Side Table Kmart: Styles, Alternatives & Styling Guide

A quick scan of Kmart’s inventory reveals four key data points about their side table range.

What styles of side tables does Kmart offer?

Kmart stocks a wide selection across its Home and Living section, with side tables ranging from simple accent pieces to functional bedroom furniture. The most talked-about option is the Round Marble Side Table, which comes in both black marble and white marble finishes (Kmart Australia Product Page).

Marble finishes

The $29 Round Marble Side Table measures 50cm in height with a 42cm top diameter, making it compact enough for everyday use in living rooms or bedrooms (Kmart Australia Product Page). When this table launched in Kmart’s new living range, shoppers literally sprinted to stores starting Thursday morning (Homes to Love). The marble-effect finish gives an upscale look without the luxury price tag, which explains the frenzy.

The implication: The marble-effect finish delivers the premium aesthetic at a fraction of what the real thing costs.

Bedside options

For bedroom storage, Kmart Australia offers the Oikiture Bedside Table with two drawers and an LED nightstand feature, finished in white marble effect (Kmart Australia). These come as a 2x set, giving buyers a matching pair for their bedside setup. US shoppers have access to similar nightstand options with white finishes and drawer storage (Kmart US Nightstands).

The catch: The LED feature requires a power source nearby, which limits placement options in some bedrooms.

White variants

Beyond marble-effect pieces, Kmart’s accent table range spans wooden to metal designs for home decor (Kmart US Accent Tables). The US market also stocks a thinkstar C-Side Table made from MDF and metal with a white marble design (Kmart US), offering a different silhouette compared to the Australian round tables.

What can I use as a side table?

If the Kmart marble table is out of stock or the price feels steep for your budget, plenty of household items pull double duty as side tables. These alternatives work particularly well in renters-friendly setups where buying new furniture feels like a commitment.

Household alternatives

Stack of sturdy books: A tall stack of hardcovers reaches side table height and costs nothing if you already own them. Weight matters here—opt for dense books over paperback novels to avoid wobbling.

Wooden crate or vintage trunk: Crate from the hardware store runs $5-15, while a vintage trunk adds character and hidden storage. Both work as side tables and nightstands depending on height.

Stool or ottoman: A small upholstered ottoman doubles as a side table and extra seating. Look for compact designs around 45-50cm tall to match standard side table proportions.

Creative bedside ideas

Plant stand with tray: A tiered plant stand serves as a bedside table with room for a lamp, book, and plants above. Budget around $20-40 for a simple wooden or metal stand.

Wooden pallet side table: Small wooden pallets from hardware stores work for a rustic look. Sand and seal for about $10-15 in materials, though this requires basic DIY skills.

Nightstand substitutes

Floating shelf or wall-mounted option: If floor space is tight, a wall-mounted shelf at around 60cm height works as a minimal nightstand. This frees up valuable bedroom floor space entirely.

The pattern: Side table alternatives mostly trade formal aesthetics for lower cost and greater flexibility. The trade-off is storage—a basic crate lacks the drawer space of a proper bedside table like the Oikiture.

What are tiny side tables called?

Tiny side tables typically fall under the “end table” category, though size distinctions create subcategories worth knowing about when shopping.

End table differences

An end table is the broad term for any small table placed at the end of a sofa or beside a chair. These usually range from 18 to 24 inches tall, with widths between 14 and 24 inches (Kmart US Living Room Furniture). Kmart stocks end tables in various finishes to match living room decor.

Size distinctions

Nesting tables are sets of two or three tables that slide under each other when not in use. Sofa tables are longer and narrower, designed to sit behind a sofa rather than beside it. Accent tables is the catch-all category Kmart uses for decorative pieces that don’t fit standard end table dimensions (Kmart US Accent Tables).

The catch: Kmart Australia lists end tables in its living room furniture section alongside coffee tables, but the browsing experience doesn’t always clarify which products are true end-table size versus standard coffee table dimensions. Measure before visiting the store.

What looks nice on a side table?

Styling a side table comes down to three practical rules: height balance, layered items, and visual breathing room. The goal is function first, aesthetics second.

