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Also provide a place for people to set drinks, food, or anything else they want close at hand in the living room. Coffee table sets come in a variety of styles, so all you need to do is figure out how to pick the right one for your space.

There are wood tables, metal tables, square tables, round tables, tables with chunky legs, tables with elegant legs, glass-topped tables…near endless iterations of living room table sets.

Trying to pick one out can be a trial. Here are some useful coffee table design ideas to help you pick out the right coffee table for your living room.

Figure Out Your Needs

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What do you need from your coffee table? What is your living room missing? These two questions can help you get a start with your living room table ideas.

To get a good feel for sofa table dimensions, you should mark the planned spot for the table in painter’s tape. This can help you come up with some good living room layout ideas.

For very large rooms, you may want to get a large coffee table and break up the whole large scale of the space by putting ottomans r benches to either side. These can easily be moved out of the way to make more space for gatherings.

For most days, however, they make for great additional seating that connects the sofa at one end of the table and a couple chairs at the other. Be sure to keep the layout balanced by pairing your ottomans and/or benches.

If you have a pair of sofa or another large seating arrangement, you might assume you want a large coffee table. You might want to consider using two matching coffee tables instead.

These can break up the focus, making sure the single large piece of furniture does not dominate the room distractingly.

A typical coffee table is 48 inches by 24 inches. Larger tables tend to be double that at 48 square inches. How tall a coffee table should be is determined by your seating arrangements. To make sure you get the right coffee table height, take measurements before you buy a table.

Coffee Table Considerations

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There are a lot of design options available for coffee tables. Some are merely aesthetic, while others are more functional.

Getting a coffee table with a lip edge or tray top is a smart decision, especially if you tend to spill your drinks or have children that will be using the table for drinks and food.

Think about utilizing this design in any space where you plan to be entertaining as well, since it can save you the effort of having to clean up spills from guests.

A coffee table is usually the same height as your surrounding seating. 18 inches is a standard height you find a lot, though of course you should see if that will work with your furniture.

For coffee tables with lips, make sure that the lip is not taller than your seating. As drinks will bump against the lip when being set down if it is too high. People naturally want to put their drinks down, not up.

If your design does not have the coffee table as the central focus of the space, consider choosing one with a glass top and a finish hat blends with others in the same area. By doing this, you will make sure that the room is balanced and the eye is drawn tot eh design on the whole rather than just one element.

Metal bases can help keep a room feeling open. They are also great for showing off a unique rug without blocking the view of it. You’ll need to clean it often, however, as any glass topped coffee table will attract fingerprints easily and often.

Image source: Studio K Architects

For a cozier look, as well as some extra storage, you can stow basket, trunks, and old suitcases under the coffee table to keep the space from seeming too open for your design or theme.

You will find that solid tabletops tend to have extremely square corners. If this is a tight space (or if you have small children), make sure you allow room for everyone to navigate the space. Otherwise, expect bruises on shins and little foreheads.

If you’re thinking of getting an upholstered coffee table, make it colorful. This colorful boldness will draw the eye to the surrounding chairs and sofas.

Top the coffee table with a tray to hold drinks, books, and anything else you’d like. This design choice can also soften colors and keep them from being too overwhelming.

Pick out a tough fabric, as well. People may want to put up their feet—bare or otherwise—and you need to make sure the fabric can take it. It should also be easy to clean.

Image source: Buckingham Interiors + Design LLC

Outdoor fabrics are a wise choice, while the likes of linen or fabric with high rayon or viscose should be avoided. See if you can get a sample swatch of the fabric you’re considering. That way, you can test it out with substances it’s likely to encounter, like dirt or red wine.

You’ll want to keep an upholstered ottoman about 18 inches from your chairs and sofa so people can put up their feet easily. The height should be on par with the surrounding seating, as well.

If you are considering a tufted ottoman, think about the depth of the tufts. This is especially important if you want to eat on it. Crumbs and other bits like to find their way into tufting, which isn’t always easy to get out.

A round coffee table can help a room be more navigable, especially when you have a lot of seating. If you can’t put every seat in reach of the table, make sure there are other surfaces near at hand.

Image source: Ponciano Design

Vintage objects can add quite a bit of personality to a room, and occasionally even a very specific story. You need to make sure the piece you want to use is stable. You may need to refurbish it. If you’re buying such an item, ask the seller what exactly it is made of so it will be easier to fix up.

