What are low tables called?

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.

Can a coffee table be too low?

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.

Why are console tables so low?

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.

Why are Japanese dining tables low?

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.

Why are modern coffee tables so low?

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.

What are side tables used for?

Side tables are used next to furniture like beds and couches to provide an accessible place for keeping essential items at hand. In the living room, side tables are often used to display flower arrangements, photos or books as well as to set down a drink. In the bedroom, a side table is typically populated with items like a lamp, bedtime reading material, and a charging device for a phone. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary side tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What are nesting side tables?

A nesting table is a set of tables designed to be stored one inside or under the other, giving them a layered or stacked appearance. A side table is a table that’s placed beside a piece of furniture. A nesting side table would be a series of side tables in graduated heights that can be stacked or nested together. Shop a collection of nesting tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What size should a side table be?

A side table should stand one to three inches below the arm of the sofa or chair it is placed next to.

What are side tables called?

Side tables are often simply called side tables. If positioned on either end of a sofa or loveseat, you might refer to them as end tables. General terms for side tables and other tables commonly used in seating areas include occasional tables and accent tables. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of side tables.

Is 12 inches too low for a coffee table?

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.

Is there a difference between an end table and a side table?

There are two differences between end tables and side tables: function and size. Typically, end tables go beside a chair or at opposite ends of a sofa and have smaller tabletops, while side tables go toward the sides of seating areas or against walls and feature a larger surface area. However, many people use the words side and end tables interchangeably, so these differences may not always apply. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of end and side tables.

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

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.

How can you tell if a side table is antique?

To determine whether a side table is an antique, closely examine its details. Older pieces will typically have telltale features like wood pegs, hand-cut dovetails with some slight imperfections and mortise-and-tenon construction. Tables that are a consistent color throughout or have machine-cut moldings or carvings are unlikely to be antiques. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can be a helpful resource when dating tables. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and modern side tables on 1stDibs.

What are tiny side tables called?

What tiny side tables are called varies. Some people may simply refer to them as side tables. Others describe them as end tables if they're placed on either end of a sofa or loveseat. When used elsewhere in a room, small side tables are often called accent tables. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary side tables.

What is a tall side table called?

A tall side table may also be called a console table. While these furnishings are not as common in today’s interiors as their coffee-table and side-table counterparts, console tables are stylish home accents and have become more prevalent over the years. The popularity of wood console tables took shape during the 17th and 18th centuries in French and Italian culture, and were exclusively featured in the palatial homes of the upper class. Find console tables today on 1stDibs.

Should a side table be lower than a sofa?

No, a side table shouldn't always be lower than a sofa. To make it easy to access items on a table, a sofa's arms should generally be no more than 2 to 3 inches above or below the tabletop. This rule of thumb differs from the one for coffee tables, which should be as tall or 1 to 2 inches shorter than the seat height of the sofa to ensure a balanced look. Explore a large selection of side tables on 1stDibs.

Low Side Tables

Shimmer Table

Dining Table With Metal Inlay

Category

2010s Unknown Modern Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Low Chime Side Table in Bronze and Silver or Gold Leaf Lacquer by Elan Atelier

$2,970 / item

Froe Low Table with Enamel Finish

By Henry Norris, New Format Studio

Located in Vancouver, BC

The Froe Table is hand crafted from copper with a torch fired glass enamel finish. No two shingles

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Steel, Copper, Enamel

Froe Low Table with Enamel Finish

$18,375 / item

Chinese Peachwood Side Table, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

With swirling grain and warm coloring, the subtle beauty of peach wood stars in this low side table

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing End Tables

Materials

Fruitwood

Chinese Peachwood Side Table, c. 1850

$2,980

Japanese Studio Crafted Low Table, 1970s

By Isamu Kenmochi

Located in Coronado, CA

A delightful little coffee or side table handcrafted in solid cherry wood. This table features

Category

Vintage 1970s Japanese Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Cherry

