Skip to main content

Vintage Slate Coffee Table

to
52
544
455
1,002
458
439
235
232
118
83
47
12
182
51
25
25
23
Sort By
Polished Slate Coffee Table, Belgium circa 1970
Polished Slate Coffee Table, Belgium circa 1970

Polished Slate Coffee Table, Belgium circa 1970

Located in Culver City, CA

Belgium, 1970 Thick textured slate coffee table with sculptural pedestal base composed of angled

Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Mid-Century Modern Octagonal Slate Coffee Table, 1960s Paul Kingma Style
Mid-Century Modern Octagonal Slate Coffee Table, 1960s Paul Kingma Style

Mid-Century Modern Octagonal Slate Coffee Table, 1960s Paul Kingma Style

By Paul Kingma

Located in Bochum, NRW

Mid-Century Modern slate stone coffee table. A rare Brutalist octagonal shaped slate coffee table

Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Paul Kingma Inspired Inset Mosaic Slate Coffee Table with Banded Metal Frame
Paul Kingma Inspired Inset Mosaic Slate Coffee Table with Banded Metal Frame

Paul Kingma Inspired Inset Mosaic Slate Coffee Table with Banded Metal Frame

By Paul Kingma

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Mosaic slate coffee table in the manner of Dutch artist Paul Kingma, featuring a top composed of

Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Stone, Slate, Metal

Paul Evans Mid Century Welded Enameled Steel, Gold Leaf and Slate Coffee Table
Paul Evans Mid Century Welded Enameled Steel, Gold Leaf and Slate Coffee Table

Paul Evans Mid Century Welded Enameled Steel, Gold Leaf and Slate Coffee Table

By Paul Evans

Located in Franklin Park, IL

Paul Evans Mid Century Welded Enameled Steel, Gold Leaf and Slate Coffee Table This coffee table

Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Steel, Gold Leaf

Belgian Slate Coffee Table
Belgian Slate Coffee Table

Belgian Slate Coffee Table

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Dimensions: 51.2"w x 23.6"d x 15"h Material: Slate stone Belgium, c1980s VNT1725

Category

1980s Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Brutalist Slate Coffee Table, 1970s
Brutalist Slate Coffee Table, 1970s

Brutalist Slate Coffee Table, 1970s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Brutalist slate and natural stone top coffee table with inlaid brass The use of different

Category

1970s German Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Brass

Vintage wood and slate coffee table, 1970
Vintage wood and slate coffee table, 1970

Vintage wood and slate coffee table, 1970

Located in MONTESSON, FR

The structure of this coffee table is made of wood and the top is made of slate. This piece of

Category

1970s French Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

French Designer, Coffee Table, Wood, Slate, France, 1960s
French Designer, Coffee Table, Wood, Slate, France, 1960s

French Designer, Coffee Table, Wood, Slate, France, 1960s

Located in High Point, NC

A dark-stained wood and slate coffee table designed and produced in France, c. 1960s. Wear

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Vintage slate coffee table by Walter Knoll, 1960s
Vintage slate coffee table by Walter Knoll, 1960s

Vintage slate coffee table by Walter Knoll, 1960s

By Walter Knoll

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Vintage coffee table by Walter Knoll. The table is made out of a beautiful round slate stone

Category

1960s German Space Age Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Metal

Minimalist glass and slate coffee table, Germany 1980s
Minimalist glass and slate coffee table, Germany 1980s

Minimalist glass and slate coffee table, Germany 1980s

By Angelo Mangiarotti, Poul Kjærholm

Located in ECHT, NL

Bases: 45x15cm, Height. 40cm Specifications Minimalist slate and glass coffee table, Germany 1980s

Category

Late 20th Century German Minimalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

French Chrome Steel and Slate Coffee Table, 1960s
French Chrome Steel and Slate Coffee Table, 1960s

French Chrome Steel and Slate Coffee Table, 1960s

By Harvey Probber, Milo Baughman

Located in London, GB

1960s French coffee table with solid chromed steel frame and inset slate top. The slate is

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Steel, Chrome

Large French 1970’s pine and slate coffee table
Large French 1970’s pine and slate coffee table

Large French 1970’s pine and slate coffee table

Located in London, GB

A solid pine and thick slate topped coffee table with elegant curved lines. Statement piece.

Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Vintage Danish Slate Coffee Table by Svend Langkilde, 1970s
Vintage Danish Slate Coffee Table by Svend Langkilde, 1970s

Vintage Danish Slate Coffee Table by Svend Langkilde, 1970s

By Langkilde Møbler, Svend Langkilde

Located in Asaa, DK

Vintage Danish slate and mahogany coffee table by Svend Langkilde 1970s Large and heavy Danish Mid

Category

1970s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Dorothy Draper Espana Collection Ivory and Slate Coffee Table
Dorothy Draper Espana Collection Ivory and Slate Coffee Table

Dorothy Draper Espana Collection Ivory and Slate Coffee Table

By Heritage-Henredon, Dorothy Draper

Located in Chicago, IL

coffee table is comprised of hand-carved wood with an ivory glaze. Reverse quatrefoil, canted corner base

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Paul Evans Brutalist Mixed Metal and Slate Coffee Table
Paul Evans Brutalist Mixed Metal and Slate Coffee Table

Paul Evans Brutalist Mixed Metal and Slate Coffee Table

By Paul Evans

Located in Queens, NY

Mid-century Brutalist-style slate-top coffee table with mixed metal patch work base. (Attributed

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Metal

A Large Fine French 1970s Metal and Slate Coffee Table
A Large Fine French 1970s Metal and Slate Coffee Table

A Large Fine French 1970s Metal and Slate Coffee Table

Located in Long Island City, NY

A large fine French 1970's stainless steel base coffee table with a dark slate top.  

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Stainless Steel

Brutalist Oak Slate Coffee Table Wrought Iron Base, France, 1950
Brutalist Oak Slate Coffee Table Wrought Iron Base, France, 1950

Brutalist Oak Slate Coffee Table Wrought Iron Base, France, 1950

By Paul Kingma

Located in Vienna, AT

Midcentury oak and slate table on iron base, Belgium circa 1950 Dimensions are: 33.85" x 16.53

Category

1950s French Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Wrought Iron

Brutalist Wrought Iron and Slate Coffee Table or Cocktail Table, 1970s
Brutalist Wrought Iron and Slate Coffee Table or Cocktail Table, 1970s

Brutalist Wrought Iron and Slate Coffee Table or Cocktail Table, 1970s

Located in Amsterdam, NL

Stunning and elegant Brutalist coffee table or cocktail table. Striking Dutch design from the 1970s

Category

1970s Dutch Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Wrought Iron

Important Brutalist Metal and Slate Coffee Table by Michael Ficalora c. 1982
Important Brutalist Metal and Slate Coffee Table by Michael Ficalora c. 1982

Important Brutalist Metal and Slate Coffee Table by Michael Ficalora c. 1982

By Albert Paley

Located in New York, NY

Important Brutalist coffee table constructed of iron, brass and slate. The table features a swirled

Category

1980s Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Brass, Iron

Claus Straub Oak and Slate Coffee Table for Goldfeder, Germany, c. 1960
Claus Straub Oak and Slate Coffee Table for Goldfeder, Germany, c. 1960

Claus Straub Oak and Slate Coffee Table for Goldfeder, Germany, c. 1960

By Goldfeder, Carl Straub

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Mid-Century coffee table by Claus Straub pairs a natural slate top with a solid oak frame. The

Category

1960s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

PK61 Slate Coffee Table by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1956
PK61 Slate Coffee Table by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1956

PK61 Slate Coffee Table by Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen, Denmark, 1956

By E. Kold Christensen, Poul Kjærholm

Located in Rosendahl, DE

An iconic PK61 coffee table by Poul Kjærholm for E. Kold Christensen. A minimalist yet refined

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Steel

Mid-Century Modern Thick Slate Coffee Table In A Steel Frame - France, 1970
Mid-Century Modern Thick Slate Coffee Table In A Steel Frame - France, 1970

