a couch arm table.
