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Midcentury Modern Kidney Coffee Table

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Mid Century Modern Kidney Shape Brass & Lucite Base Coffee Table Mint!
By Mastercraft, Adrian Pearsall, Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Midcentury Modern Kidney Shape Brass and Lucite Base Coffee Table MINT!
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Atomic Mid Century Modern Biomorphic Kidney Shaped Glass & Oak Coffee Table
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Lafayette, IN
Fantastic biomorphic/kidney shaped coffee table attributed to Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Organic Kidney Shape Elevated Glass Top Coffee Table MINT!
By Isamu Noguchi
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century modern c1960s vintage kidney shape black lacquer elevated glass top coffee table.
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Mid-Century Modern Boomerang or Kidney Shaped Wood Coffee or Cocktail Table
By Paul Frankl
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Mid-Century Modern boomerang or kidney-shaped coffee table with sculptural wood legs, 1950s-1960s
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany, Oak, Walnut

Mid Century Modern Mosaic Top, Gold and Black Kidney Coffee Table
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Delve into the elegance of the Mid Century Modern era with this unique Kidney Coffee Table
Category

Vintage 1960s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wood

Corner Kidney L Shape Laminated Top Mid Century Modern Coffee Table Black White
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice organic kidney shape Mid-Century Modern coffee table.
Category

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

Materials

Laminate

Restored Mid-Century Modern Walnut, Glass, Brass Kidney Shape Coffee Table 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Philadelphia, PA
In the manner of Adrian Pearsall, a coffee table with three tapered walnut legs with brass caps
Category

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

Materials

Brass

1950's Mid Century Modern Kidney Shape Tesselated Stone Coffee/ Cocktail Table
By Maitland Smith
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1950's Mid Century Modern Kidney Shaped Tesselated Stone Coffee/ Cocktail Table. Coordinating
Category

Vintage 1950s Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Stone

Mid Century Modern Sculptural Kidney Shaped Cocktail Table Adrian Pearsall
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous kidney shaped cocktail table attributed to Adrian Pearsall & Craft Associates. Walnut tri
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Vintage Kidney Shaped Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage-modern kidney shaped coffee table featuring stone composite top and wooden base. Please
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Vintage Kidney Shaped Coffee Table
Vintage Kidney Shaped Coffee Table
H 16 in W 65 in D 21 in
Mid-Century Walnut Glass Kidney Shaped Large Coffee Table Adrian Pearsall Style
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Baltimore, MD
Exceptional and beautiful large, Mid-Century Modern biomorphic kidney shaped glass cocktail coffee
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Adrian Pearsall Jacks Coffee Table Vintage Mid-Century Kidney Walnut Glass
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Hyattsville, MD
. This is a very nice example of the now iconic Craft Associates 'JAX' Coffee Table. It has just enough
Category

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

Materials

Walnut

Mid Century Kidney Table, 1960´s, Brussels Period
Located in Prague 8, CZ
Mid century kidney table, made of stained beech wood, associated with world-renowned exhibition
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Beech

Mid Century Italian Post Modern Black & White Kidney Shape Cocktail Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A large free form coffee table from Italy circa 1980's. It features cast concrete legs with
Category

Vintage 1980s Italian Post-Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Concrete

Mid-Century Walnut Coffee Table w/ Kidney Glass Top by Forest Wilson, c. 1960s
By Forest Wilson
Located in Deland, FL
of design backdrops from Mid-Century Modern to Boho Chic to Contemporary. With iconic lines, superb
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Charles Hollis Jones Coffee Table
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stunning vintage modern coffee table features thick kidney shaped green glass. Unique sculpted
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Large Danish Kidney-Shaped Teak Coffee Table
By Anton Kildebergs Møbelfabrik
Located in København K, 84
Large Danish kidney-shaped teak coffee table By Anton Kildeberg´s Møbelfabrik.
Category

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

Materials

Oak, Teak

Large Danish Kidney-Shaped Teak Coffee Table
Large Danish Kidney-Shaped Teak Coffee Table
H 19.69 in W 48.82 in D 29.53 in
Mid-Century Modern Biomorphic Walnut Coffee Cocktail Table
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A sensuous sculptural cocktail table featuring a biomorphic kidney shaped glass top, as well as
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Organic Kidney Shape Faux Marble Finish Coffee Table
By Jay Spectre
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern faux stone marble finish kidney shape coffee table. Perfect Kagan decor match.
Category