Decoration tips

Layer heights intentionally. Place a tall item like a lamp on one side and a shorter decorative object like a small plant or candle on the other. This creates visual interest without clutter. Keep the total item count to three or fewer pieces per table.

Add something personal. A framed photo, a small sculpture, or a book in your current reading stack adds character. Avoid the temptation to fill every surface—empty space reads as intentional, not empty.

Styling rules

The 2/3 rule applies to side tables the same way it guides living room layouts. Aim for items that occupy roughly two-thirds of the available surface, leaving the remaining third open. This prevents the overcrowded look that makes even quality furniture feel cheap.

For bedside tables specifically, prioritize function over form. A lamp, phone charger, and one small object cover the essentials. Drawers help hide the clutter that accumulates in daily use—the Oikiture’s two-drawer design addresses this practically (Kmart Australia).

What is the 2-3 rule for furniture?

The 2/3 rule is a spatial principle that helps furniture feel properly scaled and positioned within a room. It applies to both individual pieces and room-wide layouts.

Living room layout application

For living room setups, divide the room into thirds. Allocate two-thirds of the available floor space to your main furniture group—typically the sofa and coffee table. The remaining one-third handles secondary elements like side tables, accent chairs, or walkways.

This proportion prevents rooms from feeling cramped or sparse. A room where the sofa touches every wall leaves no breathing room; a sofa floating in too much empty space feels like it’s getting lost.

Side table placement

For side tables specifically, the 2/3 rule means the table should occupy no more than two-thirds of the available space next to your sofa or bed. Place the table within 18 inches of the seating it’s serving—closer if the sofa is lower to the ground.

Height-wise, aim for the table surface to sit within 2-3 inches of the armrest height on a sofa, or roughly 24-28 inches for a standard side table beside a chair. The Kmart Round Marble Side Table at 50cm height works well next to standard sofas and beds alike (Kmart Australia Product Page).

How to customize your Kmart side table

The $29 black marble side table from Kmart has become a popular DIY canvas. Swapping the marble top for a timber finish transforms the look from trendy to timeless, fitting Scandi-style aesthetics perfectly (TLC Interiors).

The supplies needed include a chisel, sandpaper (grit 180 or 220), measuring tape, saw or Bunnings for pre-cut timber, Cabots Cabothane Clear Matt Varnish, and Liquid Nails adhesive (TLC Interiors).

1. Remove the marble top by carefully chiseling it away from the base. Work slowly to avoid damaging the underlying structure.
2. Trace the removed marble top onto your timber of choice—oak or Bunnings pre-cut timber works well. Mark the dimensions clearly before cutting.
3. Cut the timber to match the traced dimensions. Bunnings offers pre-cutting services if you lack saw equipment, making this step beginner-friendly.
4. Sand the timber surface using 180 or 220 grit sandpaper until smooth. Wipe clean to remove dust before applying varnish.
5. Apply three coats of Cabots Cabothane Clear Matt Varnish, allowing each coat to dry fully before the next (TLC Interiors). If using pre-laminated Bunnings timber, skip the varnish step entirely.
6. Attach the finished timber top to the base using Liquid Nails. Allow the adhesive to cure for 24 hours before placing any items on the surface.

The implication: This hack transforms a $29 impulse buy into a custom piece worth considerably more. For renters, the base stays intact while the timber top can be removed without damage.

Kmart side table alternatives at a glance

The comparison below highlights the three core products worth weighing when deciding between styles.

Confirmed facts and open questions

The information landscape around Kmart side tables splits cleanly between what we know for certain and what remains uncertain.

What this means: Buyers should check Kmart’s website for real-time stock before visiting stores, especially for the popular marble finishes that sell out quickly.

A marble side table for just $29 has sent savvy shoppers into a frenzy.

— Homes to Love

The Easiest Kmart Side Table Hack Ever.

— TLC Interiors

For Australian shoppers eyeing the $29 marble side table, the choice is straightforward: buy it online before it sells out, or arrive early at your local Kmart on launch days. If the marble look isn’t essential, the timber-hack route transforms a budget buy into a furniture investment. The alternative path—using household items or shopping competitor stores—works when Kmart inventory runs dry or when a lower price point matters more than matching sets.