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 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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Is there a difference between an end table and a side table?

There are two differences between end tables and side tables: function and size. Typically, end tables go beside a chair or at opposite ends of a sofa and have smaller tabletops, while side tables go toward the sides of seating areas or against walls and feature a larger surface area. However, many people use the words side and end tables interchangeably, so these differences may not always apply. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of end and side tables.

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

While both pieces are relatively new to the furniture world, the main difference between them are their shapes. A cocktail table is generally square or rectangular in shape, while a coffee table tends to be oval or circular in shape. You can shop a collection of furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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

The difference between a sofa table and a coffee table is that a sofa table is always behind the sofa and a coffee table is in front of it. Additionally, a sofa table is the same height as the sofa and a coffee table is much shorter.

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 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.

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.

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.

How can you tell if a side table is antique?

To determine whether a side table is an antique, closely examine its details. Older pieces will typically have telltale features like wood pegs, hand-cut dovetails with some slight imperfections and mortise-and-tenon construction. Tables that are a consistent color throughout or have machine-cut moldings or carvings are unlikely to be antiques. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can be a helpful resource when dating tables. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and modern side tables 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.

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.

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

Stellar Cube Side Table by Egg Designs

$17,128 / item

Stellar Cube Side Table by Egg Designs

Located in Geneve, CH

Stellar cube side table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 56 L x 56 D x 50 H cm Materials: Walnut timber, handmade Ceramic, Verdigris solid copper Founded by South Africans and life p...

Category

2010s South African Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Copper

Trumpet Medium Side Table by Egg Designs

$7,288 / item

Trumpet Medium Side Table by Egg Designs

Located in Geneve, CH

Trumpet Medium side table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 38 L X 38 D X H 54 cm Materials: Solid Cast Brass, Hand Blown Glass Founded by South Africans and life partners, Greg and R...

Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Trumpet Large Side Table by Egg Designs

$8,393 / item

Trumpet Large Side Table by Egg Designs

Located in Geneve, CH

Trumpet large side table by Egg Designs. Dimensions: 38 L X 38 D X H 54 cm Materials: solid cast brass, hand blown glass. Founded by South Africans and life partners, Greg and ...

Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Marble Patch Side Table by Egg Designs

$10,614 / item

Marble Patch Side Table by Egg Designs

Located in Geneve, CH

Marble Patch Side Table by Egg Designs Dimensions: 50 L X 51 D X H 58 cm Materials: Nero Maquina Marble, Copper Coated Steel Arm, Solid Brass, Clear Glass. Founded by South African...

Category

2010s South African Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass, Copper

Octagonal Drinks Side Table / Martini Table in Parcel Gilt Iron, Spain 1950s

$1,685Sale Price|20% Off

Octagonal Drinks Side Table / Martini Table in Parcel Gilt Iron, Spain 1950s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Use it as end table or side table, drinks table, coffee table or occassional table for parties arround the sofa.

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

Side Table Solid Timber Legs in Matt Metallic Paint and Top in Vetrite

$2,460

Side Table Solid Timber Legs in Matt Metallic Paint and Top in Vetrite

By sicis

Located in London, GB

Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’. The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality. A constant...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Art Glass, Wood

Side Table Solid Timber Legs in Matt Metallic Paint and Top in Vetrite

$2,300

Side Table Solid Timber Legs in Matt Metallic Paint and Top in Vetrite

By sicis

Located in London, GB

Sicis is delighted to welcome you at ‘Home’. The classically inspired extent in contemporary plays an eclectic style, elegant and refined. Interiors express personality. A constant...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Art Glass, Wood

Slabs Amarone Red Laquered Top & Travertine Side Table

$5,050 / item

Slabs Amarone Red Laquered Top & Travertine Side Table

By Carpanese Home Italia

Located in Milan, IT

Slabs side table presents a sculptural design with interlocking flat panels that create a harmonious volume, blending base and tabletop without clear interruptions. The tabletop feat...

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Set of 3 Side Tables in Bronze and Forged Steel, Franck Chartrain, France

$49,883 / set

Set of 3 Side Tables in Bronze and Forged Steel, Franck Chartrain, France

By Franck Chartrain

Located in Paris, FR

This wonderful set side table are handmade by Franck Chartrain, a famous French Artist-Designer. This triplet of side tables, set-up in various combinations, is able to play with th...

