Antique Drafting Tables

Eliza Bush Interior Design Expert

Eliza is a creative interior designer who swears by the power of sleek interiors and quality furniture to transform daily personal and professional life. With a B.Sc. in interior design from Philadelphia University and a well trained eye for craftsmanship, she offers unparalleled advice on how to arrange your space to make it sophisticated, comfortable, and functional, whether it’s the office or bedroom.

Updated 13/04/2021

As if plucked from Frank Lloyd Wright's own home, these antique drafting tables will take you back to the times of great architects dreaming up some of the tallest, the most impressive, and the most lasting structures of the last century. Imagine owning a drafting table just like the one used to draw the Empire state building or the Golden Gate bridge. A perfect gift for the civil engineer in your family.

Buying Guide

Drafting tables used to be a must-have in the 18th and 19th century. Unfortunately, since technology has advanced so much, you can rarely find them in use nowadays.

Nevertheless, if you are a traditionalist and you love drawing by hand, an antique drafting table can add a touch of class to your office or your living room.

What are the uses of an antique drafting table?

Just because you own such a table, it doesn’t mean that you have to be an architect or an illustrator. The best part about antiques is that they add a vintage note to your living space - and you can use them for anything you’d like.

Since drafting tables have adjustable settings, you can use it as a regular table as well. Place it in a cozy corner in your living room and use it as a workstation. Or, you can also add antique books on it and create a mini library.

What's more, entrepreneurs often buy small drafting tables for coffee shops, and they use them as decoration or as regular tables. Even though it might defy the purpose, it can do wonders for your business as many people love seeing antiques being used in day-to-day occasions.

The material used for these types of tables is durable and sturdy. They were usually made of wood, and the material of choice was oak, although other hardwoods were used as well. Hence, you don't have to worry about them breaking any time soon. Furthermore, these tables are quite stable as well, so you can rest assured knowing that they will not fall over by accident.

How to choose the best antique drafting table?

Most antique drafting tables look alike, but there are some things you should consider before purchasing the one you like the most:

Are the settings functional? Make sure that you can adjust the table to your liking. It should be able to stay in a fixed position without a problem. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use it properly.
Is it in good shape? Even though it’s an antique, it’s vital to check the condition of the table. Little scrapes and a beautiful patina add to its character, but if it’s missing a leg, it’s not a good investment.
Does it have an iron base? Although this isn’t a necessary trait, it would be wise to pick a table that has an iron base. The iron adds to the durability, and it also makes the table incredibly stable.
Does it have compartments? Unless they feature a simplistic design, many drafting tables come with a set of small or medium-sized drawers. Those can be quite useful, especially if you decide to use the table in your day-to-day life.
Can you find a good stool for it? In the olden days, artists used the tables while standing, but that might cause you slight inconvenience. Hence, it would be best to find a suitable tall stool for it. But, make sure that it complements the table - it shouldn’t take away from its beauty nor should it look too modern.

Antique drafting tables are not that rare, but they can sometimes be quite expensive. Because of that, it’s vital to approach the purchase with a clear idea of how you’ll use and maintain the table every day.