These look nice, have a great finish and don't take a lot of room. Keeping the handle on the top would keep people from sitting on it -- which it wouldn't survive. However, inverting the handle so it hangs underneath makes it more practical for plates, and also having the lip underneath will do as others have suggested: keep it from collecting water. I like the tables but do not think they're worth what was paid, even on sale. I would buy them again at half the price.