Coffee Tables

Coffee Tables

What is the best shape for a coffee table?

Think about your room's proportions, traffic flow, and daily routines to find the perfect coffee table shape. Rectangular coffee tables remain the most popular choice for good reason – they provide generous surface area for books, drinks, and decorative items whilst fitting naturally alongside sofas and sectionals, creating clean lines that complement most room configurations. Round coffee tables excel in smaller spaces or family homes with young children, as their curved edges eliminate sharp corners whilst encouraging conversation by creating an intimate gathering point that allows easy movement around the piece. Square coffee tables work beautifully in spacious rooms with large sectional sofas, offering substantial surface area and a balanced, symmetrical appearance that anchors the seating arrangement effectively and oval coffee tables combine the best of both worlds, providing the generous surface of rectangular designs with the softened edges of round options, making them particularly suitable for narrow rooms where you need to maximise functionality without compromising on flow. Your choice should also consider how you'll use the table – if you frequently entertain, a larger rectangular or square design offers more space for serving, whilst those with young children might prefer the safety of rounded edges. The shape you select will influence your entire room's dynamic, so consider pairing your coffee table with complementary pieces like elegant lamp tables for additional surface space and lighting options, or stylish nest of tables that can be pulled out when you need extra surfaces for entertaining then neatly tucked away afterwards.

Should a coffee table be lower than a sofa?

Whilst the general rule suggests keeping your coffee table lower than your sofa, personal comfort preferences and your specific room layout should ultimately guide your decision. Ideally your coffee table should be lower than your sofa, with the ideal height ranging between 1-2 inches below your sofa seat cushions to create the most comfortable and visually pleasing arrangement in your living room. This height relationship ensures that you can easily reach items on the table, whether you’re enjoying your morning coffee, reading magazines, or entertaining guests. Placing drinks, books, or snacks on a table that's too high creates an awkward reaching motion, whilst a table that's too low forces you to bend down uncomfortably every time you need something. Also, a coffee table positioned at the correct height relative to your sofa also maintains proper visual proportions in your room, preventing the table from overwhelming your seating arrangement.