Show photos please.

I don't have any photos of our basement yet, but looking to do a table behind sofa that is similar to these ones on Houzz.

Modern Comfort - Basement Says Goodbye to Its Traditional Roots · More Info

Family Room, Home Theater and Bar · More Info

We have theater seats and ours is bar height.

I would mock up a table height and see what's comfortable. That's what we did to determine what works for us.

A regular table is about 30" high, which is only 1 1/2" taller than your sofa. That would work very well with normal dining chairs. You don't need bar or counter stools.

Are you aiming to eat there while people are also sitting on the sofa, is that why you want to go so high, to clear their heads? If not, then I would get a table the same height as the back of the sofa. You will be able to see fine when you are sitting and eating, and when you are on the sofa you won't have a strange feeling of something towering over your head.

Brain meld indeed, Kendrah!

Have someone sit on your couch while you figure it out. Table height might match the back of the couch but if you're planning on actually WATCHING something the people behind may not have a great view (or a view of the back of everyone's head). Grab a dining chair and stick it behind your couch and see if that feels like the right height. My guess is it will feel low. Might also feel like you're pulling up to work at a desk, not watch a game (or whatever).

Your inspo pictures look like one is counter height and the other is bar height. The bar height one looks too tall in that set-up (and that table is way too skinny & tippy - someone will get wet on that couch unless they bolted it to the floor). We had a skinny bar table like that before we built the half wall. I didn't love it. The new half wall is awesome and happens to be where everyone goes to sit first. Bar height worked for us given the height of the theater seats. Counter height might be your best bet.

Thank you all for the replies. The goal is to eat and drink at the table behind the sofa, while being able to view the TV. I'm leaning toward counter height.

I also just realized the sofa will be taller than listed with cushions on the back, so the 36" table won't be taller than the back of the cushions. It will be equal height or a couple inches shorter.

Kat F - I’ve een in a couple basements that have this type of arrangement. It seems to be used (mostly) for watching sports on TV. The arrangement actually provides more ”personal space” (for both the viewers on the sofa + the ones at the table behind the sofa) than when attending a football/basketball/baseball/etc. game in person.

Look at anj_p’s set up - she has theatre seats in front of her table = higher backs than on most sofas. It makes sense for her to use a bar height one - you can still see the very top of the theatre seats above the edge of the table.

In my experience, this type of ”table” doesn’t serve the same purpose as a regular table. People typically are using the counter/ledge to place a drink + maybe some appetizers (or a burger/brat/etc.) - they are not usually having a complete meal there.

I wouldn’t be comfortable watching a movie in seats at a counter behind a sofa (or chairs) - but I have sat in a seat like that (at some point) while watching my team in the Super Bowl four times (three wins/one loss) + my undergrad win the NCAA men’s basketball championship (all during the last five years) at my sister’s house!

We are in the planning stages for refinishing our basement - if we had decided not to add a “real” bar (I’m giving in to my SO’s desire on this - in exchange for full decisions on the kitchen/powder room renovations) we were considering doing something similar to what you’re planning.

If your sofa height is that tall - then a counter height would probably work better (assuming that the use will be similar to what I’ve explained above). If you’re planning on it being used to serve real meals, I would personally rather have an actual table.

@anj_p

Do you happen to have a picture of the half wall that you built? We are looking a counter height table from Artisan Born.

Yes I posted it in my comment below.

What did you decide on?

we are in the same pickle!