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karynn81

Help! Perpendicular sofas coffee table dilemma. What would you do?

4 years ago

I am finally getting to redo my living room! I purchased two matching sofas that I thought were 43" deep, but they are only 38" and now there is too much room between sofas and coffee table.


1) I can purchase the larger version of the Vernon coffee table but that only gives me 6" closer to the sofas. larger version would be 68x34. (Photo below)

2) I can push sofas away from the wall - (photos from each direction- pushed and not pushed below) does it look ok like that?

3) I can purchase another coffee table like the Baja ( photo below) but 40 would be too short and woulnt two of them (80")? Any suggestions on alternative coffee tables? I would really like wood, pref oak.

4) I would also love suggestions for side tables, art and I would like to put wallpaper on the fireplace wall(maybe grasscloth?) In addition, I want to add some color, but what?


Room measurements are Measurements are 24.5x14.3. Sofas are 98x38









Comments (20)

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    These are parallel not perpendicular and you need to either move the sofas off the wall or get a bigger table or move the table closer to one sofa and do 2 end tables for the other I think you do not have room to move the sofas off the wall IMO I would do the 2 end tables/ coffee table so people can actually walk in the space .

    KPIL thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
  • 4 years ago

    Yes Patricia, thank you, parallel! I was reading another post and must have put it in without thinking. I am confused, can you clarify? You are said I should pull the sofas off the wall and then that I don't have room? You would do two end tables and a coffee table or you are saying no coffee table? Thanks for your help!

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    See how you like this same arrangement but without the rug. The patten in the rug compartmentalizes and accentuates the distance between table and sofas. Small, understated accent tables at the ends of the sofas can accommodate small lamps or as a place to set a book or drink. If you have to have a rug, try a flat weave in a solid color.

    KPIL thanked ceesullivan
  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Try pulling the sofas away from the wall for a short time and see if you like it. This option is free and can be easily undone! Then go from there.

    Place thin console tables behind them to fill the gaps. You could mock this up with some cardboard (ex: place some boxes about 12-15" wide back there to "fill" the space and push the couch back up against them). Live with it for a few days and see how you feel about it.

    I think the best looking consoles are a couple of inches below the cushions.


    Your room is long so you may wind up not liking this look. If so, you might just need to get a square coffee table and sell or repurpose your other one.

    KPIL thanked User
  • 4 years ago

    I like the idea of the Small, understated accent tables. Or the two singles instead of the large (that you already have then maybe that is not an option) the other two single black ones and make al L with the two large ones, do they fit? Im not sure, and the black charis in front.

    KPIL thanked zannavarro
  • 4 years ago

    Thank you ! All good ideas. Besides the table it might just be the rug throwing me off as well. Hard to even push it closer to one sofa without it looking weird.

  • 4 years ago

    I really like the room you've put together including the rug. An alternative you can consider is getting a nested rectangular coffee table which will allow you to customize the width to serve both sofas and allow traffic without having to pull them off the wall.



    KPIL thanked JT7abcz
  • 4 years ago

    Good idea JT7abcz! I've started to do some rearranging. hope to be finished soon!

  • 4 years ago

    SeattleMCM funny, I have a console table that I was about to try!


  • 4 years ago

    Beautiful sofas. I love the look of parallel, but your room seems very narrow for that arrangement and to allow passage. Have you tried in an L shape, if there is room?

    KPIL thanked olychick
  • 4 years ago

    I see a large round glass coffee table looking good in that space.

  • 4 years ago

    46" deep sofa much more comfortable than 38

  • 4 years ago

    Being. Some of us short legged folks find deep sofas very uncomfortable.

    KPIL thanked Darlene
  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    I think the table is fine...as said by Yvonne, pull the sofas away from the wall and get the front legs a bit more onto the rug.

    Black chairs, also suggest you turn them to the fireplace and pull them into the conversation area. Looking kinda lonely out there.

    Love the sofas...nice choice.

    KPIL thanked elcieg
  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Float the sofas away from the walls. It will work out better. Allow for at least 3 feet to walk around.

    KPIL thanked Susan Tiritilli
  • 4 years ago

    I see lots of sharp angles and corners and ‘oow’ my shins! My choice would be an oval table, glass and a warm metal or a pretty marble top with some motion.

    KPIL thanked Valinta
  • 4 years ago

    I think a darker table would look nice. It would be a nice nod to the shelving and the dark paint in the adjoining room. I just found this random one and I am not suggested this one per se, but just for an idea. I know this is a crummy mock up but again gives an idea of a darker table.




    KPIL thanked amykath
  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Could be the photo, but room feels lined up and there are no soft curves. To solve this as well as the distance to couches, I’d use a large round coffee and pull in couches a bit. Not a fan of your rug and budget permitting, a style without a border will work better and suggest lighter.

    Select side tables/lamps after coffee table.

    Adding paper on wall with fireplace is wasted, as there isn't enough wall and it’s pretty busy already (consider removing drapes next to fireplace).

    Ground room with large horizintal art over couch, coordinating with rug and cushions.

    Try your two chairs pulled back, flanking fireplace.


    Suggest stepping back, get a sense of the direction/have a plan before buying anything.



    KPIL thanked Maureen
  • 4 years ago

    thank you! Very helpful advice!