Mid-Century Modern Thick Slate Coffee Table In A Steel Frame - France, 1970

Located in Girona, Girona

Coffee table with patinated steel base, thick slate marquetry top mounted in a steel frame

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Steel

Brutalist Slate and Stone Coffee Table with Copper Inlay Kingma Style
Brutalist Slate and Stone Coffee Table with Copper Inlay Kingma Style

Brutalist Slate and Stone Coffee Table with Copper Inlay Kingma Style

By Paul Kingma

Located in London, London

Brutalist Slate and Stone Coffee Table with Copper Inlay In the Style of Paul Kingma A striking

Category

Late 20th Century Dutch Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Copper

Paul Kingma Style Brutalist Coffee Table Slate Craft South Africa
Paul Kingma Style Brutalist Coffee Table Slate Craft South Africa

Paul Kingma Style Brutalist Coffee Table Slate Craft South Africa

By Slate Craft Ltd.

Located in Baltimore, MD

A stunning slate tile pedestal coffee table by Slate Craft made in South Africa features brutalist

Category

20th Century South African Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Norwegian slate stone coffee table
Norwegian slate stone coffee table

Norwegian slate stone coffee table

Located in Diest, BE

Norwegian slate stone coffee table Norway 1960's

Category

1960s Norwegian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Brutalist slate stone coffee table, 1980s
Brutalist slate stone coffee table, 1980s

Brutalist slate stone coffee table, 1980s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Brutalist slate and natural stone top coffee table moounted an an equally beautiful stone base

Category

1980s German Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Stone, Slate

Brutalist   coffee table with slate top
Brutalist   coffee table with slate top

Brutalist coffee table with slate top

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

A pair of coffee table in elm and slate could be separate if necessary

Category

Late 20th Century French Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Slate Top Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table
Slate Top Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table

Slate Top Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This beautiful vintage modern coffee table features a decorative slate top with etched floral

Category

1970s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Chrome

Nicos Zographos Slate and Brushed Metal Coffee Table
Nicos Zographos Slate and Brushed Metal Coffee Table

Nicos Zographos Slate and Brushed Metal Coffee Table

By Nicos Zographos

Located in Long Island City, NY

Nicos Zographos slate and brushed metal coffee table with minimalist circular top and steel base

Category

1960s American Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Metal

Maison Regain Elm and Slate Brutalist Coffee Table
Maison Regain Elm and Slate Brutalist Coffee Table

Maison Regain Elm and Slate Brutalist Coffee Table

By Maison Regain

Located in Long Island City, NY

Maison Regain elm and slate brutalist coffee table c. 1960.

Category

1960s French Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Brutalist Coffee Table with Slate top France, 1960s
Brutalist Coffee Table with Slate top France, 1960s

Brutalist Coffee Table with Slate top France, 1960s

Located in Berlin, DE

Round coffee table with dark slate stone top and oak frame. The stone has a natural textured

Category

1960s French Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Mid-Century Modern Slate Top Coffee Table
Mid-Century Modern Slate Top Coffee Table

Mid-Century Modern Slate Top Coffee Table

By Adrian Pearsall

Located in Brooklyn, NY

This stylish midcentury coffee table features vintage walnut base, square stone top, and unique

Category

1960s North American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Poul Kjaerholm PK61 Coffee Table black slate top
Poul Kjaerholm PK61 Coffee Table black slate top

Poul Kjaerholm PK61 Coffee Table black slate top

Located in Brussels, BE

Poul Kjaerholm PK61 Coffee Table black slate top

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Metal

Brutalist French coffee Table with Slate top, 1960
Brutalist French coffee Table with Slate top, 1960

Brutalist French coffee Table with Slate top, 1960

Located in Berlin, DE

Brutalist French coffee Table France 1960 in good original condition. Solid oak with slate top.

Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Large Slate & Steel Coffee Table, Belgium 1960's
Large Slate & Steel Coffee Table, Belgium 1960's

Large Slate & Steel Coffee Table, Belgium 1960's

By Pia Manu

Located in New York, NY

Beautifully crafted steel coffee table by Pia Manu with a deep metal patina, the top is a patchwork

Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Steel

60s 70s Brutalist Coffee Table Side Table Slate Top Design
60s 70s Brutalist Coffee Table Side Table Slate Top Design

60s 70s Brutalist Coffee Table Side Table Slate Top Design

Located in Neuenkirchen, NI

60s 70s Brutalist Coffee Table Side Table Slate Top Design Object: coffee table Manufacturer

Category

1970s German Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

1960s Slate, Concrete and Oak Brutalist Coffee Table
1960s Slate, Concrete and Oak Brutalist Coffee Table

1960s Slate, Concrete and Oak Brutalist Coffee Table

Located in London, London

Coffee table Brutalist Slate and stone on concrete top  Oak and iron base Belgian 1960s/1970s

Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Concrete, Slate, Iron

Oak Frame Coffee Table with Slate Inset, France 1970s
Oak Frame Coffee Table with Slate Inset, France 1970s

Oak Frame Coffee Table with Slate Inset, France 1970s

Located in Berlin, DE

This brutalist coffee table combines a circular slate inset with a solid wood frame, creating a

Category

1970s French Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

1970s Brutalist French Ferronnerie Iron & Slate Mosaic Coffee Table
1970s Brutalist French Ferronnerie Iron & Slate Mosaic Coffee Table

1970s Brutalist French Ferronnerie Iron & Slate Mosaic Coffee Table

Located in Brooklyn, NY

1970s, France. Brutalist table features a wrought iron ferronnerie base with hand-forged chain

Category

1970s French Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Narrow Oak Coffee Table with Slate Insert France, 1970s
Narrow Oak Coffee Table with Slate Insert France, 1970s

Narrow Oak Coffee Table with Slate Insert France, 1970s

Located in Berlin, DE

Narrow coffee table in oak with an inset slate top. A rounded oak rim frames the dark stone surface

Category

1970s French Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Brutalist slate stone coffee table, 1980s
Brutalist slate stone coffee table, 1980s

Brutalist slate stone coffee table, 1980s

Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest

Brutalist slate and natural stone top coffee table mounted an an equally beautiful stone base

Category

1980s German Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Stone

20th Century French Oak Coffee Table With Slate Top
20th Century French Oak Coffee Table With Slate Top

20th Century French Oak Coffee Table With Slate Top

Located in High Point, NC

This 20th century French coffee table showcases a harmonious blend of natural materials and robust

Category

20th Century French Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

20th Century Belgian Wooden Coffee Table With Slate Top
20th Century Belgian Wooden Coffee Table With Slate Top

20th Century Belgian Wooden Coffee Table With Slate Top

Located in High Point, NC

This 20th Century Belgian wooden coffee table is a beautifully crafted piece featuring a natural

Category

20th Century Belgian Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Italian Iron Coffee Table with Organic Slate Top, 1970s
Italian Iron Coffee Table with Organic Slate Top, 1970s

Italian Iron Coffee Table with Organic Slate Top, 1970s

Located in Chicago, IL

Sourced in Parma, Italy, this coffee table reads as both artifact and furniture—crafted with

Category

1970s Italian Organic Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Iron

Mid-Century Modern Black Slate Stone Top Coffee Table
Mid-Century Modern Black Slate Stone Top Coffee Table

Mid-Century Modern Black Slate Stone Top Coffee Table

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Condition: Original Vintage Condition This mid-century modern coffee table brings together a

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

French Moderne Iron Coffee Table with Antique Slate Top
French Moderne Iron Coffee Table with Antique Slate Top

French Moderne Iron Coffee Table with Antique Slate Top

Located in Long Island City, NY

A thick antique Belgian slate slab with a time-worn and subtly undulating surface sits atop a

Category

20th Century French Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Wrought Iron

Brutalist in Style Slate Stone Coffee Table, 1970's
Brutalist in Style Slate Stone Coffee Table, 1970's

Brutalist in Style Slate Stone Coffee Table, 1970's

Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN

Vintage Brutalist in Style Design Slate Stone top Coffee Table. Made in Belgium, 1970's. Slate

Category

1970s Belgian Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Oak Coffee Table with dark Slate Top, France 1970s
Oak Coffee Table with dark Slate Top, France 1970s

