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How to Choose a Coffee Table

Finding your perfect pieces of furniture is no easy feat. It takes a whopping 128 hours of researching online and visiting stores to choose the humble coffee table. We want to make the process of choosing the perfect coffee table easier for everyone so we’ve put together our top tips to help you make the perfect purchase and get back the precious gift of time.

Key considerations:
1. What will your coffee table be used for?
2. What size will best suit your needs and space?
3. What height will provide a comfortable experience?
4. Where is the best position in your room for a coffee table?
5. What style of coffee table is right for you and your space?
6. What shape works the best for you?
7. What colour coffee table would be best suited to your interior?
8. What finish should your perfect coffee table have?

1. What is a coffee table used for?

This may sound like a silly question to ask yourself but a coffee table can be for so much more than just a spot for perching your coffee. Do you want to use it to display coffee table books or flowers? Perhaps you need space to put your laptop when working from home? Or maybe it sometimes needs to act as a dining table when you are stuck into a really good series on Netflix? Think of all of the things that you might use your coffee table for. 

Some coffee tables are designed to serve a dual purpose, converting from a low table to a higher level when you want to work or eat. Another great way that you can make your coffee table multi-functional is to opt for a footstool and then place a tray on top. This way you get a stable surface for drinks, space to display books and even a comfy footrest or extra seat. Yet another brilliant option is to go for a trunk or chest as your coffee table, giving you extra storage.

2. What size do I need?

Now that you know what your coffee table is going to be used for, it’s time to consider the best coffee table dimensions for your space. If you need to keep as much floor space as possible free to allow room for children to play then a side table is a great option. If you want to go large, put your coffee table in the centre of your living space, but remember to allow at least 30cm free space on each side of your coffee table for ease of movement. For larger living rooms the use of a matching side table and coffee table can help to accommodate all of the family across the space. Another consideration is the length of your coffee table. We recommend choosing a coffee table that is two-thirds the length of your sofa to provide enough space for everyone to access and use the table but without it overpowering your space.

3. What height coffee table do I need?

One of the most commonly asked questions is what your coffee table height to sofa ratio should be. To ensure you have the most comfortable experience choose a coffee table that’s either the same height as the cushions of your sofa or one to two inches lower.  There are of course other situations that require a rethink of these coffee table dimension rules. A low table is great for drinks and as a footrest but not great for your back if you are craning over your laptop or trying to eat. Mid-height coffee tables are fabulous for showing off your books while taller side tables that can slide around the sofa are ideal for raising your laptop to the perfect height to take the strain out of working from home.

4. Where to put a coffee table?

As a general rule of thumb, the best place to put a coffee table is within 15 to 20 inches away from your sofa or main seating area. Close enough to allow you to comfortably reach for your cup of coffee but spacious enough to provide you with comfortable leg room. However, if your sofa doubles up as a sofa bed or has a reclining feature then you may want to consider a side table rather than a coffee table which may get in the way. When it comes to the space between your coffee table and the other features of your living room such as your TV or fireplace there should be between 25 to 30 inches of space for ease of movement.

5. What style is right for me?

Maybe you are looking for a new coffee table to complement the cottagecore makeover that you have just given your lounge or you’re looking for the perfect chic piece to finish off your new Japandi look. Consider how the style of your perfect coffee table will fit in with the other pieces that you have already. Choose a coffee table that will seamlessly fit with your living room's aesthetic but also a coffee table that is fluid in style should you decide to change the theme of your space.

6. Which coffee table shape is best?

You’ve decided upon the use, height, location and style of your coffee table so now it's time to consider what shape coffee table is best. Round, rectangle, oval, square… the choice of shapes are numerous. The shape you choose will largely depend on the type of sofa you have. If your sofa is a standard horizontal style then we recommend a traditional oval or rectangular coffee table. If your sofa is L-shaped or modular then a round or square coffee table will be best. However, if you have your heart set on a certain shape of coffee table then you can certainly make it work without following these rules!

7. What finish should your coffee table have?

The finish of your coffee table is really important, not just for looks but also for practicality. Do you really want that on-trend rattan coffee table if you have a toddler who will smear paint into every nook as soon as you look away? If your home is a calm haven then a glass top or a lacquered finish would work well, reflecting light around your space without ending up covered in fingerprints. Wood is hard wearing but watch out for drinks leaving watermarks. An upholstered coffee table allows you to have fun with colour but choose your fabric carefully as it will need to be durable and easily cleaned when feet, shoes and stains start to appear. Ultimately, the finish you choose will come down to the practicality of it for your home and your family as well as the overall look you are trying to achieve in the space.

8. What colour coffee table should I buy?

The colour of your coffee table will depend on the material your table is made from. If you’ve opted for an upholstered coffee table then go for something colourful to draw the eye to the centre of your room. If you’ve chosen wood as your material of choice then the colour options available to you include dark mahogany, light beech and versatile oak. The use of a pouffe or footstool as a coffee table allows you to either match your coffee table to your existing seating or opt for an eye-catching complementary colour to add an interesting element to your space.

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Our passionate and dedicated team at ufurnish.com love all things home interiors. Everyday they bring inspiration and insight to the home furnishing market.

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