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.

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.

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.

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.

What is a Chinese kang table?

A Chinese kang table is a long, low piece of furniture that has a flat surface and rests on four legs. It multitasks as both a dining table and a bed. On 1stDibs, find a variety of kang tables from some of the world's top sellers.

What is a Chinese tea table?

A Chinese tea table is a piece of furniture traditionally used in China for preparing and serving tea. It usually held a pump for drawing water and a basin for washing teacups and pots. The top doubled as a surface for resting teacups in between sips. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Chinese tea 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.

What coffee table height works best with a low mid-century modern sofa?

Look for a table 15 to 18 inches tall to match the lower seat height common to mid-century sofas; a taller table can feel out of proportion next to a low-slung frame.

Chinese Low Table

Lacquer Side Table China

Chinese Red Lacquer Furniture

Qing Dynasty Coffee Table

Room And Board Coffee Table

Chinese Red Marble Inset Rosewood Low Table, 19th century

$850

Chinese Red Marble Inset Rosewood Low Table, 19th century

Located in Astoria, NY

Chinese Red Marble Inset Rosewood Low Table, 19th century, the pierced apron carved with flowers above four cabriole legs. 20" H x 24" W x 30.5" D.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Marble

Vintage Coastal Baker Milling Road Woven Rattan Low Console

$1,850

Vintage Coastal Baker Milling Road Woven Rattan Low Console

By Baker Furniture Company

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

Elevate your coastal or bohemian-inspired space with this vintage low console by Baker's Milling Road collection, beautifully wrapped in tightly woven rattan. The streamlined silhoue...

Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Mid-Century Modern Console Tables

Materials

Metal

Antique Low Kang Opium Bed Coffee Table with Chow Legs and Hand Carved Frieze

$5,625

Antique Low Kang Opium Bed Coffee Table with Chow Legs and Hand Carved Frieze

Located in Yonkers, NY

With its generous proportions and beautifully executed décor, this opium bed is versatile enough to be used as a low coffee table, making it a functional and stylish addition to any ...

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Ming Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Vintage Low Kang Coffee Table with Carved Scrolls and Chow Legs

$3,775

Vintage Low Kang Coffee Table with Carved Scrolls and Chow Legs

Located in Yonkers, NY

A vintage Chinese Ming style low Kang coffee table from Java, with carved apron, chow legs and custom lacquer.

Category

Mid-20th Century Javanese Ming Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Chinese Low Painted Lacquer Table with Fish Chimes, c. 1900

$1,980

Chinese Low Painted Lacquer Table with Fish Chimes, c. 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

Placed on top of the kang, low tables provided a convenient surface for dining, drinking tea, or playing games.

Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Elm

STUNNiNG LATE 19TH CENTURY CHINESE HARDWOOD MOTHER OF PEARL INLAID LOW TABLE

$2,387

STUNNiNG LATE 19TH CENTURY CHINESE HARDWOOD MOTHER OF PEARL INLAID LOW TABLE

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally decorative late 19th-century Chinese carved rosewood low table, dating to approximately 1...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Vintage Low Kang Table with Distressed Patina and Carved Feet

$2,875

Chinese Vintage Low Kang Table with Distressed Patina and Carved Feet

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese vintage low Kang table from the mid 20th century, with multi color lacquer.

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Footstools

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Qing Dynasty Period Chinese Hardwood Low Kang Table

$8,026

Early 19th Century Qing Dynasty Period Chinese Hardwood Low Kang Table

Located in Dublin 8, IE

Early 19th century Qing Dynasty period Chinese hardwood low Kang table. The curved body terminates in scrolled feet and the sides are carved with naturalistic symbols of animals and ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

STUNNiNG ANTIQUE CHINESE CHINOISERIE GREEN LACQUER LOW TABLE HAND PAINTED C.1900

$2,387

STUNNiNG ANTIQUE CHINESE CHINOISERIE GREEN LACQUER LOW TABLE HAND PAINTED C.1900

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

A wonderfully decorative Chinese export / Chinoiserie low table, which I would date to approximately circa 1900–1920, of circular form raised upon four elegant cabriole legs.

