How to Choose a Coffee Table: Your One-Stop Buying Guide

A coffee table is more than a spot for holding drinks and snacks. It can display decorative items, be a handy piece with storage options, and give the living space a focal point. How do you select the perfect coffee table with so many choices? Here we’ll explain how to choose a coffee table, including coffee table styles, coffee table size guide, and popular questions about height, distance from the couch, and much more.

While the right size of the coffee table depends ultimately on your personal preferences, 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.  

The general rule is to choose a coffee table that is two-thirds the length of your seating, whether that’s a single couch or a sofa with a chair or two all in a row. Multiply the seating’s length in inches by 0.66 to find the coffee table size, and if in doubt, go bigger rather than settling for a too small table.

Recommended coffee table size guide by sofa length:

• 72 inches sofa – 48 inches table
• 76 inches sofa – 50 inches table
• 80 inches sofa – 53 inches table
• 84 inches sofa – 56 inches table
• 86 inches sofa – 57 inches table
• 88 inches sofa – 58 inches table
• 90 inches sofa – 60 inches table
• 96 inches sofa – 63 inches table

Have L-shaped or U-shaped seating? The right coffee table is one-half to two-thirds the length of the horizontal or vertical portion of the seating, rather than the sofa’s total length.

How much space should be between the couch and the coffee table? To avoid crowding your seating area, place your coffee table about 14 to 18 inches away from the sofa or chairs. This will allow enough room to move easily around it while keeping items within arm’s reach.

A coffee table is more than a spot for holding drinks and snacks. It can display decorative items, be a handy piece with storage options, and give the living space a focal point.

How do you select the perfect coffee table with so many choices? In this guide we will explain how to choose a coffee table, including coffee table styles, coffee table size guide, and popular questions about height, distance from the couch, and much more.

A coffee table should be the same height or up to 2 inches shorter than the sofa’s seat cushion height.

Standard sofa seats are 15 to 29 inches high. If you have an average-height sofa seat, then your coffee table should be about 15 or 16 to 17 or 18 inches high.

Popular shapes of coffee tables are:

• Round tables. Round coffee tables balance out typically rectangular sofas, add pleasing softness to rooms, and are easier to walk around than tables with corners
• Rectangular tables. Rectangular coffee tables are ideal for contrasting rounded furniture and creating a cohesive feel with a particularly long sofa
• Square tables. Square coffee tables look lovely tucked into the l-shape of a sectional sofa. Square tables have clean lines, and their symmetrical shape brings order and balance to a room
• Oval tables. Oval coffee tables add elegance and pleasing curves, balance out linear furniture and take up less visual space than rectangular tables
• Novelty tables. Novelty coffee tables are any shape not listed above, and add a distinctive touch. Examples include geometric tables (octagons, hexagons, and triangles), and freeform tables

Coffee Table Shape and Type Tips

Round vs. rectangular coffee tables. Round tables take up less visual space and are better for large groups due to the lack of corners. Tables with a rectangular shape create symmetry with longer sofas and are easier to incorporate storage options. 

Round vs. square coffee tables. To add balancing softness to a more linear seating arrangement, go for a round table. To add a sense of order and symmetry, go for a square table.

Four legs, two legs, or a tripod or pedestal base? Consider how much space you have and other living room furniture first. Pedestal bases can provide more legroom and an open look in a small space, for example, while four legs might look better in a larger or less crowded space. Then consider the room’s style. For instance, tripods can have a retro fee.

Consider nesting tables — a set of tables in graduating sizes placed one over the other. Some are fixed and some are unattached and can be moved around as needed — a saver in small spaces.

Best Shapes for…

L-shaped sectional sofa. Tuck a square or round table into the “L.”

U-shaped sectional sofa. Either a round or square table is best, depending on the shapes of the other furniture in the room.

Reclining sofa. A side table is likely better suited than a coffee table for a reclining sofa. Or consider placing a large ottoman tray on the fixed cushion.

You have small children. Choose a circular table or oval table, which has no sharp corners.

Latest Trends

The latest trends for coffee tables in 2024 include:

• Round, oval, and curvy coffee table shapes
• Eco-friendly and natural materials, such as reclaimed wood
• Darker finishes, such as espresso
• Multifunctional pieces, such as flip-top or lift-top tables with hidden storage to keep remote controls out of sight, or tables that can be transformed into a desk or dining table

Popular Styles

Modern: Clean lines and an emphasis on functionality define modern coffee tables. They have a streamlined look, often minimalistic and in neutral colors.

Contemporary: Geometric and freeform shapes are hallmarks of contemporary coffee tables, along with glass tops and polished metal legs, such as chrome.

Farmhouse (including rustic): Farmhouse tables are known for natural materials, particularly reclaimed wood , whitewashed wood, and homey charm. Rustic tables go a step further into nature, with a focus on rough-hewn materials and live-edge tops.

