Coffee tables are a perfect piece of furniture to finish off the look you’re aspiring to achieve in a living room. Selecting the right one in terms of its size, height and material can be a little challenging so we’ve set out some advice we hope helps your buying journey!
Coffee tables are a perfect piece of furniture to finish off the look you’re aspiring to achieve in a living room. Selecting the right one in terms of its size, height and material can be a little challenging so we’ve set out some advice we hope helps your buying journey!
There is no set “rule” when it comes to coffee table height (though most coffee tables are of a height of 43cm / 17 inches) but it’s definitely a good idea to keep in mind what you will use the table for most commonly. If it’s a table you plan to work at from time to time with your laptop, you will probably be aiming for something a little higher than the seating part of your couch or armchair. If the coffee table is destined to be more of a place to lay drinks and snacks, then it’s best to be slightly lower than your current seating.
In terms of coffee table shape, it is important to consider your options. If you’re going for a rectangular coffee table, the optimal size is one that is around half the length of your sofa; that will ensure things are in good proportion. We just love the Loire coffee table because it offers a classic, two-tone look with French inspired styling. We’re also a fan of the Panama square coffee table with its simple and sleek lines. If you’re into symmetry, then this coffee table is for you!
Glam Small Coffee Table
Chevron Peppercorn Oak Nest Of Tables
Panama Grey Square Coffee Table
Osaka Acacia Wood Coffee Table
If space is tight in your living area, then the ideal solution is a round coffee table. The Glam range of coffee tables are perfect for this and come in a variety of size options including a sofa table - this is perfect when you want a table close to your couch but you only have a small amount of floor space.
A nest of coffee tables is another clever solution when you want the option of more table-top space for visitors without the need to have tables permanently taking up the living area. The absolutely stunning Chevron nest of tables is one really practical option; the tables nestle into each other and feature a black parquet top resting on a gold metal frame just oozing luxury!
A round or oval coffee table is perfect when you need a good amount of table-top surface for drinks, snacks etc. The oval shape provides that surface space needed yet allows for a good flow of movement around the seating and can be easily maneuvered when required. The Osaka Acacia Wood coffee table is one option for this type of shape.
These names are used interchangeably but essentially they are all a type of table that can be put to the side, or the end of your sofa or couch or beside an accent or armchair. They’re ideal for lamp display, placing some books or a vase on or just as a side table for your tea or coffee. It can be a nice relaxed look to have a couple of sofa tables dotted around a larger living room. The Float sofa table is a stylish, practical but discreet option with its Scandi-style look.
Living rooms, just by their nature, can become quite cluttered with books, newspapers, games, candles and so on. A coffee table with storage is the perfect solution for a clutter-free space as it allows you to have the functionality of the coffee table as well as storage options! Our Loft coffee table is exceptionally popular with its unique pine finish (there are other matching items in the Loft collection!) and it has a couple of drawers and an open shelf - ideal for storage and display in the living room! Another option is the sleek Cadell Aged Oak coffee table; it’s lower than usual coffee tables with a height of 34cm and the drawers are discreet for perfect, quick storage.
Coffee table nests are perfect for both small and larger rooms. With smaller living areas, coffee table nests can be easily taken out and then stored away when not required. We recommend the Indus Rustic Oak & Peppercorn nest of tables. This is such a versatile collection because you also have the option if you have a bigger area of adding in the standard Indus coffee table and have the Indus nest as back-up for when you have a larger group of guests. Plus there is a whole Indus range of furniture to really make a style statement!
If the purpose of the coffee table is to have somewhere to lay down items like coffee cups, then there are other options to the traditional solution. You could utilise a blanket box as a coffee table alternative - we love this Hastings grey blanket box; it’s elegant and functional because you can store lots (think extra living room cushions and blanket / throw storage). You could add a lovely tray on top to place some accents like a candle holder! We also like the idea of an ottoman doubling up as a coffee table through the addition of a pretty tray - the Sleigh ottoman would be perfect for this idea but any ottoman that would complement your existing furniture would work well!
Float Sofa Table
Hastings Grey Wooden Blanket Box
Loft Coffee Table
Cadell Aged Oak Coffee Table With Drawers
Indus Rustic Oak Peppercorn Coffee Table
In terms of materials, of course wood and wood finished coffee tables are hugely popular. However, if you have a lot going on in terms of textures, colours or patterns in your living room already, a good option might be a glass coffee table; this won’t impose itself on your décor but will still add the function. We like the Zest glass coffee table for its modern style!
We simply love the Black Wire coffee tables set. The table-top is a deep black glass and the wire frame gives a really minimalist and modern look!
The Eden Sheesham wood coffee table is the showstopper in wooden coffee tables for us! It’s made from a naturally sourced Sheesham Wood; this unique coffee table has wonderful angular lines in its appearance and handily provides storage options underneath if needed.
The oval shaped Stulle Melamine Top coffee table is really on trend and it’s a fantastically practical surface (melamine) because it’s durable to hot drinks like tea and coffee cups so ideal for having that cuppa with visitors!
Zest Coffee Table
Wire Black Coffee Tables Set Of 2
Eden Sheesham Wood Coffee Table
Stulle Melamine Piasentina Top With Black Base Coffee Table
Once you have your coffee table that suits your needs, it’s time for the fun part - styling with home accessories . Of course, you can change things up over time, but below indicates some good starting points
