I had to convince my old boss to sell me the tiered table shown in the corner of my studio apartment, above. It had been in our warehouse for years, and every time I saw it, I loved it. At the time, it was in a dusty old brown finish, which I quickly changed to a gray/blue cerused look once the piece was mine. Sometimes persistence pays off – I’ve cherished this piece for 15 years, and moved it from home to home with me, using it as an over-scaled anchor for my sofa, and as a center table in our entry hall. I like its simple, quiet deco details, and its tiered nature has allowed me to decorate it in different ways.

Tiered tables aren’t just nice to look at – they’re also functional for additional storage or decoration. Imagine using the lower shelf to fan a spray of stacked books, or display special objects. Our favorite finds of tiered side tables are mostly round, with deco flair, with some surprises sprinkled in.  No matter the look or occasion, these tables will help elevate the look of your space.