Category

2010s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bronze, Steel

Set of 2 Side Modern Tables, Custom Color Available Tables by oitoproducts

$1,310 / set

Set of 2 Side Modern Tables, Custom Color Available Tables by oitoproducts

By Oitoproducts, Ivan Voitovych

Located in Barcelona, CT

Bug is a coffee table collection born from a "glitch" — and that is exactly the point. The idea came from a familiar glitch: Windows multiplying endlessly on a screen, a digital err...

Category

2010s Ukrainian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Mexican Side Table by Michael Van Beuren

$3,000

Mexican Side Table by Michael Van Beuren

By Michael van Beuren

Located in Mexico City, CDMX

We offer this rare side table by Michael Van Beuren. Made in primavera wood, with original label and serial number. In 1937 Michael Van Beuren arrived for the first time in Mexico...

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Swedish Designer, Coffee Table, Wood, Bamboo, Rattan, Sweden, 1960s

$3,800

Swedish Designer, Coffee Table, Wood, Bamboo, Rattan, Sweden, 1960s

Located in High Point, NC

A wood, bamboo and rattan coffee table or side table designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1960s.

Category

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

Materials

Bamboo, Wood, Rattan

Art Deco Rubi Natural Cork and Gold Leaf Side Tables, Set of 2, By Greenapple

$6,263 / set

Art Deco Rubi Natural Cork and Gold Leaf Side Tables, Set of 2, By Greenapple

By Greenapple, GF Modern

Located in Lisboa, PT

Rubi side tables, Set of 2, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. Like a sparkling ruby ring, our magnificent Rubi side tables ties in with the Art Deco ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Onyx, Travertine, Marble, Carrara Marble, Brass, Gold Leaf

Italian Brass and Glass Tripod Cocktail Side Table in the Style of Cesare Lacca

$3,800

Italian Brass and Glass Tripod Cocktail Side Table in the Style of Cesare Lacca

By Cesare Lacca

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Italian aged brass and glass cocktail side table in the style of Cesare Lacca Beautiful and functional table Floating glass top with heavy weight tripod base and loop detail resembl...

Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Brutalist Tripod Side Table in Carved Wood France, 1960s

$1,355

Brutalist Tripod Side Table in Carved Wood France, 1960s

Located in Berlin, DE

Carved wooden side table with a round top, a heavily textured surface and an uneven, hand-shaped edge. The three splayed legs feature matching carved indentations. Dark stained wood ...

Category

Vintage 1960s French Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Pine

Geometric Solid Ash Side Table — Archipen 2 by NOOM

$1,435 / item

Geometric Solid Ash Side Table — Archipen 2 by NOOM

By Kateryna Sokolova, NOOM

Located in Paris, FR

The Archipen Coffee Table Two by NOOM works perfectly as a side table next to lounge seating or as a compact coffee table in smaller lounge settings.

Category

2010s Ukrainian Organic Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ash

Side Table Walnut, Square Brown The Netherlands 2019

$6,833 / item

Side Table Walnut, Square Brown The Netherlands 2019

By M.C. Escher

Located in DE MEERN, UT

The side table which consists of a top of triangles. If you look over the table on the short sides, you will see a braided pattern. The design is inspired by Escher's patterns. This ...

Category

2010s Dutch Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ebony, Oak, Padouk, Walnut

20th Century Wood and Marble Top French Retour D'Egypt Style Side Table, 1960s

$2,277

20th Century Wood and Marble Top French Retour D'Egypt Style Side Table, 1960s

Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont

French side table from the second half of the 20th century. Furniture in the Retour D'Egypt style, veneered in thuja root, with beech elements, richly adorned with gilded and chisell...

Category

Vintage 1960s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Minimalist Square Coffee Table in Walnut Veneer, Table by Joel Escalona

$8,529 / item

Minimalist Square Coffee Table in Walnut Veneer, Table by Joel Escalona

By NONO

Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX

Escalona's design offers a new system of coffee tables and side tables, versatile in finishes, dimensions and proportions.

Category

2010s Mexican Minimalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Set of 2 Italian Marble Side Tables, 1980s

$2,721 / set

Set of 2 Italian Marble Side Tables, 1980s

Located in Oud Beijerland, NL

Very nice set of 2 Italian coffee tables or side tables, handcrafted out of marble.

