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

[petswinprizes]

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?

My mother has a nest of tables and uses them a lot. But then, she's more interested in having a comfortable home that works for her than checking the latest list of what's 'naff' and what's 'in' this year when it comes to house décor.

People who arbitrarily decide that things are naff are naff.

Some of us have small houses full stop. I live in a 3 bed 1 reception room flat. The front room is small. If i put a coffee table in it would leave tip toe room between sofa and fireplace. The where would the boys play? Their rooms are 2.5 by 3 metres! So instead of coffee table we have a nest which seats in the corner between sofas. Where else would we put drinks? Esp with 2 under 5

Love this thread. I've been looking for a new coffee table, and reading this makes me realise I don't need a coffee table after all; I need a nest.

Although I quite like this one from Ikea. It's a nest, yet not a nest....

I love mine - we paid £10 for the set in an auction and my dad polished them up for me. They are wood (maybe apple?) and have a carved frieze around the edge and the same pattern on the top of the curved legs, but each of the four is a different flower/pattern. They are real dust traps and also not varnished so you can't put put drinks on them without mats, but I just adore them! I have one in my study covered in files, one as my bedside table, and two in the sitting room for guests or supper on lap evenings.

I do also have a large, childproof, varnished coffee table!

Last weekend I was at a friend's house and she mentioned that she sometimes needed a little table or two near the sofa but most of the time didn't want a big coffee table.

So definitely not pointless!

The ikea ones linked to by a PP are really nice and practical.

N'est of tables is better than a nest of vipers.

See, I thought this for years - until about 3 weeks ago.
Two things coincided to make me realise they have their place.

Firstly, our old sofa had wide, flat, square arms, so we used to put drinks etc on them (with coasters, obviously, we're not complete slobs), so no need for tiny tables. New one has much comfier, squishy arms, not conducive to drink storage, so we needed an alternative.

Secondly, we found a set that didn't have those horrible twisty legs and actually look nice. And were a good price.

So, I've been converted, and am clearly now officially middle-aged.

Oh, and our lounge is far too narrow for a coffee table, plus I don't like coffee (or tea) so........;)

This thread has made me realise that I want some,too. I think that this thread might spark a nest of tables revival. It is hard to find nice ones, though.

I have some very nice chunky ones, I doubt you would realise what they are, very useful when you have people round. If you don't like them, don't have them.

Ours are chunky too, Delphiniums, from TK Maxx - the world's most random department store.

I have one. My sitting room is small and the carpet is new. If there is only 1 of us then they just take up 1 small space but if a few people chatting or watching TV we usually have drinks, and wine glasses on a springy carpet would be silly.
I like not having to reach miles to get my drink and whatever other crap I have put on it.
If you don't like them don't buy them.
Mine are oak with a dark wood finish, they don't have to look modern if you want something more traditional looking.
www.antiques-atlas.com/antique/nest_of_oak_tables/as294a944

My aunt had them, and children played chess and other games on them.

We have some Georgian ones that dh inherited. They are very elegant, definitely not naff. We use them when visitors come round, with coasters of course.

Who says naff? Only the naffiest person, dressed head to toe in naf naf label clothes, would say naff. So naff off with your naff, space guzzling coffee table.

I have a set, I suppose would be considered old fashioned and naff by todays standard but I love them. At the moment the littlest ones are beside a chair as its a way from the coffee table. The bigger ones have 'stuff' on them. At Christmas they have the Nativity on

Nafftastic

There's a couple on 'Gogglebox' who have a nest of tables identical to the ones my parents had (think reproduction Victorian style). When Dad died (some years after Mum) me and my sister took the well worn 'nest' to the recycling depot, disposed of it and got back in the car. I suddenly felt v emotional and dashed back to retrieve said nest. It's still sat in our garage 3 years on. I'll be able to let go of it one day, but not just yet. Lots of memories attached to that nest.