Japanese Studio Crafted Low Table, 1970s

$1,100

Chinese Rosewood Low Table c.1890-1900

Located in Bishop s Stortford, GB

Fine Quality Chinese Rosewood Low Table c.1890-1900 with hand-carved leaf foliate decorative frieze

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Side Tables

Materials

Rosewood

Chinese Rosewood Low Table c.1890-1900

$674

French Oak Low Table, Regence Style

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Handsome little Regence style low table in rift-sawn French oak featuring a pie-crust top with

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Side Tables

Materials

Oak

French Oak Low Table, Regence Style

$663 Sale Price

81% Off

18th Century red lacquer low occasional table

Located in Debenham, Suffolk

18th century Chinese painted low occasional table, circa 1780. Here we have a low practical

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Chinese Qing Side Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Lacquer, Paint

18th Century red lacquer low occasional table

$1,359

Low table, Dancer. Bronze, glass. 20th century.

Located in Madrid, ES

Low table, Dancer. Bronze, glass. 20th century. Glass defect. Low table with a transparent oval

Category

20th Century European Other Side Tables

Materials

Bronze, Other

Low table, Dancer. Bronze, glass. 20th century.

$1,435

Carlina Low Table by Oscar Tusquets

Located in Geneve, CH

Carlina Low Table by Oscar Tusquets Dimensions: D 72 x W 130 x H 42 cm. Materials: Solid ash

Category

2010s Spanish Modern Side Tables

Materials

Smoked Glass, Ash

Carlina Low Table by Oscar Tusquets

$5,970 / item

Lago Low Table by Iterare Arquitectos

Located in Geneve, CH

Lago low table by Iterare Arquitectos Dimensions: D186 x W62 x H43 cm Materials: Stone (in seven

Category

2010s Spanish Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Stone, Steel

Lago Low Table by Iterare Arquitectos

$10,265 / item

Terrazo Pierre Low Table by Plumbum

Located in Geneve, CH

Terrazo Pierre low table by Plumbum Dimensions: 16" x 18" x H 15" Materials: Terrazzo

Category

2010s French Modern Side Tables

Materials

Terrazzo

Terrazo Pierre Low Table by Plumbum

$2,895 / item

Bronze Onda Low Table by Studio Sunt

Located in Geneve, CH

Bronze Onda Low Table by Studio Sunt Dimensions: W 47 x D 44 x H 44 cm. Materials: Bronze. Studio

Category

2010s Turkish Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Bronze Onda Low Table by Studio Sunt

$6,831 / item

A Large Low Root Tripod Table

Located in London, GB

A substantial central section of French elm, roughly cut with live burr edge and polished surface, standing on three branch legs. H 43 x W 77 x D 50 cms

Category

Early 20th Century French Side Tables

Materials

Elm

A Large Low Root Tripod Table

$3,005

Hiroyuki Nishimura Sculptural low tray Table Amanokaguyama

By Hiroyuki Nishimura

Located in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Name: Amanogakuyama Sculptural low tray table by Hiroyuki Nishimura and Zougei carved furniture

Category

2010s Japanese Tribal Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Hiroyuki Nishimura Sculptural low tray Table Amanokaguyama

$2,000 Sale Price

20% Off

Japanese Antique Low Table 1900s-1940s / Sofa Table Display Table Wabi Sabi

Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP

This is an old Japanese low table dating from the early Showa period (1900s–1940s), discovered in

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Side Tables

Materials

Cedar

Japanese Antique Low Table 1900s-1940s / Sofa Table Display Table Wabi Sabi

$1,500

Froe Low Table with Oxidized Copper Finish

By Henry Norris, New Format Studio

Located in Vancouver, BC

The Froe Table is hand crafted from copper with an oxidized copper finish. No two shingles are

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Copper, Enamel, Steel

Froe Low Table with Oxidized Copper Finish

$18,375 / item

Stubby Timber Side Table

By Lauren Goodman

Located in PARIS, FR

Stubby Timber side table or low stool, designed by artist Lauren Goodman. Crafted from reclaimed

