Small changes can make a big difference. Our home is lived-in, not a museum—pillows, accessories, and furniture move around based on how we’re using the space. With life shifting (hello baby girl and a new work-from-home routine for John), it felt right to rethink the side table in our den.
When this table first moved into the room, our needs were simple:
- A place to keep a notebook for jotting down ideas while we unwind on the sofa
- A surface for drinks
- A spot to display a few decorative pieces and keep a stack of reference magazines
- A plant for a touch of greenery and air-purifying benefits
Over the last year and a half, how we use the den changed, and the once-neat table began to collect clutter:
Clearly, the old setup no longer fit our needs. We reconsidered what we actually wanted from the table:
- A container to hide everyday clutter
- Fewer decorative items to leave space for a teething toy or a stray rattle
- A convenient spot for snacks (we snack a lot these days)
- A coaster so drinks have a designated spot and don’t leave rings
- A small stack of magazines we actually reference
- A plant for the benefits and warmth it adds to the room
Here’s the table after the refresh. We pared down the magazine stack, removed many decor pieces, and relocated the notebook to the nearby desk now that my computer is in our new home office. Then we added a few practical items: a box to hide clutter and a coaster. Concealed storage is a small change that makes the whole surface read as tidy.
Adding a decorative capiz box might seem minor, but it instantly streamlines the look. Fitting everything into that box required a little creativity (it’s an old Target find), so I sorted through the pile and kept only what we genuinely use near the sofa.
Some items found new homes: the bulb syringe moved to the bathroom; the thermometer could have joined it, but we kept a spare on the table since I check Clara’s temperature now and then. I consolidated vitamins by transferring multiple containers into an old, cleaned Target prescription bottle so I can take everything easily each evening without dedicating half the table to vitamin bottles. The nail file and a few small essentials fit too—yes, I floss on the sofa after taking my vitamins.
The result is a side table that meets our current needs without costing anything or taking long to implement. It took about half an hour to decide which functions to gain and which to let go. A small practical touch: we keep pistachios in two nested ceramic bowls so one can hold shells while the other holds freshly shelled nuts—easy to bring to the sofa and mess-free.
A quick safety note: if you have older or more mobile little ones, store sharp items and vitamins out of reach. For a little behind-the-scenes fun, here’s an outtake from this shoot—John tried to be goofy with Clara and then ran away. Classic.
Clara seems to approve of the new side table setup. What about you—have you consolidated items into single containers to save space? Do you have rituals like flossing on the sofa or a must-have item that always stays nearby (lip balm, for me)? Share what essentials you keep within arm’s reach.