Q: Are end tables taller than coffee tables?

Yes, end tables are generally taller than coffee tables .The term “end table” is frequently used interchangeably with “coffee table,” and while these two furnishings have much in common, each table type offers its own distinctive benefits in your space.Your end table is likely going to stand as tall as the arms of your sofa , and its depth will match the seating . These attributes allow for tucking the table neatly at the end of your sofa in order to provide an elevated surface between your seating and the wall. End tables are accent pieces — they’re a close cousin to side tables , but side tables, not unlike the show-stealing low-profile coffee table, are intended to be positioned prominently and have more to do with the flow and design of a room than an end table, which does a great job but does it out of the way of everything else.Find all kinds of antique and vintage tables on 1stDibs.

Question 1

What was a drum table used for?

Accepted Answer

A drum table, also referred to as a rent table, is a circular table with labeled drawers. It was traditionally used by landlords to keep account of rent money with the labels displaying the days of the weeks. Due to their unique shape, drum tables are a favorite among home decor enthusiasts. Shop a selection of drum tables on 1stDibs.

Question 2

Can a coffee table be too low?

Accepted Answer

Yes, a coffee table can be too low. Most experts recommend choosing a coffee table that is around one to two inches lower than the seat height of your sofa or loveseat. You may find it difficult to access items on the tabletop while seated if you choose a shorter table. In addition, an overly low coffee table can make a room feel cramped or unbalanced. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, designers intentionally place ultra-low coffee tables in spaces to create a bold contrast in a large room. Feel free to break from convention when choosing a coffee table. What's most important is that the finished result appeals to you and allows you to enjoy your seating area to the fullest. Shop a wide range of antique, vintage and contemporary coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Question 3

What size should a coffee table be?

Accepted Answer

A coffee table should generally be two-thirds as long as the sofa it stands in front of and around the same height as the sofa’s seat cushions.

Question 4

Is an ottoman a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

Typically, an ottoman is not a coffee table. An ottoman is a small cushioned seat without a back or arm rests. You can shop a collection of vintage and contemporary ottomans from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 5

Who invented the coffee table?

Accepted Answer

No one knows for sure who invented the coffee table. The earliest examples of the occasional table can be traced back to Victorian-era Britain. At that time, makers like William Watt and Collinson and Lock were producing coffee tables in large quantities.

Notably, F. Stuart Foote, the designer behind the American Imperial Furniture Company, claimed to have invented the coffee table in the early 20th century. He stated that he did so by cutting down the legs of a dining table. However, it's unlikely that Foote is the actual inventor of the coffee table, as books describing coffee tables existed in the UK a decade before his birth in 1872.

Shop a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Question 6

Why is it called a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

Coffee tables were originally used in living spaces during social gatherings to support a tray containing multiple mugs, a coffee pot, creamers and sugar bowls. Low to the ground and centrally located in the space, coffee tables reduced the host or hostess’s need to constantly stand and serve her guests.

Question 7

Are end tables taller than coffee tables?

Accepted Answer

Yes, end tables are generally taller than coffee tables.

The term “end table” is frequently used interchangeably with “coffee table,” and while these two furnishings have much in common, each table type offers its own distinctive benefits in your space.

Your end table is likely going to stand as tall as the arms of your sofa, and its depth will match the seating. These attributes allow for tucking the table neatly at the end of your sofa in order to provide an elevated surface between your seating and the wall. End tables are accent pieces — they’re a close cousin to side tables, but side tables, not unlike the show-stealing low-profile coffee table, are intended to be positioned prominently and have more to do with the flow and design of a room than an end table, which does a great job but does it out of the way of everything else.

Find all kinds of antique and vintage tables on 1stDibs.

Question 8

What is the difference between a center table and a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a center table and a coffee table is usually size. Center tables tend to be larger-sized accent tables placed in the center of seating areas. On the other hand, coffee tables are smaller tables usually positioned in front of sofas and loveseats. On 1stDibs, find a variety of center tables and coffee tables.

Question 9

What is the difference between a coffee table and a console table?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a coffee table and a console table is in the design. A coffee table is a low table that comes in many shapes, such as surfaces that are rectangles, squares, ovals or circles. Console tables are taller and usually have elongated shapes, such as ovals, rectangles or semicircles. Placement is another differentiator between the two types of tables. Coffee tables usually go in front of sofas and loveseats, while console tables may be placed behind a sofa or loveseat or along a wall. Find a large collection of coffee tables and console tables on 1stDibs.

Question 10

What is the difference between a side table and a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a side table and a coffee table is mainly in the size and shape. Coffee tables usually feature larger tops but shorter legs. People typically place them in front of a sofa or a loveseat to rest books, drinks, remote controls and other items. Side tables also store items, but they are usually positioned beside an accent chair or at the ends of a sofa or loveseat. Shop a diverse assortment of side tables and coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Question 11

What is the difference between a coffee table and a cocktail table?

Accepted Answer

While both pieces are relatively new to the furniture world, the main difference between them are their shapes. A cocktail table is generally square or rectangular in shape, while a coffee table tends to be oval or circular in shape. You can shop a collection of furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 12

What is the difference between a sofa table and a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

The difference between a sofa table and a coffee table is that a sofa table is always behind the sofa and a coffee table is in front of it. Additionally, a sofa table is the same height as the sofa and a coffee table is much shorter.

Question 13

Are glass coffee tables durable?