Category

2010s Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Stubby Timber Side Table

$1,040

Pair of Large Painted Wood Faux Ledger Book Form Low or Side Tables as a Stack

Located in Nashville, TN

Colorful faux Books as low tables . Provenance : Sir Rex Harrison , New York. Sculpted and

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Pair of Large Painted Wood Faux Ledger Book Form Low or Side Tables as a Stack

$5,070 / set

Cleo Ceramic Side Table

By Ransom Dunn

Located in London, GB

A low profile oval shaped ceramic side table. Deliberately asymmetric. Our first edition Cleo

Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Organic Modern Side Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Cleo Ceramic Side Table

$2,042 / item

Coffee Crown Table Low by 101 Copenhagen

Located in Geneve, CH

Coffee crown table low by 101 Copenhagen Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl

Category

2010s Danish Modern Side Tables

Materials

Concrete

Coffee Crown Table Low by 101 Copenhagen

$1,447 / item

Peter Ghyczy Glass Low Table, circa 1970

By Peter Ghyczy

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

The table is made from glass and sand casted brass. The legs are hand casted by very skilled

Category

Vintage 1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Glass

Peter Ghyczy Glass Low Table, circa 1970

$1,734 / item

Ala V2 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

By Edizione Limitata

Located in Geneve, CH

Ala V2 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci Limited Edition of 150 pieces. Signed and numbered

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Ala V2 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

$34,086 / item

Ala V1 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

By Edizione Limitata

Located in Geneve, CH

Ala V1 low table by Simone Fanciullacci Limited Edition of 150 pieces. Signed and numbered

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Ala V1 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

$15,266 / item

Big Foot Table Low by 101 Copenhagen

Located in Geneve, CH

Big Foot Table Low by 101 Copenhagen. Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl

Category

2010s Danish Modern Side Tables

Materials

Concrete

Big Foot Table Low by 101 Copenhagen

$1,244 / item

Brass Pillar Table Low by 101 Copenhagen

Located in Geneve, CH

Brass pillar table low by 101 Copenhagen Designed by Kristian Sofus Hansen & Tommy Hyldahl

Category

2010s Danish Modern Side Tables

Materials

Metal

Brass Pillar Table Low by 101 Copenhagen

$1,710 / item

Low Table by ISA Bergamo ca. 1955

By ISA Bergamo

Located in Berlin, DE

Side Table / Coffee Table by ISA Bergamo with square top. Veneered and framed in light wood

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Low Table by ISA Bergamo ca. 1955

$4,067

Low Twins Coffee Table by Pietro Franceschini

Located in Geneve, CH

Low twins coffee table by Pietro Franceschini Sold exclusively by Galerie Philia Manufacturer

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Corian

Low Twins Coffee Table by Pietro Franceschini

$17,479 / set

Pau V2 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

By Edizione Limitata

Located in Geneve, CH

Pau V2 low table by Simone Fanciullacci Limited Edition of 150 pieces. Signed and numbered

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Resin, Polystyrene

Pau V2 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

$7,848 / item

Oasi V2 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

By Edizione Limitata

Located in Geneve, CH

Oasi V2 Low table by Simone Fanciullacci Limited Edition of 15 + 3 pieces. Signed and numbered

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Oasi V2 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

$29,252 / item

Oasi V1 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

By Edizione Limitata

Located in Geneve, CH

Oasi V1 low table by Simone Fanciullacci Limited Edition of 15 + 3 pieces. Signed and numbered

Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Oasi V1 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

$17,085 / item

Vertigo N02 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

By Edizione Limitata

Located in Geneve, CH

Vertigo N02 low table by Simone Fanciullacci Limited edition. Signed and numbered. Designers

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Vertigo N02 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

$40,140 / item

Vertigo N01 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

By Edizione Limitata

Located in Geneve, CH

Vertigo N01 low table by Simone Fanciullacci Limited edition. Signed and numbered. Designers

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Vertigo N01 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

$36,586 / item

1900s Bronze Mounted French Walnut Low Table

Located in Los Angeles, CA

1900's Very Fine Bronze Mounted French Walnut Low Table with Single Drawer. The Gray Marble is

Category

Antique Early 1900s French Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Bronze

1900s Bronze Mounted French Walnut Low Table

$5,500

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

By DADA est.

