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Chinese Inlaid Wood Low Coffee Table
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-1123 Chinese inlaid hardwood low coffee table/dinning table.
Category

Vintage 1960s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Inlaid Wood Low Coffee Table
Chinese Inlaid Wood Low Coffee Table
H 9.5 in W 25.5 in D 25.5 in
Chinese ebonised low coffee table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Chinese hardwood low coffee table, of rectangular form with shaped frieze, raised on cabriole legs
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ebony

Chinese ebonised low coffee table
Chinese ebonised low coffee table
H 18 in W 63 in D 24 in
Chinese Qing Dynasty 19th Century Low Coffee Table with Distressed Patina
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty period low coffee table from the 19th century, with horse hoof legs and
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

vintage handmade bi-level low coffee table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
vintage handmade, bi-level low coffee table. Solid wood with glass tops -- resemembles Louise
Category

20th Century American American Craftsman Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pair of Chinese hardwood low coffee tables
Located in Cheshire, GB
Pair of Chinese hardwood low coffee tables, of rectangular form with shaped pierced frieze. Raised
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Indian 19th Century Low Coffee Table with Hand-Painted Dancers and Musicians
Located in Yonkers, NY
An Indian low coffee table from the 19th century, with hand-painted floral motifs and dancers
Category

Antique 19th Century Indian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Low coffee table in wicker, branded Vivai del Sud
By Vivai del Sud
Located in Roma, RM
Low coffee table in wicker, branded Vivai del Sud Product Details Dimensions: 81 W x 35 H x 81 D cm
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wicker, Glass

Cecil Low Coffee Table Outdoor
By CPRN HOMOOD
Located in Ponsacco, IT
This outdoor low coffee table features a frame made of painted iroko structure, known for its
Category

2010s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Cecil Low Coffee Table Outdoor
Cecil Low Coffee Table Outdoor
H 18.51 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in
Italian Modern Cast Iron Base and White Resin Top Low Coffee Table, 1980s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern cast iron base and white resin top low coffee table, 1980s Low coffee table with
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel, Iron

Art Deco American Steel Scroll Form Low Coffee Table Frame
Located in Queens, NY
Art Deco American steel low coffee table frame with four scroll form legs anchored by a twisted
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Interlock Low Coffee Table By André Fu Living
By André Fu
Located in Admiralty, HK
with a vision to create a low coffee table that embraces a modern reinterpretation of traditional
Category

2010s Chinese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bronze

Art Deco Style French Ebony Demacassar and Polished Nickel Low Coffee Table
Located in Queens, NY
Art Deco Style French Ebony deMacassar and polished nickel low coffee table.
Category

20th Century French Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Nickel

Octagon Chinoiserie Decorated Mirror Top Low Coffee Table with Carved Wood Base
Located in Manhasset, NY
Octagon chinoiserie decorated mirror top low coffee table with carved wood base.
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Glass

19th. C. Chinese Hardwood Low Coffee Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just in this area looking 19th. C. Chinese Hardwood Low Coffee Table. Chinese hardwood low table
Category

Antique 1880s Chinese Chinese Export Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Hardwood

'Holebid’ Low Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass
By Ettore Sottsass
Located in New York, NY
‘Holebid’ Low Coffee Table by Ettore Sottsass for Memphis Milano Collection, featuring a stacked
Category

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

Materials

Plastic, Laminate, Wood

Mid-Century American Inlaid Horn Pivoting Low Coffee Table
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American pivoting low / coffee table with a beige horn veneer finish with an upper
Category

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

Materials

Horn

Chinese 19th Century Qing Dynasty Bamboo Low Coffee Table with Slatted Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese Qing Dynasty bamboo low coffee table from the 19th century, with slatted top. Created in
Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bamboo

American Mid-Century Enameled Black and Brown Low / Coffee Table
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century (1970s) enameled low / coffee table with a square black and brown crackle
Category

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

Materials

Enamel

Monumental Chinese Export Gilt and Painted Low Coffee Table
Located in Queens, NY
Monumental Chinese Export low coffee table with a raised scalloped gallery surrounding a gold
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Postmodern Design Carrara Marble Low Coffee Table, Italy 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Postmodern Italian Design Low Coffee Table in Carrara Marble, made in Italy 1970's. Chrome
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Mid-Century American Modern Yellow and Green Resin Low Coffee Table
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American Modern low / coffee table with an oval top resting on four green corner legs
Category

