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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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

Made In Denmark Coffee Table

Gold Console Table With Mirror

Pair of Spanish Brutalist Walnut Side or Coffee Tables with low shelve

$2,450 / set

Pair of Spanish Brutalist Walnut Side or Coffee Tables with low shelve

Located in Miami, FL

Pair of Spanish Brutalist Walnut Side or Coffee Tables with low shelve

Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Spanish Colonial Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Sturdy Gothic Revival Hand Carved Oak Coffee Table or Side Table w. Great Patina

$4,123

Sturdy Gothic Revival Hand Carved Oak Coffee Table or Side Table w. Great Patina

Located in Lisse, NL

Stunning antique Gothic design, coffee or side table. This wonderfully bulky table really is of an impressive quality make and it also is practical in size.

Category

Early 20th Century European Gothic Revival Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

Italian mid-century modern long wooden coffee table with pointed sides, 1960s

$744

Italian mid-century modern long wooden coffee table with pointed sides, 1960s

Located in MIlano, IT

Italian mid-century modern long wooden coffee table with pointed sides, 1960s Coffee table entirely made of wood.

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Blond Geometric Art Deco Side & Coffee Table by Gilbert Rohde for Brown Saltman

$5,500 / set

Blond Geometric Art Deco Side & Coffee Table by Gilbert Rohde for Brown Saltman

By Gilbert Rohde, Brown Saltman

Located in Van Nuys, CA

Blond, two-tier Art Deco Pearwood side table and Coffee Table, both designed by Gilbert Rohde for Brown Saltman Furniture company.

Category

Vintage 1930s American Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Pearwood

Antique Victorian Eastlake Walnut Burl Marble Top Parlor Coffee Side End Table

$1,650

Antique Victorian Eastlake Walnut Burl Marble Top Parlor Coffee Side End Table

Located in Dayton, OH

An antique Victorian Eastlake marble top coffee table. Features a rectangular form made from walnut with burled panels and carved accents. The table is supported by four flared leg...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Late Victorian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

"Pebble" Organic Shaped Modern Coffee or Side Table by Last Workshop, Walnut

$2,240 / item

"Pebble" Organic Shaped Modern Coffee or Side Table by Last Workshop, Walnut

By Last Workshop

Located in Chicago, IL

"Pebble" organic shaped coffee table by Last Workshop, 2025. Solid walnut wood finish. If not in stock, current production: 6-7 weeks 24"D x 15"H Natural walnut finish. Customers c...

Category

2010s American Organic Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Hardwood, Walnut

1970s Hollywood Regency Flaminia Smoked Glass Coffee & Side Table by Willy Rizzo

$2,577

1970s Hollywood Regency Flaminia Smoked Glass Coffee & Side Table by Willy Rizzo

By Willy Rizzo

Located in Izegem, VWV

A large coffee table and matching side table created by Willy Rizzo from the Linea Flaminia series produced in the 1970s.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Pair of Brass and Glass Side Tables, 1960s

$2,749 / item

Pair of Brass and Glass Side Tables, 1960s

Located in Milano, IT

Pair of Brass and Glass Side Tables A sophisticated pair of side tables featuring an elegant brass frame and glass tops, distinguished by clean lines and a timeless aesthetic. The c...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Italian Modern Bend Glass C Shape Base Coffee Side Table

$2,600

Mid Century Italian Modern Bend Glass C Shape Base Coffee Side Table

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Mid century Italian modern bend glass c shape base coffee side table.

Category

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

Materials

Glass

Coffee table / Side table made of a singleblock of cedar Riva 1920 Eco 60cm 23.6

$1,879 / item

Coffee table / Side table made of a singleblock of cedar Riva 1920 Eco 60cm 23.6

By Riva 1920

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Brand: Riva 1920 Model: Eco Design by: C.R.&S. RIVA1920 Eco is a sculptural coffee table crafted from solid scented cedar, carved from a single cross-section of a tree trunk. Design...

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Cedar

Coffee table / Side table made of a singleblock of cedar Riva 1920 Eco 90cm 35.4

$3,052 / item

Coffee table / Side table made of a singleblock of cedar Riva 1920 Eco 90cm 35.4

By Riva 1920

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Brand: Riva 1920 Model: Eco Design by: C.R.&S. RIVA1920 Eco is a sculptural coffee table crafted from solid scented cedar, carved from a single cross-section of a tree trunk. Design...