Midcentury modern: Organic shapes, simple silhouettes, slender legs, and tulip styles are often features of midcentury modern coffee tables. They can have a playful aspect too.

Coastal: Utilizing driftwood or other weathered wood, light neutral colors or blues, and sometimes nautical details, coastal tables nod to the sand and sea.

Traditional: Often in dark, rich wood, such as mahogany and cherry, traditional tables have a high-quality feel with elegant carvings or other ornate details.

Transitional: Bridging modern or contemporary style and traditional style, transitional tables bring in details from both, such as a traditional wood coffee table with modern storage solutions.

Among other coffee table styles you might encounter are industrial, Scandinavian, tropical, and eclectic.

Wondering how to choose the right color or wood tone? Most coffee tables come in neutral colors, such as brown, black, white, and gray, because it’s easy to mix neutrals (including glass coffee tables) and still have cohesive-looking furniture in your family room. Among browns, you also can find a range of tones from light wood to dark wood. To create contrast and a focal point in an otherwise neutral room, consider a colorful coffee table. Here are a few general ideas.

Matching the Sofa

Coffee Table Color Ideas by sofa color:

• Light gray or dark gray sofa – Black, white, blue, any shade of gray, red, glass table
• Black sofa – Black, white, beige, blue, brown, gray, red, glass, green table — every color goes with black!
• Brown (including brown leather) sofa – Black, white, beige, blue, any shade of brown, red, glass table
• White sofa – White, blue, black, brown, gray, red, green, glass table — every color goes with white!
• Blue sofa – Blue, black, white, beige, brown, gray, glass, green table

Does the coffee table have to match a TV stand or side table? In a traditional room, the coffee table usually matches or is similar to the surrounding furniture. In more modern family rooms and living rooms, the colors can be complementary rather than strictly matching.

The best material for your coffee table depends on how you will be using it and how much maintenance you want to do. Below are some pros and cons of popular materials.

Popular Wood Types

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 keep in mind that wood is susceptible to scratches and nicks.

• Oak. Requiring minimal maintenance, priced at the lower end of the hardwood spectrum, and available in a range of light to dark brown and reddish brown, oak is a popular coffee table material. 
• Walnut. Walnut resists wear, tear, and warping, and is less prone to stains than lighter woods. With proper care, it’s also low maintenance.
• Driftwood. Naturally resistant to decay, driftwood requires minimal maintenance, and every piece is unique. It brings character and raw beauty to a room, unlike machine-cut tables.
• 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.

Other Popular Coffee Table Materials

Wicker. Traditionally made of bamboo, 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 keep sightlines open, making small spaces feel bigger. They also go with furniture of any color. Many are made of tempered glass, which is stronger and safer than regular glass, and have a wooden or metal frame for added sturdiness. However, glass tables may require frequent cleaning of fingerprints, and coasters must be used.

Metal. Metal coffee tables are highly resistant to wear and tear, and you can find a metal coffee table to fit any style. However, certain types of metal can rust, and most metals are heavier than other materials.

Stone. Stone coffee tables, such as marble, have a luxurious look and can last for generations. However, they are heavy and difficult to move, and can be prone to damage from chemical cleaners as well as chipping and staining. 

Upholstered. Made with a frame topped by a cushion, upholstered coffee tables (including leather) 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 untreated fabric can stain easily.

Best Materials for

• Easy maintenance: Metal and most hardwoods
• A luxury look: Marble, granite, and other stones; mahogany, ebony, cherry, and walnut woods
• Longevity: Metal, hardwood, stone, cement

Storage. Shelves, drawers, or other storage types increase functionality in a coffee table — particularly useful in small spaces.

Lift top. Lift-top coffee tables have hidden storage, keeping items such as remote controls and magazines neatly tucked away.

Live edge. Made of wood with an edge left untouched by tools, live-edge coffee tables have a raw, natural beauty, and no two are alike.

Nesting. Movable nesting tables save space, as they can be stacked when not in use. Fixed nesting tables, which are joined on a single frame, have an unusual look and create different levels for holding various items. 

Drawers. Coffee tables with drawers hold items close at hand but out of sight, for a neat look.

Trunk. Providing generous storage inside, a trunk coffee table also adds character and a vintage or rustic touch. 

Wheels. A coffee table on casters can be easily moved for cleaning underneath or to another area for entertaining or to switch up a room’s look.

Special sizes 

• Small (usually less than 30 inches long)
• Mini (as small as 14 inches long)
• Narrow (usually less than 16 inches wide)
• Oversized (usually longer than 60 inches)

Adjustable height. An adjustable-height coffee table can be manually raised to become a dining table, saving space. Some can be adjusted to multiple heights based on notches on a support bar.