Designer Coffee Tables

Questions About Designer Coffee 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 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 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.

• What is the standard size of a coffee table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 30, 2024

  There isn't really a standard size of a coffee table. Manufacturers produce coffee tables in a range of sizes and shapes. However, many rectangular tables are around 45 to 48 inches in length by 25 to 28 inches in width. Heights typically range from 16 to 18 inches. Shop a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.

• When did coffee tables become popular?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024

  Coffee tables became popular in the 1920s and ’30s. Pieces from this time period often show off the characteristics of Art Deco design, such as metal accents, mirrored finishes and the use of exotic woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. Coffee tables first came into use during the Victorian era, largely in response to the rise of coffee houses in London. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of antique, vintage and contemporary coffee tables.

• How do I size a coffee table to my sofa?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026

  As a general rule, choose a coffee table roughly two-thirds the length of the sofa, with the top 1 to 2 inches lower than the seat cushions.

• How do I style a Noguchi coffee table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  Styling a Noguchi coffee table really depends on the space you’re placing it in. The possibilities are far-reaching, so consider the colors and coordination of the other furniture and fixtures around the table. Noguchi tables look beautiful on their own or styled with flowers, books or pottery. Shop a selection of Isamu Noguchi pieces on 1stDibs.

• How do you style an oval coffee table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023

  To style an oval coffee table, create balance with opposites. Choose a sofa and accent chairs with a boxier shape for a striking contrast. Place a rectangular tray in the center and use it to display decorative accents or to store remotes and coasters. Another approach to decorating an oval table is to use decorative accents at different heights. Think of a tall vase placed next to a low bowl and a small sculpture positioned on top of two stacked coffee table books. On 1stDibs, shop an assortment of oval coffee tables.

• How much does a coffee table cost?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

  On 1stdibs, a coffee table costs between $160 and $495,500.

• What is a tray top coffee table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021

  Tray top coffee tables are coffee tables with long, flat rectangular surfaces that are supported by an x-frame base. Low tables that were initially used as tea or coffee tables have been around since at least the mid- to late-1800s. After coffee drinking and “coffee breaks” became popular, it didn’t take long for coffee and cocktail tables to become a design staple and for consumers to recognize their role in entertaining no matter what beverages were being served. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary tray top coffee tables from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.

• How big should a coffee table be for a sectional?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024

  How big a coffee table for a sectional should be depends on the dimensions of the sectional. For a balanced look, a coffee table should be roughly two-thirds of the length of the sofa portion of a sofa and chaise sectional. If you have an L-shaped sofa, the coffee table should be around two-thirds of the length of each arm. Find a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.