Well, it’s been two years since we updated/overhauled this incredibly helpful post, and it was about time! Choosing a coffee table is something we instinctively know how to do, but when it comes to actually having to buy one, that’s not the case. That’s why we created this post, to help you take the guesswork out of finding the perfect size, shape and type for your sofa. We hope you love our new recommendations! xx
The coffee table. So functional, yet so often an afterthought. The sofa is the focal point of the living room and it certainly makes us comfortable. But the coffee table is the workhorse of the living room. It holds our drinks, our remotes, our favorite tech gadgets, our precious knick-knacks, and, for better or worse, our takeaway dinner at the end of a long day. Sometimes it doubles as a stool (not recommended for legal reasons, but we won’t deny that sometimes), a desk, or a craft table. With such a large and diverse range of tasks, you might guess that it would be one of the first pieces of furniture we think of when moving into a new place or redecorating, but that’s usually not the case.
We spend hours trying to pick the perfect sofa, the perfect rug, the perfect chairs for our living room, and then we end up buying Aunt Susan’s hand-me-down coffee table (thank goodness she was nice). Of course, who doesn’t love a coffee table? We’ve all struggled with that at some point, but no matter what position you’re in, you might need some advice or inspiration when it comes to buying one. What size and shape of coffee table goes with what size and shape of sofa? It might seem like a guessing game, but don’t worry, we’re here to help. We’ve created a shopping guide with the best coffee tables we could find (round, square, rectangular, oval!) and some rules to remember when choosing a coffee table (with pictures!).
First, the rules: Of course, you can have any shape and size you want, but there are some general rules to keep in mind to ensure the perfect relationship between your coffee table and your sofa. at least It should be half the length of your sofa (but no more than about 2/3 of the length) and roughly the same as the seat height, with a 4-inch tolerance (so if your sofa is 90 inches long and 20 inches high, look for one that’s about 45 to 54 inches wide and 16 to 24 inches high, regardless of shape). However, if you have a sectional with a chaise longue and the table will be placed within the open L-shape formed by the shape of the sofa, then that 1/2 to 2/3 guideline only applies to the length of the horizontal seat, not the full length of the sofa. Here’s a simple diagram to show what we mean, along with a breakdown of ideal shapes for different sofa configurations:
If you want more living room specific tips, check out this post which brings together lots of really useful tips, like table space needed, rug size rules, lighting guidelines and more.
Once you know the right size and shape, the next step is to choose a design that fits your space. Rectangular and oval coffee tables are almost interchangeable, depending on the flow you’re going for. Same goes for round and square. Let’s take a closer look (and share our favorite shopping picks, as a bonus).
If you have a standard sofa (or an extra-long sofa with a chaise lounge), consider a rectangle (or an oval, but we’ll talk more about this shape later). That way, everyone has easy access to coffee, cocktails, or late-night snacks. This is also a great choice if you have a small space and barely any room to walk around. If you’re in a household with countless remotes and tech cords, consider buying a table with a functional, yet sleek, pull-out drawer like #1, #7, or #11. Oh, and if you regularly eat in front of the TV (whether by choice or because you don’t actually have a formal dining area), a lift-top coffee table is super convenient because you don’t have to bend over to eat your dishes (#15 and #20).
Tip: This goes for all forms of coffee tables, but coffee tables are great for making a visual impact, so consider choosing a material, color, and pattern that contrasts with the other furniture in your living room.
1. Torme White Oak Coffee Table | 2. Tariffville rectangular coffee table | 3. Learner Coffee Table | 4. Wooden pedestal coffee table | 5. Cora Burlwood Coffee Table | 6. Patmos Coffee Table
7. Masas Coffee Table | 8. Elemental Layer Coffee Table |9. Estate travertine and metal rectangular coffee table | 10. Clarkin Coffee Table | 11. Bios Coffee Table | 12. Esper Lord
13. Ting Three Coffee Table | 14. Erowen coffee table | 15. Naya Pop-Up Coffee Table | 16. Nemus Coffee Table | 17. Willem coffee table | 18. Horseshoe-shaped coffee table | 19. Woodson Coffee Table | 20. Midcentury Pop-Up Coffee Table | 21. Brisa Burlwood Coffee Table
If you have a large, comfortable sectional sofa or a traditional conversation setup with a sofa and two chairs (like Ginny’s living room above), a square table is the perfect choice. It fits perfectly in the L-shaped corner of your sectional sofa or in the large space in the middle of your chat zone. The best thing about a square table is that it gives you a stylish space that is cost-effective. Who doesn’t love a stylish coffee table vignette? Plus, tables like #5, #10, #14, #15, and #17 come with an extra shelf.
