The heart of the living room is the coffee table, and getting it right is important! It’s what you gather around for game night, what you prop your feet on for movie night, and where you rest your book in between reads. It serves many functions, and finding the right coffee table to meet those needs requires thought. To make your search and selection a little easier, I made a coffee table size & shape guide.
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The Ideal Coffee Table Size
Coffee Table Length Recommendation
The length of your coffee table depends on the length of your furniture. Aim to find a coffee table that is approximately 2/3rd the length of your sofa. This ensures that it looks proportionate to the furniture. Given how long the coffee table needs to be in relation to the sofa, a round coffee table rarely works. A rectangle or square is best.
Coffee Table Width Recommendation
You should have ample walking space around the coffee table, yet it needs to be close enough to prop your feet up or set your drink down. The sweet spot is 14-18” of space between your coffee table and seating.
Coffee Table Height Recommendation
The height of your coffee table depends on the height of your seat cushions. Ideally, your coffee table should be around 1-2” below the seat cushion. Never above.
For More Space, Choose Oval
If walking space feels a little tight, consider an oval coffee table. Rather than downsizing to a smaller coffee table that may look too small for the space, go for an oval coffee table instead. The soft edges create an easier walking path without sacrificing size or scale.
Coffee Table Shapes For Sectionals
Because sectionals naturally create a tighter walking space, a circle, oval, and (occasionally) a square coffee table works best with sectionals.
So let’s put these rules into practice with a few common living room arrangements –
Save the photo below for a quick reference when you need a refresher. And keep scrolling for a shopping list of beautiful coffee tables in every shape and size. Happy coffee table shopping!
Coffee Tables In Every Shape & Size
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DO YOU WANT
I have a sectional that is 145 inches by 114 inches what size coffee table do l need? Is a round or square coffee table the best option?
need a piece with a lot of storage