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

Materials

Resin

Cassina LC 10 Glass and Metal Low Coffee Table Square Le Corbusier
By Cassina
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Cassina LC 10 glass and metal low coffee table square 24” square on a black metal and chrome leg
Category

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

Materials

Steel

T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings Mid-Century American Modern Walnut Low / Coffee Table
By T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American Modern walnut low coffee table featuring a rectangular top over an X-form base
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mid Century Italian white Carrara square marble low coffee table
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid Century Italian white Carrara square marble low coffee table. Has chamfered edge detail with
Category

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

Materials

Carrara Marble

Pair of Ceramic Low Coffee Tables Shinny Black and Yellow, circa 1970
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Pair of low coffee tables. Ceramic low tables with shinny black and yellow ceramic glazes
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Reversible Walnut, Brass and Micarta Low Coffee Tables
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of two tier low coffee tables, with one side of the tables surfaced in wood, and the other in
Category

Vintage 1950s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

American Black Lacquer Floral Parcel Gilt Low / Coffee Table, Attributed to Jame
By James Mont
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century low / coffee table features a black lacquered top with rounded out corners and
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Giltwood

Mid-Century Danish Modern Teak and Cane Low Coffee Table, Style of Hans Wegner
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century Danish Modern rectangular low coffee table with a lower tier caned shelf plus sides
Category

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

Materials

Teak

James Mont Americna Black Lacquer and Brass Octagonal Low Coffee Table Frame
By James Mont
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century American "Hollywood Regency" style octagonal low coffee table frame, finished in high
Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass

1970s Vintage Boho Burl Wood Low Coffee Table
By Milo Baughman
Located in west palm beach, FL
Elevate your living space with the organic elegance of this vintage boho burl wood low coffee table
Category

Vintage 1970s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Burl

Pier Luigi Colli Italian Modern Hand-Hammered Gilt Iron Low Coffee Table Frame
By Pier Luigi Colli
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century (1950s) low / coffee table frame constructed from pebble hand-hammered gilt
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Black Kaleidoscope Low Coffee Table by Jialun Xiong
By Jialun Xiong
Located in Geneve, CH
Black Kaleidoscope Low Coffee Table by Jialun Xiong Dimensions: 60”W x 25”D x 14”H inch Materials
Category

2010s American Modern Center Tables

Materials

Metal

Vintage Low Coffee Table with Two-Toned Top and Curving Legs
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Chinese vintage low coffee table from the late 20th century, with two-toned top, scalloped apron
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Pinac Low Coffee Table by Oeuffice
Located in Geneve, CH
Pinac low coffee table by Oeuffice Edition: 12 + 2AP 2015 Materials: Aluminium, tempered glass
Category

2010s English Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Pinac Low Coffee Table by Oeuffice
Pinac Low Coffee Table by Oeuffice
H 27.56 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
Gio Ponti Style Low Coffee Table Tapered Legs Walnut Mid-Century Modern Italy 70
By Gio Ponti
Located in Miami, FL
Italian long rectangle low Coffee Table in Walnut Wood with tapered Legs attributed to Gio Ponti
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Gio Ponti Italian Mid-Century Modern Walnut and White Marble Low / Coffee Table
By Gio Ponti
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century Modern rectangular low / coffee table with a white marble top resting on a
Category

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

Materials

Marble

Roger Capron, Mid-Century, Tile, Stained Wood, Low Coffee Table, France, 1970s
By Roger Capron
Located in Manhasset, NY
Roger Capron, French Mid-Century Modern, Floral Tiles, Stained Wood, Low Coffee Table, France
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Low Coffee Table by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Low coffee table by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Materials: Ash in natural or black color
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ash

Low Coffee Table by Faina
Low Coffee Table by Faina
H 13.78 in Dm 22.84 in
Low Coffee Table by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Low coffee table by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Materials: Ash in natural or black color
Category

2010s Ukrainian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ash

Low Coffee Table by Faina
Low Coffee Table by Faina
H 13.78 in Dm 22.84 in
Low Coffee Table Embossed in Leather by Fendi
By Fendi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the luxurious Low Coffee Table Embossed in Leather by Fendi, the perfect addition to
Category

