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.

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.

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.

Why is it called a coffee table?

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.

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.

Who invented the coffee table?

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.

What size should a coffee table be?

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.

Is an ottoman a coffee table?

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.

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 coffee table and a cocktail table?

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Is there a difference between a coffee table and a cocktail table?

"Coffee table" and "cocktail table" are used interchangeably; cocktail table is the more traditional term, often applied to lower, more formal designs.

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.

Coffee And Side Tables

Christian Jensen

R And Y Augousti Console

Charles Hollis Jones Lucite Coffee Table

Marble Coffee Table Danish

Metal Inlay On Table Top

Moroccan Or Moorish Coffee Tables

Materials

Aluminum

Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse

Chic trio of heavy, wrought iron coffee and side tables: two small round ones and one rectangular, painted dark green with gilt details.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Liceu de Arte e Officios

$15,000

Brazilian Rosewood Sofa by Liceu de Arte e Officios

Located in San Francisco, CA

Cushions not included. We have a matching coffee and side table.

Category

Vintage 1950s Brazilian Modern Sofas

Materials

Wool, Jacaranda, Rosewood

Set of 2 Modern Geometric Tables by Matteo Zorzenoni, Italy

$6,050 / item

$8,656 / item

$10,766 / item

DOOQ Scandinavian Modern Travertine and Olive Ash Center Table L'anamour, Rouge

By DOOQ

Located in Lisbon, PT

L’anamour is a set of coffee and side tables, which complement and complete each other.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Scandinavian Modern Coffee and ...

Materials

Travertine

DOOQ Scandinavian Modern Travertine and Olive Ash Wood Tables L'anamour, Rose

$9,933 / item

$975

Post Modern Square Mersman End Table designed by Lou Hodges for Mersman c. 1970s

By Lou Hodges, Mersman

Located in New York, NY

Please view the companion coffee, and side table we have listed separately at Barbarella Home on 1st Dibs.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Post-Modern End Tables

Materials

Glass, Oak

$649 / set

NICE DECORATIVE CONTEMPORARY COFFEE & SiDE TABLES NEST PART OF A LARGE SUITE

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

A very good looking decorative and well made piece, I have in total a refectory table with matching benches, a coffee and side table nest and the triangle bookshelf, this sale is for...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

"Sequenza" Side Table with Pivotable Top by François Monnet, France ca 1970s

$4,665

"Sequenza" Side Table with Pivotable Top by François Monnet, France ca 1970s

By François Monnet

Located in Utrecht, NL

Objects like this make striking focal points in any modern home and this table is no exception. Coffee and side tables, in general, serve as design staples in living spaces for a mu...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Mastea Low Coffee Table in Murano Glass and Walnut Base, by Matteo Zorzenoni

From $3,102 / item

$1,995 / item

Drop Side Table in Jesmonite by Perler

Located in Geneve, CH

Katherine herself designs and crafts a special collection of coffee and side tables as well as dining tables made from jesmonite.

Category

2010s Polish Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Other

Ivory Wave Off-White Oval Coffee Table by Perler

$6,146 / item

Ivory Wave Off-White Oval Coffee Table by Perler

Located in Geneve, CH

Ivory Wave is an oval coffee table resting on an elliptical, wavy leg. Measuring 120×58 cm, it's a part of the 'Waves' series, featuring handcrafted coffee and side tables made from ...

Category

2010s Polish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Other

PAiR OF RALPH LAUREN MAYFAIR OCCASIONAL SIDE END LAMP WINE TABLES

$6,764 / set

$2,465 / item

Contemporary Side Table Low 'Kern' by Monica Förster X Fogia, Grey

By FOGIA, Monica Förster

Located in Paris, IDF

In collaboration with Fogia, she has created Kern, an expressive coffee and side table series. Fogia is a Swedish furniture maker that blends thought-provoking design with timeless ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Polish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Side Table High 'Kern' by Monica Förster X Fogia, Grey

$2,465 / item

Contemporary Side Table High 'Kern' by Monica Förster X Fogia, Grey

By FOGIA, Monica Förster

Located in Paris, IDF

In collaboration with Fogia, she has created Kern, an expressive coffee and side table series. Fogia is a Swedish furniture maker that blends thought-provoking design with timeless ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Polish Scandinavian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Coffee Table 'Kern' by Monica Förster X Fogia, Grey

$2,752 / item

Contemporary Coffee Table 'Kern' by Monica Förster X Fogia, Grey

By Monica Förster, FOGIA

Located in Paris, IDF

Model shown on the main picture : - Kern Coffee Table in Grey Available in White / Grey / Brown Terracotta The full Kern collection by Fogia is composed of the Coffee Table and th...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Polish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cock...

Materials

Marble

Recent Sales

Brutalist Art Deco Style Arched Wrought Iron and Marble Coffe and Side Table

Unavailable

H 16 in W 58.5 in D 27.5 in

Brutalist Art Deco Style Arched Wrought Iron and Marble Coffe and Side Table

By Paul Kiss

Located in Tampa, FL

Stunning Art Deco-style coffee and side table set features a geometric arched design reminiscent of the works of Paul Kiss or Michel Zadounaïsky.

Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Wrought Iron

H 15.75 in W 37.41 in D 39.38 in

French Square Wooden Coffee Table, 1960s

Located in Antwerp, BE

French; sofa set; living room set; leather cushions; 1960s; armchair; club chair; lounge chair; loveseat; two-seater; footstool; ottoman; coffee table; french design; square; A Fr...

Category

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

Materials

Wood

$6,200 / set

H 21.88 in W 26 in D 16 in

American Designer, Side Tables, Mahogany, Glass, Metal, USA, 1950s

Located in High Point, NC

A pair of bleached mahogany, glass and metal side tables designed and produced in the US, c. 1950s. Overall Dimensions (inches): 21.875"H x 26.0"W x 16.0"D All items ship from High...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Metal

Pair of Low Mahogany and Brass Pedestal Side Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

$5,520Sale Price / set|20% Off

H 15.75 in Dm 16.63 in

Pair of Low Mahogany and Brass Pedestal Side Tables by Edward Wormley for Dunbar

By Dunbar Furniture, Edward Wormley

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Pair of Low Pedestal Occasional Side Tables Stained Mahogany with Brass Trimmed Sabot Model #5928C by Edward Wormley for Dunbar, circa 1960 D-shaped Metal Tag on underside of each T...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables

Materials

Brass

Modern Saara Nesting Travertine Coffee Table, Set/2, Handmade by Greenapple

$19,837 / set

$2,495

H 16 in W 39.25 in D 35.25 in

Shewekar Elgharably Oak Organic Coffee Table - Pair

By Shewekar Elgharably

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Shewekar Elgharably Oak Organic Coffee Table - Pair The blond coffee table measures: 39.25 wide x 35.25 deep x 16 inches high The gray coffee table measures: 39.25 wide x 35.25 deep...

Category

Early 2000s Egyptian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

Contemporary Coffee Table 'Charles', by LINTELOO, 120, Anthracite

$4,070 / item

H 11.03 in W 47.25 in D 35.44 in

Contemporary Coffee Table 'Charles', by LINTELOO, 120, Anthracite

By Linteloo, Sebastian Herkner

Located in Paris, IDF

Charles Coffee Table Designed by Sebastian Herkner for Linteloo Model shown on main picture: - Size : 120 cm - Finish : Cast aluminum in Anthracite --- Cast from a hand-modelled c...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Contemporary Dornes Nesting Coffee Table Set/2, Walnut Root, Handmade Greenapple

$15,480 / set

H 16.15 in W 61.42 in D 40.56 in

Contemporary Dornes Nesting Coffee Table Set/2, Walnut Root, Handmade Greenapple

By Rute Martins, Greenapple

Located in Lisboa, PT

Mid-Century Modern Dornes Nesting Coffee Table, Set/2, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Dornes nesting coffee table is a tribute to Portu...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Coffee and C...

Materials

Materials

Textile, Cane, Wood, Hardwood, Leather, Faux Leather

Mid-Century Modern Style Murano Glass Wall Sconces in Smoked Silver Finish

$5,950 / set

H 16 in W 13.5 in D 4 in

Mid-Century Modern Style Murano Glass Wall Sconces in Smoked Silver Finish

Located in Austin, TX

Pair of Murano sconces in smoked and silver glass. We loved the organic shape of the sconces and their dynamic design. This pair has been newly wired to fit US standards and is in ve...

Category

2010s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wall Lights and Sconces

Materials

Murano Glass

H 33 in W 18.5 in D 19 in

Bertu Counter Stools, White Oak Counter Stool, Arms, Chile Stool

By Bertu Furniture

Located in Oak Harbor, OH

This White Oak Chile Counter Stool is beautifully constructed from solid wood in Ohio, USA. The stool is chunky and modern with a comfortable cushion in the thick weave fabric color ...

Category

2010s American Modern Stools

Materials

Oak

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Coffee And Side Tables For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of coffee and side tables is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, wood and glass, all coffee and side tables available were constructed with great care. We have 1434 antique and vintage coffee and side tables in-stock, while there are 386 modern editions to choose from as well. There are all kinds of coffee and side tables available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Mid-Century Modern, Modern and Art Deco coffee and side tables are consistently popular styles. Andrianna Shamaris, Peter Ghyczy and Angelo Mangiarotti each produced beautiful coffee and side tables that are worth considering.

How Much are Coffee And Side Tables?

The average selling price for at 1stDibs is $2,200, while they’re typically $100 on the low end and $53,719 highest priced.

Finding the Right Coffee-tables-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 Coffee 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.
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.
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.
Why is it called a coffee table?
1 Answer
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.
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.
Who invented the coffee table?
1 Answer
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.
What size should a coffee table be?
1 Answer
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.
Is an ottoman a coffee table?
1 Answer
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.
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 coffee table and a cocktail table?
1 Answer
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.
What is the difference between a sofa table and a coffee table?
1 Answer
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.
What is the difference between a center table and a coffee table?
1 Answer
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.
Are end tables taller than coffee tables?
1 Answer
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.
What is the difference between a coffee table and a console table?
1 Answer
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.
Is there a difference between a coffee table and a cocktail table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
"Coffee table" and "cocktail table" are used interchangeably; cocktail table is the more traditional term, often applied to lower, more formal designs.
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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