Can a coffee table be too low?

Yes, a coffee table can be too low. Most experts recommend choosing a coffee table that is around one to two inches lower than the seat height of your sofa or loveseat. You may find it difficult to access items on the tabletop while seated if you choose a shorter table. In addition, an overly low coffee table can make a room feel cramped or unbalanced. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, designers intentionally place ultra-low coffee tables in spaces to create a bold contrast in a large room. Feel free to break from convention when choosing a coffee table. What's most important is that the finished result appeals to you and allows you to enjoy your seating area to the fullest. Shop a wide range of antique, vintage and contemporary coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Why are modern coffee tables so low?

Modern coffee tables tend to be low because they’re most commonly placed in front of couches and chairs. Historically, coffee tables were placed behind the couch which necessitated a taller table. Over time, as styles changed and coffee tables came to be positioned in front of couches, their heights were lowered to accommodate the modern arrangement. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage and contemporary coffee tables from some of the world’s top sellers.

Is 12 inches too low for a coffee table?

No, 12 inches isn’t necessarily too low for a coffee table. For balance, choose a coffee table that is about two to four inches lower than the seat of the largest piece of furniture around it. Usually, this will be the sofa. If your sofa’s seat is 14 to 16 inches high, a 12-inch coffee table will likely be in proportion. Find an assortment of coffee tables on 1stDibs.

What are low tables called?

Low tables are usually called coffee tables. The name comes from the table height being designed to make it easy to place something, such as a cup of coffee, on the tabletop while seated on a sofa. Alternatively, people may refer to these low tables as cocktail tables. Explore a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Why are console tables so low?

Console tables are not low. Typically, consoles are about the height of a desk but are much narrower. As a result, they work well against walls and can be used to hold lamps and decorative objects. While modern console tables commonly feature four legs, you can still find the two-legged variety, which is ideal for nestling behind the sofa. Some also feature shelves for display and storage space or cabinet doors and drawers for hiding clutter. Find vintage console tables on 1stDibs.

Why are Japanese dining tables low?

The chabudai, or the short Japanese dining table makes the most of limited space by serving many functions in a Japanese home. They often feature collapsible legs so they can be stored. Diners sit on pillows on the floor, rather than chairs, again freeing up more space by not having bulky chairs. Shop a collection of Japanese furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

How big should a coffee table be for a sectional?

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.

How do I authenticate my Noguchi coffee table?

To authenticate your Noguchi coffee table, there are three different marks to look for. Isamu Noguchi’s signature will be on the edge of the table and on a medallion under the base. Even under the medallion, you will find Noguchi’s initials. Shop a collection of properly vetted Noguchi pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

Low Coffee Tables

Italian Green Cocktail Table

Sunflower Table

European Oak Table

Chinese Qing Dynasty Side Table

"Chinese Black Lacquered Low Coffee Table with Scroll Legs, Circa 1780"

$5,820

"Chinese Black Lacquered Low Coffee Table with Scroll Legs, Circa 1780"

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Late 18th century Large Black Lacquered Finish Wooden Low Scroll Coffee Table, The Tabletop has minor Scratches no Structural Issues remain Fair condition, the Piece is naturally age...

Category

Antique 1780s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Elm

Gubi Carmel Low Coﬀee Table in Midnight Black by OEO Studio

$2,749 / item

Gubi Carmel Low Coﬀee Table in Midnight Black by OEO Studio

By OEO Studio, Gubi

Located in Brooklyn, NY

A family of hybrid coffee tables intended for both indoor and outdoor use, the Carmel Table Collection by OEO Studio introduces ceramic to the GUBI material palette. Made with sin- g...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Aluminum, Steel

Geometric Low Coffee Table in Black Ash — Archipen 4 by NOOM

$2,080 / item

Geometric Low Coffee Table in Black Ash — Archipen 4 by NOOM

By Kateryna Sokolova, NOOM

Located in Paris, FR

The Archipen Coffee Table 4 continues the sculptural design of the Archipen Collection, blending architectural rhythm with refined minimalist geometry. Its legs are intentionally sim...

Category

2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ash

Paul Frankl, Low Coffee Table, Painted Cork, Stained Mahogany, 1940s America

$15,900

Paul Frankl, Low Coffee Table, Painted Cork, Stained Mahogany, 1940s America

By Paul Frankl, Johnson Furniture Co.