You need to figure out how that item will sit on your rug or floor, as well as whether or not it can damage your flooring. Rusty metal legs and splintered table legs can cause issues, scratching or staining flooring. A lot of secondhand stores tend to leave these parts unfinished, so make sure to check before you buy.

A sculptural wood table can also tell a story, all while adding in a natural element and warmth to the space. They can make a nice addition especially in rooms with a lot of upholstered furniture. Sealers and coasters are important if you choose this kind of coffee table, as they help prevent water damage.

The Last Piece of the Puzzle

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Usually the coffee table is the last item of furniture you pick out, after all your seating and other major items. Make sure to pick just the right piece to fill in the remaining space.

There are numerous options and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Be unconventional if that’s what you find is necessary—for instance, you can push two coffee tables together, if you can’t find one that is both the right design and right size.

Think About the Room

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You want your coffee table to sit at approximately 18 inches from the edge of the sofa. This is close enough to reach for your drinks and snacks, but far enough for you to stretch out your legs.

A lot of people tend to leave too much room or not enough when placing their coffee table. You will be able to tell easily when it’s not right.

Be Sure to Leave Room

Leave about 30 inches free from the edge of the coffee table to your media cabinet. You want to able to access your TV or game console without banging your shins or moving the table around.

Consider Height

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You’re looking for a surface that is about one or two inches lower than the seats of your sofas and chairs. Tables are usually 16 inches to 18 inches high, but it’s easy to find taller tables, 20 to 21 inches, if you have a higher couch.

If you entertain a lot, these can be good as freestanding tables for your guests so they can easily put down drinks and plates.

Balance the Style of the Room

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Make sure you balance the styles of both your coffee table and your sofa and/or chairs. A plush solid colored couch works well with a glass table with a chrome frame. A more streamlined couch looks good with heftier tables.

Don’t Forget to Keep It Kid-friendly

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If you have children, or you expect to have children over, it can be a good idea to get an oval or round coffee table. Sharp corners and small children do not mix well. You may also need extra storage, so think about a table with a shelf or two underneath.

Think About Glass

Image source: The Anderson Studio of Architecture & Design

A glass table is very easy to clean and is much less bulky than many other options. If you have difficulty keeping track of your coasters, you can also get this kind of table remove all concern of water damage, as you can just sit a drink directly on the glass.

Lucite and acrylic cut to size can also offer the same easy clean up and look, while being less breakable.

Make the Space Warm with Wood

Wood can add a natural and warm touch to a space. Wood coffee table tend to be heavy and work better in large rooms with lots of windows and high ceilings. If you still want to use a wood table in a different kind of room, try getting a long and narrow table.

Consider Glass or Metal

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Glass and metal can add a lot to a room with a lot of wood in it. The complement can look really good. Just don’t mix metals, as that can look junky and cheap. Brass and chrome in particular can look very dated and tacky very fast.

Use Color

You can find lacquered coffee tables in nearly every color. Big bold colors should be complemented by more neutral seating options so the table stands out better. From there, add in a few matching room accents in similar tones.

Use Caution

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Overdoing it can be a serious detriment to your room design. Detailing can make your coffee table unique and special, but it should not be overwhelming.

Hammered metal or wood cutouts work best alongside calmer furniture, like solid-colored sofas or rugs with light patterns. If everything in the room demands attention, it becomes visually exhausting.

Picking out a Table

Here is a more detailed guide to picking out your living room coffee table:

Size

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As you get ready to buy a coffee table for your living room, make sure you think about proportions. You need a piece that is not too small, not too big, but is in fact just right.

For oblong tables, you want to get one that is half the length of your couch or shorter (typically, 44 inches to 48 inches at most) and approximately 22 inches to 30 inches wide.

It is very trendy to have an oversized oblong coffee table, but make sure you leave two to three feet around the sides so you people can move around it easily. This is also true, of course, for rectangular coffee tables.

For smaller areas, you might want to look at using a round table (max diameter of 36 inches), since circles are easier to navigate as they lack sharp edges. These small round tables can still look very nice with both love seats and sectionals.

Regardless of the shape of the table you’re looking for, make sure it’s the same height as your sofa seat (normally 18 inches to 20 inches) for practical purposes as well as a unified aesthetic.

Function

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From should follow function in all aspects of design. Function should be a major factor in picking out your coffee table. Will it hold your books and magazines?

Will it be used as the central serving spot for parties? Is it going to display your favorite decorative items?

Anyone who is looking to entertain on a regular basis should think about getting an elliptical or circular coffee table to provide a natural gathering place for guests.

