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

Andrianna Shamaris Organic Teak Wood and Resin Drum Side Table

$2,980 / item

Andrianna Shamaris Organic Teak Wood and Resin Drum Side Table

By Andrianna Shamaris

Located in New York, NY

Beautiful side table hand carved into a drum shape. Pale blue resin is added into the natural organic groove of the reclaimed teak wood. We bleached the wood first revealing the beau...

Category

2010s Indonesian Organic Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Resin, Wood, Teak

Customizable Marble Top Tacchini Colonna Side Table by Roberto Sironi

$4,052 / item

Customizable Marble Top Tacchini Colonna Side Table by Roberto Sironi

By Tacchini

Located in New York, NY

Colonna reinterprets the architectural archetype from which it takes its name as a pair of side and coffee tables, reaffirming Roberto Sironi’s ability to combine function, narrative...

Category

2010s Italian Side Tables

Materials

Marble

High Three Rocks Black and Brass Side Table by InsidherLand

$3,230 / item

High Three Rocks Black and Brass Side Table by InsidherLand

Located in Geneve, CH

High Three Rocks Black and Brass Side Table by InsidherLand Dimensions: D 40 x W 51 x H 48 cm. Materials: Black lacquered, brushed brass. 8 kg. Other materials available. From The S...

Category

2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Vintage Woven Rattan Side Tables - Pair

$1,850 / set

Vintage Woven Rattan Side Tables - Pair

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This pair of vintage side tables is a light, open study in bent rattan, built as compact, rounded-rectangle drums with a ribbed, cage-like structure. Slender poles wrap around each f...

Category

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

Materials

Rattan

Centro Side Table Designed by Omri Revesz and Damian Tatangelo

$1,430 / item

Centro Side Table Designed by Omri Revesz and Damian Tatangelo

By Damian Tatangelo, Omri Revesz

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Handcrafted entirely of metal elements, Centro’s structure is based around the idea of getting together. Four metal arcs support the table top and continue to join together towards a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Kinoko Brass and Glass Side Table, Signed by Stefan Leo

$14,816 / item

Kinoko Brass and Glass Side Table, Signed by Stefan Leo

By Atelier Stefan Leo

Located in Geneve, CH

Kinoko brass and glass side table - Signed by Stefan Leo Brass base, Top pâte de verre Measures: 62 x 52 cm, H 46 cm (Other dimensions, materials can be made to order) Atelier ...

Category

2010s German Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Tea Amber/Walnut Side Table

$3,025 / item

Tea Amber/Walnut Side Table

By Durame

Located in Milan, IT

This striking side table is comprised of a large bottom vase in colored glass (that can function as container or storage space), and a top in solid "Canaletto" walnut wood that can a...

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Peter Ghyczy T24 Brass and Glass Side Tables, Mid-Century Modern

$1,929 / set

Peter Ghyczy T24 Brass and Glass Side Tables, Mid-Century Modern

By Peter Ghyczy

Located in Oirlo, LI

Step into the world of iconic 1970s design with the Peter Ghyczy T24 table set. These vintage tables are more than furniture—they are a statement of artistry and craftsmanship. Des...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Low Rectangular Side Table with Distressed Finish and Carved Chow Legs

$2,175

Low Rectangular Side Table with Distressed Finish and Carved Chow Legs

Located in Yonkers, NY

With its sculptural silhouette and aged surface, this vintage low side table brings a grounded, decorative presence to any space.

Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Edition Claudia Wieser 'Red and Blue' Side Table e15 Selected and von Bartha

$17,956

Edition Claudia Wieser 'Red and Blue' Side Table e15 Selected and von Bartha

By e15

Located in Tilburg, NL

Edition Claudia Wieser 'Red and Blue' Side Table for e15 Selected. New, limited edition. e15 and gallery von Bartha proudly present EDITION CLAUDIA WIESER – a striking collection of...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Vintage Mobelfabrikken Toften Danish MCM Solid Teak & Tile Coffee & Side Tabl

$1,036Sale Price / set|20% Off

Vintage Mobelfabrikken Toften Danish MCM Solid Teak & Tile Coffee & Side Tabl

By Mobelfabrikken Toften

Located in Lake Worth, FL

Set of 2 Vintage 1970s Mobelfabrikken Toften Danish MCM Solid Teak & Tile Coffee & Side Table Featuring a functional lower shelf on coffee table and magazine holder on side t...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Teak

Compose Side Table Smoked Oak Black by Warm Nordic

$741 / item

Compose Side Table Smoked Oak Black by Warm Nordic

Located in Geneve, CH

Stylish coffee table and side table with a unique combination of wood and metal for a distinct lightness.