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

Materials

Hardwood

1950s Spanish Kidney Coffee Table in Carved Wood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Midcentury carved wood kidney coffee table, 1950s. This table has a strong construction inspired
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Pine

Vintage Linen Wrapped Kidney Freeform Biomorphic Coffee Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage wrapped Linen Kidney Coffee Table in the style of Karl Springer & Maitland Smith
Category

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

Materials

Linen

Unique Mid-Century Modern Rustic Driftwood Glass Top Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique sculptural coffee table combines a free-form modern design with wonderful rustic
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Mid century modern Johannes Andersen ''Capri'' Teak Wood Coffee Table
By Johannes Andersen, Trensum
Located in Madrid, ES
Large kidney shaped coffe table in teak wood, model “Capri” designed by Johannes Andersen (Denmark
Category

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

Materials

Teak

Rustic Rosewood Natural Coffee, Cocktail Table, Organic Form, Mid-Century Modern
Located in Stamford, CT
Mid-Century Modern rustic driftwood natural coffee, cocktail table, organic form Modern driftwood
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Wood

Mid Century Modern Adrian Pearsall Walnut Glass Jacks Coffee Table 1960s
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Troy, MI
Mid Century Adrian Pearsall Jacks coffee table circa 1960s Rare 8 point solid walnut base and
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Jens Risom Danish Kidney-Shaped Beige Mica and Walnut Cocktail / Coffee Table
By Jens Risom
Located in New York, NY
Danish Mid-Century coffee / cocktail table with a kidney-shaped table top with a beige marbled mica
Category

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

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern Vintage Beech and Cherry Coffee Table, circa 1950
Located in Vienna, AT
The Mid-Century Modern vintage three legged coffee table was made of beechwood and the tabletop was
Category

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Beech, Cherry

Kidney Shaped Coffee Table by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe
By Pastoe, Cees Braakman
Located in Appeltern, Gelderland
Very rare birchwood kidney side coffee table designed by Cees Braakman for UMS Pastoe Holland
Category

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

Materials

Birch

Mid Century Three Legged Coffee Table or Bench
Located in London, London
Coffee table or could be used as a bench Rustic  Irregular kidney-shaped top Three legs Wooden
Category

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

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Three Legged Coffee Table or Bench
Mid Century Three Legged Coffee Table or Bench
H 21.66 in W 38.98 in D 13.78 in
Biomorphic kidney-shaped coffee table with faux eggshell lacquer mosaic pattern
By Maitland Smith, Alexander Lamont, Karl Springer, Jean Dunand
Located in London, GB
Biomorphic kidney-shaped coffee table, Mid-century style, c. 1980s Zebra/tiger faux eggshell
Category

Late 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Composition

Rosewood Kidney-Shaped Low Table
Located in New York, NY
Rosewood kidney shaped low table, the shaped top above two spindled supports conjoined by a
Category

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

Materials

Rosewood

Rosewood Kidney-Shaped Low Table
Rosewood Kidney-Shaped Low Table
H 19 in W 38 in D 17 in
Scrumptious Pearsall style Sculptural Walnut 2 Tier Coffee Table Kidney Shaped
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Pemberton, NJ
Scrumptious Adrian Pearsall style 2 tier walnut kidney shaped coffee table. This table is in
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Two-Tier "L" Shape Glass and Brass Organic Kidney Shape Coffee Table
By Pace Collection, Design Institute America
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern DIA style "L" shape or kidney shape glass top brass frame coffee center table.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Gesso Washed and Stained Kidney Shape Glass Top Natural Driftwood Coffee Table
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern very nice example of natural driftwood kidney shape coffee table. Nice gesso
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Driftwood

Made to Order Small Kidney Two Tiered Coffee Table Set-Full Black
Located in Los Angeles, CA
W42 D26 D20 D18 H17.5 Nesting table W17.5 H12.5 Handcrafted Kidney coffee table made in house by
Category

2010s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Paint

Kidney Comma Shape Two Tier Glass Walnut & Brass Conical Leg Coffee Side Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern organic shape two tier glass top brass cone shape tapered T-tri legged coffee
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Organic Kidney Comma Shape Two-Tier Glass Top Brass Leg Walnut Coffee Side Table
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern unusual irregular boomerang shape coffee side table on tapered brass legs.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Italian Glass Block Cocktail Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular cocktail table consisting of two separate solid glass block bases. Resting on top is a
Category

