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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that a nest of tables is naff and pointless?

119 replies

petswinprizes · 15/09/2014 10:41

Basically just as above. Why do people have them and what are they used for? When do you suddenly need a couple of extra tiny tables?

OP posts:
capsium · 15/09/2014 10:44

They are useful when you do not want a coffee table in the middle of your lounge all the time. They sit nicely in a corner most of the time but then when you have guests round or want to have a drink/ eat a snack yourself you can bring a table out to rest it on.

They come in a variety of styles, modern or more traditional. Not all are 'naff'.

kentishgirl · 15/09/2014 10:45

I agree they usually look naff.

They are useful when you have visitors and they all need somewhere to put their drinks and you don't have a large coffee table they can all reach.

minipie · 15/09/2014 10:46

Yes they are a bit naff IMO.

However - I can definitely see the point of them.

For example if you only have one coffee table and quite a lot of seating, then when you have lots of people round, they all have to stretch to put their glass/teacup on the one central coffee table. Whereas if you have a nest then you can give everyone their own mini drinks table.

Of course you could have a little table permanently by the side of every chair/sofa but that takes up space.

SunshineOutdoors · 15/09/2014 10:46

Yabu. Not pointless, as well explained by pps. Can get imo nice, non naff ones.

minipie · 15/09/2014 10:47

cross posts! never seen so much agreement on AIBU - it can't last Grin

ElephantsNeverForgive · 15/09/2014 10:48

Older DCs variously scatter food, drink, toys and HW on them.

They disappear to bedrooms for all manner of drawing, colouring, bedside table for sleep overs and Christmas tree stand duties.

Missunreasonable · 15/09/2014 10:49

www.furnitureinfashion.net/optima-high-gloss-blackwhite-piece-nest-tables-p-12205.html

I quite like this nest of tables. It would be useful in my front living room which doesn't have a coffee table. I need somewhere to put my coffee and I don't want a big table in the centre of the room.
Maybe I will just have to be naff and unfashionable and buy myself a nest of tables.

bauhausfan · 15/09/2014 10:49

I have them - yes they look naff but we use them all the time. If the kids are having 'pizza night' in front of the TV then they can all have a little table for drinks etc. When they were younger, they used them as little desks. Mine look like shit (pine and from Argos 13 yrs ago) but they are used a lot.

windchime · 15/09/2014 10:53

My PIL live in a small cottage so a nest of tables in the corner is perfect for when visitors descend to eat MIL's yummy ginger cake

ShatnersBassoon · 15/09/2014 10:56

They're useful. I have a coffee table, but it can't be reached from all the chairs, so I pull a little table out so people don't have to stand up and sit down a lot, or just hold their drink.

I have a very plain oak set. I don't think they look bad. I don't think anybody would even notice them.

ConcreteElephant · 15/09/2014 10:58

yy to Christmas tree stand duty!

Lunastarfish · 15/09/2014 11:01

My MIL have us a set when we moved. She's a real del boy type and they don't match but I love them. Shabby chic all the way! Very useful when we have parties

Patilla · 15/09/2014 11:02

We have thick clear Perspex ones from habitat years ago.

They are brilliant for using as kiddie tables with a little chair on, and great for attaching hot wheels tracks to.

They are, however, utterly useless for putting drinks on as the drinks get in the way of the cars/paper and crayons etc.

jellybelly701 · 15/09/2014 11:06

I have a nest of tables I was given by DP's boss. All three tables are in use as we speak. One has the house phone, keys and fruit bowl. One has the Xbox sitting on it and the other is used to put drinks on.

Hopingforpeace · 15/09/2014 11:08

I bought new ones yesterday to replace the cheap ones we've had since before we were married.
With 2 little dds I don't want a coffee table in the middle of the room. The little tables are good for putting cups and plates on. Dd1, 3yo, uses them to do colouring too.
May not look height of fashion but very practical.

ElephantsNeverForgive · 15/09/2014 11:08

There's one in DDs room at the moment, buried under a pile of A level art books.

Only1scoop · 15/09/2014 11:09

We also have those clear Perspex ones from Habitat years ago.

Use them when have visitors for putting next to couches for drinks nibbles etc.

hellsbellsmelons · 15/09/2014 11:10

I want a next of tables.
My living room is way too small for a coffee table.
You have to put drinks on the floor and I can't even begin to imagine how many have been knocked over.
This would be great.
Must get looking - those black and white ones are lovely but mighty expensive!

madamemuddle · 15/09/2014 11:13

YABU

I love my nest of tables. Not all of us have grand mansions with lots of space for Louis XV furniture...

douchbag · 15/09/2014 11:13

Ybu I love mine, they are chunky cube ones from next. My dd's use the for drinks loom banding Etc and very handy for nibbles.

smilingthroughgrittedteeth · 15/09/2014 11:13

Weve got a set that a friend gave us they are oak and sort of oval shape I dont think they look naff but you cant actually see the smaller tables under the bigger one so it just looks like a coffee table.

The big one has a table lamp on it and the smaller ones are great when people are sat at the other end of the table and cant reach the big one to put cups on.

Ketchuphidestheburntbits · 15/09/2014 11:16

We have the argos pine ones and they are so useful. It means that the middle of the living room is clear but I can have the remote control, a magazine and a cup of coffee with biscuits by my side while lying on the sofa watching TV. What's not to like? Smile

YABU I love my cheap nest of tables!

RonaldMcDonald · 15/09/2014 11:20

I have these they are naff but I love them

minipie · 15/09/2014 11:23

The more modern version seems to be a coffee table which has two smaller tables that live underneath.

Like this for example

alemci · 15/09/2014 11:24

love my nest of table from my dad's, not on trend but so useful for guests. large one in use in dining room, others in lounge.

this thread reminds me of the Bhatts home sketch on goodness gracious me about the ideal home

"nest of tables, plastic on sofas