Located in High Point, NC

An all original coffee or cocktail table designed by Paul Frankl and produced by Johnson Furniture Company in the 1940s. An off-white/yellow painted cork-top is mounted on a base in ...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mahogany, Cork

Patinated Brass Low Coffee Table with Greek Key Design, Laverne Style

$2,800

Patinated Brass Low Coffee Table with Greek Key Design, Laverne Style

By Philip and Kelvin LaVerne

Located in Miami, FL

A low brass coffee table with thick glass top. Very beautiful patina on this table.

Category

Vintage 1960s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Kolos Low Coffee Table in Terracotta Glazed Ceramic by Yonoh Studio

$3,538 / item

Kolos Low Coffee Table in Terracotta Glazed Ceramic by Yonoh Studio

By Yonoh Studio, Miniforms

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Kolos was born from a plaster mold, in a pottery workshop, where the artisans put the glaze on it and then bake it. Even if shiny and smooth to the touch, the material makes itself f...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Ceramic

Large Rectangular Low Coffee Table, Sculptural Modern Design, Black Oak, Italy

$16,711 / item

Large Rectangular Low Coffee Table, Sculptural Modern Design, Black Oak, Italy

By Sandro Lopez

Located in Milano, IT

Qapu is a coffee table that is based on a modular unit crafted in solid Oak wood. The units can be arranged to create different table sizes and proportions, adapting to the needs of ...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

Nature inspired Estremoz marble brass Alentejo low coffee table by InsidherLand

$1,557Sale Price / item|20% Off

Nature inspired Estremoz marble brass Alentejo low coffee table by InsidherLand

By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa

Located in Maia, Porto

Alentejo coffee tables are a glimpse over the South of Portugal where thousands of cork oaks trees raise their canopies to the sky. Resembling the typical trees that spread across t...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Brass

Organic geometric gold leaf Three Rocks low coffee table by InsidherLand

$2,499Sale Price / item|20% Off

Organic geometric gold leaf Three Rocks low coffee table by InsidherLand

By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand

Located in Maia, Porto

The original design of the three rocks tables was inspired by the Autumnal landscape with fallen leaves in burned tones. These tables are highly customized designs. Beyond the origi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Gold Leaf

Organic geometric Estremoz marble Three Rocks low coffee table by InsidherLand

$18,460 / item

Organic geometric Estremoz marble Three Rocks low coffee table by InsidherLand

By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa

Located in Maia, Porto

The original design of the three rocks tables was inspired by the Autumnal landscape with fallen leaves in burned tones. These tables are highly customized designs. Beyond the origin...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Organic geometric aged mirror Three Rocks low coffee table by InsidherLand

$4,326 / item

Organic geometric aged mirror Three Rocks low coffee table by InsidherLand

By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa

Located in Maia, Porto

The original design of the three rocks tables was inspired by the Autumnal landscape with fallen leaves in burned tones. These tables are highly customized designs. Beyond the origi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Low Coffee Table Brandt CSL3, Contemporary, Rainbow zinc plating steel, NOOM

$2,818 / item

Low Coffee Table Brandt CSL3, Contemporary, Rainbow zinc plating steel, NOOM

By NOOM

Located in Paris, FR

New Noom furniture collection is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Ideas of functionalism and conciseness, the combination of craft...

Category

2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Organic geometric walnut veneer Three Rocks low coffee table by InsidherLand

$3,773 / item

Organic geometric walnut veneer Three Rocks low coffee table by InsidherLand

By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa

Located in Maia, Porto

The original design of the Three Rocks tables was inspired by the Autumnal landscape with fallen leaves in burned tones. These tables are highly customized designs. Beyond the origi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut, Wood

Organic geometric black glass Three Rocks low coffee table by InsidherLand

$3,485 / item

Organic geometric black glass Three Rocks low coffee table by InsidherLand

By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa

Located in Maia, Porto

The original design of the Three Rocks tables was inspired by the Autumnal landscape with fallen leaves in burned tones. These tables are highly customized designs. Beyond the origin...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Flipper Collection, Concrete Low Coffee Table Mod. II Color Red Cement

$2,655 / item

Flipper Collection, Concrete Low Coffee Table Mod. II Color Red Cement

By Marialaura Rossiello

Located in Rome, Lazio

Part of the Flipper collection designed by Marialaura Irvine for Forma&Cemento. Play, color and freedom are the keywords of this new collection based on the principle "by doing less,...

