Question 1

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 2

Why are modern coffee tables so low?

Accepted Answer

Modern coffee tables tend to be low because they’re most commonly placed in front of couches and chairs. Historically, coffee tables were placed behind the couch which necessitated a taller table. Over time, as styles changed and coffee tables came to be positioned in front of couches, their heights were lowered to accommodate the modern arrangement. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage and contemporary coffee tables from some of the world’s top sellers.

Question 3

Is 12 inches too low for a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

No, 12 inches isn’t necessarily too low for a coffee table. For balance, choose a coffee table that is about two to four inches lower than the seat of the largest piece of furniture around it. Usually, this will be the sofa. If your sofa’s seat is 14 to 16 inches high, a 12-inch coffee table will likely be in proportion. Find an assortment of coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Question 4

Why are console tables so low?

Accepted Answer

Console tables are not low. Typically, consoles are about the height of a desk but are much narrower. As a result, they work well against walls and can be used to hold lamps and decorative objects. While modern console tables commonly feature four legs, you can still find the two-legged variety, which is ideal for nestling behind the sofa. Some also feature shelves for display and storage space or cabinet doors and drawers for hiding clutter. Find vintage console tables on 1stDibs.

Question 5

What are low tables called?

Accepted Answer

Low tables are usually called coffee tables. The name comes from the table height being designed to make it easy to place something, such as a cup of coffee, on the tabletop while seated on a sofa. Alternatively, people may refer to these low tables as cocktail tables. Explore a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Question 6

Why are Japanese dining tables low?

Accepted Answer

The chabudai, or the short Japanese dining table makes the most of limited space by serving many functions in a Japanese home. They often feature collapsible legs so they can be stored. Diners sit on pillows on the floor, rather than chairs, again freeing up more space by not having bulky chairs. Shop a collection of Japanese furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Question 7

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 8

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 9

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 10

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 11

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 12

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 13

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 14

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 15

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 16

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 17

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 18

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 19

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 20

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.

Low Coffee Tables

Early 2000s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

James Irvine Ponte Low Table

Vintage 1960s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Ercol Coffee Table

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

Charlotte Perriand Low Table, c. 1960

Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Tito Agnoli, Low Table, Cinova, 1960s

2010s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Andrianna Shamaris Minimalist Low Profile Table

Antique Early 1900s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Arte Povera Italian Antique Low Table

2010s Bulgarian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Low Table 1 by Georgiev Kiril

Vintage 1980s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Low Pedestal, or Coffee Table Base of Wood and Brass with a Faux Stone Finish

2010s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Black Burned zazinga contemporary low table

Antique 19th Century Unknown Rustic Coffee and Cocktail Tables

19th Century Rustic Low Round Table

20th Century Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Large Scale Parquet Wood Low Table

2010s Belgian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Disrupt Low Table by Arne Desmet

2010s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

SST012 Low Table by Stone Stackers

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

V Shaped Low Table from USA

2010s Canadian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Shale Low Table by Simon Johns

2010s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

SST003 Low Table by Stone Stackers

2010s American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

L Low Table by Laylo Studio

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables

19th century carved Chinese elm low table

Vintage 1970s English Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Marble and Steel Octagonal Low Table

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Architectural Low Table by Studio BBPR

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Illuminated Drum Low Table from USA

2010s North American American Craftsman Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Sliding Dovetail Original Low Table, 2017

2010s Turkish Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Bold Low Table by Tolga Sencer

2010s Spanish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Salvador Dali Leda Low Table, Sculpture

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

Polished Steel Low Table from USA

Mid-20th Century English Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Jazz Low Table Depicting Musical Instruments

Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Hollywood Regency Silvered Metal Glass Low Table

Mid-20th Century Japanese Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Low Japanese Table for Tendo Mokko, Japan

2010s Russian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

MER Low Table by Ira Boyko

2010s French Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Asie Low Table by LK Edition

2010s Lebanese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Hol-Low Table by Christian Zahr

2010s Lebanese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Hol-Low Table by Christian Zahr

2010s Lebanese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Hol-Low Table by Christian Zahr

Mid-20th Century American Louis XVI Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Gilt-Bronze, Walnut Glass Low Table

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Coffee and Cocktail Tables

“Cinova” large low table by Tito Agnoli

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

Spanish Low Side Table / Drinks Table in Gilt Wrought

Vintage 1960s Italian Space Age Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Paolo Caliari green fiberglass “Fioriere” low table

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Small Quartz Low Table Set of Three

21st Century and Contemporary Spanish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Explorer Low Tables by BD Barcelona

Vintage 1980s Coffee and Cocktail Tables