Category

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

Materials

Marble

Art Deco Vintage Walnut Side Table Josef Frank Haus and Garten Vienna c 1925

$9,680

Art Deco Vintage Walnut Side Table Josef Frank Haus and Garten Vienna c 1925

By Josef Frank

Located in Vienna, AT

Art Deco vintage walnut side table / coffee table by Josef Frank for Haus & Garten, circa 1925 Vienna, shows a top with beautiful walnut burl veneer.

Category

Vintage 1920s Austrian Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Beech, Spruce, Walnut

Pewter Side Table, Made from Pewter on Steel

$6,513 / item

Pewter Side Table, Made from Pewter on Steel

By Christopher Gentner

Located in Chicago, IL

The Pewter Collection is a family of furniture pieces defined by their materiality and formal qualities. One Crucible at a time, pewter is melted into liquid form and hand coated ont...

Category

2010s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel, Pewter

Charles Hollis Jones Side Table with movable Trey

$843

Charles Hollis Jones Side Table with movable Trey

By Charles Hollis Jones

Located in Waasmunster, BE

Elegant side table by legendary designer Charles Hollis Jones, featuring clear Lucite legs, polished brass accents, and a glass top. A stunning example of 1970s Hollywood Regency sty...

Category

Vintage 1970s American Hollywood Regency Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Zelda Side Table by Sergio Asti for Poltronova 1960s

$2,800

Zelda Side Table by Sergio Asti for Poltronova 1960s

By Poltronova, Sergio Asti

Located in Byron Bay, NSW

Zelda side table by Sergio Asti for Poltronova, Italy. Designer: Sergio Asti Manufacturer: Flos Place of Origin: Poltronova Date of Manufacture: 1960s In style: Mid Century Modern M...

Category

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

Materials

Wood

Naira Coffee Table, Fluid Sculpturality, Crafted Through Material Transformation

$8,805

Naira Coffee Table, Fluid Sculpturality, Crafted Through Material Transformation

Located in Maçka-İstanbul, 34

The Naira Collection explores the balance between softness and structure through refined craftsmanship and material honesty. Comprising a coffee table and side table, each piece feat...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak, Plywood

Small old Japanese low table made of zelkova wood/modern side table

$1,500

Small old Japanese low table made of zelkova wood/modern side table

Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba

This mini low table is a one-of-a-kind combination piece, assembled from two old Japanese work tables. Its tabletop and base come from separate zelkova (keyaki) work tables with diff...

Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Tripod Beech and Glass Side Table in the Style of Cesare Lacca, Italy, 1980s

$1,537

Tripod Beech and Glass Side Table in the Style of Cesare Lacca, Italy, 1980s

By Cesare Lacca

Located in Bresso, Lombardy

Made in Italy, 1980s. This is a reinterpretation of Cesare Lacca's design of a tripod coffee table in the 50s. This coffee table features a lacquered beech frame and a round etched ...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Beech

Percival Lafer Brutalist Parquet Rosewood Side Tables, Brazil, 1970s

$4,595 / set

Percival Lafer Brutalist Parquet Rosewood Side Tables, Brazil, 1970s

By Paul Evans, Percival Lafer, Giuseppe Scapinelli

Located in Chattanooga, TN

A pair of exceptional Brazilian Modern side tables by Percival Lafer, one of Brazil's most influential postwar furniture designers.

Category

Vintage 1970s Brazilian Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Rosewood, Walnut

Mid-Century modern scandinavian coffeee table or side table in walnut

$2,220

Mid-Century modern scandinavian coffeee table or side table in walnut

Located in Courbevoie, FR

Mid-Century modern scandinavian coffeee table or side table in walnut. Beech frame. Walnut top and legs. Banish work.