Category

2010s Italian Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Concrete, Cement, Metal

Contemporary Circuit Walnut Coffee Table Set

$15,015 / set

Contemporary Circuit Walnut Coffee Table Set

By Difane

Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX

For this collection in collaboration with Rio Estudio, inspiration is drawn from hydraulic circuits; systems that transport some liquid component, comprised of long and linear elemen...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Contemporary Circuit Oak Coffee Table Set

$10,435 / set

Contemporary Circuit Oak Coffee Table Set

By Difane

Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX

For this collection in collaboration with Rio Estudio, inspiration is drawn from hydraulic circuits; systems that transport some liquid component, comprised of long and linear elemen...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Oak

Modern Italian matt black wood with decoration low coffee table, 1980s

$1,293

Modern Italian matt black wood with decoration low coffee table, 1980s

Located in MIlano, IT

Tavolo da caffè basso, in legno con finitura in nero opaco e motivo decorativo verde su due lati della struttura, con sei zampe a sezione quadrata, dal disegno geometrico. 1980 ca. P...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Chap Low Coffee Table in Palladio Moro Marble by Matteo Zorzenoni

$4,620 / item

Chap Low Coffee Table in Palladio Moro Marble by Matteo Zorzenoni

By Miniforms, Matteo Zorzenoni

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Chap is a primary object that finds expression through shape and colour. Organic and primitive in taste, this essential element sports the striking decorative texture of Palladio Mor...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Island L Carpanese Home Italia Coffee Table with Marble

$3,204 / item

Island L Carpanese Home Italia Coffee Table with Marble

By Carpanese Home Italia

Located in Sanguinetto, IT

Low coffee table with metal structure and marble top.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal

Contemporary Circuit Tzalam Wood Coffee Table Set

$12,460 / set

Contemporary Circuit Tzalam Wood Coffee Table Set

By Difane

Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX

The Circuit Tzalam Wood Coffee Table Set includes: - Low Coffee Table: Dimensions - L: 150 cm / 59 in, W: 73.5 cm / 22.44 in , H: 27.5 cm / 10.83 in - High Coffee Table: Dimensions -...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Circuit Travertine Marble Coffee Table Set

$10,442 / set

Contemporary Circuit Travertine Marble Coffee Table Set

By Difane

Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX

The Circuit Travertine Marble Coffee Table Set includes: - Low Coffee Table: Dimensions - L: 150 cm / 59 in, W: 73.5 cm / 22.44 in , H: 27.5 cm / 10.83 in - High Coffee Table: Dimens...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Travertine, Marble

Contemporary Circuit High Gloss Coffee Table Set

$7,528 / set

Contemporary Circuit High Gloss Coffee Table Set

By Difane

Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX

For this collection in collaboration with Rio Estudio, inspiration is drawn from hydraulic circuits; systems that transport some liquid component, comprised of long and linear elemen...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak, Lacquer

Contemporary Circuit Parota Wood Coffee Table Set

$9,985 / set

Contemporary Circuit Parota Wood Coffee Table Set

By Difane

Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX

The Circuit Tzalam Wood Coffee Table Set includes: - Low Coffee Table: Dimensions - L: 150 cm / 59 in, W: 73.5 cm / 22.44 in , H: 27.5 cm / 10.83 in - High Coffee Table: Dimensions -...

Category

2010s Mexican Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Karl Springer Style Lacquered Raffia Ming Coffee Table

$6,250

Karl Springer Style Lacquered Raffia Ming Coffee Table

By Baker Furniture Company, Karl Springer

Located in Locust Valley, NY

A Karl Springer inspired Asian style low coffee table wrapped in textured raffia and sealed with a high-gloss lacquer with curved ming feet and a notched apron from Baker Furniture.

Category

Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Raffia, Lacquer

Glas Italia Nacre Coffee Table - Yabu Pushelberg

$4,977 / item

Glas Italia Nacre Coffee Table - Yabu Pushelberg

By Glas Italia, Yabu Pushelberg

Located in Varedo, Lombardia

Nacre by Glas Italia, designed by Yabu Pushelberg, is a low coffee table with a fluid, organic form inspired by the shape of an oyster shell.