1. River Heights Square Wooden Coffee Table | 2. Vander Natural Wood Square Storage Coffee Table | 3. Patricio Coffee Table | 4. Pedestal coffee table | 5. Balboa Rattan Coffee Table | 6. Sunako Coffee Table
7. Kanta Marble Coffee Table | 8. Enyo Square Travertine Table |9. Flash Table | 10. Profile coffee table | 11. Bovisio Smoked Glass Coffee Table | 12. Couture Nicoletta Square Marble Coffee Table
13. Culver Square Coffee Table | 14. Chadwick Midcentury Square Coffee Table | 15. Grooved wooden square coffee table | 16. Dean Coffee Table | 17. Liatorp | 18. Yoko Coffee Table
If you live in a small space where every inch of furniture counts, consider cutting out the corners (literally) and opting for a rounded piece. This sofa also fits perfectly in a “corner” shape, so it’s a great choice to pair with a sectional or a sofa with a chaise lounge. That means it fits perfectly in a small nook, like in my (Arlyne’s) living room. It’s also super handy because it’s a beautiful contrasting shape to a rectangular sofa. It’s a win-win!
1. Homage marble and white oak round coffee table | 2. Dev Taupe Marble & Grey Metal Round Coffee Table | 3. Aicha Coffee Table | 4. Kasmera Coffee Table | 5. Santoro White Quartz Coffee Table | 6. Kendall Coffee Table
7. Borgebi | 8. Zenaid Coffee Table |9. Gweneth Round Coffee Table | 10. Barr swivel coffee table | 11. Repaso Ebony Ashwood Round Coffee Table | 12. Noria Coffee Table | 13. Drum Storage Coffee Table | 14. shaker coffee table | 15. Cap Ivory Cement Coffee Table
An oval is a good choice if you have little ones running around and you want to keep the sharp edges of the table from hitting them in the face (round shapes are good in this regard too). If your living room is a high-traffic area (e.g. you have to go through the living room to get to another space, like the kitchen or dining room), a more sinuous shape also helps with visual flow. It softens up a very angular or modern sofa while still achieving the same look as a rectangle. The classic marble and wood design (#10) is popular in the area (check it out in Emily’s old living room here). The slender legs keep it feeling light and floating (balanced by the heavy wood at the bottom). Of course, the aluminum flat leg coffee table (#13) and the brass table in Brady’s living room (#15) are great for those who like classic modern design. But if you want to make a bit more of a statement, check out the West Elm table in #3. It has a postmodern vibe and can add some serious cool to a simple, no-frills living space.
1. Osiris Coffee Table | 2. Tony Coffee Table | 3. Organic Modular Table | 4. Rainier Walnut Oval Coffee Table | 5. Mariko Oval Coffee Table with Rattan Front Drawer | 6. Michael solid wood coffee table
7. Claremont Ebony Oak Oval Coffee Table with Shelf | 8. Henderson Coffee Table |9. Nova
Ten. Thomas Bina Olivia Coffee Table | 11. Lippa Oval Coffee Table | 12. Bordeaux Gold Metal Marble Oval Coffee Table | 13. Aluminum flat leg coffee table | 14. Nero White Marble and Brass Base Oval Coffee Table | 15. Gaultier Coffee Table
So… is there anything else you wish we had guidelines for? We’ve done a few posts with lots of room-by-room rules, but is there anything you’d like us to dig deeper into? What do you always struggle with while decorating that you’d like to see covered in a signature EHD how-to post? As always, let us know in the comments!
If you’re already familiar with design guidelines, here are some posts you might find useful:
Opening Image Credit: Photo provided Tessa Neustadt For EHD | Source: How to Add Style to a Neutral Living Room
Source: Shopping – Emily Henderson – stylebyemilyhenderson.com