Category

2010s Danish Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Steel

Compose Side Table, by Charlotte Høncke from Warm Nordic

$510 / item

+ 1 more

Compose Side Table, by Charlotte Høncke from Warm Nordic

Located in Viby J, DK

Stylish coffee table and side table with a unique combination of wood and metal for a distinct lightness.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Slovenian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Wood

French Occasional or Side Tables of Brass, Steel and Glass - Two Available

$4,500 / item

French Occasional or Side Tables of Brass, Steel and Glass - Two Available

Located in Austin, TX

Each table frame with handsome floral decorations (stylized pomegranates) on the leg tops Perfect for use as side or end tables or placed together as coffee of cocktail tables.

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Brass, Steel

Old Country Small Table or Side Table, Solid Larch Restored and Finished to Wax

$1,483

Old Country Small Table or Side Table, Solid Larch Restored and Finished to Wax

Located in Vigonza, Padua

Old country Art deco age, small coffee table or side table, solid larch restored and finished to wax Measures cm: H 56, W 50, D 50.

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Italian Country Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Fir

Chain Link Drinks Table / End or Side Table in Gilt Iron and Wood, Spain 1940s

$2,500Sale Price|20% Off

Chain Link Drinks Table / End or Side Table in Gilt Iron and Wood, Spain 1940s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Spanish gilt wrought iron chain link drink side table with wooden top, Spain, 1940s. Beautiful hand forged iron occasional table with chain link stem standing on a four footed base ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Milo Baughman Style Hekman Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Side End Table

$1,995

Milo Baughman Style Hekman Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Side End Table

By Milo Baughman, Hekman Furniture

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Milo Baughman Style Hekman Mid Century Burlwood and Brass Side End Table This side table measures: 24 wide x 28.75 deep x 21.25 inches high Good Vintage Condition - Small Areas of ...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Spanish Side Table with Gold Sun and Leaf Motif + Glass Top

$1,533

Spanish Side Table with Gold Sun and Leaf Motif + Glass Top

Located in Atlanta, GA

A Spanish small-sized coffee table with glass top from the mid 20th century. This vintage table from Spain features a square-shaped glass top, which is raised upon a metal frame comp...

Category

Mid-20th Century Spanish Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

1940s Vintage French Handcrafted Wood and Wrought Iron Side Table

$1,600

1940s Vintage French Handcrafted Wood and Wrought Iron Side Table

Located in Stamford, CT

Handcrafted wood top table with handwrought iron frame.

Category

Vintage 1940s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

Side Table by Paolo Buffa

$11,200Sale Price|20% Off

Side Table by Paolo Buffa

By Paolo Buffa

Located in Sag Harbor, NY

Italian side table by Paolo Buffa for the Hotel Bristol. Etched rectangular glass with stars and circles motives hold by a mahogany pedestal base ending with a brass sabot.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Tall Inside Side Table with Wooden Top by Domkapa

$1,015 / item

Tall Inside Side Table with Wooden Top by Domkapa

Located in Geneve, CH

Also available in different materials. Inside table set includes different versions to fulfill all of your project’s needs: coffee tables, low and tall side tables.

Category

2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Steel

Artifort Side Table or Trolley Table, 1970's

$1,358 / item

Artifort Side Table or Trolley Table, 1970's

By Artifort

Located in Oud Beijerland, NL

Very nice side table or coffee table, fabricated by Artifort in the 70's. 4 wheels with a metal structure and a wooden laminated plate.

Category

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

Materials

Steel

Pair of Brutalist coffee tables, 1970s

$1,997 / set

Pair of Brutalist coffee tables, 1970s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Pair of sculptural cut steel and brass coffee tables or side tables with a smoked glass top.

Category

Vintage 1970s Belgian Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass, Cut Steel

Tall Inside Side Table with Metal Top by Domkapa

$1,107 / item

Tall Inside Side Table with Metal Top by Domkapa

Located in Geneve, CH

Also available in different materials. Inside table set includes different versions to fulfill all of your project’s needs: coffee tables, low and tall side tables.

