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What Is the Height of a Cafe Table?

Café tables come in a variety of sizes, shapes and colors. Heights vary as well. Some café tables are tall for barstool seating or standing around, while others are shorter to accommodate smaller or shorter chairs. Whether you are building your own or buying a café table, you should get a feel for the space you plan to put it first. Consider how you envision people using the table before you decide on which height to build or buy.
  1. Standard Height

    • The standard height for a café table with regular chairs is about 30 inches, or 2 1/2 feet off the ground. Height might vary by an inch or two in either direction. This allows the chair to tuck under the table when it's not being used, and for people to sit comfortably in chairs around the table. Their legs can typically fit under the table, and the table top is at an optimal height for eating or working on a laptop with a normal chair.

    Tall Tables

    • Some café tables are taller. They are designed for taller chairs or stools. These types of café tables typically are about 42 inches, or 3 1/2 feet tall. The table tops are usually smaller in diameter than tables that sit lower to the ground, because a wider table top would make the table more top-heavy and more susceptible to falling over. Some of these types of café tables also have a footrest near the bottom of the table.

    Tallest Tables

    • Some café tables are designed for people to stand around rather than sit. These tables can be 48 inches, or 4 feet tall. Some might be even taller. This height allows most adults to stand around and socialize, while giving them a surface on which to set food, drinks or other handheld items. They are likely found in cafes that also serve alcohol or stay open later; day crowds at cafes typically prefer to sit, as they are often working or eating.

    Short Tables

    • Café or coffee tables also come in short varieties. These tables are usually about knee height when sitting around them. They are for placing drinks, books or tabletop items on and are usually located next to couches rather than individual seats. These types of tables come in a variety of styles, from modern to rustic and everything in between.