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Cedar

Eva Side Table

$8,934 / item

Eva Side Table

Located in Paris, FR

Side Table Eva with solid brass base in bronze finish and with cipollino polished marble top. Also available on request with other marble top finish.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Midcentury Collapsible Glass and Wood Side Table

$700

Midcentury Collapsible Glass and Wood Side Table

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This small midcentury wood and glass side table is perfect for that small accent room or home office. The base features a collapsible design, so storage is no hassle. This beautiful ...

Category

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

Materials

Glass, Wood

Coffee / Side Table in the style of Peder Moos Produced in Denmark

$9,736

Coffee / Side Table in the style of Peder Moos Produced in Denmark

By Peder Moos

Located in Limhamn, Skåne län

Rare coffee / side table in the style of Peder Moos. Produced in Denmark.

Category

Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rosewood

French Mid-Century Round Perforated Iron Coffee or Side Tables, Mathieu Margot

$5,875 / item

French Mid-Century Round Perforated Iron Coffee or Side Tables, Mathieu Margot

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in New York, NY

3 French Mid-Century Modern Circular Perforated Iron Coffee or Side Tables Attributed to Mathieu Margot.

Category

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

Materials

Cut Steel

1960s Italian Modern Regency Neoclassical Brass and Smoked Glass Coffee Table

$1,718

1960s Italian Modern Regency Neoclassical Brass and Smoked Glass Coffee Table

By Maison Baguès, Romeo Rega, Milo Baughman, Maison Jansen

Located in Carimate, Como

Beautiful and stylish vintage 1980s Italian brass and smoked side table or coffee table or sofa table. Very good condition with great brass and glasses.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Side Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Saporiti Inspired Travertine Coffee or Side Table with Glass Top

$1,850

Mid-Century Saporiti Inspired Travertine Coffee or Side Table with Glass Top

By Saporiti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Beautiful Mid-Century Saporiti inspired coffee table with square travertine pedestal base and thick plate glass top. Designed to make the heavy base appear to hover over the floor. I...

Category

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

Materials

Travertine

Bertil Söderberg Coffee/ Side Table in Burl Wood, Svensk Hemslöjd, Sweden, 1930s

$5,956

Bertil Söderberg Coffee/ Side Table in Burl Wood, Svensk Hemslöjd, Sweden, 1930s

By Svensk Hemslöjd, Bertil Söderberg 1

Located in The Hague, NL

The proportions make this a versatile piece, it can be used as a coffee table, a larger side table or as an occasional table.

Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Elm, Burl

Scandinavian Modern Coffee or Side Table Produced in Sweden, circa 1920 - 1930s

$10,309

Scandinavian Modern Coffee or Side Table Produced in Sweden, circa 1920 - 1930s

Located in Örebro, SE

Rare coffee or side table, swedish modern, produced in Sweden ca 1920 - 1930's.

Category

Vintage 1920s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

1970s Rams Head Rectangular Glass Side Coffee Table Boho Maximalist sofa lamp

$2,651

1970s Rams Head Rectangular Glass Side Coffee Table Boho Maximalist sofa lamp

Located in London, GB

Beautiful details and perfect coffee table dimensions with the rectangular glass top curved corners making more friendly and easy to the eye.

Category

Vintage 1970s Indian Anglo-Indian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Mirrored Side Table

$523

Mirrored Side Table

Located in London, England

Small art deco style side table with a mirrored pedestal dark walnut veneered top and base. Re-finished, original glass. U.K circa 1970.

Category

20th Century British Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Italian Silver Plated Faux Bamboo Marble Top Coffee or Side Table

$3,250

Italian Silver Plated Faux Bamboo Marble Top Coffee or Side Table

By Maison Baguès

Located in St. Louis, MO

Mid-Century Round Italian silver plated faux bamboo with white Italian marble top and splayed legs. Arthur Elrod, the Palm Springs modernism interior decorator placed this cocktail...

Category

Vintage 1950s Italian Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Silver Plate

Vintage Betty Cobonpue pink pencil reed ribbon coffee or side table, USA 1980s

$1,821

Vintage Betty Cobonpue pink pencil reed ribbon coffee or side table, USA 1980s

By Betty Cobonpue

Located in Hastings, GB

Vintage Betty Cobonpue pale pink pencil reed swagged ribbon coffee or side table, USA 1980s. Really hard to find these in the wild now.

Category

Late 20th Century American Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Cane

Danish Mid-Century Modern Solid Thick Teak Top Square Coffee Side Table

$2,000

Danish Mid-Century Modern Solid Thick Teak Top Square Coffee Side Table

By Dux of Sweden

Located in Rockaway, NJ

Danish Mid-Century Modern 2" solid teak top coffee side occasional table.

