Seeking a table for behind our couch to act as desk

October 11, 2008 8:46 PM

Furniture filter: we are looking for a specific table for behind the couch that we saw in a vacation rental house years ago, but have still never seen something close enough for our purposes in a store, nor in on-line searches. I suspect we are just not looking in the right places, so I am prepared to feel stupid. Details within.

In the rental house the table was behind the couch at approximately the level of the top of the couch back. It was a heavy metal frame with glass top but had *no* cross bracing, so you could pull up a chair to the table and work at it (given an adjustable height chair or stool) without having something in the way of your knees or feet. We have also occassionally seen something like this in hotels, but never in stores.

For our purposes the table should be approximately 60 inches wide, 32 inches high and 18 inches deep. It does *not* have to be metal and glass.

Note that many of the tables we see in stores have cross bracing or are not deep enough (intended more for a flower vase than to sit at and pay bills with your laptop). Or they are too deep (more like dining tables). And of course we are *not* talking about low coffee tables (even though I know there are some that have tops that can pull up to a higher level). We are basically just looking for a flat table of a specific width, height and depth with four legs and nothing else.

We have wandered all through our local Ikea, furniture stores, furniture sections of Department Stores, etc.

The way our room is laid out we just think this kind of table would be best, and we'd be willing to believe it doesn't exist if we hadn't seen one in existence!

I don't have the skills to build a furniture quality piece. I suppose we can consider having one custom made, but before we go that route I thought I'd see if my MetaFilter friends could help out.

By the way, if there's an official term for what I am describing, please lay that on me too.

posted by forthright to home & garden (14 comments total)

Sofa table?
posted by headnsouth at 8:52 PM on October 11, 2008

Thanks headnsouth!

I was stuck in the "couch" mind set but you're right, that Sofa table Google link of yours has tons of hits, and even though MANY suffer from the problems I mentioned, there are also a few I saw that look like what we want. I know I saw one with dimensions 53" X 18" X 29"H and no cross bracing. That's quite acceptable. I'll keep looking, but I wanted to send out a quick thank you.

Of course, if anyone has anything else to contribute in the way of advice please feel free, but you have helped a great deal!
posted by forthright at 9:00 PM on October 11, 2008

Sofa or Console table. Target has some, so does Pottery Barn and so does Ethan Allen
posted by fshgrl at 9:06 PM on October 11, 2008

Thanks fshgrl for another term to use ("console table"), and for some sample stores.

I can now see from on-line searches that the exact table we are looking for is somewhat rare, which is probably why we never see them when walking through stores. But I have now seen three good possibles, which is three more than we've found in the past few years.

Thanks again headnsouth and fshgrl!
posted by forthright at 9:20 PM on October 11, 2008

This one at C&B is nice.
posted by barnone at 9:31 PM on October 11, 2008

This one at CB2 might work too.
posted by barnone at 9:34 PM on October 11, 2008

Here's one similar to what you want in size and design - heavy metal frame with a glass top, no brace. That very classic modern design is called "Parsons" - very simple and streamlined, no fuss or muss.
posted by iconomy at 9:36 PM on October 11, 2008

Here's a post at Apartment Therapy on "console desks" which might give you other leads.
posted by barnone at 9:36 PM on October 11, 2008

Delving further into the Loftren's site, there are several that fit your criteria.
posted by iconomy at 9:38 PM on October 11, 2008

Sorry - last post, had another idea. I've always loved the Parsons desks at West Elm, and they have a console version with drawers!
posted by barnone at 9:38 PM on October 11, 2008

loftGren's
posted by iconomy at 9:38 PM on October 11, 2008

Those Loftgren's are just the kind of simple design I described in my OP. And the black Parson's at West Elm might go nicely in our living room.

Thanks iconomy and barnone!
posted by forthright at 9:54 PM on October 11, 2008

If that's the look you're going for, Room & Board has beautiful ones that really wear beautifully. They're not the cheapest option, by far. But if you have really exact measurements, they have a custom Parsons option. You can choose the top material and color, and specify height and width.
posted by barnone at 10:05 PM on October 11, 2008

If the table is sufficiently sturdy, you could remove the front bracing with the proper drill attachment. I had "decorative" scrolls removed from a stair railing, and it just needed a tiny bit of touchup paint to disguise the spot where it was removed. Nice to know I'm not the only one using the laptop & watching teevee.
posted by theora55 at 9:45 AM on October 13, 2008