How to Choose the Perfect Coffee Table

A good coffee table will add style and practicality to your living room. As well as creating a focal point and bringing your living room layout together, they give you somewhere handy to put your cup of tea when you’re bingeing on your favourite series.

Choosing a coffee table that’s just the right size for your home will help you optimise your living space and make a real statement with your interior design. If you’re yet to find the ideal furnishing for your lounge, take a look at our top tips for selecting the perfect piece.

Measure twice, buy once

Dimensions are incredibly important when it comes to choosing the right coffee table for your home. So, the first thing you’ll need to do is take some measurements. Start by measuring your sofa from end to end. Then measure the distance from your sofa to your TV or TV stand.

Next, take a look around the room to see if there are any other furnishings that may get in the way of your coffee table or block the circulation space once the coffee table is in place. For example, if you have a sideboard against your wall, you’ll need to make sure that there’s still enough room to walk past it easily once your new coffee table is installed.

@kfogara ensures that there is ample space for movement in between the sofas, and still enough space to show off their Cupid Coffee Table

Once you know how much space you have to play with, it will be a lot easier to narrow down the options when choosing your table.

How long should your coffee table be?

Your new coffee table should be sized proportionately to your sofa. Ideally, it should be around two thirds the length of your sofa as this will allow easy access to the table no matter which end of the sofa you’re sitting on.

@loveatfirstflight and their Andre Coffee Table measured perfectly in front of a Johnathan Chaise Sofa

Choosing a coffee table that’s two thirds the length of the sofa will also ensure your room looks balanced. Selecting a coffee table that’s the right length for your sofa will make it easier to use and more pleasing on the eye.

How wide should your coffee table be?

The depth of your new coffee table will depend largely on the sofa you’re pairing it with. For example, if you have a large L shaped couch , you’ll want a deeper coffee table to fill the extended space. A deeper unit will also help anyone sitting on the chaise side of your sofa to reach their cuppa.

The Peri coffee table is a great choice for a chaise or L shaped sofa. You could also play around with shapes by choosing the round Cupid table, or maximise usability with the Seb coffee table with storage.

If you have a standard two or three-seater sofa, the depth of your coffee table is less important. However, you will still want to choose a table with enough surface area to comfortably accommodate your drinks, snacks and accessories.

What style should you choose?

There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing a style for a coffee table. The most important thing is simply that you, and your family, love the piece.

If you do want some guidance, look to the existing furnishings in the room. For example, if you have a curvy, organic sofa like the Verona, a round or oval coffee table will work well with its non-perpendicular look. However, if you have a more angular sofa like the Jonathan, opt for a rectangular or square coffee table to complement its sharp, clean lines.

Coffee tables with vintage touches like metal legs, dark wood tops and mid-century modern influences work really well in retro interiors. If your home has a modern feel, choose a light, bright coffee table that will lend your home a bit of Scandi-cool.

Selecting a height for your coffee table

Most coffee tables are designed to be slightly lower than the level of the sofa seat. The best height for a coffee table is around 5-10 cm lower than your couch cushions. Any higher, and your coffee table may look out of place, while any lower and you may find it difficult to comfortably reach your drinks and snacks.

@bbbuffaloe made sure that the height of his Vincent Coffee Table matches the height of the armrest of his sofa

If you have a particularly high sofa, you may want to choose a coffee table with metal elements or a glass top. These modern materials often lend coffee tables a light, airy look, something that can help them to work well with elevated sofas.

Low couches look great when paired with heavier materials and textured surfaces. Look out for wooden coffee tables and wire brushed tops to create an earthy, natural look in your living room seating area.

Finding the perfect coffee table for your home will help you to complete your living room look and create the interior you’ve always wanted. Learn more about our beautiful collection of coffee tables, find more interior design ideas, and start shopping for your perfect new furnishing by taking a look around today.