2010s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Low Coffee Table Embossed in Leather by Fendi
By Fendi
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing the luxurious Low Coffee Table Embossed in Leather by Fendi, the perfect addition to
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Mid-Century Scandinavian Modern Cherry Wood Low Coffee Table, 1950s
Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie
This low coffee table was made in Denmark during the 1950s. It is made of bird cherry wood also
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Brandt CS1 Low Coffee Table by NOOM
Located in Geneve, CH
Brandt CS1 Low Coffee Table by NOOM Dimensions: D 60 x H 35 cm Materials: Stainless steel
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Brandt CS2 Low Coffee Table by NOOM
Located in Geneve, CH
Brandt CS2 Low Coffee Table by NOOM Dimensions: D 60 x H 35 cm Materials: Stainless steel
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stainless Steel

Set of 2 Low Coffee Tables by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 low coffee tables by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Materials: Ash in natural or black
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ash

Set of 2 Low Coffee Tables by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Set of 2 Low coffee tables by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Materials: Ash in natural or black
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ash

Chinese 20th Century Black Laquer & Mother Pearl Inlaid Low Coffee Table
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this gorgeous Chinese black lacquer low coffee table with
Category

20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Kolos Low Coffee Table, by Yonoh Studio
By Yonoh Studio, Miniforms
Located in Brooklyn, NY
interpretation of the architecture of the Colosseum. Here you are shown the Kolos low coffee table and size Ø 58
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Brandt CSL3 Numbered Edition Low Coffee Table by NOOM
Located in Geneve, CH
Brandt CSL3 Numbered Edition Low Coffee Table by NOOM Dimensions: D 60 x H 35 cm Materials: Steel
Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Marzio Cecchi Pair of Leather Travertine Brass Low Coffee Tables, Circa 1970
By Marzio Cecchi, Studio Most
Located in Vienna, AT
A Pair of Low Coffee Tables with Travertine Top by Marzio Cecchi for Studio Most, 1970s This is a
Category

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

Materials

Travertine, Brass, Steel

Cassina "269 Mex" Low Coffee Table - In Glass
Located in Barrowford, GB
On offer on this occasion is a sublime, impeccable “269 Mex” Large Low Coffee Table in Glass with a
Category

2010s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass

Cassina "269 Mex" Low Coffee Table - In Glass
Cassina "269 Mex" Low Coffee Table - In Glass
H 9.45 in W 57.49 in D 57.49 in
Vintage Brown Wood Low Coffee Table with Negora Lacquer Inset Top
Located in Yonkers, NY
Negora lacquered square top, this vintage Burmese low coffee table from the Mid 20th century period will
Category

Mid-20th Century Burmese Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Three Rocks Low Coffee Table, Marquetry, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
birds eye wood veneer in high gloss varnish. Here is presented the model of the low coffee table. The
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ebony, Rosewood, Olive, Birdseye Maple

Ringo Low Coffee Table in Lacquered Black Legs, by Matteo Zorzenoni
By Miniforms, Matteo Zorzenoni
Located in Brooklyn, NY
coffee table with lacquered black legs and size 90 x 90 x 32 H. Available in low Ringo coffee table size
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Doris Bronze Low Coffee Table by Fred and Juul
Located in Geneve, CH
Doris Bronze Low Coffee Table by Fred and Juul Dimensions: Ø 84 x H 30 cm. Materials: Bronze
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bronze

Tarta White Low Coffee Table by Roberto Paoli
Located in Geneve, CH
Tarta White Low Coffee Table by Roberto Paoli Dimensions: D 51 x W 72x H 34 cm. Materials
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Other

Tarta White Low Coffee Table by Roberto Paoli
Tarta White Low Coffee Table by Roberto Paoli
H 13.39 in W 28.35 in D 20.08 in
Hollywood Regency Painted Polychromed Low Coffee Table ca. 1940
Located in Shippensburg, PA
# 403LVB18M An exuberant design from the Hollywood Regency era, this fine low coffee table showcases a
Category

20th Century European Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Gesso, Giltwood

Korean Low Coffee Table
Located in New York, NY
Korean Low Table, perfect as a coffee table. Marked Korea on underside. Good solid condition, top
Category

20th Century Korean Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Korean Low Coffee Table
Korean Low Coffee Table
H 15 in W 48 in D 31.75 in
Flame Red Blos Low Coffee Table by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Flame Red Blos Low Coffee Table by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 42 x W 55 x H 32 cm. Materials
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Other