Category

Vintage 1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Beech, Walnut

Geometric ceramic side table - Birch - handmade - glazed - stool - sculpted

$2,961 / item

Geometric ceramic side table - Birch - handmade - glazed - stool - sculpted

By Project 213A

Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT

GEOMETRIC CERAMIC SIDE TABLE, designed in 2023. Hand-sculpted ceramic table with an organic shape made in Project 213A's in-house ceramic workshop and finished with a custom glaze. ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Geometric side table - Graphite - clay - handmade - glazed - stool - sculpted

$2,505 / item

Geometric side table - Graphite - clay - handmade - glazed - stool - sculpted

By Project 213A

Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT

GEOMETRIC CERAMIC SIDE TABLE, designed in 2023. Hand-sculpted ceramic table with an organic shape made in Project 213A's in-house ceramic workshop and finished with a custom glaze. ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Cube Side Table - stone - clay - handmade - glazed - stool

$2,961 / item

Ceramic Cube Side Table - stone - clay - handmade - glazed - stool

By Project 213A

Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT

CERAMIC CUBE SIDE TABLE, designed in 2023. Hand-sculpted ceramic table with an organic built cube shape. Made in Project 213A's in-house ceramic workshop and finished with a custom ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Set of 3 Italian Marble Side Tables, 1970s

$4,202 / set

Set of 3 Italian Marble Side Tables, 1970s

Located in Oud Beijerland, NL

Beautiful set of 3 Italian coffee tables or side tables, handcrafted out of marble.

Category

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

Materials

Marble

Rolando Hettner coffee table made in Italy 1950

$8,256

Rolando Hettner coffee table made in Italy 1950

Located in Roosendaal, Noord Brabant

Astonishing coffee or side table designed and hand-made by Rolando Hettner in Italy in 1950s.

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Glass

Green Art Populaire Side Table, France, 19th Century

$3,500

Green Art Populaire Side Table, France, 19th Century

Located in Antwerp, BE

Coffee table from 19th-century France, adorned in varying shades of verdant green. The tabletop features an intricate pattern reminiscent of Art Deco designs. Perfectly sized for any...

Category

Antique Late 19th Century French Folk Art Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

"cOre" capsule collection in concrete - cOre Side Table

$2,214 / item

"cOre" capsule collection in concrete - cOre Side Table

By Forma & Cemento, Sebastian Bergne

Located in Rome, Lazio

The "cOre" Side Table is a UHPC concrete piece designed by Sebastian Bergne for Forma&Cemento. Part of the "cOre" capsule collection, it takes inspiration from coring techniques used...

Category

2010s Italian Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Concrete

Art Deco Side Table / Dry Bar Sweden, 1930s

$1,674Sale Price|30% Off

Art Deco Side Table / Dry Bar Sweden, 1930s

By Axel Larsson

Located in Hillringsberg, SE

Sophisticated and crafted coffee/side or dry bar table made in the 1930s Sweden.

Category

Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Birch, Mahogany

"Antelmo" Contemporary Side Table I, Handmade Mexican Design

$580 / item

"Antelmo" Contemporary Side Table I, Handmade Mexican Design

By Ad Hoc

Located in Metepec, MX

About the pieces: “Mesas Antelmo” “Antelmo Coffee Tables”: Tall side table “Antelmo I”: banak solid wood and stainless steel.

Category

2010s Mexican Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass, Copper, Stainless Steel

Mola Side Table with Distinctive Look, White

$1,850 / item

Mola Side Table with Distinctive Look, White

By Yet Design Studio

Located in Istanbul, 34

The chamber in the body is designed as a newspaper/magazine holder, giving the product a different function. It is handcrafted using natural methods by local artisans. This piece of ...

Category

2010s Turkish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak, Lacquer

Glas Italia KAZIMIR Side table by Michael Anastassiades

$2,588 / item

Glas Italia KAZIMIR Side table by Michael Anastassiades

By Michael Anastassiades, Glas Italia

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Collection of furniture comprising shelves, consoles, bookcase and low tables, completely made of a special 10 mm tempered green or extra-clear double-sided acid-etched glass. Each i...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass

Side Table Unique Black Modern Contemporary Waxed Steel

$8,700 / item

Side Table Unique Black Modern Contemporary Waxed Steel

By J.M. Szymanski

Located in Bronx, NY

TABLE NO. 5 J.M. Szymanski d. 2022 This side table is composed of stark, perpendicular planes that have been notched and precisely slotted together. Its hand-carved rough edges cont...

Category

2010s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel, Iron

1960s-1970s Teak Table Side Table Newspaper Stand Danish Design, Denmark

$454

1960s-1970s Teak Table Side Table Newspaper Stand Danish Design, Denmark

Located in Neuenkirchen, NI

1960s-1970s Teak table side table newspaper stand Danish Design, Denmark Object: side table Manufacturer: Condition: good Age: around 1960-1970 Dimensions: Width = ...

