Coffee table buying guide: how to choose the perfect one
When designing a living room, there are several focal points that need your attention. For example a sofa that brings all the comfort you need, an armchair for your relaxing moments, and a great TV unit. Then there’s the fashionable rug that ties everything together. A furniture piece that’s often overlooked is the coffee table. So how do you choose the best coffee table?
Your coffee table is the furniture piece that ties the living room together. Your coffee table perfectly combines style with utility. It’s where you put your coffee, favourite book, TV remote and your phone, and it can even provide the comfort of a TV dinner.
Do you need a new coffee table? Then we recommend going through our guide on how to buy a coffee table. Read everything you need to know about making the perfect choice!
Make sure you choose the right dimensions
Every furniture purchase begins with measurements. Since coffee tables are the other half of your sofa or armchairs, their measurements need to match. Normally, a coffee table has to be the same height as the sofa, or up to 5 cm lower than its seat. Taller sofas ask for taller coffee tables, especially when having a rich social life. This setup offers more comfort for placing drinks on the coffee table.
When thinking about what size coffee table you should buy, its height is not the only dimension to consider. As mentioned before, your coffee table has to match your sofa, especially in length. Depending on the size of the sofa, the table should be two-thirds of its length. This way, you ensure a practical use of the coffee table, from every side of the sofa.
Pay attention to leaving enough room around it. The standard dimension that allows comfortable space for circulation requires 30 to 45 cm between the sofa and the table. At the same time, if you have a TV stand opposing the coffee table, you have to consider a distance of 60 to 76 cm between those two. This placement creates enough room for good circulation and defines the living room area as being airy but also compact.
Measuring the furniture layout you already have is super important for getting the ideal coffee table. Just as important is the shape of the table since various shapes look and feel different.
What is the perfect coffee table shape for you?
This totally depends on what the rest of your room looks like. For example, if you have kids, it is recommended to opt for round or oval coffee tables. They’re child-friendly, but also look amazing while creating some sort of cosiness that rectangular tables can’t. Round and square tables fit amazingly in a smaller room, giving the illusion of more depth.
Instead, if you’re looking for a coffee table to match an adult living room, you can play around with all the different shapes and styles. Rectangular and oval coffee tables are the right choice for bigger rooms and setups. Add one big rectangular table in front of your impressive sofa, or work with a set of 2 or 3 tables for more visual impact.
Material & style
The large choice of coffee tables can leave you confused when trying to find the perfect one. Wood is still one of the most popular choices in coffee tables as it is a timeless material. There are plenty of details that make your purchase unique. Go for classic mahogany for a more traditional interior décor or choose a mango or teak coffee table for a bohemian look. When you like wood craftsmanship, opt for vintage items or tables made of reclaimed wood.
If you’re going for a modern interior or an industrial-inspired one, there are plenty of options. There’s glass, metal, fiberglass, or marble. These materials look superb in coffee tables and allow for creative setups. But remember, glass coffee tables or metal ones with sharp corners are less safe when children are playing. If you have pets, look for a table with an easy to clean surface.
Then, there’s leather, velvet, even silk. Yes, you can have a velvet coffee table because these precious fabrics can turn a regular table into the focal point of your living room. Depending on the design, such tables fit different styles, from retro and bohemian, to modern (for leather ones). As a plus, they can bring that eclectic mood to your room, so popular these days.
To decide on the right colour for your coffee table, take a look at your existing décor. You can experiment with different shades, to emphasize the advantages of the room. Glass and marble coffee tables are a huge success in darker rooms or a Scandinavian interior. Natural shades work in every possible combination, while dark tones match a classic or retro style.
The functionality of your coffee table
Remember, the perfect coffee table is not only gorgeous but practical too. Try out one with a built-in storage option for example. Some have shelves and drawers, handy for storing remote controls and other things you want to keep close while being in the sitting area. Other coffee tables have wheels, so you can easily move them around. Now that you know how to choose the perfect coffee table, discover our top picks below.