The Difference Between Cocktail Tables and Coffee Tables
For the past 100 years or so, people have been putting short tables in front of their couches and loveseats. On some level, this is a design choice, but for most people, it’s more about functionality. You can use this space to set down your food or drinks, display your decorations, or even prop up your feet after a long day. Regardless of what you use them for, these tables are very useful, hence their popularity.
However, one thing that has confused many homeowners for years is the fact that there are two different names for these tables: cocktail and coffee tables. If you’re unsure what the difference between them is, we’re here to clarify it for you.
The Key Difference
The primary difference between these two pieces of furniture is that one table is for your cocktails, while the other is for your coffee. Putting one drink on the other table is simply not allowed—of course, we’re kidding here. There really isn’t much of a difference between cocktail and coffee tables. The only thing that defines them as two separate things is their shape.
Typically, coffee tables are either round or oval-shaped, while cocktail tables are square or rectangular—that’s it. The funny thing about this distinction is that manufacturers don’t even fully agree upon it. There is a decent amount of crossover between the two titles, meaning that you could buy a square table that actually classifies as a coffee table and vice versa. This inconsistency can be quite confusing, but fortunately, the name doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Additional Cocktail Table Design
To further confuse things, there is an additional type of cocktail table that’s nothing like the standard version of the product. If you’ve ever been to a wedding or social gathering with those small circular tables where people stand with their drinks, you’ve seen the other type of cocktail table.
These tables don’t feature in interior design, so there isn’t much crossover between these versions of the cocktail table. However, the additional piece of furniture with this namesake does add an additional layer of confusion, especially since standard cocktail tables are square, not round.
Where You Can Buy One
If you are interested in purchasing a living room cocktail table for your home, you’ve come to the right place. We have a large selection of these tables for you to choose from. Be aware, though—some of the tables we have listed here are circular, like a coffee table. However, we seriously doubt that’ll bother you. If anything, the variety will just give you more opportunities to find the perfect piece for your space.