If you want something that provides storage, here are a few recommendations:

Lift tops offer wonderful storage for blankets.

Mission tables provide a low shelf for books and magazines.

Apothecaries and other tables with drawers to store phot albums and other items.

As for materials, functionality is a smart consideration, too. Glass is very easy to keep clean if it’s one uninterrupted sheet. Just spray some glass cleaner on it and wipe it down.

Some models provide room to showcase your collectibles, protecting them from dust while showing them off. If you have children, however, you should steer clear of glass-topped tables.

The edges can be dangerous, especially if the table doesn’t have a frame. Tempered glass, also known as safety glass, might not be a good idea, either, and if you do get it, you should be careful.

That kind of glass is designed to shatter when it is broken, like car windows. Regular, non-tempered glass is thicker and is not labelled, which should help you tell the difference.

Form

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Once you’re certain of the function, you need to think about the form. A $30 particleboard table with a veneer might seem like a bargain, but be cautious. Heavy use will cause the veneer to peel as well as leaving behind scratches and stains.

If you’re looking for a good table on a budget, there are better voices, such as reed, treated wicker, or bamboo. These typically start at $50 and are very sturdy, easily holding even a huge pile of books.

Buying furniture in these kinds of sustainable materials is also environmentally friendly. Family-friendly furniture is also a smart move. Look into getting a solid wood table.

Experts recommend these kinds of coffee tables for their versatility and durability. There are a ton of styles to choose from and a very, very wide range of prices, from $60 unfinished birch tables to $2,000 white oak tables meant to last for generations.

Make sure the table is as sturdy as possible by looking for wood that is cut along the grain. It will run parallel to the edges of the table. Make sure that the legs are screwed or glued in well.

Also look for dovetail joints where the pieces are cut to fit together without using any hardware. Glass or molded acrylic like Lucite or Plexiglass 0can also last a long time.

These kinds of tables can make it seem like there is more space. They tend to run from $150 to several thousand dollars for contemporary collectors’ tables. You can get a coffee table made from just about everything and anything, copper, cork, driftwood, or even something like an antique door. It just needs to suit your style and tastes.

Measure Twice…

…decorate once. Where you place your furniture and how you space it is very important in any space that is frequently trafficked. This is especially true in smaller spaces.

No one should be standing up to set down their drink or craning their neck to watch the television. Keep these sorts of requirements as guidelines as you plan the layout of your living room.

You want to create a well-proportioned and well-thought out space. Here are a few tips and tricks to help design your living room and pick out your coffee table:

Distance Between Sofa and Coffee Table

The usual distance between sofa and coffee table is about 14 inches to 18 inches. This is close enough to reach for a drink, magazine, and book, but also leaves plenty of leg room for everyone.

Coffee Table Height

You will find that the height of coffee tables varies quite a bit. You should look to get one that is about the height of the sofa seat.

It should not be more than four inches higher or lower. This keeps the table to easy to access while sitting on the sofa.

Sofa to Coffee Table Size Ratio

Your living room coffee table should be ½ to 2/3 the size of your sofa. At least it should look that size. This is nearly impossible to measure.

Look for something that looks a bit bigger than half the size of your sofa. This is a good visual short cut when looking for the right sized coffee table.

Distance from Chairs to Side Tables

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Your side tables can sit closer to the chair or sofa than your coffee table. You’re looking to have them close enough to sit down a drink or plate.

Experiment by sitting in each seat to get a feel for what it would be like to sit down your coffee or book.

>Side Table Height

Your end table should be as tall as the height of the arm of the chair it’s serving, and no taller. It should not be lower than the height of the seat.

The ideal height is approximately 3 inches shorter than the arm of the chair. If your chairs do not have any arms, get a table that is not more than 8 inches above the height of the seat.

Size and Height of Sofa Tables

Sofa tables are the console tables that sit behind sofas. These tables should not be taller than the sofa back.

They are typically anywhere from half the length of the sofa to the same length as the sofa—though typically they allow for six inches on either end.

Distance Between Seats

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You want not more than 10 feet and not less than 3 feet between the people seated around the room. This optimizes intimate conversations and also allows for everyone’s personal space.

Anyone sharing a sofa or love seat is an exception, of course, but people sitting on separate ends should be no less than 3 feet from the next closest seat.

Pass-Through Size Between Furniture Pieces

You want leave 30 inches to 36 inches of space between pieces of furniture. This allows room for people to walk easily between the pieces and avoids a crowded feel—as if you’re in a crowded move theater, not a comfortable sensation for a living space.

