Small Side Tables

Questions About Small Side Tables

• What is a small table called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 22, 2024

  What a small table is called depends largely on where it's located. A small table placed beside a bed is a bedside table or a nightstand. Small tables in seating areas positioned between sofas, loveseats and accent chairs are end tables or side tables. Shop a wide range of tables on 1stDibs.

• What are side tables called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertNovember 13, 2024

  Side tables are often simply called side tables. If positioned on either end of a sofa or loveseat, you might refer to them as end tables. General terms for side tables and other tables commonly used in seating areas include occasional tables and accent tables. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of side tables.

• What are side tables used for?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  Side tables are used next to furniture like beds and couches to provide an accessible place for keeping essential items at hand. In the living room, side tables are often used to display flower arrangements, photos or books as well as to set down a drink. In the bedroom, a side table is typically populated with items like a lamp, bedtime reading material, and a charging device for a phone. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary side tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

• What are nesting side tables?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022

  A nesting table is a set of tables designed to be stored one inside or under the other, giving them a layered or stacked appearance. A side table is a table that’s placed beside a piece of furniture. A nesting side table would be a series of side tables in graduated heights that can be stacked or nested together. Shop a collection of nesting tables from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

• What size should a side table be?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 25, 2019

  A side table should stand one to three inches below the arm of the sofa or chair it is placed next to.

• What is the small table next to a bed?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021

  The small table next to a bed is called either a nightstand or bedside table. These tables serve as storage as well as a surface for important bedside items, such as your book, your phone or a small pitcher of water. Shop antique, vintage and modern bedside tables on 1stDibs.

• What is a small dining table called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021

  A small dining table is also called a dinette. A table and two to four seats are frequently included. Designed for small spaces, dinettes are most often used in kitchens and breakfast nooks. On 1stDibs, find a variety of vintage and antique dinettes.

• 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 an end table and a side table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023

  There are two differences between end tables and side tables: function and size. Typically, end tables go beside a chair or at opposite ends of a sofa and have smaller tabletops, while side tables go toward the sides of seating areas or against walls and feature a larger surface area. However, many people use the words side and end tables interchangeably, so these differences may not always apply. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of end and side tables.

• What are tiny side tables called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024

  What tiny side tables are called varies. Some people may simply refer to them as side tables. Others describe them as end tables if they're placed on either end of a sofa or loveseat. When used elsewhere in a room, small side tables are often called accent tables. On 1stDibs, explore a large selection of antique, vintage and contemporary side tables.

• What is a tall side table called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021

  A tall side table may also be called a console table. While these furnishings are not as common in today’s interiors as their coffee-table and side-table counterparts, console tables are stylish home accents and have become more prevalent over the years. The popularity of wood console tables took shape during the 17th and 18th centuries in French and Italian culture, and were exclusively featured in the palatial homes of the upper class. Find console tables today on 1stDibs.

• Should a side table be lower than a sofa?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMarch 25, 2024

  No, a side table shouldn't always be lower than a sofa. To make it easy to access items on a table, a sofa's arms should generally be no more than 2 to 3 inches above or below the tabletop. This rule of thumb differs from the one for coffee tables, which should be as tall or 1 to 2 inches shorter than the seat height of the sofa to ensure a balanced look. Explore a large selection of side tables on 1stDibs.

• How can you tell if a side table is antique?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023

  To determine whether a side table is an antique, closely examine its details. Older pieces will typically have telltale features like wood pegs, hand-cut dovetails with some slight imperfections and mortise-and-tenon construction. Tables that are a consistent color throughout or have machine-cut moldings or carvings are unlikely to be antiques. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can be a helpful resource when dating tables. Shop a collection of antique, vintage and modern side tables on 1stDibs.

• Is a glass table better for small spaces?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023

  Whether a glass table is better for small spaces is largely a matter of personal opinion. However, many people find that a transparent glass table creates the illusion of a larger room and makes a compact area feel more spacious. Shop a variety of glass tables on 1stDibs.

• What is the small table in the living room called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 27, 2024

  The small table in the living room is often called a side table. The name comes from the fact that these small yet tall tables typically go beside seating. Small side tables positioned on either end of a sofa or loveseat are sometimes referred to as end tables. A low table in front of a sofa is usually called a coffee table. Shop a wide range of antique, vintage and contemporary side tables on 1stDibs.

• What is a small table next to your bed called?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021

  The small table next to the bed is called a nightstand or bedside table. These tables usually have a bedside lamp which is useful for reading. Modern nightstands are small tables with one or two drawers. It’s a space to hold a lamp, your book, your phone, a flashlight and more. On 1stDibs, shop vintage and antique bedside tables.

• What shape table is best for a small space?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021

  The best shape table for a small space is a square shaped table. Because they can have multiple functions and easily push into the corner of the room, they are said to better as they'll take up less space in a dining room or kitchen. Find a range of tables today on 1stDibs.

• What's the difference between a nightstand and a side table?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertSeptember 16, 2026

  Nightstands are purpose-built for the bedroom, usually with a drawer or shelf sized for a lamp and small items, while side tables are a more general-purpose form used throughout the home.

• What is the best shape table for a small dining room?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021

  The best shape for a table in a small dining room can be a round table. A round table works well in small rooms and smaller square-shaped rooms. It creates a cozy setting, so it is the best shape for a small group of people. Visually, it seems to occupy less space than a rectangle because of the rounded corners, and this also means that it has less surface area. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage round dining tables.

• Is a round dining table better in a small space?

  1 Answer
  1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023

  Whether a round dining table is better in a small space is largely a matter of personal preference. Working with a tighter space may mean that a round or oval dining room table, a design that references the festive meals of the medieval era, may be a better fit. Round dining room tables, particularly those that originated in the Art Deco period, still endure as a popular contemporary substitute for traditional rectangular dining tables. Both round and oval tables take up less space than rectangular and square tables of similar size because they lack corners. Find a variety of round tables on 1stDibs.