what are the tables called that sit behind couches

[GemmaFitz]

Ah, the unsung hero of the living room! That long, skinny table that dutifully holds your lamps, decorative objects, and the remote you lost three weeks ago is not just "that table back there." It has a proper name, or rather, a couple of them.

The most straightforward and descriptive name for this piece of furniture is, fittingly, a sofa table. It's a table that goes behind a sofa. Simple, elegant, and says exactly what it is on the tin. However, it also goes by the slightly more versatile name of a console table.

You might be wondering if there's a dramatic "Sofa Table vs. Console Table" cage match to determine the true victor. The reality is that the terms are often used interchangeably. Technically, a "console table" is a broader category for any long, narrow table designed to be placed against a wall or in a hallway. A "sofa table" is just a console table that has found its true calling: providing a stylish and practical surface directly behind your couch. So, every sofa table is a console table, but not every console table gets to hang out with the sofa.