Low Console Table

Questions About Low Console Table

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 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.

• 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.

• What is a console table used for?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021

  Console tables serve a variety of functions. They can be used as buffets, storage units and display tables. Because they vary in size, you can use them for just about anything.

• Why is it called a console table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024

  Why it is called a console table comes down to the history of this type of furnishing. The very first consoles produced in France during the 16th and 17th centuries were not freestanding. Instead, owners anchored them to walls. This anchoring method strengthened the console top, allowing it to support heavy loads. The name “console” comes from the French word "consolide," which means to reinforce or strengthen. It was likely chosen because of the anchoring system that lends strength to and reinforces consoles. Shop a diverse assortment of console tables on 1stDibs.

• 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 is the difference between a buffet table and a console table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 20, 2024

  The difference between a buffet table and a console table comes down to size and storage features. Console tables are usually less deep than buffet tables, so they take up less space behind sofas and along walls. In addition, consoles are less likely to have cabinets and drawers than buffet tables, which are designed to store dinnerware and serveware in dining rooms. On 1stDibs, explore a wide variety of buffets and console 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.

• What is the difference between a sideboard and a console table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 26, 2024

  The difference between a sideboard and a console table comes down to usage and storage features. Sideboards are usually found in dining rooms and have shelving concealed behind cabinet doors for storing dinnerware, glassware and serveware. Normally positioned in entryways, hallways and living rooms, console tables may have no storage features or include drawers, open shelves or cabinet doors, depending on their design. Find a large selection of console tables and sideboards on 1stDibs.

• What is the difference between a console and a sofa table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019

  The main difference between a console and a sofa table is that a console can be placed anywhere in the home (against a wall in a hallway or under a television in the living room) and a sofa table is limited to being behind a sofa.
  

• Should a console table be taller than a couch?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 22, 2019

  A console table should not be taller than a couch. Much like a sofa table, a console table is placed against the back of a sofa and should be the same height as the sofa.
  

• How wide should a console table be in an entryway?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023

  In an entryway, a console table should typically be around 10 to 16 inches wide. Tables of this width should still allow plenty of clearance so people can easily walk by the table. You may see manufacturers refer to the width of consoles as depth. On 1stDibs, shop a range of console tables.

• Can you use a console table as a desk?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021

  Because of their variety of sizes and range in function, console tables can easily work as a desk. Given their size and ease of mobility, a console table can be used in almost any sort of room.

• How tall should a lamp be on a console table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2024

  
  
  A lamp for a console table should be between 25 and 32 inches tall. The table lamp’s shade shouldn’t exceed half the width of the console table.
  
  You’ll find that when it comes to arranging wall art, a decorator might suggest that the space on the wall above a console table is a great place for a large painting or a wall sculpture. In that case, you may wish to use a taller lamp for the table. If your table is smaller in scale or if you have a small mirror hanging on the wall above the console, you may wish to opt for a shorter lamp.
  
  Find vintage table lamps for sale 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.