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Table by Dada est. manufactured in Barcelona, 2021. Detachable table with two legs. Materials

Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Oak

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

$7,178 / item

Vertigo N01 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

By Edizione Limitata

Located in Geneve, CH

Vertigo N01 low table by Simone Fanciullacci Exclusive for Galerie Philia. Limited edition. Signed

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Vertigo N01 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

$36,586 / item

Vertigo N02 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

By Edizione Limitata

Located in Geneve, CH

Vertigo N02 low table by Simone Fanciullacci Exclusive for Galerie Philia. Limited Edition. Signed

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Bronze

Vertigo N02 Low Table by Simone Fanciullacci

$40,140 / item

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

By DADA est.

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Table by Dada est. manufactured in Barcelona, 2021. Detachable table with two legs. Materials

Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Oak

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

$7,178 / item

Sea Surface Low Table by Studio Christinekalia

Located in Geneve, CH

Sea surface low table by Studio Christinekalia Dimensions: W 130 x D 130 x H 30 cm. Materials

Category

2010s Cypriot Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Wood

Sea Surface Low Table by Studio Christinekalia

$2,368 / item

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

By DADA est.

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Table by Dada est. manufactured in Barcelona, 2021. Detachable table with two legs. Materials

Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Oak

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

$7,178 / item

Blue Osis Bensimon Low Table by Llot Llov

Located in Geneve, CH

Blue Osis Bensimon low table by Llot Llov Dimensions: H 40 x L 160 x W 80 cm Materials: birch wood

Category

2010s German Modern Side Tables

Materials

Birch

Blue Osis Bensimon Low Table by Llot Llov

$4,737 / item

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

By DADA est.

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Table by Dada est. manufactured in Barcelona, 2021. Detachable table with two legs. Materials

Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Oak

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

$7,178 / item

Paul Follot mahogany and ebony low table

By Paul Follot

Located in Philadelphia, PA

French Art Deco two-tiered low table by Paul Follot in mahogany and ebony, circa 1925. 21.5” square

Category

Vintage 1920s French Art Deco Side Tables

Materials

Ebony, Mahogany

Paul Follot mahogany and ebony low table

$13,500

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

By DADA est.

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Table by Dada est. manufactured in Barcelona, 2021. Oak table Measures: 85 cm D x 160 cm W x 30

Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Oak

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

$7,776 / item

Glas Italia OLLIE Low table by Yabu Pushelberg

By Glas Italia, Yabu Pushelberg

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Low table comprised of a 12 mm extralight glass plate with polished shiny edge, curved 180° and

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Glass

Glas Italia OLLIE Low table by Yabu Pushelberg

$2,495 / item

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

By DADA est.

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Table by Dada est. manufactured in Barcelona, 2021. Oak table Measures: 85 cm D x 160 cm W x

Category

2010s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Oak

Dada Est. Contemporary Solid Oak Low Table

$7,776 / item

Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Brass Finish Tole Side Table

Located in Doylestown, PA

elegant table which could be used as a small coffee or low side table.

Category

Vintage 1960s Unknown Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Hollywood Regency Faux Bamboo Brass Finish Tole Side Table

$500

Glas Italia ROBOTIN Low table by Patricia Urquiola

By Patricia Urquiola, Glas Italia

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Collection of low tables, consoles and storage furniture, completely created from a special double

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Glass

Glas Italia ROBOTIN Low table by Patricia Urquiola

$3,905 / item

Glas Italia CALICE Low table by Piero Lissoni

By Piero Lissoni, Glas Italia

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Round low tables available in two heights with top and and foot in tempered 8 mm thick glossy

