The right coffee table can tie all the style elements of your living room or family room together. Follow our guide to learn about all the different types of coffee tables and how to choose a coffee table that will look best in your home.

How to Choose a Coffee Table

Here’s a rundown of coffee table shapes, styles, and features to help you decide which piece would best suit your space.

1. Consider Coffee Table Designs

Rectangular: The most popular coffee table shape, rectangular tables pair well with longer sofas. If your room has a lot of soft lines, consider breaking them up with a rectangular coffee table.

Round: A round shape works with shorter sofas and more condensed seating arrangements since long sofas tend to make round coffee tables look small. They are a good option if you have small children or pets as there are no sharp corners to bump into.

Square: Like round tables, square coffee table designs tend to work best in a smaller or square-like seating arrangement. However, square tables may not be long enough for everyone to reach if they're seated on a lengthy sofa.

Oval: An oval coffee table will work if you like the shape of a round table, but have a longer sofa. This unique coffee table style is eye-catching and adds a special something to your room.

Hexagonal: A hexagonal coffee table will make a statement in your living room with its distinct geometric shape. Best used for short sofas or closed seating areas, a hexagonal table has a similar footprint to a round coffee table with a little more dimension for modern spaces.

Triangular: Triangular coffee tables usually have three legs rounded corners to give them a sleek, modern look. The unique shape will add a focal point to your living room while the round corners help maintain the flow of your seating area.

Free-Form: If conventional isn’t your style, free-form coffee tables are for you. An abstract coffee table can even fit in your space like a sculpture or a work of art. We recommend one of these unique coffee table styles if your living area has a modern, sophisticated look.

2. Choose the Right Coffee Table Size

To find out how long your coffee table should be, you should first measure how long your sofa is. As a general rule, your coffee table should be between 1/2 and 2/3 the length of the side of the sofa it will be facing.

The standard height of a coffee table is between 16" and 18", but depending on the height of your sofa cushions, you might want to go taller or shorter. For maximum comfort and cohesiveness, the coffee table height you choose should be within 2" of the height of your sofa seat.

Tip!

Check out our Coffee Table Size Guide: How to Choose the Right Coffee Table Dimensions for more placement tips and diagrams to help you find the best fit for your living room.

3. Compare Different Materials & Finishes

Materials

Wood: Wood is the most common coffee table material thanks to its durability, reliability, and ability to accommodate any room style. Wooden coffee table designs come in a range of species, colors, and designs. If you want a unique wooden coffee table, live-edge is the best option.

Glass: If your room is small or cramped, a glass coffee table will help open it up with style. Glass is not optimal for homes with smaller children, in case it breaks.

Stoneware: Marble, granite, and slate coffee tables look best when paired with hardwood floors or muted rugs. To keep these scratch-free and ring-free, use coasters and clean regularly with a nonabrasive cleaner.

Metal: If you are looking to match an industrial or structural theme in your home, select a sleek coffee table in metal for a strong and solid aesthetic.

Fabric: Fabric coffee tables have a softer appearance than other materials and can usually double as a comfortable footrest. However, they may require more cleaning and upkeep to keep the fabric looking fresh.

Finishes

Upholstered: Depending on the fabric material you choose, your coffee table upholstery can greatly affect its style. Choose soft linen for a traditional or coastal feel, or opt for smooth leather for something more industrial.

Mirrored: Just like wall mirrors, mirrored coffee tables provide the illusion of a larger space. If you’re looking to open up a busy environment or make a glam statement, a mirrored coffee table might be the one for you.

Distressed: If you prefer a more country or farmhouse aesthetic, a distressed finish will work well. These tables are manufactured with a deliberate patina that creates a more weathered and rustic look.

Gloss: Pick a sleek coffee table with a gloss finish if you are looking for a more modern aesthetic. This high-shine effect gives a glamorous look that can fit in with a number of decor styles.

Scratch- & Stain-Resistant: For coffee tables that work hard, particularly in homes with little ones or where frequent entertaining takes place, a scratch- or stain-resistant surface is ideal. You won't have to worry about any accidents or marks damaging your lovely table.

4. Include Additional Features

Storage

Storage Space: Coffee tables with built-in storage are helpful fixtures for storing magazines, pillows, blankets, remotes, and anything else to help keep your living room clutter-free. They come in a range of storage options including shelving, drawers, or trunk storage.

Shelves: Shelves on coffee tables can be used to display decor or act as open storage space for small accessories. Try adding a basket to your table shelves to stay organized.

Drawers: Like shelves, drawers in a coffee table provide extra storage space. Drawers are better used for concealed storage so you can hide clutter like remotes, cables, and coasters.

Trunk: Trunk coffee tables can come in many shapes, but are usually rectangle-shaped. Their defining feature is a lidded top, like a traditional suitcase trunk. The lid opens to reveal a hollow inside, perfect for storing throws, pillows, or seasonal decor.

Functionality & Mobility

Tray Top: A tray-top coffee table is ideal for serving snacks or drinks. Its tabletop is made of one or more removable trays.

Lift Top: This type of coffee table features a moveable tabletop that can be raised from cocktail to dining table height. When not in use, the tabletop can be lowered back to coffee table height.

Nesting Tables: Nesting tables can come in any shape, but refer to a group of two or more tables that get progressively smaller and all fit under the largest table for storage when not in use.

Casters/Rollers: To save your floors from scratches, consider a coffee table with wheels on its feet for easy moving.

Built-In Outlets: For a more futuristic and modern coffee table, why not opt for one with built-in outlets? This way you can have your table and use it to charge your electronic devices at the same time!

Stools: If you have a smaller living room, space-saving furniture is sure to be a priority. These coffee table designs are extremely similar to nesting tables, though instead, it is the stools that are designed to neatly tuck away under the table out of sight.

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