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Refectory Coffee Table

Expandable Refectory Coffee Table by Edward Wormley for Dunbar
By Dunbar Furniture
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A very well crafted mahogany expanding refectory coffee table with each end that pulls out making
Category

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

Materials

Mahogany

Country Elm Refectory Coffee Table This is a good sturdy country made table, it
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Country Elm Refectory Coffee Table This is a good sturdy country made table, it has an 1” thick
Category

Vintage 1950s Country Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Elm

VINTAGE REFECTORY ROBERT MOUSEMAN THOMPSON STYLE DAZED OAK COFFEE TABLE j1
By Robert Thompson
Located in Pulborough, GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this Beautiful Vintage Refectory Coffee Table In The Style Of
Category

20th Century British Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

Edward Wormley for Dunbar Black Painted Refectory Coffee / Cocktail Table
By Edward Wormley
Located in New York, NY
American Mid-Century black painted wooden refectory coffee / cocktail table with a rectangular top
Category

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

Materials

Metal

Vintage English Oak Coffee Table Made in the Style of Edwardian Refectory Tables
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this nicely made English oak circa 1960’s coffee table made in
Category

Vintage 1960s English Edwardian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

LIRA Old Chestnut Coffee Table - 17th Century Italian Refectory Style in stock
Located in Encinitas, CA
Our “LIRA” coffee table - The Italian Art & Fine Antique Reproduction - available in custom size
Category

2010s Italian Baroque Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Wrought Iron

17th C Style Italian Refectory Old Walnut Coffee Table with single drawer
Located in Encinitas, CA
17th Century Style Italian SALOTTO Refectory Old Walnut Coffee Table with Single Drawer, available
Category

2010s Italian Baroque Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

17th Century Refectory Form Cocktail Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A reclaimed oak and figured ash veneered refectory cocktail table, the rectangular planked and
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Jacobean Coffee and Cocktail Ta...

Materials

Wood

17th C Refectory Style Old Italian Walnut 42x26 Coffee Table with finish options
Located in Encinitas, CA
Our “LIRA” coffee table - The Italian Art & Fine Antique Reproduction - available in custom size
Category

2010s Italian Baroque Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Iron

17th C Refectory Style Old Italian Solid Walnut 50x30 Coffee Table with options
Located in Encinitas, CA
Our “LIRA” coffee table - The Italian Art & Fine Antique Reproduction - available in custom size
Category

2010s Italian Baroque Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Iron

A Chunky Solid Elm Irish Coffee Table This is a very sturdy table
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Chunky Solid Elm Irish Coffee Table This is a very sturdy table, made in the Farmhouse refectory
Category

Vintage 1960s Country Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Elm

NICE DECORATIVE CONTEMPORARY COFFEE & SiDE TABLES NEST PART OF A LARGE SUITE
Located in GB
looking decorative and well made piece, I have in total a refectory table with matching benches, a coffee
Category

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

Materials

Metal

A Superb Very Long Walnut Coffee Table This is a lovely looking piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Superb Very Long Walnut Coffee Table This is a lovely looking piece it is very heavy and in the
Category

Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Blond Wood Expandable Refectory Coffee Side Table Childs Dining
By Edmond J. Spence
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Unusual Mid-Century Modern Scandinavian child dining or coffee table.
Category

20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Tables

Materials

Birch, Oak

DECORATIVE CONTEMPORARY X FRAMED DINING TABLE & BENCHES PART OF A DiNING SUITE
Located in GB
exact price. A very good looking decorative and well made piece, I have in total a refectory table with
Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Dining Room Sets

Materials

Metal

DECORATIVE TRIANGLE CONTEMPORARY DISPLAY SHELF PART OF A DINING SUiTE
Located in GB
good looking decorative and well made piece, I have in total a refectory table with matching benches, a
Category

