Your Guide to Choosing the Perfect Coffee Table for Your Living Room

A coffee table is a convenient piece of furniture that can hold everything from a remote control to candles and books. Even better: the modern coffee table goes beyond the glass surface and rectangular design with updated features like hidden storage, extra seating, and a built-in refrigerator. But where should you start when you start choosing from the many options on the market? To help demystify this important piece of furniture, follow our guide to picking the perfect coffee table for your space and style.

Start by Choosing a Shape

First, determine the desired shape of the coffee table. In interior design, circles represent security, unity, and infinity. Rectangles and squares symbolize order, formality, and solidity. Rectangular shapes are often more pleasing to the eye than squares, but reusing square shapes, such as nesting tables, can be just as beneficial.

Although most standard coffee tables are round, oval, rectangular, or square, you’ll also encounter organic iterations of curves, i.e., shapes based on nature. These offer the spontaneity and comfort that a standard, angular coffee table may not provide. For example, try a hexagonal or cloud-like shape. There are even coffee tables in the shape of diamonds, animals, and guitars. Whatever your vision or style, it’s worth looking for the shape of your coffee table that you like.

Choose a Coffee Table Style

In addition to choosing a shape, consider a coffee table that reflects your unique style and personality. Here are a few questions to answer when narrowing down the coffee table style:

1. What colors and patterns do I like?
2. Do I want a traditional or modern look (or something else)?
3. Do I want a formal or casual feel?
4. Does my coffee table fit the look and feel of my space?
5. Will my coffee table complement the rest of my furniture?
6. What is my interior design or décor style?

Measure Twice to Make Sure It Fits

A standard coffee table measures about 17-19 inches high, 24 inches deep, and 36-48 inches wide. But the size may vary. To ensure a perfect fit, measure your space and nearby furniture ahead of time. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, here are some guidelines you can follow when choosing your coffee table size.

1. Analyze the proportions of other furniture in your space (especially the sofa or modular furniture in front of the coffee table).
2. If you’re placing a coffee table in front of the couch, choose one that’s about 2/3 the total length of the couch.
3. Always keep a distance of about 18 inches between the sofa and the table. This provides plenty of legroom and an ideal range of leaning when grabbing something.
4. Compare the height of the chair and coffee table, which is only 1-2 inches lower than the sofa, or the same height as the sofa seat cushion.
5. If you have too much living space, you may need to place two coffee tables side by side. When in doubt, measure and always check the size of your space and seating arrangements.

Choose Materials That Fit Your Lifestyle

When choosing a coffee table material, prioritize durability and safety. Then, check its tactile and visual textures. Next, consider how your materials will form the background of the décor and complement your entire room and existing furniture. Finally, review the maintenance requirements for your coffee table so you can choose a material that is easy to manage and fits your lifestyle.

• Wood: Wooden coffee tables are durable and versatile. Mahogany looks beautiful in traditional spaces, while walnut and natural oak work well in modern and farmhouse living rooms. Black and dark woods are more susceptible to dust and dirt than light-colored woods. Maintenance is simple: dust and wipe down wooden coffee tables regularly with a damp microfiber cloth, and place coasters in the bay to prevent water rings.
• Glass or Mirror: The glass coffee table is elegant and upscale. With its sleek look, this material can help small spaces appear more spacious and add a touch of luxury to any style. You can safely place your food and drinks on glass and mirrored coffee tables, but scratches and fingerprints are common and can be noticeable if not cleaned regularly. Due to the fragile nature of glass, it is best to skip this option when designing a space suitable for pets or children.
• Acrylic: Acrylic mimics the look of glass, but is as strong and shatterproof as steel. Acrylic is more likely to scratch than glass, though, so treat it with care. It is best to avoid acetate and ammonia cleaners, which can leave a yellow mist.
• Metal: Many coffee tables are made with a stainless steel or aluminum base. Available in a variety of metal finishes, including brushed nickel, gold, brass, and copper, this coffee table material can elevate the sophistication of any space.
• Natural Materials: Rattan, marble, and wicker are a few of the natural coffee table materials you’ll come across. It’s crucial to carefully evaluate each material to understand the care instructions it requires. For example, marble and natural stone may need to be resealed regularly.

Consider the Location

Coffee tables are usually located in formal living spaces or family rooms. Since family rooms and dens tend to have a lot of foot traffic and daily activities, you’ll need to look for dual-purpose furniture. As a result, it may be more pragmatic to leave the sophisticated, sophisticated style of coffee table to a formal space and prioritize practical solutions in the living room.

Make a Budget

The average price of a coffee table is between $200 and $1,200 (or more). When you’re looking for a table, evaluate how you want it to look and how long you want your coffee table to last. The structure, material, level of assembly, life expectancy, and warranty of the table will determine the price. Buying a low-quality or inexpensive table sometimes means that it needs to be replaced frequently, which can increase over time. How you finalize your budget will depend on your coffee table needs and design goals. Remember: if you decide to sell later, buying a higher quality coffee table may have a higher resale value.

Determine the Assembly Level

Don’t want to take a closer look at the assembly kit? Rigging can definitely influence your coffee table decisions. If you value convenience, read the product description to make sure the table is fully assembled. Options that require partial assembly are also available.

Try out the New Coffee Table Design Features

Today’s coffee tables are fully functional and aesthetically pleasing. Here are some features to consider; Sometimes you’ll find several of them on a coffee table.

• Nested or Modular Coffee Tables: This stackable, space-saving piece of furniture contains multiple tables that can be easily folded together or moved around when you need extra space.
• Height-Adjustable Coffee Table: This style is perfect for creating a temporary desk or table that doesn’t need to be tilted. Many times, a liftable coffee table can also provide storage space underneath.
• Built-In Seating: These coffee tables have 3-4 seats that can be pulled out to accommodate last-minute guests.
• Storage: Consider a coffee table with a top that can be lifted to show storage. These are great for kid-friendly spaces, and you need to store toys and games quickly.
• Upholstered Footstool: This large, upholstered table acts as a plush footstool. Simply add a tray on top to improve functionality or use it as a place to put your feet.
• Showcasing a Coffee Table: Want to highlight a collectible from a trip, a book, or a photo? Opt for a display coffee table, which features a glass surface that allows items to be displayed.
• All-in-One Appliances: This modern coffee table doubles as a refrigerator, making it perfect for casual living spaces where entertainment is frequent.

Check the Shipping Process

Some stores offer door-to-door delivery by carrier or white-glove delivery. White Glove Delivery is a concierge-level service that delivers your coffee table to the room of your choice in your home. Then the delivery service will assemble it, the room will be cleaned, and all the packaging and garbage will be removed. This service usually comes at an additional cost, costing between $100 and $350 per shipment, depending on factors such as store policies, the number of items delivered, and the distance from the delivery warehouse.