Pumpkin Orange Blos Low Coffee Table by Karim Rashid
Located in Geneve, CH
Pumpkin Orange Blos Low Coffee Table by Karim Rashid Dimensions: D 42 x W 55 x H 32 cm. Materials
Category

2010s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Other

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Low Coffee Tables For Sale on 1stDibs

Find a variety of low coffee tables available on 1stDibs. The range of distinct low coffee tables — often made from wood, metal and glass — can elevate any home. There are 1637 antique and vintage low coffee tables for sale at 1stDibs, while we also have 266 modern editions to choose from as well. Low coffee 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 coffee tables made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Modern — are very popular at 1stDibs. Many low coffee tables are appealing in their simplicity, but Edward Wormley, Milo Baughman and Privatiselectionem produced popular low coffee tables that are worth a look.

How Much are Low Coffee Tables?

Prices for low coffee tables start at $224 and top out at $106,426 with the average selling for $3,692.

Finding the Right Coffee And Cocktail Tables for You

As a practical focal point in your living area, antique and vintage coffee tables and cocktail tables are an invaluable addition to any interior.

Low tables that were initially used as tea tables or coffee tables have been around since at least the mid- to late-1800s. Early coffee tables surfaced in Victorian-era England, likely influenced by the use of tea tables in Japanese tea gardens. In the United States, furniture makers worked to introduce low, long tables into their offerings as the popularity of coffee and “coffee breaks” took hold during the late 19th century and early 20th century.

It didn’t take long for coffee tables and cocktail tables to become a design staple and for consumers to recognize their role in entertaining no matter what beverages were being served. Originally, these tables were as simple as they are practical — as high as your sofa and made primarily of wood. In recent years, however, metal, glass and plastics have become popular in coffee tables and cocktail tables, and design hasn’t been restricted to the conventional low profile, either.

Visionary craftspeople such as Paul Evans introduced bold, geometric designs that challenge the traditional idea of what a coffee table can be. The elongated rectangles and wide boxy forms of Evans’s desirable Cityscape coffee table, for example, will meet your needs but undoubtedly prove imposing in your living space.

If you’re shopping for an older coffee table to bring into your home — be it an antique Georgian-style coffee table made of mahogany or walnut with decorative inlays or a classic square mid-century modern piece comprised of rosewood designed by the likes of Ettore Sottsass — there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Both the table itself and what you put on it should align with the overall design of the room, not just by what you think looks fashionable in isolation. According to interior designer Tamara Eaton, the material of your vintage coffee table is something you need to consider. “With a glass coffee table, you also have to think about the surface underneath, like the rug or floor,” she says. “With wood and stone tables, you think about what’s on top.”

Find the perfect centerpiece for any room, no matter what your personal furniture style on 1stDibs — shop Art Deco coffee tables, travertine coffee tables and other antique and vintage coffee tables and cocktail tables today.

Questions About Low Coffee Tables
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 15, 2019

    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.

  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

    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.

  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 12, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019

    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.

  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024
    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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 7, 2024
    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.
  • 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024
    There isn't really a standard size of a coffee table. Manufacturers produce coffee tables in a range of sizes and shapes. However, many rectangular tables are around 45 to 48 inches in length by 25 to 28 inches in width. Heights typically range from 16 to 18 inches. Shop a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021
    Tray top coffee tables are coffee tables with long, flat rectangular surfaces that are supported by an x-frame base. Low tables that were initially used as tea or coffee tables have been around since at least the mid- to late-1800s. After coffee drinking and “coffee breaks” became popular, it didn’t take long for coffee and cocktail tables to become a design staple and for consumers to recognize their role in entertaining no matter what beverages were being served. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary tray top coffee tables from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
    Coffee tables became popular in the 1920s and ’30s. Pieces from this time period often show off the characteristics of Art Deco design, such as metal accents, mirrored finishes and the use of exotic woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. Coffee tables first came into use during the Victorian era, largely in response to the rise of coffee houses in London. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of antique, vintage and contemporary coffee tables.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    To style an oval coffee table, create balance with opposites. Choose a sofa and accent chairs with a boxier shape for a striking contrast. Place a rectangular tray in the center and use it to display decorative accents or to store remotes and coasters. Another approach to decorating an oval table is to use decorative accents at different heights. Think of a tall vase placed next to a low bowl and a small sculpture positioned on top of two stacked coffee table books. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of oval coffee tables.