Accepted Answer

Whether glass coffee tables are durable depends on the craftsmanship and the materials. Generally, tables with tempered glass are less likely to shatter and break. How well you care for a coffee table will also impact its life span. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of glass coffee tables.

Question 14

How big should a coffee table be for a sectional?

Accepted Answer

How big a coffee table for a sectional should be depends on the dimensions of the sectional. For a balanced look, a coffee table should be roughly two-thirds of the length of the sofa portion of a sofa and chaise sectional. If you have an L-shaped sofa, the coffee table should be around two-thirds of the length of each arm. Find a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Question 15

How do I authenticate my Noguchi coffee table?

Accepted Answer

To authenticate your Noguchi coffee table, there are three different marks to look for. Isamu Noguchi’s signature will be on the edge of the table and on a medallion under the base. Even under the medallion, you will find Noguchi’s initials. Shop a collection of properly vetted Noguchi pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 16

How do you stack books on a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

To stack books on a coffee table, place the largest one on the bottom with the spine facing the focal piece of furniture, usually the sofa. Then, add the next largest, lining up the inner edges so that the spines create a stepped effect. Continue adding books to complete the stack and top it off with a decorative object if you wish. Shop a variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Question 17

How do you date a Lane coffee table?

Accepted Answer

To date a Lane coffee table, look for the serial number on the underside of the piece. On most Lane coffee tables, reading the number from right to left will tell you the date that the table was manufactured. For example, a serial number that says 852140 would have been produced on April 12, 1958. Founded in Virginia in the early 20th century, Lane is largely known for its cedar chests and innovative mid-century modern designs. Find a variety of Lane coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Question 18

What is the average height of a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

The average height of a coffee table is around 16 to 18 inches. Designers typically choose this height to create a balance between coffee tables and sofas. The average seat height of sofas is 17 to 18 inches, and experts typically recommend that coffee tables be no more than 1 inch shorter than sofa-seat height. Explore a diverse assortment of coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Question 19

What is the best height for a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

The best height for a coffee table is around 1 to 2 inches lower than the seat height of the adjacent sofa. Most sofas feature seat heights of around 17 or 18 inches. As a result, the most common height for coffee tables is 15 to 17 inches. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of coffee tables.

Question 20

What is the best coffee table for a sectional?

Accepted Answer

The best coffee table for a sectional can be a round coffee table, particularly with respect to U-shaped sectionals. The circular design creates a sense of balance in small spaces and renders it easy for guests to move to and fro, especially when surrounded by chairs. Find a collection of antique and vintage coffee tables on 1stDibs today.

Drum Coffee Tables

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Mid Century Danish Modern Round Circular Teak Drum Table as Side or Coffee Table

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

C. Jere Brass Cylinder Drum Table

2010s British Modern Side Tables

Drum Side Table by Dare Studio

Mid-20th Century Thai Tibetan Metalwork

Asian Cast Bronze Rain Drum

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

"Drum" Coffee Table attributed to Martin Eisler

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Drum Coffee Table by Martin Eisler Carlo Hauner, Brazil

Vintage 1950s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Low Drum Table by Phillip Lloyd Powell

Vintage 1970s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Illuminated Black Drum Table by Karl Springer

Vintage 1950s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Phillip Lloyd Powell Low Drum Table in Walnut with Slate Top

Early 20th Century Central African Coffee and Cocktail Tables

African Drum Coffee Table

Vintage 1950s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Gilded Iron Drum Coffee Table with Starfish Motif

Vintage 1970s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Cerused Oak Large Circular Drum Coffee Table

Vintage 1970s Other Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Round Vintage Italian Leather and Rope Drum Coffee Table

Early 20th Century Unknown Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Bentwood marching band base drum coffee table w/glass top

American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Drum Coffee Table

20th Century Unknown Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Large Hammered Brass Drum Table

Early 20th Century American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

A Marching Drum Coffee Table

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Vintage Large Drum Coffee Table

Antique 19th Century Coffee and Cocktail Tables

South East Asian Bronze Rain Drum Coffee Table Side

Vintage 1960s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Drum Coffee Table by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin

20th Century Coffee and Cocktail Tables

African Zebra Drum Coffee Table Very Large Hoof Legs Taxidermy

Vintage 1970s American Decorative Art

Curtis Jere Mixed Metals Hanging Sculpture

Antique 19th Century Asian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Asian Hand Carved Drum Tea/Coffee Table

Vintage 1950s Central African Folk Art Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Zebra Skin Drum Occasional or Coffee Table

20th Century Danish Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Drum Table

20th Century Welsh Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Drum Table

Vintage 1970s Canadian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Taffy Resin Drum-Shaped Brutalist Coffee or Side Table

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Midcentury Teak Circle Drum Shaped Coffee Table End Table 1970s circa

20th Century American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Rattan Drum Table

Vintage 1960s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Metal Drum Table

21st Century and Contemporary American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Drum Side Tables

21st Century and Contemporary French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Empire Drum Table

20th Century African Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Zebra Covered Drum Table

Vintage 1950s African Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Zebra Hide Drum Table

Early 20th Century French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Boiler Drum Cocktail Table

Antique 19th Century English Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Limed Oak Monumental Drum Table

Late 20th Century American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Giant Drum Table on Copper Frame

Vintage 1940s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Vintage Mahogany Drum Table Lamp Table, America, 1940

Vintage 1970s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Pace Chrome and Burl Drum Table

20th Century Coffee and Cocktail Tables