Area Rug Size

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Area rugs should not be closer than 6 inches from the walls. Your ideal distance 24 inches from the wall in larger rooms.

For smaller spaces, you want 12 inches to 18 inches from the wall. Rugs should always be large enough to lie under two legs of the sofa and chairs.

Height of the Television

You want to place the television in a way that minimizes reflections and allows people to view it comfortably. Anyone seated in the room should looks lightly down to see the television; this is good ergonomics.

The best height for the center part of the screen if 30 inches above the lowest seat height in the room. For a good idea of how this would look, remember the center of a 50-inch TV is around 14 inches from the top.

Wall-mounting works well, but if you’re not doing that, make adjustments for the height of the TV stand below the bottom of the screen as you choose a console.

Distance Between TV and Sofa

This will depend a lot on the size and quality of your TV, as well as your personal tastes. A general rule of thumb is to keep the space between the TV and the seating at 1.5 times the diagonal measurement of the screen.

You can use the average distance of all seats in the room as measured from the TV wall as your guideline, but you can also more easily measure from the sofa.

Height of Art on the Walls

Art hung on your walls should be placed so the center of the piece is at eye height. This is about 57 inches from the floor.

If this is a room where most people are usually sitting, you can also hang art at a seated eye level. This is 30 inches above the seat height. Allow at least 6 inches to 12 inches of space between the piece of art and the wall edge, floor, or ceiling.

Budgeting

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There are extremely expensive coffee tables and very budget-friendly coffee tables and everything in between. It is going to be easy to shop around before you start buying.

You should break your budget down into separate categories like, furniture, accessories, and lighting. The furniture sections concludes your chairs, sofa, side tables, and coffee table.

A larger portion it is allocated to larger and more expensive items. You can give a little with your budget for the sake of something you really love, provided it will not cause issues with quality of your chairs and sofa.

Shape

Start thinking about the best shape for your coffee table as you design your living room. Include your children and pets in your considerations if you have any.

Think about the size of your room, as that will affect what kind of coffee table you choose. Round or oval tables are great for households with children or pets, as the curved edge means no one will get hurt on sharp corners if they bump or fall into it.

With a rectangular shape, allow 30 inches of walking space between the television console and the table so you can easily access both. Rounded tables give you a bit more room since the edge curves away from the TV console.

Size

Size is just as important as shape. You want a coffee table to be no lower than 1 inches to 2 inches from the seat of your couch. The typical height for a coffee table is 16 inches to 18 inches.

Higher seating needs a taller table, typically 20 inches to 21 inches tall. Taller tables also work very well if you entertain often, as it makes it easier for guests to sit down their plates or drinks.

Functionality

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What is going to be the primary use of your coffee table? Is it more decorative? Are you going to use it for storage? How much storage will you need if that is the case?

Some tables have shelves or drawers that can hold magazines, books, or even children’s toys. You will also want to be able to use the table to hold drinks or plates without it tipping over.

Choose a piece that will work for this task for sure. If you’re looking for a more decorative piece, get one with textures and lines in materials you like.

Material

Coffee tables are made out of a wide variety of materials. You can find industrially styled ones in metal. Glass combined with metal like steel or brass look sophisticated and modern.

Wood has its own unique feel, usually warmer and cozier. Oak and maple look more causal, while cherry and walnut appear more formal. Lucite is completely different, often seeming to float in the room for a super-modern style.

Think about the style you want when you are picking out materials. It can make all the difference. Trunks and ottomans can be clever alternatives that offer up a much different appearance and feel.

Small Groupings

Don’t think you have to have only one table. You can group them together in a small collection. Think about nesting tables right next to one another for an interesting effect. For a larger space, consider placing two tables together to seem like a larger table.

Conclusion

Image source: Renae Keller Interior Design, Inc.

When looking for your coffee table, take the time to make the right choice. There are so many options out there and a lot of factors to consider. Think about both your layout and your budget. Don’t get trapped in convention if something a bit more out there would be good for your room design.

As you already noticed a living room table is always present without exception. But why is this so pervasive and why do we use it for? Well, there are various reasons why we should have at least one little table. Starting from their normal rectangular shape to a round living room table design they can also get some innovative shapes.

Its most common place is in front of the sofa serving as support for all the magazines you had already read or helps you at serving coffee or tea. Placed near the sofa in one of the margins, keeps free the middle of the room and being close to a wall you can also put the telephone or laptop on it. Another place for it is under the television for those who desire less furniture and more space.