Category

Vintage 1970s Danish Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Teak

Michael Taylor for Baker Chinoiserie Rosewood Cocktail Table or Side Table

$1,295

Michael Taylor for Baker Chinoiserie Rosewood Cocktail Table or Side Table

By Michael Taylor, Baker Furniture Company

Located in South Bend, IN

A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Hollywood Regency Chinoiserie two-tier cocktail table or occasional side table By Michael Taylor for Baker Furniture, "Far East" Collection USA, 1...

Category

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

Materials

Rosewood, Walnut

Very Rare Peter Ghyczy Brass and Glass Coffee or Salon Table Rare Model 1970

$3,002Sale Price|20% Off

Very Rare Peter Ghyczy Brass and Glass Coffee or Salon Table Rare Model 1970

By Peter Ghyczy, Ghyczy

Located in Oirlo, LI

For his first furniture collection, Ghyczy developed a new way of fixing glass to metal, resulting in a series of coffee tables, side tables and dining tables known as the Pioneer se...

Category

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

Materials

Brass

Carrara Marble Circular Side Table, Made in Italy

$1,514 / item

Carrara Marble Circular Side Table, Made in Italy

Located in Lentate Sul Seveso, IT

The Kyushu coffee table is made entirely of Carrara marble. The top is circular and 45cm in diameter, the legs are made from two marble boards in which one part is inlaid on the top ...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Carrara Marble

Set of Two 2001 Side Tables by Ramon Úbeda and Otto Canalda for BD

$5,739 / item

Set of Two 2001 Side Tables by Ramon Úbeda and Otto Canalda for BD

By Ramón Úbeda, BD Barcelona Design, Otto Canalda

Located in Barcelona, Barcelona

Set of two side tables model '2001' designed by Ramon Úbeda and Otto Canalda. Manufactured by Bd (Spain). The 2001 side tables are made from an ultra-clear glass and a Pyrex tube...

Category

2010s Spanish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass

Gong Side Table by Giulio Cappellini for Cappellini

$940 / item

Gong Side Table by Giulio Cappellini for Cappellini

By Giulio Cappellini, Cappellini

Located in Brooklyn, NY

The Gong table is a signature design by Giulio Cappellini. The round top is made of laser-cut sheet metal, connected to the base with a tubular iron leg. Gong can be disassembled an...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Spanish Black Drinks Table, End or Side Table in Wrought Iron, 1940s

$2,220

Spanish Black Drinks Table, End or Side Table in Wrought Iron, 1940s

Located in Barcelona, ES

Spanish black wrough iron drinks table gueridon, end or side table. Spain, 1940-1950 This elegant pedestal table has an round top with concave surface and It stands on a tripod base...

Category

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

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

Side table by Liceu de Artes e Oficios

Price Upon Request

Side table by Liceu de Artes e Oficios

By Liceu de Artes e Ofícios

Located in London, England

Side table by Liceu de Artes e Oficios made in wood and cane.

Category

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

Materials

Hardwood, Cane

Mid-Century Modern Side or Center Table with Two Tiewr and Wheels, France, 1970s

$1,475

Mid-Century Modern Side or Center Table with Two Tiewr and Wheels, France, 1970s

Located in Miami, FL

Mid-Century Modern side or center table with two Tiewr and wheels, France, 1970s.

Category

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

Materials

Lucite

Vintage Italian Tri-symmetric Cherry wood side table

$1,361Sale Price|20% Off

Vintage Italian Tri-symmetric Cherry wood side table

Located in Highclere, Newbury

Unusual vintage Italian Tri-symmetric Cherry and Satinwood side table. This is a wonderful little decorative side table created in the same style as Tri-symmetric occasional table...

Category

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

Materials

Cherry, Satinwood

Glas Italia OPALIA Side table by Patricia Urquiola

$3,132 / item

Glas Italia OPALIA Side table by Patricia Urquiola

By Patricia Urquiola, Glas Italia

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Collection of low tables, high tables and consoles: their components are made by fusing scraps of glass with special additives to obtain irregular glass masses, rich in bubbles and w...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass

Set of Brass Side Table Signed by Lukasz Friedrich

$5,512 / set

Set of Brass Side Table Signed by Lukasz Friedrich

By Lukas Friedrich

Located in Geneve, CH

Brass side table signed by Lukasz Friedrich Textured side or coffee table Materials: Legs, patinated brass; top, patinated and waxed steel Dimensions: D 28 cm, L 38 cm, H 50 cm ...