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Glass

Glas Italia CALICE Low table by Piero Lissoni

$2,201 / item

Glas Italia FUNGHETTI Low table by Piero Lissoni

By Jean-Marie Massaud, Glas Italia

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Series of round low tables with top in tempered glossy lacquered or opaque lacquered glass. Base in

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Glass

Glas Italia FUNGHETTI Low table by Piero Lissoni

$1,616 / item

Glas Italia CRACK Low table by Johanna Grawunder

By Johanna Grawunder, Glas Italia

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Collection of low tables with dimmer light with parallelepiped shape, in glass glued at 45°, with

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Glass

Glas Italia CRACK Low table by Johanna Grawunder

$6,442 / item

Chinese Low Inset Leg Coffee Table, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

This low, rectangular table would have once flanked a platform bed in the intimate living space of

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Minimalist Side Tables

Materials

Elm

Chinese Low Inset Leg Coffee Table, c. 1850

$2,880

Glas Italia REMIS Low table by Patricia Urquiola

By Glas Italia, Patricia Urquiola

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Collection composed by a low table and a console with a wooden structure completely covered by a

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Side Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Glas Italia REMIS Low table by Patricia Urquiola

$7,592 / item

Almost Pair of Karl Springer Style Low Tables

By Karl Springer

Located in Locust Valley, NY

An almost pair of low Karl Springer style, long, rectangular side tables in chocolate lacquered

Category

Mid-20th Century Side Tables

Materials

Raffia

Almost Pair of Karl Springer Style Low Tables

$3,840 / set

Set Of 20th Century Maison Jansen Low Tables

By Maison Jansen

Located in Westport, CT

Pair of classic Maison Jansen brass and chrome two-tier tables with acorn toupie and rosette

Category

20th Century French Art Deco Side Tables

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Set Of 20th Century Maison Jansen Low Tables

$5,400 / set

Glas Italia NACRE Low table by Yabu Pushelberg

By Glas Italia, Yabu Pushelberg

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Nacre is a low table with a fluid aspect inspired by the organic form of an oyster shell. The base

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Glass

Glas Italia NACRE Low table by Yabu Pushelberg

$7,733 / item

Alias Saturno 48 Low Table by Mario Botta

By Mario Botta, Alias

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Coffee table with base made of four elements in MDF Valchromat® (mass-coloured and transparent

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Side Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Alias Saturno 48 Low Table by Mario Botta

$1,760 / item

French Modern Ash and Laminate Low Table, 1950s

Located in Astoria, NY

French Mid-Century Modern low table made of ash and black laminate, dating back to the 1950s. Here

Category

20th Century Finnish Side Tables

Materials

Laminate, Wood

French Modern Ash and Laminate Low Table, 1950s

$650 Sale Price

23% Off

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Low Side Tables For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of low side tables available for sale. Each of these unique low side tables was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, metal and glass. There are 345 antique and vintage low side tables for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 94 modern editions to choose from as well. Low side tables have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Low side tables are generally popular furniture pieces, but Modern, Mid-Century Modern and Art Deco styles are often sought at 1stDibs. If space is limited, there are small low side tables measuring 6 inches across. Low side tables have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Angelo Mangiarotti, ClassiCon and Dessie Studio are consistently popular.

How Much are Low Side Tables?

Prices for low side tables start at $55 and top out at $36,894 with the average selling for $2,207.

Finding the Right Tables for You

The right vintage, new or antique tables can help make any space in your home stand out.

Over the years, the variety of tables available to us, as well as our specific needs for said tables, has broadened. Today, with all manner of these must-have furnishings differing in shape, material and style, any dining room table can shine just as brightly as the guests who gather around it.

Remember, when shopping for a dining table, it must fit your dining area, and you need to account for space around the table too — think outside the box, as an oval dining table may work for tighter spaces. Alternatively, if you’ve got the room, a Regency-style dining table can elevate any formal occasion at mealtime.

Innovative furniture makers and designers have also redefined what a table can be. Whether it’s an unconventional Ping-Pong table, a brass side table to display your treasured collectibles or a Louis Vuitton steamer trunk to add an air of nostalgia to your loft, your table can say a lot about you.