20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Shelves

Materials

Metal

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Italian 17th Century Walnut Rustic Trestle Refectory Dining or Library Table
Located in Firenze, IT
This charming 17th Century massive scale rectangular refectory table, dating back to Baroque period, is a magnificent example of Tuscan rustic craftsmanship. The top consists of four...
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Art Deco Refectory table in Macassar Ebony and Oak
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Peter Waals, Arts & Crafts Figured Oak Refectory Table with Exaggerated Feet
By Peter Waals
Located in London, GB
Peter Waals. An Arts & Crafts 6' figured oak refectory table, with a high stretcher uniting each end with chamfered through tenon joints. The shaped end supports resting on exaggerat...
Category

Early 20th Century English Arts and Crafts Dining Room Tables

Materials

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19th Century French Oak Parquetry Refectory Dining Table
Located in Wembley, GB
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Category

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De Sede DS-80 Daybed Sofa
By De Sede
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De Sede DS-80 Daybed Sofa
De Sede DS-80 Daybed Sofa
H 24 in W 79 in D 37.5 in
Long 17th Century Single Walnut Plank Refectory Table from Tuscany, Italy
Located in Dallas, TX
A rare single plank of walnut with extreme length (11 feet, 6 inches) forms the top for the refectory table from Northern Italy. Tables such as this were often used as dining tables ...
Category

Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Tables

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Jacobean Oak Desk / Library Table Early 20th Century
Located in Fulton, CA
Early 20th century oak library table / desk / refectory table with fanned inlay detail. Bold, over-sized turned oak baluster legs. Three drawers. Measures 60.88 inches wide. Presents...
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Country English Provincial Farmhouse Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Quintessential country English provinicial style farmhouse harvest table or dining table crafted from pine. Measuring 9 feet long and featuring a 1 inch thick three board rectangular...
Category

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Excellent Pair of Kidney Shaped Sofas Mid-Century Modern
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Late 17th-Early 18th Century English Oak Refectory Table
Located in Dallas, TX
a heavy oak refectory table with stretcher base, it has a triple plank top, turned baluster legs support the apron of the table, these sorts of tables were used as communal dining ta...
Category

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Materials

Oak

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Located in Port Chester, NY
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H 30 in W 71 in D 29.5 in
18th Century Italian Baroque Walnut Trestle Dining Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Magnificent 18th century Italian Baroque refectory table or dining table. Crafted from thick walnut planks with mortise and tenon joinery. The trestle style base is supported by carv...
Category

Antique 18th Century Italian Baroque Dining Room Tables

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19th century French Long Country Harvesting Table
Located in Charleston, SC
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Early 20th Century French Country Patinated Wooden Dining Table
Located in High Point, NC
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Børge Mogensen Sofa for Fredericia Stolefabrik
By Børge Mogensen, Fredericia
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Børge Mogensen. Manufacturer: Fredericia Stolefabrik. Period or model: Mid-Century Modern. Specs: Wood, leather. Condition: This Børge Mogensen sofa for Fre...
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Leather

Recent Sales

Carved Dragon Coffee Table Mid Century French Colonial Glass Top c1970 FREE SHIP
Located in France, FR
Carved Dragon Coffee Table Mid Century French Colonial Smoked Glass Top Hand carved c1970 Refectory
Category

Late 20th Century French Colonial Revival Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

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Oak Refectory Coffee Table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Oak refectory coffee table, the rectangular top, raised on platform end supports with trestle legs
Category

20th Century British Coffee and Cocktail Tables

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Oak

Oak Refectory Coffee Table
Oak Refectory Coffee Table
H 17 in W 41 in D 17 in
Antique Tiger Oak Table, Parquetry Pull Out Refectory Table, France 1920, B2741
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique tiger oak table, parquetry pull out refectory table, France 1920, B2741 France 1920
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Vintage 1920s Scottish Coffee and Cocktail Tables

