Essential Tips for Choosing the Perfect Coffee Table
After spending countless hours browsing the web to find the great couch, rug and accent chairs, you are so proud of yourself that you're so close to complete the living room. The only item that is missing and more often gets overlooked is : Coffee Table. Now it's time to add those finishing touches that will truly make your living space feel like home.
One of the most asked questions we have received is how to find the right coffee table that match with the sofa, the rug and tie the room together. It could be a difficult task because not only coffee table is often the last piece of furniture you pick for your living room but it comes in thousands of different shapes, sizes, and material options. Which one would be ideal and look best in your space?
The Ultimate Guide to Pick the Perfect Coffee Table
This guide will help you make the most informed decision of how to pick the right sizes, shapes and style for your coffee table. Follow these simple steps to make your coffee table shopping a breeze:
First up: Decide the shape of a Coffee Table
Round, Rectangle, Oval, Square, Nesting Tables, everyone has their own preference, yet the general rule to achieve balance is to consider what type of sofas you have.
According to Houzz Magazine : "the ideal coffee table has enough room to hold everyone’s drinks while being in proportion to the sofa and allowing comfortable foot traffic all around. It also should match the scale of other furniture and work with the room’s overall interior design"
In simple terms:
- If you have a standard sofa consider a rectangle (or oval), or nesting tables
- If you have sectional sofas or those with chaise lounges: consider a Square or Round Coffee Table
Paxi Coffee Table | Mid Century Modern
Secondly, Think about Size and Proportion:
Your coffee table should be at least half the length of your sofa but no more than ⅔ its length.
Next question: Should coffee table be higher or lower than sofa?
It should sit at about the same height as your sofa seat, give or take 3-4 inches.
For Example: If your sofa is 90 inches long and 20 inches tall, look for a table that's around 45 to 54 inches wide and 16 to 24 inches tall.
Below is the infographic we make to sum up How-to-choose-the right shape and size for your coffee table
Now about Materials, what would be best: wood, glass, marble, wicker or stone?
We will list down the pros and cons of most popular materials
Wood coffee tables are sturdy and beautiful, wood coffee tables are a classic and ever-popular choice. Coasters can help keep damage from drinks at bay, but wood is susceptible to scratches and nicks.
- Hard woods (oak, walnut, cherry, rubber wood, etc). Natural wood grains, beautiful and requiring minimal maintenance
- Soft wood (pine, bamboo) or engineered wood: Lighter weight, easier to move and generally lower price tag yet it is susceptible to scratches.
- Reclaimed wood. Reclaimed wood is an eco-conscious choice, keeping materials out of landfills and slowing the destruction of trees. It also adds character and can be of higher quality than new wood, because older wood is denser than newer wood.
Wicker. Traditionally made of rattan, willow, or reed, wicker coffee tables are a lighter weight than tables made of wood, stone, or glass. They also tend to be less expensive while adding a casual, natural look to a living space.
Glass. Glass coffee tables make small spaces feel bigger. They are easy to match with furniture of any color. However, glass tables may require frequent cleaning of fingerprints, and coasters must be used.
Stone. Stone coffee tables, such as marble, have a luxurious look and can last for generations. However, they are heavy, expensive and difficult to move, and can be prone to damage as chipping and staining.
Upholstered. Made with a frame topped by a cushion, upholstered coffee tables add softness and a cozy feel. You can use an upholstered coffee table as an ottoman or seating too, and the fabric can be swapped out for a new look. However, you will need to add a tray to hold drinks and snacks, and fabric tend to stain easily.
In Summary, best materials for coffee table are:
- Easy maintenance: hardwoods
- A luxury look: Marble, granite, and other stones; mahogany, ebony, cherry, and walnut woods
- Longevity: Metal, hardwood, stone, cement
Lastly, let's talk about latest trend and styles
- Round, oval, and curvy coffee table shapes
- Eco-friendly and natural materials, such as reclaimed wood, sustainable wood
- Multifunctional pieces, such as flip-top or lift-top tables with hidden storage to keep clutter out of sight, or tables that can be transformed into a desk or dining table.
Cre: Four Hands
There you have it, the simple guide that help you make informed decision when it comes to choosing the right coffee table for your living space. We'd love to make your shopping journey a bit easier and love hear from you or answer any questions you might have.
Let customers speak for us
The table is simple but I absolutely love our table - quality is amazing!!!!!!! It matches so well with the dining table I ordered together too! and they were delivered so quickly too!!!
This is really unique table at good price. It's really a good deal and the quality is amazing. There are some texture on the top and the legs making rustic feeling. It feels like really solid wood, not engineered wood feeling at all. Thanks Harmonie Workshop for this price offer.
I had spent months finding this table. It's just perfect table for my 624sf apartment. I hesitated to order online but it's more than expectation. I really love the round edge design details plus the racking shelf. And it's made of solid wood !!!!!
I have seen this similar design at Rh Furniture and I have searched high and low for similar table under 1k, so glad I finally found this and the table is a dream. Under $700 and free shipping, it's unreal, so I was a bit nervous honestly when I ordered it. But it turns out better than my expectation. My husband and I is very impressed with the finish, look very high-end, unlike other online store, they are really good at their finish. The only feedback is that I hope they will offer more sizes for this style. Overall, highly recommend this table !
Very beautiful and solid table with no assembly. I'd recommend to buy this piece.
Delivered when promised and packaged well. Easy to assemble. Solid wood as stated with nice storage area. The mid-century modern design looks perfect in my sunroom! Beautiful table. Would recommend.
Great Stools! Very stylish and sturdy
wow, this media console is sooo beautiful in person, I love the look and it is sturdy too! The natural wood tone and rattan door go amazingly well together. I have been looking everywhere for my coastal airy style. So glad I found this one. Highly recommend.
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The wood is very beautiful and match with my aesthetic, the rattan door very pop in a neutral way. I love it!
My wife and I are extremely pleased with the quality and finish of these stools. Made from solid wood, they are heavy and sturdy, with each stool weighing around 17-18 lbs fully assembled, The surface is smooth to the touch, making cleaning very easy. The assembly process out of the box is straight forward. The packaging is fantastic, with each piece well-protected inside the box. Felt pads are pre-installed underneath each leg, so you don't have to worry about scratching your floor right out of the box--this is a plus! Overall, well-designed stool with quality materials, thoughtful packaging, and easy assembly. Highly recommended.
When I received the package I already know this is legit! The packing is A+++, and the product is very Solid. From the weight I can tell it's hardwood like they said, very sturdy and has a unique design in the legs, unlike other saddle stools on the market. I love the smooth stain, easy to care for than rustic look. If you still think about it, BUY!
I love this coffee table and my boy loves it even more. Soft corners are safe for kid, I don't have to worry when he plays around the table. The wood is absolutely beautiful and solid.
I wish they have a bigger size option, I would have bought for my main living room. This size is more suitable for apartment and smaller space. Besides that it's a perfect table for the price!
Simple yet beautiful! I bought this for my rental apartment near the beach and this media console is perfect. The best part is very minimal assembly needed and all solid wood. The quality is really worth the price, drawers are soft close too! And delivery is super fast. Packing is 5 stars, I can't recommend enough.
Looked for several days and glad I stumbled on these. Got the natural finish. Really solid, well made and simple hardware. Great price. . Other sites charged more than double. The shipping and packing was A++. My only complaint is I wished they had a template for the install. I made my own but no room for errors on these. You maybe have a 1/16” margin of error on the centers. use a little liquid soap on posts to slide in easier if needed.
I'm so happy when I bought this work desk. For those who need a professional home office space, I highly recommend this product. You will pay what you get.