Category

2010s Portuguese Post-Modern Side Tables

Materials

Steel, Stainless Steel

Coffee Table with Glass Top, Steel Legs and 12 Leather Trim Legs by Dan Wenger

$4,950

Coffee Table with Glass Top, Steel Legs and 12 Leather Trim Legs by Dan Wenger

By Dan Wenger

Located in Berlin, DE

Round 1/2" glass top. Matte black powder-coated steel frame. Leather booties on 12 legs, leather supports for glass. Custom dimensions available with extended delivery time. Side ta...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Steel

Pair of Italian wood and brass side tables with glass tops, 1950s

$8,789

Pair of Italian wood and brass side tables with glass tops, 1950s

Located in Piacenza, Italy

Well balanced in proportion, these tables can be used together as a coffee table or separately as side tables.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with White and Wenge Oak

$1,055Sale Price / item|20% Off

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with White and Wenge Oak

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The new air side table with stone top or wood topis an elegant modem side table, pairing a combination of natural stone or wood and metal foot finishes.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

Mid-Century Modern Two-Tier Brass and Glass Rectangular Side Table

$2,475

Mid-Century Modern Two-Tier Brass and Glass Rectangular Side Table

By Maison Jansen

Located in Miami, FL

Mid-Century Modern two-tier brass and mirror beveled glass side table in Maison Jansen style with fluted brass legs and foot.

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Side table with ceramics, Denmark, 1960s.

$627

Side table with ceramics, Denmark, 1960s.

Located in Chorzów, PL

Teak coffee/side table with ceramic top. Manufactured in the mid-20th century in Denmark.

Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Teak, Ceramic

Icon Side Table 15" by Phase Design, with Marble Top

$1,730 / item

Icon Side Table 15" by Phase Design, with Marble Top

By Reza Feiz

Located in North Hollywood, CA

The Icon Tables are a suite of side, coffee, and dining tables comprised of a powder coated metal base with a solid brushed brass detail, anchoring the tables.

Category

2010s American Side Tables

Materials

Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Steel

Icon Side Table 15" by Phase Design, with Wood Top

$1,890 / item

Icon Side Table 15" by Phase Design, with Wood Top

By Reza Feiz

Located in North Hollywood, CA

The Icon Tables are a suite of side, coffee, and dining tables comprised of a powder coated metal base with a solid brushed brass detail, anchoring the tables.

Category

2010s American Side Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

Icon Side Table 18" by Phase Design, with Glass Top

$1,710 / item

Icon Side Table 18" by Phase Design, with Glass Top

By Reza Feiz

Located in North Hollywood, CA

The Icon Tables are a suite of side, coffee, and dining tables comprised of a powder coated metal base with a solid brushed brass detail, anchoring the tables.

Category

2010s American Side Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

Icon Side Table 18" by Phase Design, with Wood Top

$1,990 / item

Icon Side Table 18" by Phase Design, with Wood Top

By Reza Feiz

Located in North Hollywood, CA

The Icon Tables are a suite of side, coffee, and dining tables comprised of a powder coated metal base with a solid brushed brass detail, anchoring the tables.

Category

2010s American Side Tables

Materials

Brass, Steel

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with White and Natural Oak

$1,055Sale Price / item|20% Off

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with White and Natural Oak

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The new air side table with stone top or wood top is an elegant modem side table, pairing a combination of natural stone or wood and metal foot finishes.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

New Air Side Table, Mable Top with Polished Copper and Estremoz

$1,726Sale Price / item|20% Off

New Air Side Table, Mable Top with Polished Copper and Estremoz

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The new air side table with stone top or wood top is an elegant modem side table, pairing a combination of natural stone or wood and metal foot finishes.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

New Air Side Table, Mable Top with White Metal and Estremoz

$1,726Sale Price / item|20% Off

New Air Side Table, Mable Top with White Metal and Estremoz

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The new air side table with stone top or wood top is an elegant modem side table, pairing a combination of natural stone or wood and metal foot finishes.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with White and Natural Walnut

$1,055Sale Price / item|20% Off

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with White and Natural Walnut