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17th Century Italian Refectory Style Old Walnut Table with Forged Iron
Located in Encinitas, CA
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French Refectory Coffee Table Stone Tiles with Wine Press Base Bleached Oak
Located in Mimizan, FR
Interesting mid-20th century French refectory coffee table with wine press screw base and textured
Category

Vintage 1930s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

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Antique Oak Reduced Refectory Coffee Table, Scotland 1930, B2734
Located in Vancouver, BC
Antique Oak reduced refectory coffee table, Scotland 1930, B2734 Scotland 1930 Solid Oak and
Category

Vintage 1930s Scottish Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

Chunky Solid Elm Farmhouse Coffee Table
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Chunky solid elm farmhouse coffee table This is a very sturdy table, made in the farmhouse
Category

Mid-20th Century Country Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Elm

Midcentury Coffee Table Refectory Pine with Tiled Top, circa 1960s
Located in Mimizan, FR
Midcentury Coffee Table Refectory Pine with Tiled Top, circa 1960s Orange pop art tiles Stained
Category

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

Materials

Ceramic, Pine

Spanish coffee table with iron stretcher
Located in Boston, MA
A carved Spanish style oak refectory coffee table with decorative legs and a iron stretcher.
Category

Antique 19th Century Spanish Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Oak

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Refectory Coffee Table For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the refectory coffee table you’re looking for at 1stDibs. A refectory coffee table — often made from wood, oak and walnut — can elevate any home. Find 6 options for an antique or vintage refectory coffee table now, or shop our selection of 4 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. There are many kinds of the refectory coffee table you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 21st Century. A refectory coffee table is a generally popular piece of furniture, but those created in Baroque and Mid-Century Modern styles are sought with frequency.

How Much is a Refectory Coffee Table?

Prices for a refectory coffee table start at $536 and top out at $4,250 with the average selling for $2,135.

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.

Questions About Refectory Coffee Table
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    A refectory table is called that because of its original purpose. When first made, these pieces of furniture served as dining tables in the dining rooms of monasteries. “Refectory” is another word for a dining room in a monastery, school or other institution. You'll find a collection of refectory tables on 1stDibs.
  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

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

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    To stack books on a coffee table, place the largest one on the bottom with the spine facing the focal piece of furniture, usually the sofa. Then, add the next largest, lining up the inner edges so that the spines create a stepped effect. Continue adding books to complete the stack and top it off with a decorative object if you wish. Shop a variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
    The best coffee table for a sectional can be a round coffee table, particularly with respect to U-shaped sectionals. The circular design creates a sense of balance in small spaces and renders it easy for guests to move to and fro, especially when surrounded by chairs. Find a collection of antique and vintage coffee tables on 1stDibs today.
  • 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 26, 2021
    A tall coffee table is usually called exactly that — a tall coffee table. Coffee tables, also referred to as cocktail tables, are generally designed to sit at or below the sofa's seat height. These tables may come in a range of sizes, but they are often between 16 and 18 inches high and are designed in a variety of lengths and widths. They’re meant to provide a practical table-top surface that complements your living room layout. (A tall version might also be suitable for use as a dining table.) Shop a collection of antique, vintage and contemporary tall coffee tables from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 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.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
    Whether glass coffee tables are durable depends on the craftsmanship and the materials. Generally, tables with tempered glass are less likely to shatter and break. How well you care for a coffee table will also impact its life span. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of glass coffee tables.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
    To date a Lane coffee table, look for the serial number on the underside of the piece. On most Lane coffee tables, reading the number from right to left will tell you the date that the table was manufactured. For example, a serial number that says 852140 would have been produced on April 12, 1958. Founded in Virginia in the early 20th century, Lane is largely known for its cedar chests and innovative mid-century modern designs. Find a variety of Lane coffee tables on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024
    The best height for a coffee table is around 1 to 2 inches lower than the seat height of the adjacent sofa. Most sofas feature seat heights of around 17 or 18 inches. As a result, the most common height for coffee tables is 15 to 17 inches. On 1stDibs, shop a large selection of coffee tables.