Before Tang and Song dynasties, people sat on the ground in the home, so tables were very short at that time. Though standard tables were gradually developed, the short table styles were also reserved. In north China, winter is cold and people set up Kang, a large heated platform made from brick or unbaked clay. It plays the role of beds. And they are usually much larger than beds. They are not only for sleeping, but for meals and many other activities.

The right furniture is a small side table, it can be used as tea table, flower stand and basin stand.

These kinds of short tables also be called coffee tables in homes today.