Category

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

Materials

Teak

Otto metal and marble coffee table Made in Italy by Hessentia

$2,806 / item

Otto metal and marble coffee table Made in Italy by Hessentia

By HESSENTIA, Cornelio Cappellini

Located in Carate, Brianza (MB)

The side table Otto is characterized by a metal base composed by two semi-spheres with a matt engraved surface that supports a precious marble top. ABOUT HESSENTIA HESSENTIA is the...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Travertine, Metal

Max Kment Mid-Century Coffee Occasional Side Table, Maple, Rope, Austria, 1950s

$2,240Sale Price|20% Off

Max Kment Mid-Century Coffee Occasional Side Table, Maple, Rope, Austria, 1950s

By Kunstgewerbliche Werkstätte Max Kment, Max Kment

Located in Vienna, AT

A highly-recommended Japan-inspired organic Austrian modernist table. An elegant piece, to be used as a side / coffee / end or occasional table.

Category

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

Materials

Cord, Wicker, Rope, Glass, Wood, Maple

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN Freeform MODERNIST Side or COFFEE TABLE France 1950

$2,749

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN Freeform MODERNIST Side or COFFEE TABLE France 1950

By Mathieu Matégot

Located in PARIS, FR

A small coffee or side table, Modernist, Reconstruction, Free-Form, superb structure in black lacquered folded tubular and metal, drop-shaped or bean-shaped top in pale yellow plywoo...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Tord Bjorklund Post-modern Side or Coffee Table, Memphis Style, Sweden, 1980s

$850

Tord Bjorklund Post-modern Side or Coffee Table, Memphis Style, Sweden, 1980s

By Tord Bjorklund, IKEA

Located in Vienna, AT

A round folding Memphis style coffee / side / occasional flip-top table in yolk-yellow.

Category

Vintage 1980s Swedish Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Brass Peacock Side or Coffee Table 1970s Glamour Vintage Hollywood Regency Daro

$2,651 / item

Brass Peacock Side or Coffee Table 1970s Glamour Vintage Hollywood Regency Daro

By Willy Daro

Located in London, GB

An elegant side or coffee table, with three black and gold patinated brass peacocks supporting a clear round glass top.

Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

21st Century Vintage Marcantonio Unique Piece Side Coffee Tables Inlay Wood

$5,555

21st Century Vintage Marcantonio Unique Piece Side Coffee Tables Inlay Wood

By MARCANTONIO

Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT

Pizza nasce dall'idea dell'artista Marcantonio Malerba di rivisitare dei pezzi antichi arricchendoli con l'intervento dell'intarsio in legno, in questo caso la pizza è realizzata da...

Category

Vintage 1980s European Other Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Beech

21st Century Vintage Marcantonio Unique Piece Side Coffee Tables Inlay Wood

$6,288

21st Century Vintage Marcantonio Unique Piece Side Coffee Tables Inlay Wood

By MARCANTONIO

Located in Tezze sul Brenta, IT

Party nasce dall'idea dell'artista Marcantonio Malerba di rivisitare dei pezzi antichi arricchendoli con l'intervento dell'intarsio in legno, in questo caso i coriandoli sono stati ...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Other Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Nutwood

Martin Visser (attr) Square Stone Top Side or Coffee Table with Metal Frame

$950

Martin Visser (attr) Square Stone Top Side or Coffee Table with Metal Frame

By Martin Visser

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Martin Visser (attributed) square coffee or side table with thin black enameled metal frame and inset stone top.

Category

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

Materials

Slate, Metal

Set of 3 Italian Bianco Carrara Marble Coffee or Side Tables, 1980s

$2,966 / set

Set of 3 Italian Bianco Carrara Marble Coffee or Side Tables, 1980s

Located in Oud Beijerland, NL

Stunning set of 3 Italian coffee or side tables, handcrafted out of Bianco Carrara Marble.

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Drop Side Table

$1,840 / item

Drop Side Table

Located in Ridgewood, NY

The drop side table brings function to your furniture – a home for your daily coffee, a table lamp, your ever-lengthening to-do list.

Category

2010s American Other Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Lacquer

Midcentury Italy Neoclassic Side or Coffee Table, in Solid Walnut, Wax-Polished

$1,718

Midcentury Italy Neoclassic Side or Coffee Table, in Solid Walnut, Wax-Polished

By Bassano's Ebanisteria

Located in Vigonza, Padua

1940s Italian neoclassic side or coffee table, in solid blond walnut wax-polished Measures cm: Height 75, diameter 60.

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Neoclassical Revival Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Black and white Mosaic Side Table, 1960s

$2,749

Black and white Mosaic Side Table, 1960s

Located in Wolfurt, AT

A striking piece from the 1960s, this oval mosaic table features a captivating design with high-gloss white and black stones. Crafted in Germany, its base is constructed from blacken...