Category

Antique Early 1900s Chinese Chinoiserie Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Arcs Trolley, Low in Steel Blue, by Muller Van Severen for Hay

$572 / item

Arcs Trolley, Low in Steel Blue, by Muller Van Severen for Hay

By HAY, Muller Van Severen

Located in Bayrut, Beirut Governorate

Designed by Belgian duo Muller Van Severen, Arcs Trolley is a functional and decorative trolley encased in a unified chain of vertical arcs. A small piece of furniture with a strong ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Industrial Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Steel

Arcs Trolley, Low in Soft Jade, by Muller Van Severen for Hay

$572 / item

Arcs Trolley, Low in Soft Jade, by Muller Van Severen for Hay

By HAY, Muller Van Severen

Located in Bayrut, Beirut Governorate

Designed by Belgian duo Muller Van Severen, Arcs Trolley is a functional and decorative trolley encased in a unified chain of vertical arcs. A small piece of furniture with a strong ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Industrial Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Steel

Arcs Trolley, Low in Eggshell color, by Muller Van Severen for Hay

$573 / item

Arcs Trolley, Low in Eggshell color, by Muller Van Severen for Hay

By HAY, Muller Van Severen

Located in Bayrut, Beirut Governorate

Designed by Belgian duo Muller Van Severen, Arcs Trolley is a functional and decorative trolley encased in a unified chain of vertical arcs. A small piece of furniture with a strong ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Industrial Carts and Bar Carts

Materials

Steel

Vintage Red Lacquered Console Table with Drawers and Fretwork Shelf

$2,700

Vintage Red Lacquered Console Table with Drawers and Fretwork Shelf

Located in Yonkers, NY

Crafted from solid elm or walnut, this vintage Chinese low side table features a deep reddish-brown lacquer finish that highlights the wood’s natural grain and enhances its warm pati...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Side Tables

Materials

Metal

Late 19th Century Rosewood Chinese Carved And Inlaid Low Tea Table

$1,875

Late 19th Century Rosewood Chinese Carved And Inlaid Low Tea Table

Located in Bridgeport, CT

Chinese carved low table with mother of pearl inlaid base, diamond form pierced top and covered with glass.

Category

Antique 19th Century Asian Ming Furniture

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Glass, Rosewood

Vintage Asian Low Chess Table

$1,000

Vintage Asian Low Chess Table

Located in Denton, TX

Mid century Asian style Chess board with carved wood chess pieces and drawer for storage. This would be great on the floor with two big pillows.

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Export Games

Materials

Beech, Mahogany, Walnut

Qing Dynasty Period Brown Lacquered Coffee Table with Original Finish

$5,275

Qing Dynasty Period Brown Lacquered Coffee Table with Original Finish

Located in Yonkers, NY

An Chinese Qing Dynasty period low coffee table from the 19th century with original rubbed patina and six drawers.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Qing 19th Century Coffee Table with Storage and Painted Floral Decor

$3,175

Qing 19th Century Coffee Table with Storage and Painted Floral Decor

Located in Yonkers, NY

A Chinese Qing dynasty period low coffee table with storage from the 19th century, with hand painted floral decor.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Coffee Table with Carved Apron and Dark Patina

$2,075

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Coffee Table with Carved Apron and Dark Patina

Located in Yonkers, NY

Created in China during the Qing Dynasty period, this low table, which could nowadays be used as a coffee table (the Chinese didn't used coffee tables in the 19th century), features ...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Coffee Table with Chow Legs and Carved Apron

$4,025

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Coffee Table with Chow Legs and Carved Apron

Located in Yonkers, NY

Created in China during the Qing Dynasty (1636–1912), this low table, which could nowadays be used as a coffee table (the Chinese didn't used coffee tables in the 19th century) featu...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Elm

Ming Dynasty Style Coffee Table with Green Lacquer Top and Natural Patina

$1,725

Ming Dynasty Style Coffee Table with Green Lacquer Top and Natural Patina

Located in Yonkers, NY

A vintage Chinese Ming Dynasty style low square-shaped coffee table from the mid 20th century with green lacquer top and horse hoof legs.