Category

2010s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass

Artist Made Stone Topped Table from USA

$6,800

Artist Made Stone Topped Table from USA

Located in Sagaponack, NY

An American craftsman low / coffee table having a rough hewn, free-edged pierced stone top floating on a black handwrought iron base with undulating stretchers.

Category

Vintage 1960s American American Craftsman End Tables

Materials

Stone, Wrought Iron

Puck Concrete Center and Cocktail Table in Dark Grey Cement Mortar Made in Italy

$3,367 / item

Puck Concrete Center and Cocktail Table in Dark Grey Cement Mortar Made in Italy

Located in Rome, Lazio

Puck is a low coffee table entirely hand fashioned in UHPC concrete mortar.

Category

2010s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Concrete

French Modern Low Coffee Table of Brass with Glass Top - Two Available

$1,695 / item

French Modern Low Coffee Table of Brass with Glass Top - Two Available

Located in Austin, TX

Perfect for use as a coffee or cocktail table. Two tables available - Priced Individually - $1695 each table

Category

20th Century French Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Brass

1960's British, yew coffee table in the organic style by Arthur Basil Reynolds

$1,255Sale Price|20% Off

1960's British, yew coffee table in the organic style by Arthur Basil Reynolds

Located in Henley-On-Thames, GB

A British-made, 1960s low coffee table in the organic style by Arthur Basil Reynolds for Reynolds of Ludlow.

Category

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

Materials

Yew

Asian Modern Cinnamon Brown Coffee Table with Ming Style Legs

$5,760

Asian Modern Cinnamon Brown Coffee Table with Ming Style Legs

Located in Locust Valley, NY

Asian Modern low coffee table crafted in a rich warm wood finish with a clean rectangular top and architectural openwork with a touch of gold detailing beneath the apron.

Category

20th Century Unknown Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Waterfall Contemporary Glossy White Lacquer Coffee Table by Driade

$3,758

Waterfall Contemporary Glossy White Lacquer Coffee Table by Driade

By Driade

Located in Chicago, IL

Sculptural and asymetrical, white glossy lacquered low coffee table by Fredrikson Stallard for Driade.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Lacquer

Antique French Giltwood Aubusson Louis Revival Low Coffee Table Early 20th C

$2,388

Antique French Giltwood Aubusson Louis Revival Low Coffee Table Early 20th C

Located in London, GB

This is a stunningly beautiful antique French Louis XVI Revival giltwood and Aubusson tapestry low-table / coffee table Circa 1930 in date. The oval top with an insert Aubusson flo...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Revival Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass, Giltwood

Brutalist Pine Coffee Table, France, Circa 1960, Mid-Century Design

$5,150

Brutalist Pine Coffee Table, France, Circa 1960, Mid-Century Design

Located in Antwerp, BE

This low coffee table evokes 1960s Brutalist design and is made from solid pine with a thick rectangular top and softly rounded edges.

Category

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

Materials

Pine

Bauhaus LC10-P Low Coffee Table by Le Corbusier for Cassina, 1987

$2,150

Bauhaus LC10-P Low Coffee Table by Le Corbusier for Cassina, 1987

By Le Corbusier, Cassina

Located in Detroit, MI

This classic Bauhaus LC10-P steel and glass low coffee or cocktail table was designed by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand and Pierre Jeanneret and first exhibited at the Salon d’Auto...

Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Bauhaus Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel, Chrome, Nickel

1970s Low Coffee Table with Undulating Lines in Burl, Walnut & Mahogany 32x48

$5,000

1970s Low Coffee Table with Undulating Lines in Burl, Walnut & Mahogany 32x48

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Low, Sculptural Coffee Table, hand-crafted from Burl, Walnut, and Mahogany.

Category

Vintage 1970s American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood, Mahogany, Walnut

Ray low Coffee Table, Bronze Structure, Nero Marquina marble, Made in Portugal

$5,851 / item

Ray low Coffee Table, Bronze Structure, Nero Marquina marble, Made in Portugal

By Duistt

Located in Leça da Palmeira, PT

Ray Coffee Table, Bronze Structure and Nero Marquina Top, Handcrafted by Duistt Ray coffee table is a combination of elegance and versatility. its three delicate rays confine divisi...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Mid-Century Modern Coffee and C...

