Definition of Nested Tables

Known as nested tables, nesting tables or a nest of tables, these items of furniture are popular in the home due to their flexibility of use. Nested tables can be used in any room of the house because they are not specifically designed for one kind of use and because of their small stature they can fit into any size of room. Does this Spark an idea?

About

Nested tables are essentially a set of matching tables which each fit inside another. A set of tables tends to comprise between three and five tables, each of a descending size so that they can stack together to take up less space. Rather than resting on each other, these tables stack so that they stand individually on their own table legs.

Stacking

The method of stacking differs between designs; some literally stack on top of one another, some slide underneath the next largest table, while some are designed to form a stepped pattern when stacked so that each smaller table is still able to stack into the next larger table but is longer than the last and so protrudes. For a twist on the traditional stacking method, some tables include a rectangular table as the largest, with two small square tables which fit within it.

Uses

These kinds of tables are essentially pieces of occasional furniture such as folding chairs or tables and tend to be stored in their stacked position until needed. They are useful when guests visit because a table can be removed from the stack and placed next to an armchair so that the guest will have somewhere to set their drink or one can be used as a television dinner table and placed back into the stack after use. Tables are sometimes used individually as side tables within one room or split up for use around the house in different rooms.

Popularity

The popularity of nested tables owes itself entirely to their flexibility of use. They were extremely popular items in the 1970s and 1980s, but fell from favor in the 1990s home as they were perceived as being old fashioned. This perception changed in the 2000s, according to BBC Homes & Antiques, with the introduction of new materials and designer models and nested tables became a must-have item of furniture again.

Types

The original types of nested tables were constructed from wood and the majority were made as reproductions of types of furniture from the English Victorian or Edwardian periods. Todays versions are very different and tend to be modeled on more modern, streamlined designs. Wooden versions tend to be made from one piece of wood which is curved into a table shape, with the wood grain flowing up one side, along the top and down the other side. These kinds of nested tables usually comprise three tables to the set. Other materials used include glass, plastic and chrome.