How to choose the right coffee table

Your coffee table is the furniture piece that ties the living room together. This table perfectly combines style with utility. It’s where you put your coffee, favourite book, TV remote, and your phone.

Wondering how to find the best coffee table? Keep reading this guide with all information you need on how to buy a coffee table. 

 

Make sure you choose the right dimensions

Every furniture purchase begins with taking measurements. Since coffee tables are the other half of your sofa or armchairs, their measurements need to match. Normally, a coffee table is the same height as the sofa or max. 5 cm lower. 

When thinking about what size coffee table you should buy, its height is not the only dimension to consider. Depending on the size of the sofa, the table should be two-thirds of its length. This way, you ensure practical use of the coffee table from every side of the sofa.

Leave enough room around the table. It's common to leave 30 to 45 cm of space between the sofa and the table. At the same time, if you have a TV stand opposing the coffee table, you have to consider a distance of 60 to 76 cm between those two. This placement creates enough room for good circulation and defines the living room area as being airy but also compact.

 

What is the perfect coffee table shape for you?

This totally depends on what the rest of your room looks like. For example, if you have kids, it is recommended to opt for round or oval coffee tables. They’re child-friendly, but also look amazing while creating a bit of cosiness. Round and square tables fit perfectly in a smaller room, giving the illusion of more depth.

Play around with different shapes and styles for an eclectic effect. Rectangular and oval coffee tables are the right choice for bigger rooms and setups. Add one big rectangular table in front of your impressive sofa, or work with a set of 2 or 3 tables for more visual impact. 

Material & style

The large choice of coffee tables can leave you confused. Wood is still one of the most popular choices in coffee tables as it is a timeless material. There are plenty of details that make your purchase unique. Go for classic mahogany or choose a mango or teak coffee table for a bohemian look. When you like a vintage look, choose a coffee table made of reclaimed wood.

If you’re going for a modern interior or an industrial-inspired one, there are plenty of options. There’s glass, metal, fiberglass, or marble. But remember, glass coffee tables or metal ones with sharp corners are less safe when children are playing in the room. If you have pets, look for a table with an easy-to-clean surface.

Then, there’s leather and velvet... Yes, you can have a velvet coffee table! This material turns a your coffee table into the focal point of your living room. 

To decide on the right colour for your coffee table, take a look at your existing décor. You can experiment with different shades, to emphasize the advantages of the room. Glass and marble coffee tables are a huge success in darker rooms or a Scandinavian interior. Natural shades work in every possible combination, while dark tones match a classic or retro style. 

 

The functionality of your coffee table

Remember, the perfect coffee table is not only gorgeous but practical too. Try out one with a built-in storage option for example. Some have shelves and drawers, handy for storing remote controls and other things you want to keep close while being in the sitting area. Other coffee tables have wheels, so you can easily move them around. Now that you know how to choose the perfect coffee table, discover our top picks below.