Q: 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.

Question 1

Why is it called a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Can a coffee table be too low?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Who invented the coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

What size should a coffee table be?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Is an ottoman a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

What is the difference between a sofa table and a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

What is the difference between a coffee table and a cocktail table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 8

What is the difference between a center table and a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

Are end tables taller than coffee tables?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

What is the difference between a coffee table and a console table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 11

What is the difference between a side table and a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

What is the standard size of a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

There isn't really a standard size of a coffee table. Manufacturers produce coffee tables in a range of sizes and shapes. However, many rectangular tables are around 45 to 48 inches in length by 25 to 28 inches in width. Heights typically range from 16 to 18 inches. Shop a wide variety of coffee tables on 1stDibs.

Question 13

What is a tray top coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

How do you style an oval coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

How do I style a Noguchi coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

How much does a coffee table cost?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 17

When did coffee tables become popular?

Accepted Answer

Coffee tables became popular in the 1920s and ’30s. Pieces from this time period often show off the characteristics of Art Deco design, such as metal accents, mirrored finishes and the use of exotic woods like mahogany, ebony and zebra wood. Coffee tables first came into use during the Victorian era, largely in response to the rise of coffee houses in London. On 1stDibs, shop a wide range of antique, vintage and contemporary coffee tables.

Question 18

How big should a coffee table be for a sectional?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 19

How do I authenticate my Noguchi coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 20

How do you stack books on a coffee table?

Accepted Answer

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.

Sputnik Coffee Table

2010s American Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Sputnik Coffee Table Organic Glass, Limited Edition

Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Sputnik Coffee Table in Chromed Metal and Smoked Glass

Vintage 1960s Space Age Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Space Age Vintage Chromed Metal Glass Vintage Sputnik Coffee Table 1960

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

Coffee table, mid-century, Sputnik style

21st Century and Contemporary Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Chrome Sputnik Base Modernist Coffee Table

Vintage 1960s German Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Sputnik, Metal Chrome Globes Round Glass Top Coffee Table, Germany 1960s

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

Lovely coffee table in clear and dark wood with sputnik style feet

2010s American Organic Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Live Edge Round Side Table, Modern Organic Blue Sputnik Table

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

Italian Space Age Mid-Century Modern Sputnik Wood Glass Side Table

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

Atomic Age Sputnik Freeform Glas Mosaic Table by Berthold Muller- Oerlinghausen

Late 20th Century European Space Age Sofa Tables

Space Age Vintage Chromed Metal Sputnik Sofa Table Coffee Table circa 1970

Recent Sales

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

1970s Chrome and Glass Sputnik Coffee Table

Vintage 1970s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Coffee Table Sputnik

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

Brass Sputnik Coffee Table with Glass Top

Late 20th Century Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Italian Sputnik Coffee Table

Vintage 1960s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Round Brass Sputnik Coffee Table with Glass Top

20th Century French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

French Sputnik Coffee Table

20th Century French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

French Sputnik Coffee Table

Vintage 1960s French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

French Sputnik Coffee Table

20th Century French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

French Chrome Sputnik Coffee Table

Vintage 1970s German Space Age Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Space Age Vintage Chrome Coffee Table circa 1970 Germany

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Coffee Table Sputnik in Gold Finish

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

Italian Marble Top "Sputnik" Coffee / Cocktail Table

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

Sputnik Cocktail Table

20th Century French Coffee and Cocktail Tables

French Chrome Sputnik Table

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

Mid-Century Walnut and Glass Sculpted 'Sputnik' Round Coffee Table

Vintage 1950s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Modernism Sputnik Cocktail Table

21st Century and Contemporary Dutch Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Coffee Table Sputnik with Gold Finish Structure and Clear Glass Top

Vintage 1950s Italian Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Stylish 1950s Sputnik Occasional Table

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

Mid-Century Modern Steel Rod Base and Sputnik Style Glass-Top Coffee Table

2010s American Organic Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Live Edge Round Side Table - Midcentury Modern Furniture - Sputnik Table

Vintage 1950s Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Italian Sputnik side table mahogany and glass tripod Italy 1950

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

Round Chrome Sputnik Atomic Coffee Table with Glass Top

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

Round Chrome Sputnik Atomic Coffee Table with Glass Top

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

Chrome Sputnik Coffee Table

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

Round Chrome Sputnik Atomic Coffee Table with Glass Top

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

Round Chrome Sputnik Atomic Coffee Table with Glass Top

21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Coffee and Coc...

Mahogany Sputnik Leg Coffee Table

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

Midcentury Space Age Coffee Table with Brass Finish and Smoke Glass, 1970s