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Ming Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

19th Century Qing Dynasty Dark Red Lacquer Coffee Table with Rattan Top

$2,525

19th Century Qing Dynasty Dark Red Lacquer Coffee Table with Rattan Top

Located in Yonkers, NY

An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period dark red lacquer wooden low coffee table from the 19th century, with rattan top, low-relief carved rosettes and spandrels.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Dark Red Lacquer Coffee Table with Rattan Top

$2,075

Qing Dynasty 19th Century Dark Red Lacquer Coffee Table with Rattan Top

Located in Yonkers, NY

An antique Chinese Qing Dynasty period dark red lacquer wooden low coffee table from the 19th century, with rattan top, low-relief carved meander motifs and spandrels.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Gradient Table Lamp 'HALO' by Buzao 'Low'

$6,640 / item

Gradient Table Lamp 'HALO' by Buzao 'Low'

By Buzao

Located in Paris, IDF

'HALO' collection by Buzao, table lamp Laminated dichroic glass, gradient colors Size: 50 x 50 x H 35 cm Studio Buzao from Guangzhou (China) is exploring innovation with furniture a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Organic Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Glass

Gradient Table Lamp 'HALO' by Buzao 'Low'

$6,640 / item

Gradient Table Lamp 'HALO' by Buzao 'Low'

By Buzao

Located in Paris, IDF

'HALO' collection by Buzao, table lamp Laminated dichroic glass, gradient colors Size: 50 x 50 x H 35 cm Studio Buzao from Guangzhou (China) is exploring innovation with furniture a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Organic Modern Floor Lamps

Materials

Glass

Qing Dynasty Elmwood Lohan Bed Coffee Table with Hand-Woven Rattan Top

$5,175

Qing Dynasty Elmwood Lohan Bed Coffee Table with Hand-Woven Rattan Top

Located in Yonkers, NY

Created in China, this low table was originally made from a cut down Lohan bed, also called an opium smokers' bed.

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Qing Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rattan, Elm

Mid-20th Century Black Wood Foot Rest or Low Side Table with Turned Ming Feet

$551Sale Price|20% Off

Mid-20th Century Black Wood Foot Rest or Low Side Table with Turned Ming Feet

Located in Lomita, CA

This Chinese foot rest is special. It is hand carved from heavy wood, possibly Ironwood with a cylindrical roller, and raised on four stout legs. It is from the Mid-20th Century. T...

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Wood

Staffordshire Ironstone covered Vegetable Dish or small Tureen, mid 19th century

$325

Staffordshire Ironstone covered Vegetable Dish or small Tureen, mid 19th century

By Staffordshire

Located in San Francisco, CA

Central scene on the interior of the base shows a low Chinese table with two flower vases rocks, and flowering plants.

Category

Antique 1840s Early Victorian Platters and Serveware

Materials

Ironstone

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Chinese Low Table", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Chinese Low Table For Sale on 1stDibs

Find many varieties of an authentic Chinese low table available at 1stDibs. A Chinese low table — often made from wood, hardwood and elm — can elevate any home. Find 769 options for an antique or vintage Chinese low table now, or shop our selection of 22 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer Chinese low table, there are earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A Chinese low table is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in mid-century modern, Art Deco and modern styles are sought with frequency. Many designers have produced at least one well-made Chinese low table over the years, but those crafted by Audo, Norm Architects and André Fu are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

How Much is a Chinese Low Table?

The average selling price for a Chinese low table at 1stDibs is $2,726, while they’re typically $40 on the low end and $120,000 for the highest priced.

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 Chinese Low Table

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.
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.
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.
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.
What is a Chinese kang table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
A Chinese kang table is a long, low piece of furniture that has a flat surface and rests on four legs. It multitasks as both a dining table and a bed. On 1stDibs, find a variety of kang tables from some of the world's top sellers.
What is a Chinese tea table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A Chinese tea table is a piece of furniture traditionally used in China for preparing and serving tea. It usually held a pump for drawing water and a basin for washing teacups and pots. The top doubled as a surface for resting teacups in between sips. On 1stDibs, shop a selection of Chinese tea 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.
What coffee table height works best with a low mid-century modern sofa?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Look for a table 15 to 18 inches tall to match the lower seat height common to mid-century sofas; a taller table can feel out of proportion next to a low-slung frame.

20 Inviting Dining Rooms Perfectly Arranged for Entertaining

Top interior designers show — and tell — us how to create delectable spaces for hosting dinner parties.

This Alain Delon–Designed Table Is Almost as Handsome as He Was

Fans of the French film star may be surprised to learn that he had a flair for furniture with sleek lines and disco-era flash.

Uchronia’s Plant Stand Gives Pots a Pretty Perch with All the Trimmings

Like other pieces in the firm’s Candy Box collection, the cheerful limited-edition design showcases French craft.

The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home

Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.

Is Lionel Jadot the Willy Wonka of Upcycled Belgian Design?

From his massive collaborative workshop in a former paper factory, the designer concocts funky furniture from disused materials, as well as luxe hotel interiors like the new Mix Brussels.