Category

2010s European Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Fish Shaped Side Table or Drinks Table in Brown Ceramic, Spain 1950

$3,388

Fish Shaped Side Table or Drinks Table in Brown Ceramic, Spain 1950

Located in Barcelona, ES

Eye-catching Spanish Brown Ceramic Fish Cocktail Table / Side Table Spain, 1950-1960. Mid-Century Modern fish shaped pedestal table in brown glazed ceramic. This sculptural side or e...

Category

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

Materials

Ceramic

Gervasoni BRISE 54 Round Side Table - Federica Biasi - Blue

$1,313 / item

Gervasoni BRISE 54 Round Side Table - Federica Biasi - Blue

By Federica Biasi, Gervasoni

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Brise 54, designed by Federica Biasi for Gervasoni, is a round outdoor coffee table that combines lightness, durability, and refined contemporary design. The base is crafted in embos...

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Gervasoni BRISE 54 Round Side Table - Federica Biasi - Red

$1,313 / item

Gervasoni BRISE 54 Round Side Table - Federica Biasi - Red

By Federica Biasi, Gervasoni

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Brise 54, designed by Federica Biasi for Gervasoni, is a round outdoor coffee table that combines lightness, durability, and refined contemporary design. The base is crafted in embos...

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Frits Henningsen Mahogany Side Table, Denmark c. 1945

$4,414

Frits Henningsen Mahogany Side Table, Denmark c. 1945

By Fritz Heningsen

Located in Kastrup, DK

This side table or lamp table, designed by Frits Henningsen, features a central pedestal stem that elegantly branches into four feet, all crafted from solid mahogany. The round table...

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany

Gervasoni BRISE 56 Round Side Table - Federica Biasi - White

$1,782 / item

Gervasoni BRISE 56 Round Side Table - Federica Biasi - White

By Federica Biasi, Gervasoni

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Brise 56, designed by Federica Biasi for Gervasoni, is a round outdoor coffee table that combines lightness, durability, and refined contemporary design. The base is crafted in embos...

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Gervasoni BRISE 56 Round Side Table - Federica Biasi - Blue

$1,782 / item

Gervasoni BRISE 56 Round Side Table - Federica Biasi - Blue

By Federica Biasi, Gervasoni

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Brise 56, designed by Federica Biasi for Gervasoni, is a round outdoor coffee table that combines lightness, durability, and refined contemporary design. The base is crafted in embos...

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Gervasoni BRISE 56 Round Side Table - Federica Biasi - Blue

$1,782 / item

Gervasoni BRISE 56 Round Side Table - Federica Biasi - Blue

By Federica Biasi, Gervasoni

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Brise 56, designed by Federica Biasi for Gervasoni, is a round outdoor coffee table that combines lightness, durability, and refined contemporary design. The base is crafted in embos...

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

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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 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 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Is there a difference between an end table and a side table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
There are two differences between end tables and side tables: function and size. Typically, end tables go beside a chair or at opposite ends of a sofa and have smaller tabletops, while side tables go toward the sides of seating areas or against walls and feature a larger surface area. However, many people use the words side and end tables interchangeably, so these differences may not always apply. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of end and side tables.
What is the difference between a coffee table and a cocktail table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
While both pieces are relatively new to the furniture world, the main difference between them are their shapes. A cocktail table is generally square or rectangular in shape, while a coffee table tends to be oval or circular in shape. You can shop a collection of furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What is the difference between a sofa table and a coffee table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019
The difference between a sofa table and a coffee table is that a sofa table is always behind the sofa and a coffee table is in front of it. Additionally, a sofa table is the same height as the sofa and a coffee table is much shorter.
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 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.
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.
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.
How can you tell if a side table is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
To determine whether a side table is an antique, closely examine its details. Older pieces will typically have telltale features like wood pegs, hand-cut dovetails with some slight imperfections and mortise-and-tenon construction. Tables that are a consistent color throughout or have machine-cut moldings or carvings are unlikely to be antiques. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can be a helpful resource when dating tables. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and modern side tables 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.
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.

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