If you have spent any time looking for an accent table for your living room, you have probably been bombarded with various terms and types, like accent table, end table, coffee table, and cocktail table. While they are all related, each term does have a specific distinction when it comes to how the furniture looks and what its purpose is.
The two most similar and confusing when shopping for living room furniture are the coffee and cocktail table.
Coffee Tables vs. Cocktail Tables
We aren’t going to bury the lead for long here. While there is a historical difference between coffee and cocktail tables, when it comes to modern usage (of both the tables and the terms), you won’t spot a difference.
Both are low tables you will often find in living rooms, lounges, or other relaxed entertaining and living spaces used to set drinks or other small decorative items. So if you find yourself in the market for a coffee table, don’t forget to search for cocktail tables and vice versa. Your perfect piece of furniture might just be listed under a different name.
Coffee and Cocktail Tables Origins
So why is there a table that goes by two names? As we mentioned, the terms do have a historical difference. And while the term coffee table is by far more popular, at least here in the US, both persist.
Coffee tables originated in Victorian-era England and were called this precisely because they were what was used to serve coffee. Far from the long low form we know today, these round or oval tables were much higher at the time, at around 27 inches, which was also the standard height for the common at the time tea table. However, tea tables were generally smaller in overall surface area.
But while the tea table hasn’t changed form much over the centuries, the coffee table has. With influences coming in from the Ottoman Empire and Japan, the coffee table quickly began to shorten in height. And by the 1940s found itself where it sits now (about 18 inches) and quickly became a mainstay in households as it allowed line of sight to TV sets, while still holding needed items.
Cocktail tables have been around for about as long as the coffee table. These generally rectangular-shaped tables have always been low, traditionally even lower than modern variations, and often featured more delicate construction with metal and glass than the bulkier coffee table. The term was popular through the roaring 1920s but has since blended with the coffee table.
How to Select Which Type of Table Is Right for Your Living Space
With all the options available for living rooms, it can feel just as overwhelming when looking for a new piece of furniture as it is designing a new space from scratch. If the area isn’t comfortable or inviting, you won’t want to spend time there.
So whether you are redesigning an existing space or starting from scratch, keep the following in mind when selecting a coffee or cocktail table.
1. Begin with Utility
Starting with a decision on how you intend to use the table is an essential first step in finding your perfect coffee table. We all use our living rooms differently. It may be tempting to go for something that looks great, but if it isn’t functional, it doesn’t matter how beautiful the furniture is; it will just be dead space.
If you are the type just to kick back and watch a game or movie, you may only need a coffee table that can support drinks and snacks. Someone who utilizes it as an office might need a lift-capable top that can function as a work desk. And if you have pets or kids or are someone who crafts while watching TV, a more storage-based table might be the best choice to stash supplies and toys out of sight.
2. Figure Out the Space
Tables see a lot of use, so you will need to consider the durability of the materials used in construction. Wood is a tried and true material that can take quite a beating. While susceptible to scratches and water damage, it is easily resurfaced for repairs.
Opting for something with a metal base is essential for those who need a table that can take a little more weight or resist damage by pets. The reasons to choose metal are many; its strength is unparalleled, and coupled with its near imperviousness to environmental changes, it will be with you for a lifetime.
3. Don’t Skimp on Durability
Determining the correct dimensions you need is essential before even thinking about shopping for a coffee table. It doesn’t matter how much function a piece of furniture has if it doesn’t fit your available space. When you take the width and length measurements, ensure you still have room to navigate around the table comfortably.
One helpful tip if you are working in a small room, or have a habit of knocking into table corners, is to consider going with a style with rounded corners or an oval shape. Even a slight curve can free up vital legroom.
4. Accent Your Style
Coffee and cocktail tables are an excellent opportunity to balance out other furniture decisions. Use your table to add a pop of color to an otherwise subdued room or as a natural break if you have a colorful couch or throw rug.
We recommend going opposite your sofa as far as ‘weight.’ If you have a chunky sofa, pick a coffee table with thin legs and a thin profile, or pair a more solid design with a slim sofa.
Quality Handmade Coffee Tables Just for You
For over 40 years, Johnston Casuals has designed and manufactured handmade metal furniture in North Carolina. So if you think you want the durability of metal in your home or a statement piece, give our selection a look. We have furniture pieces and tables that fit into any room or style, many of which come with an option for glass tops.
Our process involves manufacturing every piece of steel furniture by hand, and we pride ourselves that every piece is as much a piece of art as a functional piece of furniture. Each piece of Johnston Casual furniture is a unique item made to order for our customers.
You can browse our catalog online, where we have a section dedicated to cocktail tables and coffee tables too, or visit one of our nationwide furniture dealers. Every piece we build is beautiful and meant to last a lifetime. We ship all over the United States and internationally.