Materials

Marble, Bronze, Brass

Miniforms Bonbon Triangle Low Coffee Table in Lacquered Wood by Paolo Cappello

$1,958 / item

Miniforms Bonbon Triangle Low Coffee Table in Lacquered Wood by Paolo Cappello

By Paolo Cappello, Miniforms

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Bonbon’s signature legs return in the Coffee version — same design, scaled down. This new take makes Bonbon perfect for smaller spaces, with a more playful appeal expressed through i...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Large Squared Low Coffee Table in Solid Oak, Handcrafted in Italy, Sculptural

$13,277 / item

Large Squared Low Coffee Table in Solid Oak, Handcrafted in Italy, Sculptural

By Sandro Lopez

Located in Milano, IT

Qapu is a coffee table that is based on a modular unit crafted in solid Oak wood. The units can be arranged to create different table sizes and proportions, adapting to the needs of ...

Category

2010s Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

Moulded Mineral Natural White Low Coffee Table, 3 Pieds by MANUFACTURE XXI

$5,791 / item

Moulded Mineral Natural White Low Coffee Table, 3 Pieds by MANUFACTURE XXI

Located in Geneve, CH

Luo Coffee Table 3 Modules One of a Kind Indoor/Outdoor by MANUFACTURE XXI Dimensions: W 100 x D 60 x H 49 cm.

Category

2010s French Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Other

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Low Coffee Table with Tile Ceramic Top, 1970s

$1,425

Vintage Mid-Century Modern Low Coffee Table with Tile Ceramic Top, 1970s

Located in Warszawa, Mazowieckie

This rare coffee table, probably was manufactured in Belgium during the 1970s. This is a piece of furniture with an original character. The top is composed of eighteen ceramic tiles ...

Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Nature Art Nouveau style walnut Na Pali low coffee table by InsidherLand

$6,625Sale Price / item|20% Off

Nature Art Nouveau style walnut Na Pali low coffee table by InsidherLand

By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa

Located in Maia, Porto

Na Pali means “the cliffs” and is a breathtaking landscape located on Kauai, a volcanic island resulting from the rain and the blasts of winter waves against the cliffs. Inspired by...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Brass

Contemporary Brandt Low Coffee Table CS2 by Noom, Bold design, Painted Steel

$1,524 / item

Contemporary Brandt Low Coffee Table CS2 by Noom, Bold design, Painted Steel

By Kateryna Sokolova, NOOM

Located in Paris, FR

New Noom furniture collection is dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Bauhaus School in Germany. Ideas of functionalism and conciseness, the combination of craft...

Category

2010s Ukrainian Minimalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Steel

Soda Blown Murano Glass Low Coffee Table in Amber by Yiannis Ghikas

$2,969 / item

Soda Blown Murano Glass Low Coffee Table in Amber by Yiannis Ghikas

By Miniforms, Yiannis Ghikas

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Soda was born upside-down, with a puff of air. It weighs 20 kilos, and it is blown, drawn out and shaped by three master glassmakers. The result is a single volume of glass with thre...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Blown Glass

Flipper Collection, Concrete Low Coffee Table Mod. I Color White+Ardesia Cement

$1,613 / item

Flipper Collection, Concrete Low Coffee Table Mod. I Color White+Ardesia Cement

By Marialaura Rossiello

Located in Rome, Lazio

Part of the Flipper collection designed by Marialaura Irvine for Forma&Cemento. Play, color and freedom are the keywords of this new collection based on the principle "by doing less,...

Category

2010s Italian Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Concrete, Cement, Metal

Postmodern Design XL Wengé Coffee Table

$4,120

Postmodern Design XL Wengé Coffee Table

By Axel Vervoordt

Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN

Beautifully constructed low coffee table in wengé wood. Where the legs, and side parts are in a fine finish and the three middle planks left in a grainy unfinished manner.

Category

Vintage 1980s Belgian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak, Wenge

1930s Louis XVI Wood and Gilt Bronze Low Table by Chanaux & Pelletier, France

$25,000

1930s Louis XVI Wood and Gilt Bronze Low Table by Chanaux & Pelletier, France

By Chanaux & Pelletier

Located in North Miami, FL

1930s Louis XVI-style lacquered wooden low coffee table with animal skin-covered top and gilt bronze accents by Chanaux & Pelletier, France By: Chanaux & Pelletier Material: wood, b...