The visionary work of French designer Xavier Lavergne, for example, includes tables that draw on the forms of celestial bodies as often as they do aquatic creatures or fossils. Elsewhere, Italian architect Gae Aulenti, who looked to Roman architecture in crafting her stately Jumbo coffee table, created clever glass-topped mobile coffee tables that move on bicycle tires or sculpted wood wheels for Fontana Arte.

Coffee and cocktail tables can serve as a room’s centerpiece with attention-grabbing details and colors. Glass varieties will keep your hardwood flooring and dazzling area rugs on display, while a marble or stone coffee table in a modern interior can showcase your prized art books and decorative objects. A unique vintage desk or writing table can bring sophistication and even a bit of spice to your work life.

No matter your desired form or function, a quality table for your living space is a sound investment. On 1stDibs, browse a collection of vintage, new and antique bedside tables, mid-century end tables and more .

Questions About Low Side Tables

What are low tables called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
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.
Can a coffee table be too low?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
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.
Why are console tables so low?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
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.
Why are Japanese dining tables low?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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.
Why are modern coffee tables so low?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
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.
What are side tables used for?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Side tables are used next to furniture like beds and couches to provide an accessible place for keeping essential items at hand. In the living room, side tables are often used to display flower arrangements, photos or books as well as to set down a drink. In the bedroom, a side table is typically populated with items like a lamp, bedtime reading material, and a charging device for a phone. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary side tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What are nesting side tables?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A nesting table is a set of tables designed to be stored one inside or under the other, giving them a layered or stacked appearance. A side table is a table that’s placed beside a piece of furniture. A nesting side table would be a series of side tables in graduated heights that can be stacked or nested together. Shop a collection of nesting tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What size should a side table be?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019
A side table should stand one to three inches below the arm of the sofa or chair it is placed next to.
What are side tables called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024
Side tables are often simply called side tables. If positioned on either end of a sofa or loveseat, you might refer to them as end tables. General terms for side tables and other tables commonly used in seating areas include occasional tables and accent tables. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of side tables.
Is 12 inches too low for a coffee table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
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.
Is there a difference between an end table and a side table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
There are two differences between end tables and side tables: function and size. Typically, end tables go beside a chair or at opposite ends of a sofa and have smaller tabletops, while side tables go toward the sides of seating areas or against walls and feature a larger surface area. However, many people use the words side and end tables interchangeably, so these differences may not always apply. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of end and side tables.
What is the difference between a side table and a coffee table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
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.
How can you tell if a side table is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
To determine whether a side table is an antique, closely examine its details. Older pieces will typically have telltale features like wood pegs, hand-cut dovetails with some slight imperfections and mortise-and-tenon construction. Tables that are a consistent color throughout or have machine-cut moldings or carvings are unlikely to be antiques. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can be a helpful resource when dating tables. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and modern side tables on 1stDibs.
What are tiny side tables called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
What tiny side tables are called varies. Some people may simply refer to them as side tables. Others describe them as end tables if they're placed on either end of a sofa or loveseat. When used elsewhere in a room, small side tables are often called accent tables. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary side tables.
What is a tall side table called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
A tall side table may also be called a console table. While these furnishings are not as common in today’s interiors as their coffee-table and side-table counterparts, console tables are stylish home accents and have become more prevalent over the years. The popularity of wood console tables took shape during the 17th and 18th centuries in French and Italian culture, and were exclusively featured in the palatial homes of the upper class. Find console tables today on 1stDibs.
Should a side table be lower than a sofa?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024
No, a side table shouldn't always be lower than a sofa. To make it easy to access items on a table, a sofa's arms should generally be no more than 2 to 3 inches above or below the tabletop. This rule of thumb differs from the one for coffee tables, which should be as tall or 1 to 2 inches shorter than the seat height of the sofa to ensure a balanced look. Explore a large selection of side tables on 1stDibs.

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