Chinese Nesting Tables

Caroline Patterson Interior Design Expert

Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.

Updated 07/05/2021

A standard nesting table is fun, but a Chinese nesting table is not only interesting in concept but beautiful in design. They have the elegance of Oriental styling you have come to expect from Chinese furniture, along with the craftsmanship that is very distinct too many of the Chinese furniture artisans you have come to know and appreciate. Take a look at our extensive collection of Chinese nesting tables and see what we mean.

Buying Guide

Nesting tables with an oriental style can add a lovely touch to your home, even if you have no other furniture which is Chinese. The detail of the tables accompanied by the durability of the wood is a recipe for practical and attractive furniture. Before you buy these items, here are some of the things you should think about.

How many pieces are there in a set of Chinese nesting tables?

A nest of tables normally consists of three tables, varying in size from larger to smaller. However, some Chinese nesting tables consist of more than three, and some may only have two. Depending on the size of your home, three tables might be considered too many for your living room. If this is the case, you can either buy a nest of tables with just two tables, or move the third table to a different room. Chinese nesting tables very often have four tables in total, making them ideal for larger homes or social gatherings.

How to select the right shape of Chinese nesting tables?

In order to decide what shape of table you want, take a look at your living room (or other room of the home which your tables will go in) and consider the furniture you already have. If most of your furniture is square, rectangular and with straight edges, continue this trend when looking at Chinese nesting tables. If, on the other hand, most of your furniture is rounded, you can check out circular Chinese nesting tables, although these are less common.

What's the style of Chinese nesting tables?

Most of the Chinese nesting tables are plain and wooden all the way through, with detail around the edges of the table top or along the legs. However, not everybody is content to buy tables that have no extra pattern or detail. You may come across tables with a decorative pattern on the table top. The pattern is normally painted on rather than engraved, allowing for extra color and detail to be added. It could be a nature scene or a story which is told through the tables, starting with the largest one and ending with the smallest.

How to care for Chinese nesting tables?

It's important that you don't use any perfumed liquids or detergents on your Chinese nesting tables, particularly if they are antique items. Dust the tables with a damp cloth, but take steps to finding out which type of wood you have purchased and which wood cleaners are available. You can minimize damage to your new tables by using coasters for any hot and cold drinks, and place mats for any food. Wipe any spillages immediately to prevent further damage.