Category

Vintage 1930s French Louis XVI Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal, Bronze, Copper, Tin

Pair of French 1950's Hand Forged Iron Low Coffee Tables / Lamp Tables

$3,207 / set

Pair of French 1950's Hand Forged Iron Low Coffee Tables / Lamp Tables

Located in Southampton, GB

A Pair of French 1950's Hand Forged Iron Low Tables. Decorative scrolled " ribbon " detailing; beaten by hand, with an original patina and crimped edges.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Brutalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Iron

Table, Coffee Table, Walnut, Modern, Hardwood, Rift Collection, Semigood Design

$2,500 / item

Table, Coffee Table, Walnut, Modern, Hardwood, Rift Collection, Semigood Design

By Semigood Design

Located in Issaquah, WA

If you require delivery by a specific date, we kindly recommend inquiring prior to purchase to ensure availability. This low coffee table is made from hardwood brought together with...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Hardwood

Vintage Mid Century Modern Low Coffee Table with SolidWood Slab and Metal Base.

$445

Vintage Mid Century Modern Low Coffee Table with SolidWood Slab and Metal Base.

Located in Seattle, WA

This low-profile coffee table features a thick, solid wood slab top with natural grain variation, knots, and surface character consistent with reclaimed or minimally processed wood.

Category

Vintage 1970s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Vintage Chinese Black Elmwood Coffee Table with Carved Legs

$2,500

Vintage Chinese Black Elmwood Coffee Table with Carved Legs

Located in Chicago, IL

Vintage Chinese black elmwood coffee table with carved legs. This vintage elm low coffee table has been lacquered with a unique slate / black color.

Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Furniture

Materials

Elm, Lacquer

Mastea Low Coffee Table in Murano Glass and Walnut Base, by Matteo Zorzenoni

From $3,102 / item

Mastea Low Coffee Table in Murano Glass and Walnut Base, by Matteo Zorzenoni

By Matteo Zorzenoni, Miniforms

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Here you are shown the Mastea coffee table in the Canaletto walnut base finish and in the low size.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Blown Glass, Wood

Indonesian Vintage Rococo Style Red and Gold Low Table with Ball-and-claw Feet

$4,375

Indonesian Vintage Rococo Style Red and Gold Low Table with Ball-and-claw Feet

Located in Yonkers, NY

A vintage Indonesian low coffee table from the mid 20th century, with hand-carved apron, gilt accents and ball-and-claw feet.

Category

Mid-20th Century Indonesian Rococo Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Baleri Italia Match Point Low Coffee Table in Thermowood Oak by Omri Revesz

$1,199Sale Price / item|20% Off

Baleri Italia Match Point Low Coffee Table in Thermowood Oak by Omri Revesz

By Omri Revesz, Baleri Italia

Located in Milano, Lombardia

The geometrically shaped yet dynamic solid wood coffee tables in the Match Point collection come in three different heights and boast natural wooden finishes. Three circular discs – ...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Chap Low Coffee Table in Palladio Orange and Grey Glass by Matteo Zorzenoni

$2,827 / item

Chap Low Coffee Table in Palladio Orange and Grey Glass by Matteo Zorzenoni

By Matteo Zorzenoni, Miniforms

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Chap is a primary object that finds expression through shape and colour. Organic and primitive in taste, this essential element sports the striking decorative texture of Palladio Mor...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble

Japanese Bamboo Low Table, First Half of the 20th Century

$2,060

Japanese Bamboo Low Table, First Half of the 20th Century

Located in Lille, BE

Its restrained design and organic material give it a quiet sculptural quality, reminiscent of the understated interiors associated with Axel Vervoordt. Suitable as a low coffee tabl...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Minimalist Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Bamboo

Rialto L Carpanese Home Italia Coffee Table with Glass Top

$2,804 / item

Rialto L Carpanese Home Italia Coffee Table with Glass Top

By Carpanese Home Italia

Located in Sanguinetto, IT

Low coffee table with wood, metal, and glass. The beautiful mix between natural wood and bronze metal details is perfect for a Contemporary and luxurious environment .

