One criteria used to name tables is their future location: dining table, kitchen table, conference table. According to this criteria, a small table located at the end of a sofa will be called an “end table”.
An end table consists of a top and one or four legs. It may have one or two shelves and sometimes a drawer underneath the top. They can be made of glass, metal (copper, iron), wood (oak, maple, pine, cherry) and basically the form is square or round and sometimes can be octagonal, rectangular or hexagonal. The top may have a Wenge, laminate, ribbon, cherry laminate, mahogany, wood veneers and slate stone inlays, which create the design of the top. There are also different types of finish: heritage oak finish, pine finish, cherry veneer finish, golden oak finish, burnish finish and bronze finish.
It may have the same function as a coffee table: the top to suport a lamp, flowers, collections, a telephone, on the shelf hold some books, magazines and newspapers and inside the drawers cocktail napkins, TV or HiFi remote controls, videotapes, CD's or DVD's. An end table is just the right piece of furniture when you need to fill an empty space.
Small and tall end tables
Small end tables may have the following dimensions: 18-27 inches width, 18-24 inches depth, 22-30 inches height. The Chinese name these small end tables “stools”, because they can be used interchangeably as either stools or tables.
Small end tables may be made of oak, mahogany, cherry, iron, with a glass top or a top made from the same material as the legs. Due to its size, it can be very easily used as a night stand (especially if they have a small drawer or a shelf). A small end table adds a look of style and elegance to any household decor.
There are also tall end tables which are a bit taller than the small ones. No matter that the tall end tables are of modern, contemporary, rustic, log, futuristic or antique style; they will add charm and personality to the place. There is one thing to take into consideration for these tables: they shouldn't be taller then the furniture near them. For example if they are placed near an armchair, their top should be, at most, the height of the armrest. Otherwise it would be very inconvenient for the person resting in the armchair to take the things on the table's top. Tall end tables don't always fit in front of the family sofa (where a small end table with an elongated shape would be better), but it is perfect for a hallway or to hold a lamp near the armchair where you usually read your newspapers and magazines.
Oak end table
A perfect match for almost any living room, hallway or dining room would be the oak end table. There is a large variety to suit all tastes and budgets. No matter that it comes in light or dark finish, that it has one or more shelves or drawers, an oak coffee table makes a stylish addition to your house, and is also a durable one. In an antique style, this type of table may look like a cabinet with one or two doors.
The round end table
The round end table represents the traditional type, but they are as fashionable today, as they were hundreds of years ago. With a glass top and legs made of iron or copper they will add a touch of the modern to your dining room. A stained wood round end table, with a wax or lacquer finish, will make a statement of elegance for any interior. Made of aluminum or teak they will be the best choice for your terrace or garden.
The bear end table
This is probably one of the cutest end tables. They include, somewhere in their design a little bear. There are a large variety of representations: the bear carved in wood supports the table top with his forepaws (or even all four of them). The table top can be made of glass or wood; the table has a bottom shelf which displays a decorative item (a bear or another animal); the table body looks like a hollow where the bear can be seen. A bear end table will bring a rustic charm to your interior.
