Side tables are among the smallest pieces of furniture, but they make a big difference in the way a room looks.

“They’re like the bags and shoes of your outfit,” said Poonam Khanna, an architect who founded the Brooklyn-based studio Unionworks. “They’re accessories that are very important.”

Just as knockout shoes can enhance the look of simple clothing, interesting side tables can add visual appeal to an otherwise understated interior, whether you choose clean-lined ones made from beautiful materials or tables with sculptural forms or unexpected colors.

Of course, it’s not only about how they look. Side tables also make a room more inviting by adding flat surfaces beside sofas and chairs to hold lamps, books and drinks. Depending on your needs, they can be a simple pedestal or include drawers or shelves for storage.