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Metal

Soda Blown Murano Glass Low Coffee Table in Petrol Green by Yiannis Ghikas

$3,270 / item

Soda Blown Murano Glass Low Coffee Table in Petrol Green by Yiannis Ghikas

By Yiannis Ghikas, Miniforms

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Soda was born upside-down, with a puff of air. It weighs 20 kilos, and it is blown, drawn out and shaped by three master glassmakers. The result is a single volume of glass with thre...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Blown Glass

Soda Blown Murano Glass Low Coffee Table in Blue Light by Yiannis Ghikas

$3,270 / item

Soda Blown Murano Glass Low Coffee Table in Blue Light by Yiannis Ghikas

By Yiannis Ghikas, Miniforms

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Soda was born upside-down, with a puff of air. It weighs 20 kilos, and it is blown, drawn out and shaped by three master glassmakers. The result is a single volume of glass with thre...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Blown Glass

Modern Stoneware Low Ceramic Stool by French Artist Low or Coffee Table Green

$1,888

Modern Stoneware Low Ceramic Stool by French Artist Low or Coffee Table Green

Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR

Possibility of using them low coffee tables. Height : 16cm Large : 41cm Depth : 26cm

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Stools

Materials

Ceramic

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Low Coffee Tables For Sale on 1stDibs

An assortment of low coffee tables is available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of wood, metal and glass, all low coffee tables available were constructed with great care. We have 4224 antique and vintage low coffee tables in-stock, while there are 894 modern editions to choose from as well. There are all kinds of low coffee tables available, from those produced as long ago as the 18th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. Low coffee tables made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with modern — are very popular at 1stDibs. Low coffee tables have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Roger Capron, Edizione Limitata and Paolo Piva are consistently popular.

How Much are Low Coffee Tables?

Low coffee tables can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price at 1stDibs is $3,499, while the lowest priced sells for $0 and the highest can go for as much as $346,332.

Finding the Right Coffee And 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 Low Coffee Tables

Can a coffee table be too low?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertAugust 8, 2024
Yes, a coffee table can be too low. Most experts recommend choosing a coffee table that is around one to two inches lower than the seat height of your sofa or loveseat. You may find it difficult to access items on the tabletop while seated if you choose a shorter table. In addition, an overly low coffee table can make a room feel cramped or unbalanced. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes, designers intentionally place ultra-low coffee tables in spaces to create a bold contrast in a large room. Feel free to break from convention when choosing a coffee table. What's most important is that the finished result appeals to you and allows you to enjoy your seating area to the fullest. Shop a wide range of antique, vintage and contemporary coffee tables on 1stDibs.
Why are modern coffee tables so low?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Modern coffee tables tend to be low because they’re most commonly placed in front of couches and chairs. Historically, coffee tables were placed behind the couch which necessitated a taller table. Over time, as styles changed and coffee tables came to be positioned in front of couches, their heights were lowered to accommodate the modern arrangement. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of vintage and contemporary coffee tables from some of the world’s top sellers.
Is 12 inches too low for a coffee table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
No, 12 inches isn’t necessarily too low for a coffee table. For balance, choose a coffee table that is about two to four inches lower than the seat of the largest piece of furniture around it. Usually, this will be the sofa. If your sofa’s seat is 14 to 16 inches high, a 12-inch coffee table will likely be in proportion. Find an assortment of coffee tables on 1stDibs.
What are low tables called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
Low tables are usually called coffee tables. The name comes from the table height being designed to make it easy to place something, such as a cup of coffee, on the tabletop while seated on a sofa. Alternatively, people may refer to these low tables as cocktail tables. Explore a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.
Why are console tables so low?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
Console tables are not low. Typically, consoles are about the height of a desk but are much narrower. As a result, they work well against walls and can be used to hold lamps and decorative objects. While modern console tables commonly feature four legs, you can still find the two-legged variety, which is ideal for nestling behind the sofa. Some also feature shelves for display and storage space or cabinet doors and drawers for hiding clutter. Find vintage console tables on 1stDibs.
Why are Japanese dining tables low?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
The chabudai, or the short Japanese dining table makes the most of limited space by serving many functions in a Japanese home. They often feature collapsible legs so they can be stored. Diners sit on pillows on the floor, rather than chairs, again freeing up more space by not having bulky chairs. Shop a collection of Japanese furniture from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What coffee table height works best with a low mid-century modern sofa?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026
Look for a table 15 to 18 inches tall to match the lower seat height common to mid-century sofas; a taller table can feel out of proportion next to a low-slung frame.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How do I authenticate my Noguchi coffee table?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
To authenticate your Noguchi coffee table, there are three different marks to look for. Isamu Noguchi’s signature will be on the edge of the table and on a medallion under the base. Even under the medallion, you will find Noguchi’s initials. Shop a collection of properly vetted Noguchi pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

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