Coffee, Cocktail & Dining Tables: What’s The Difference?
La-Z-Boy Southeast | October 5, 2021
Have you ever wondered what the differences are between a coffee, cocktail, and dining table?
At La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, this is a common question we receive on a daily basis.
In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the meaning of all these different types of furniture.
What’s a Dining Table?
Many people will use the term “kitchen” or “dining” table to refer to the same piece of furniture.
The only real difference between this type of table is the room where you plan on placing it.
Traditional homes are designed to have a dining room and kitchen. However, modern homes may only have space for one.
Kitchen tables are meant for everyday use. They’re often smaller, less formal, and come with a durable finish.
Dining tables are used for fine dining and special occasions. They’re typically large rectangular tables meant to seat a large group.
What’s a Coffee Table?
Coffee tables became popular in Victorian times when people needed a place to put their cups.
Today, your coffee table is designed to sit in front of your sofa and be used for entertaining.
The surface of a coffee table will generally match the height of your sofa cushions.
What’s a Cocktail Table?
During the Roaring 20’s, the world began to see references to a piece of furniture known as the cocktail table.
These tables would also sit in front of your sofa and hold a variety of drinks, books, and ashtrays.
Both of these descriptions make the coffee and cocktail table sound the same. So, what’s the difference?
Coffee Table vs Cocktail Table
One simple design feature sets coffee tables and cocktail tables apart – the shape.
Coffee tables are almost always round or oval-shaped. Cocktail tables are typically square or rectangular.
It’s often implied that cocktail tables are more elegant while coffee tables are more informal and casual.
Check Out These Additional Resources
We hope this article gave you a better understanding of the differences between a coffee, cocktail, and dining table.
At La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, we carry a wide range of solid wood tables built in the USA.
Here are some additional online resources you may like to check out:
- 5 Benefits of Solid Wood Furniture
- How Much Does Solid Wood Furniture Cost?
- Where To Buy Solid Wood Furniture Made In America
We’d be happy to bring your dreams to life at any of our locations in NC, SC, and GA.
