Occasional tables are small tables that sit beside sofas or chairs. They can hold decorations or lamps and are often used for serving drinks and snacks. They're also known as side or end tables.

Occasional tables are available in various styles and materials, including wood, metal and glass. They include traditional and modern designs. For designers and furniture stores, including occasional tables in your displays can increase sales and boost profits in several ways:

1. Various styles and material of occasional tables can be sold with many types of furniture.

2. They can be used as accent pieces to help market larger products.

3. They make an attractive buy for consumers because of their low price and flexibility as a decorative and functional piece.

4. Since they use a small footprint, you can save space by using an occasional table to show off a product line that contains larger items.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get occasional tables information

Occasional tables are available from importers, custom designers and mass furniture manufacturers. Browse an occasional tables directory to create an occasional tables list of ideas. Compare prices, types and styles of occasional tables to find the ones that work best with your product mix.

I recommend: BusyTrade is a market place that displays occasional tables and other furniture from importers. Find a handcrafted occasional tables provider at FurnitureManufacturers.

View occasional tables at designer showrooms

Many designers offer online and local showrooms available to the trade, which includes interior designers and resellers. An occasional tables provider may offer other furniture in the same style and product line, such as sofa tables and coffee tables.

I recommend: Henredon Furniture Industries service the design trade, offering products from Henredon Brands and other select manufacturers. Use their website to find a showroom near you. Pfeifer Studio showcases products. Material samples and tear sheets are available on request. Cache provides European reproduction furnishings, antiques and accessories to the trade. Each piece is hand crafted and finished by local artisans.

Find occasional tables at trade shows

Seeing products up close is the best way to determine if they'll fit into your selling environment. Furniture manufacturers of all sizes display new products at trade shows throughout the country.

I recommend: BizTradeShows provides information about furniture shows and events that feature local and international vendors. GoWholesale, which is owned by Liquidity Services, updates its trade show calendar each month and lists events in the United States.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get samples from the occasional tables provider whenever possible before ordering items online. Be sure the color, finish and quality meet your expectations.
• •  Add accessories to displays of occasional tables so that customers can get decorating ideas and are able to envision the tables in their homes.
• •  Use occasional tables to give your office waiting room or lobby a more 'homey' look.