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

Materials

Glass

Thick Glass Kidney Shape Brass Base Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table
By Maison Baguès
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Italian thick glass kidney shape brass base Mid-Century Modern coffee table.
Category

20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Center Tables

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Sculptural Walnut & Glass Cocktail Table by Vladimir Kagan
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Iconic design by Vladimir Kagan C1960 Sculptural 412 glass and walnut kidney shape cocktail table
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Mid-Century Modern S-Shaped Wood and Amber Colored Acrylic Cocktail Sofa Table
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern sculptural vintage kidney shaped coffee cocktail table Measurements listed are
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Italian Modern Kidney Shape Marble Side Table or Coffee Table
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage side table from Italy circa 1960's. It features a kidney shape Arrabesco marble top
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Side Tables

Materials

Marble, Metal

Swedish Modern Unique Coffee Table by Bo Fjaestad, Sweden, 1950s
By Carl Malmsten
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Wonderful kidney shaped coffee table made in pine. This one is a unique piece. Vintage
Category

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

Materials

Pine

Rare Glass & Lucite Kidney Table by Gilbert Rohde for Herman Miller Luxury Group
By Gilbert Rohde, Herman Miller
Located in Troy, MI
A rare cocktail table from the Herman Miller Luxury Group Designed by Gilbert Rohde circa 1939-40
Category

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

Materials

Chrome

Mid 20th Century Martz Style Mosaic Tile Table Boomerang
By Gordon & Jane Martz
Located in Southampton, NJ
Mid century biomorphic mosaic tile table. Biomorphic kidney shape with abstract green, orange
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Etagere with 3 glass plates, kidney shape, 1950s
Located in EINDHOVEN, NL
Three glass plates, 2 of which are kidney-shaped and 1 round, resting on 3 legs. The table can be
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Midcentury Italian Three Tier Kidney Shaped Brass & Marquetry Étagére
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Mid-century Italian Three Tier Kidney Shaped Brass & Decorative Marquetry Étagére.
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Glass Biomorphic Coffee table on casters
Located in New York, NY
Nice Biomorphic Kidney shaped Glass coffee table on casters. Longer side is 46 by 11 deep, wider
Category

1990s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Glass

Mid-Century Modern Karl Springer Style Kidney End Table
By Karl Springer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique coffee table is covered in a subtle woven canvas pattern and features a beautiful free
Category

Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern End Tables

Materials

Canvas

Sculptural Aluminum & Glass Coffee/Cocktail Table
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An aluminum base with a new 1/2 inch kidney shaped glass top coffee/cocktail table circa 1970s
Category

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

Materials

Aluminum

Important Midcentury Coffee Table Santambrogio & De Berti
By Santambrogio & De Berti
Located in Norwood, NJ
Glass and mirrored top coffee or cocktail low table manufactured by Santambrogio & De Berti
Category

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

Materials

Brass

Briance Coffee Table, by Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
By Bourgeois Boheme Atelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A 1960s inspiration. This elegant kidney shaped coffee table features a white Carrara marble top
Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Carrara Marble, Brass

Wonderful Lucite Sculptural Walnut Coffee Table Midcentury
Located in Pemberton, NJ
A sensuous sculptural cocktail table featuring a biomorphic kidney shaped glass top, as well as
Category

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

Materials

Glass, Lucite, Walnut

Restored Rattan and Mahogany Biomorphic Coffee Table
Located in Van Nuys, CA
-molded rattan trim along the edge. The restored rattan and mahogany Kidney-shaped coffee table exudes
Category

Mid-20th Century Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Rattan, Mahogany

Large coffee table by Svante Skogh for Laauser, 1960s Germany.
By Svante Skogh
Located in Landgraaf, NL
Large coffee table by Svante Skogh for Laauser, 1960s Germany. Kidney-shaped coffee table with a
Category

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

Materials

Teak

1970s Mirrored Coffee Table by Campbell Glass Los Angeles
Located in Cathedral City, CA
Regency style kidney design 1970s mirrored coffee table by Campbell Glass.
Category

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

Materials

Mirror, Wood

1980s Coastal Style Triangular Rattan Coffee Table in the Franco Albini Style
By Franco Albini
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Mid-Century Modern / coastal style triangular rattan coffee table in the Franco Albini's
Category