Category

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

Materials

Stone, Steel

Mid-Century Italian Baroque Round Coffee Side Table Solid Walnut, Wax Polished

$2,176

Mid-Century Italian Baroque Round Coffee Side Table Solid Walnut, Wax Polished

By Bassano's Ebanisteria

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Mid-Century Baroque Italian round tripod coffee or side table in solid walnut, wax polished.

Category

Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Art Deco Rubi Side Coffee Table Marble Gold Leaf Handmade Portugal Greenapple

$2,061 / item

Art Deco Rubi Side Coffee Table Marble Gold Leaf Handmade Portugal Greenapple

By GF Modern, Greenapple

Located in Lisboa, PT

Rubi side table, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Like a sparkling ruby ring, our magnificent Rubi side table ties in with the Art Deco style by r...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Gold Leaf

Mid-Century Italian Carved Walnut Side Coffee Table with Oval White Marble Top

$1,718

Mid-Century Italian Carved Walnut Side Coffee Table with Oval White Marble Top

Located in Carimate, Como

Very charming and elegant small Italian side coffee table with stylish carved shaped legs in solid wood and completed by the beautiful white marble top.

Category

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

Materials

Marble

Modern Coffee Table M in White and Black marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

$7,073 / item

Modern Coffee Table M in White and Black marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

Located in Milan, IT

The materiality of marble gives elegance and a sense of eternity; Lyris and Nysa, side and coffee tables made in Bianco Michelangelo and Nero Marquinia marble, transport us to the my...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Modern Coffee Table S in Black and White marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

$6,386 / item

Modern Coffee Table S in Black and White marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

Located in Milan, IT

The materiality of marble gives elegance and a sense of eternity; Lyris and Nysa, side and coffee tables made in Bianco Michelangelo and Nero Marquinia marble, transport us to the my...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Modern Coffee Table M in Black and White marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

$7,073 / item

Modern Coffee Table M in Black and White marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

Located in Milan, IT

The materiality of marble gives elegance and a sense of eternity; Lyris and Nysa, side and coffee tables made in Bianco Michelangelo and Nero Marquinia marble, transport us to the my...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Modern Coffee Table S in White and Black marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

$6,386 / item

Modern Coffee Table S in White and Black marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

Located in Milan, IT

The materiality of marble gives elegance and a sense of eternity; Lyris and Nysa, side and coffee tables made in Bianco Michelangelo and Nero Marquinia marble, transport us to the my...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Modern Coffee Table L in Black and White marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

$9,141 / item

Modern Coffee Table L in Black and White marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

Located in Milan, IT

The materiality of marble gives elegance and a sense of eternity; Lyris and Nysa, side and coffee tables made in Bianco Michelangelo and Nero Marquinia marble, transport us to the my...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN BRUTALIST MODERNIST Ceramic COFFEE SIDE TABLE, France 1950

$4,352

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN BRUTALIST MODERNIST Ceramic COFFEE SIDE TABLE, France 1950

Located in PARIS, FR

A rigorous coffee table or low tripod pedestal table, bedside or end table, Modernist, rigorous black wrought iron structure, circular top in enameled lava stone with superb glowing ...

Category

Vintage 1950s French Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Lava, Wrought Iron

Claste Two Sides of Solitude Medium Coffee Table in Blue Mare Marble

$15,950 / item

Claste Two Sides of Solitude Medium Coffee Table in Blue Mare Marble

By Claste, Quinlan Osborne

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The visual impact of this table depends on how it is positioned as it can be perceived primarily as a large monolithic block or as an extreme cantilever that seems to defy possibilit...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Canadian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Contemporary Round Live Edge Wood Side Coffee Table with Copper, Brass, Bronze

$2,405 / item

Contemporary Round Live Edge Wood Side Coffee Table with Copper, Brass, Bronze

By Renats Kotlevs

Located in Riga, LV

This luxury coffee table combines rich chunky wood with bright copper legs. The fine finish is wonderfully smooth to the touch and looks fantastic. A copper inlay is carefully embedd...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Copper

21st Century Studio Irvine Concrete Coffee Side Table Red Cement Mod.I

$1,280 / item

21st Century Studio Irvine Concrete Coffee Side Table Red Cement Mod.I

By Marialaura Rossiello

Located in Rome, Lazio

Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...