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The new air side table with stone top or wood top is an elegant modem side table, pairing a combination of natural stone or wood and metal foot finishes.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with Black and Wenge Oak

$1,055Sale Price / item|20% Off

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with Black and Wenge Oak

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The new air side table with stone top or wood top is an elegant modem side table, pairing a combination of natural stone or wood and metal foot finishes.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

New Air Side Table, Mable Top with Black Metal and Estremoz

$1,726Sale Price / item|20% Off

New Air Side Table, Mable Top with Black Metal and Estremoz

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The new air side table with stone top or wood top is an elegant modem side table, pairing a combination of natural stone or wood and metal foot finishes.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

New Air Side Table, Mable Top with Polished Brass and Estremoz

$1,726Sale Price / item|20% Off

New Air Side Table, Mable Top with Polished Brass and Estremoz

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The new air side table with stone top or wood top is an elegant modem side table, pairing a combination of natural stone or wood and metal foot finishes.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with Black and Natural Oak

$1,055Sale Price / item|20% Off

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with Black and Natural Oak

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The new air side table with stone top or wood top is an elegant modem side table, pairing a combination of natural stone or wood and metal foot finishes.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with Black and Natural Walnut

$1,055Sale Price / item|20% Off

New Air Side Table, Wood Top with Black and Natural Walnut

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The new air side table with stone top or wood top is an elegant modem side table, pairing a combination of natural stone or wood and metal foot finishes.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone, Marble, Metal

Coffee table by Branco e Preto

$39,953

Coffee table by Branco e Preto

By Branco & Preto

Located in Barcelona, ES

Coffee table Manufactured by Mahlmeister & Cia Brazil, 1950s Wood, ebonized wooden structure Measurements 180 cm x 90 cm x 33h cm 70,86 in x 35,43 in x 13h in Literature Branco e ...

Category

Vintage 1950s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Glass Slab and Steel Side Table attributed to Fontana Arte, circa 1940

$4,200

Glass Slab and Steel Side Table attributed to Fontana Arte, circa 1940

By Fontana Arte

Located in Atlanta, GA

This exquisite modernist glass and metal coffee table is a rare creation attributed to the legendary Pietro Chiesa for the esteemed Italian manufacturer Fontana Arte.

Category

Vintage 1940s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Elissa Lacoste Contemporary Coffee Table i Model Shagreen, Steel and Resin

$21,551

Elissa Lacoste Contemporary Coffee Table i Model Shagreen, Steel and Resin

By Elissa Lacoste

Located in Barcelona, ES

Coffee table I From the series "Shagreen" Manufactured by Elissa Lacoste France, 2022 Steel, acrylic, resin, Fibreglass, pigment Measurements 140 cm x 137 cm x 37 cm 55 in...

Category

2010s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Elissa Lacoste Contemporary Coffee Table ii Model Shagreen, Steel and Resin

$18,857

Elissa Lacoste Contemporary Coffee Table ii Model Shagreen, Steel and Resin

By Elissa Lacoste

Located in Barcelona, ES

Coffee Table II From the series "Shagreen" Manufactured by Elissa Lacoste France, 2022 Steel, acrylic resin, fiberglass, pigment Measurements 116 cm x 97 cm x 33 cm 45.6 i...

Category

2010s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Ambross Side Table in Matte Ebony and Antique Bronze, Modern Design

$4,292 / item

Ambross Side Table in Matte Ebony and Antique Bronze, Modern Design

By Bellavista Collection

Located in Munich, Bavaria

The AMBROSS side table is an outstanding example of luxury and masterful craftsmanship. The removable tray made of matte ebony is supported by a base of antique bronze. The tray is a...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Nickel, Bronze

Five Columns Brown Wood Side Table

$12,045 / item

Five Columns Brown Wood Side Table

By Provasi

Located in Milan, IT

Lightness and versatility define this table with its distinctive fan shape, designed to complement any seat in the living area, alone or paired. The top, featuring horn inlay, is con...

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bentwood

Pair of Round Side Tables in Brass, Mirror and Black Lacquer

$6,792 / set

Pair of Round Side Tables in Brass, Mirror and Black Lacquer

Located in Barcelona, ES

They can be used as end tables / side tables / drinks or cocktails tables / coffee tables.