Oak Coffee Table with dark Slate Top, France 1970s

Located in Berlin, DE

Round coffee table featuring a dark slate stone top set within an oak frame. The stone surface has

Category

1970s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Vintage Neoclassical Style Slate Top Hand Painted Coffee Table
Vintage Neoclassical Style Slate Top Hand Painted Coffee Table

Vintage Neoclassical Style Slate Top Hand Painted Coffee Table

Located in Hopewell, NJ

One of a kind eye catching neoclassical style coffee table having artist embellished painted slate

Category

1960s American Neoclassical Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Large Slate Top Patchwork Coffee Table by Paul Evans
Large Slate Top Patchwork Coffee Table by Paul Evans

Large Slate Top Patchwork Coffee Table by Paul Evans

By Paul Evans

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Brutalist patchwork coffee table with slate top by Paul Evans. The base is a variety of metals

Category

1970s American Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Copper

Coffee Table Made In Rosewood & Black Slate From 1960s
Coffee Table Made In Rosewood & Black Slate From 1960s

Coffee Table Made In Rosewood & Black Slate From 1960s

Located in Lejre, DK

The coffee table, crafted from rosewood and black slate and of Danish design from the 1960s, is a

Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Vintage French Slate Top Coffee Table with Three Wooden Legs
Vintage French Slate Top Coffee Table with Three Wooden Legs

Vintage French Slate Top Coffee Table with Three Wooden Legs

Located in Chicago, IL

A French coffee table from the mid-20th century, balancing raw slate with the warmth of wood. The

Category

20th Century French Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Poul Kjærholm PK61 Coffee Table with Black Slate Top
Poul Kjærholm PK61 Coffee Table with Black Slate Top

Poul Kjærholm PK61 Coffee Table with Black Slate Top

By Poul Kjærholm, E. Kold Christensen

Located in Kastrup, DK

Poul Kjærholm 1929-1980. PK61 coffee table with four legs matte chrome-plated steel frame and a

Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Steel

French Brutalist Pierre Chapo Style Coffee Table With Slate Top
French Brutalist Pierre Chapo Style Coffee Table With Slate Top

French Brutalist Pierre Chapo Style Coffee Table With Slate Top

By Atelier Marolles, Jean Prouvé, Pierre Chapo, Pierre Jeanneret, Jacques Adnet

Located in Houston, TX

French Brutalist Pierre Chapo Style Coffee Table With Slate Top. Our handsome French mid century

Category

1960s French Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Solid Walnut & Slate Rectangular Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table
Solid Walnut & Slate Rectangular Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table

Solid Walnut & Slate Rectangular Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table

By Jens Risom, Adrian Pearsall

Located in Rockaway, NJ

High quality craftsmanship slate top solid oiled walnut base coffee table signed and dated 1972.

Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate

Paul Kingma brutalist round slate, brass and iron coffee table
Paul Kingma brutalist round slate, brass and iron coffee table

Paul Kingma brutalist round slate, brass and iron coffee table

By Paul Kingma

Located in Weesp, NL

Paul Kingma Brutalist Round Coffee Table in Norwegian Slate, Concrete and Hammered Brass

Category

1970s Dutch Brutalist Vintage Slate Coffee Table

Materials

Slate, Brass, Iron

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Vintage Slate Coffee Table", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Vintage Slate Coffee Table For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal vintage slate coffee table for your home. Each vintage slate coffee table for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using stone, slate and metal. There are many kinds of the vintage slate coffee table you’re looking for, from those produced as long ago as the 20th Century to those made as recently as the 20th Century. A vintage slate coffee table made by mid-century modern designers — as well as those associated with Scandinavian Modern — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one vintage slate coffee table that is appealing in its simplicity, but Paul Kingma, Paul Evans and Pia Manu produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Vintage Slate Coffee Table?

The average selling price for a vintage slate coffee table at 1stDibs is $3,451, while they’re typically $319 on the low end and $40,000 for the highest priced.

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 — shop Art Deco coffee tables, travertine coffee tables and other antique and vintage coffee tables and cocktail tables today.