Category

2010s Italian Classical Roman Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Concrete

Fusto Domestic Landscape Concrete Coffee Side Table Green Grey Cement Mod.I

$1,280 / item

Fusto Domestic Landscape Concrete Coffee Side Table Green Grey Cement Mod.I

By Marialaura Rossiello

Located in Rome, Lazio

Surrealism, primitivism, metaphysics and brutalism. Art together with architecture and design build a scenario of inspirations and continuous references through which the material ri...

Category

2010s Italian Classical Roman Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Concrete, Cement

Bronze Dolphin Feet Green Marble Top Side Coffee Cocktail Table, 1980s Belgium

$2,420

Bronze Dolphin Feet Green Marble Top Side Coffee Cocktail Table, 1980s Belgium

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Offered is a 1980s Cocktail Coffee Table gilt bronze Koi or Dolphin Base Organic Design green marble Top nice for a Palm Beach house. This stylish and chic Hollywood Regency inspired...

Category

Vintage 1980s Belgian Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Slate, Marble, Bronze

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN MODERNIST SIDE or COFFEE TABLE by TOLIX, France 1950

$3,665

A MID-CENTURY-MODERN MODERNIST SIDE or COFFEE TABLE by TOLIX, France 1950

By Tolix, Jean Prouvé

Located in PARIS, FR

A rough and architectural square side table, coffee table, outdoor table, Mid-Century-Modern, Modernist, Constructivist, black lacquered thick tubular metal structure, square yellow ...

Category

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

Materials

Metal

Modern Coffee Table L in White and Black marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

$9,141 / item

Modern Coffee Table L in White and Black marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

Located in Milan, IT

The materiality of marble gives elegance and a sense of eternity; Lyris and Nysa, side and coffee tables made in Bianco Michelangelo and Nero Marquinia marble, transport us to the my...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

1950s Mølgaard & Hvidt AX Coffee Table Teak and Beech for Fritz Hansen

$2,500

1950s Mølgaard & Hvidt AX Coffee Table Teak and Beech for Fritz Hansen

By Fritz Hansen, Hvidt & Mølgaard

Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL

AX coffee table by Peter Hvidt & Orla Mølgaard. 1950s. Teak with inlaid beech wood. Manufactured by Fritz Hansen A/S.

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Illuminated Music Muses Crystal Side Coffee Table Luigi Brusotti Italy 1940’s

$13,173

Illuminated Music Muses Crystal Side Coffee Table Luigi Brusotti Italy 1940’s

By Luigi Brusotti

Located in Sacile, PN

Coffee table dated 1940, in engraved plate glass, with “Music Muses” subject. Tripodal ebonized wood base, containing three hidden lamps which illuminate the three glass panels.

Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Crystal

Contemporary Side Table

$650 / item

Contemporary Side Table

Located in Millbrook, NY

Contemporary Heavy Metal Side Table. These lozenge shaped side tables are sturdy and will not blow away. Made in Australia, these contemporary tables can work with any decor. Both mo...

Category

2010s Australian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Outdoor Coffee Side Table in Solid Teak, Brown Metal Base, Modern Patio Accent

$3,725 / item

Outdoor Coffee Side Table in Solid Teak, Brown Metal Base, Modern Patio Accent

Located in Hialeah, FL

Available now in the U.S. with no lead time, this modern outdoor coffee table is crafted from solid teak and supported by a chocolate brown metal base, creating a strong yet refined ...

Category

2010s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Outdoor Coffee Side Table in Solid Teak, Brown Metal Base, Modern Patio Accent

$1,700 / item

Outdoor Coffee Side Table in Solid Teak, Brown Metal Base, Modern Patio Accent

Located in Hialeah, FL

Designed for versatility, this piece can function as a coffee table or a side accent table, depending on the layout of your space.

Category

2010s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Modern Side Table S in Black and White marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

$4,135 / item

Modern Side Table S in Black and White marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

Located in Milan, IT

The materiality of marble gives elegance and a sense of eternity; Lyris and Nysa, side and coffee tables made in Bianco Michelangelo and Nero Marquinia marble, transport us to the my...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Modern Side Table S in White and Black marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

$4,135 / item

Modern Side Table S in White and Black marble, Designer Lorenzo Zaccarin

Located in Milan, IT

The materiality of marble gives elegance and a sense of eternity; Lyris and Nysa, side and coffee tables made in Bianco Michelangelo and Nero Marquinia marble, transport us to the my...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble

Large Mid Century Tripod Coffee or Side Table by FRC Mobel, Austria 70s

$1,431 / item

Large Mid Century Tripod Coffee or Side Table by FRC Mobel, Austria 70s

Located in Lucija, SI

Nice tripod triangle table. Made in Austria by F.R.C Mobel It can by use as coffee or side table

Category

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

Materials

Brass

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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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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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