Choosing the best coffee table for your space
Choosing a coffee table seems like an easy enough task at first thought. You go online, pick your favorite and order it, right? Not quite. There are actually many more decision criteria to consider when picking the RIGHT coffee table for your space than meets the eye. It needs to be the right size when considering the space and other furniture in the space. The material and design should fit your personal style and compliment existing decor. And finally, you need to make sure that its functional purpose in regards to your family and your lifestyle. So here’s what you need to know! 5 easy rules to follow when shopping for your next coffee table:
RULE #1: DIMENSIONS PROPORTIONATE TO YOUR other FURNITURE
The correct size is the foundation of the right table. And it really boils down to three key measurements when honing in on the right length and width for the space:
Length relative to your sofa - your coffee table should be approximately 2/3 the length of the your existing sofa. So for example, an 84” (7’) sofa, you should be looking for a table that is approx 56” give or take a few inches.
Distance from sofa - the rule of thumb here is to leave between 12-18”between your coffee table and your sofa. Anything else will feel awkwardly crowded or too far away.
Distance from fireplace/TV - at least 24-30” to ensure plenty of walking space without feeling uncomfortably tight.
RULE #2: HEIGHT, HEIGHT, HEIGHT!
Height is a factor that so many people mistakenly overlook. There is nothing worse than a coffee table that is too high or too low relative to the neighboring furniture. The rule of thumb is to select a table that is the same height as your sofa cushions or 1-2 inches lower. Anything else will feel awkwardly out of place.
RULE #3: CHOOSE MATERIAL TO COMPLIMENT NOT MATCH
Once we have determined the shape and size of the coffee table, the next critical decision you have to make is material selection! Some questions to ask yourself:
How much wood tones do I have in the space? If you’re playing with a space that incorporates a lot of white, gray and/or other color, wood may be a nice touch to break it up and add that more natural texture. If you are surrounded by wood cabinetry and wood trim, consider introducing a medium that offsets those tones like metal, acrylic or fabric.
Do you need something that is a little more kid friendly? Glass may be out of the question. If you’re going with wood, ensure that it is a durable finish that will hold up to lots of “action” (i.e. little fingerprints easy to wash off!)
Working with a smaller space? A glass or acrylic coffee table may be a good option to keep it feeling more open.
RULE #4: CHOOSE A DESIGN THAT STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE
A design that fits the space proportionally is another key consideration. You don’t want the table to feel too heavy or flimsy in the space proportionate to the other furniture surrounding it. In other words, it should complement the other furniture in the room to make the space feel proportional and balanced. What does this all mean? If your sofa has high skinny legs, consider a table that's solid all the way to the ground or has shorter chunkier legs. On the other hand, if your sofa has no visible legs, choose a coffee table that has higher skinnier legs. A nice mix of substantive vs light & airy is always a winning combo.
RULE #5: CONSIDER YOUR FUNCTIONAL NEEDS
Of course, when choosing the right coffee table for you or your family, you should consider your lifestyle. Do you need a piece with a lot of storage? Consider a storage piece. Are you one to play board games in the living room constantly? Make sure it's a comfortable piece to gather around. Do you have a tendency to put your feet up on the coffee table when watching TV? Maybe an ottoman is a better option for you.
We hope this helps answer some of your questions regarding the layout, material, shape, and proper size of your coffee table. There's a lot of thought that goes into each of our designs, but once you figure out a few of the key elements, the whole space will seamlessly begin to come together!
And when you’re ready to start shopping, we hope that you’ll take a gander at all of our favorite coffee tables and accessories in our shop! We are adding new items every week, so keep checking back and follow along on Instagram for updates!