Category

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

Materials

Brass, Iron

Hexagonal Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table in Gilt Iron

$2,557

Hexagonal Drinks Table / Side Table / Martini Table in Gilt Iron

Located in Barcelona, ES

Due to the hexagon top this table is a rare find. Use it as end table or side table, drinks table, coffee table or occassional table for parties arround the sofa.

Category

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

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron, Gold Leaf, Metal

Mobile side table / bar table with black glass tops

$1,255

Mobile side table / bar table with black glass tops

Located in Harderwijk, NL

This unique and mobile side table / bar table with black glass tops is by the Dutch top brand Schuitema and comes from the Decoforma series. Side tables are modest yet indispensable...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stained Glass, Wood

Pair of Side Tables, Loggia Terrazzo

$6,620 / set

Pair of Side Tables, Loggia Terrazzo

By Matteo Leorato

Located in Geneve, CH

Pair of side tables, Loggia Terrazzo An essential element with a strong stylistic impact that evokes Classic and basic lines of Greco-floman architecture, which have influenced the ...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Calori & Maillard Sleeping beauty side table, bronze and wood, limited edition

$5,614 / item

Calori & Maillard Sleeping beauty side table, bronze and wood, limited edition

By Calori & Maillard, Paradisoterrestre

Located in Ozzano Dell'emilia, IT

Paradisoterrestre Edition 2024 Materials: bronze, pigments on bronze, brushed lacquered wood Sleeping beauty by Calori & Maillard is a tribute to Meret Oppenheim. The artists r...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bronze

Lace, 21st Century Low Side Carrara and Rosso Verona Marble Table

$6,586

Lace, 21st Century Low Side Carrara and Rosso Verona Marble Table

Located in Cologna Veneta, IT

Made in collaboration with the architect Stefano Calchi Novati, Lace is a coffee table made entirely of marble. The table top is the undisputed protagonist of this elegant and ex...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Tony Duquette Style “Taffy” Side Table

$1,800

Tony Duquette Style “Taffy” Side Table

By Tony Duquette

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Cast resin side table with an openwork base composed of intertwined, ribbon-like forms, finished in a gilt tone with darkened recesses to emphasize depth and texture. Circular glass ...

Category

Late 20th Century Canadian Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Resin

Unique Bauhaus Small Tall Side Table, Chrome and Makasar, Kovona, 1950s

$913

Unique Bauhaus Small Tall Side Table, Chrome and Makasar, Kovona, 1950s

By Kovona

Located in Brandys nad Labem, Středočeský kraj

Unusual bauhaus table. Completely professionally restored Source: Czech Maker: Kovona Period: 1950-1959 Material: Chrome and lacquered Makasar.

Category

20th Century Czech Bauhaus Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Chrome

Gubi TS Outdoor Round Travertine Side Table by GamFratesi

$1,099 / item

Gubi TS Outdoor Round Travertine Side Table by GamFratesi

By GamFratesi Design Studio, Gubi

Located in New York, NY

Now, the black-based TS Side and Coffee Tables are getting the outdoor treatment.

Category

2010s Danish Side Tables

Materials

Travertine

Hand-Crafted Stone Coffee Table by Malerba, Modern Italian Design

$1,952 / item

Hand-Crafted Stone Coffee Table by Malerba, Modern Italian Design

By Malerba

Located in Munich, Bavaria

The STONE coffee table from Dwell by Malerba introduces a new material: stoneware, which is used to create modern coffee tables and accessories. This versatile piece is suitable for ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Side Tables

Materials

Lacquer

New Modern Side Table Red and Black Marble, Creator Karen Chekerdjian

$7,582 / set

New Modern Side Table Red and Black Marble, Creator Karen Chekerdjian

By Karen Chekerdjian

Located in Milan, IT

The value of change in a simple act. Karen Chekerdjian’s new creation puts design front and centre: from one foundation, multiple possibilities. Bursting with undeniable energy court...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Vanilla Pie Coffee Table by Perler

$4,018 / item

Vanilla Pie Coffee Table by Perler

Located in Geneve, CH

A few years into blogging, my greatest dream was realized – the website expanded to include an online store featuring my unique furniture designs such as coffee tables, side tables, ...

Category

2010s Polish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Other

Get Updated with New Arrivals

Save "Coffee And Side Tables", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

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.

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.