The Truth about Coffee Tables and Why You Need One

 We’re always getting questions, and one of our most common is whether you need a coffee table. Ask any interior designer and they’ll tell you, function trumps form in every case. Why create a beautiful room if you’ll never use it? That’s why it’s so important to establish how you’ll use a space before you start shopping. For your living room, you’ll likely be watching television, hosting friends, and relaxing with family. It’s a room meant to be comfortable.



Enter the coffee table. After your seating, it’s the most important piece in your living room because it holds drinks, your remote, reading material, and is a place to put up your feet. Every living room needs one, and we’re here to walk you through what you should consider before selecting one.

Folding Coffee Table Size

We always use our Room Planner tool to layout a space before shopping, and if you’re furnishing your living room, you should start here. Your coffee table should be between 14-18 inches from any seating clustered around it, and definitely no more than 24 inches. So if you’ve laid out your floorplan, you should be able to see how large a coffee table you’ll need. 

For very large living rooms, consider using two Folding coffee table next to each other. Or if your living room isn’t a pass through, you can go even larger.

Consider the Shape

Different spaces and layouts call for different shapes, but here’s something to think about. For a layout that’s more closed off, square or rectangular works perfectly.

If your living room is a pass through, and you’ll frequently be walking around the coffee table, round works well.

Aesthetically, we like to balance round and square shapes in a space, so if most of your furniture pieces are square (think a sofa with tuxedo arms, square fireplace, and square side tables), a round coffee table adds balance. Alternatively, if you have curvy arms on your furniture, a big round mirror, and round side tables, a square or rectangular side table works beautifully. It’s all about balance.

Finish the Room

No room should use the same finish on every surface, so just like with shape, a coffee table can be a way to bring something new into your space. If you have a nubby fabric on your couch or more rustic elements, a glossy or shiny coffee table will contrast that rough texture. Or if you’ll be using your living room for TV watching, choose a finish that you won’t mind putting your feet on, like a slightly weathered wood or an upholstered ottoman.

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