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

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan

1950s Oak & Glass Kidney Biomorphic Coffee Table, Noguchi Style
By Hisamitsu Noguchi
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
throughout. Just look at the gorgeous details on this beauty! Vintage 1950s, Mid-Century Modern, Cerused oak
Category

Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Conference Tables

Materials

Glass, Wood

Set of Boho Driftwood Tables
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This set of matching tables features painted driftwood bases with unique free-form design. Kidney
Category

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

Materials

Driftwood

Set of Boho Driftwood Tables
Set of Boho Driftwood Tables
H 15.25 in W 60 in D 31 in
Kidney Shape Black Lacquer Raffia Cloth Wrapped Side End Coffee Table
By Harrison Van Horn
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Kidneyshape black lacquer raffia cloth wrapped side end coffee table. Custom design studio piece.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern End Tables

Materials

Raffia

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Midcentury Modern Kidney Coffee Table For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal midcentury modern kidney coffee table for your home. A midcentury modern kidney coffee table — often made from wood, glass and walnut — can elevate any home. There are 181 variations of the antique or vintage midcentury modern kidney coffee table you’re looking for, while we also have 2 modern editions of this piece to choose from as well. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer midcentury modern kidney coffee table, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A midcentury modern kidney coffee table made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Scandinavian Modern — is very popular. A well-made midcentury modern kidney coffee table has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Adrian Pearsall, Craft Associates and Lane Furniture are consistently popular.

How Much is a Midcentury Modern Kidney Coffee Table?

A midcentury modern kidney coffee table can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $2,400, while the lowest priced sells for $338 and the highest can go for as much as $17,000.

A Close Look at Mid-Century Modern Furniture

Organically shaped, clean-lined and elegantly simple are three terms that well describe vintage mid-century modern furniture. The style, which emerged primarily in the years following World War II, is characterized by pieces that were conceived and made in an energetic, optimistic spirit by creators who believed that good design was an essential part of good living.

ORIGINS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

CHARACTERISTICS OF MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGN

MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNERS TO KNOW

ICONIC MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE DESIGNS

VINTAGE MID-CENTURY MODERN FURNITURE ON 1STDIBS

The mid-century modern era saw leagues of postwar American architects and designers animated by new ideas and new technology. The lean, functionalist International-style architecture of Le Corbusier and Bauhaus eminences Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Walter Gropius had been promoted in the United States during the 1930s by Philip Johnson and others. New building techniques, such as “post-and-beam” construction, allowed the International-style schemes to be realized on a small scale in open-plan houses with long walls of glass.

Materials developed for wartime use became available for domestic goods and were incorporated into mid-century modern furniture designs. Charles and Ray Eames and Eero Saarinen, who had experimented extensively with molded plywood, eagerly embraced fiberglass for pieces such as the La Chaise and the Womb chair, respectively. 

Architect, writer and designer George Nelson created with his team shades for the Bubble lamp using a new translucent polymer skin and, as design director at Herman Miller, recruited the Eameses, Alexander Girard and others for projects at the legendary Michigan furniture manufacturer

Harry Bertoia and Isamu Noguchi devised chairs and tables built of wire mesh and wire struts. Materials were repurposed too: The Danish-born designer Jens Risom created a line of chairs using surplus parachute straps for webbed seats and backrests.

The Risom lounge chair was among the first pieces of furniture commissioned and produced by legendary manufacturer Knoll, a chief influencer in the rise of modern design in the United States, thanks to the work of Florence Knoll, the pioneering architect and designer who made the firm a leader in its field. The seating that Knoll created for office spaces — as well as pieces designed by Florence initially for commercial clients — soon became desirable for the home.

As the demand for casual, uncluttered furnishings grew, more mid-century furniture designers caught the spirit.

Classically oriented creators such as Edward Wormley, house designer for Dunbar Inc., offered such pieces as the sinuous Listen to Me chaise; the British expatriate T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings switched gears, creating items such as the tiered, biomorphic Mesa table. There were Young Turks such as Paul McCobb, who designed holistic groups of sleek, blond wood furniture, and Milo Baughman, who espoused a West Coast aesthetic in minimalist teak dining tables and lushly upholstered chairs and sofas with angular steel frames.

As the collection of vintage mid-century modern chairs, dressers, coffee tables and other furniture for the living room, dining room, bedroom and elsewhere on 1stDibs demonstrates, this period saw one of the most delightful and dramatic flowerings of creativity in design history.

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. Browse a vast selection of antique, new and vintage coffee table and cocktail tables today.