Never Buy the Wrong Coffee Table Again—How to Choose the Right Size for Your Space (2024)

Coffee tables are an integral component of any living room setup, and if you're wondering how tall they should stand, you're not the only one.

Generally, coffee tables can sit as low as 14 inches off the ground and as high as 20 inches—they should be in line with your sofa.

"A living room space is not complete without its centerpiece," says Catherine McColly,designer forPerigold’s Design Servicesprogram. "The coffee table is the central point of a seating area; it's crucial to the flow of design, space, and lifestyle."

Below, we're sharing the key factors to consider when choosing a coffee table, discussing standard coffee table heights to know, offering coffee table design tips from experts, and more.

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What to Consider When Choosing a Coffee Table

Height

A coffee table commonly is the same height as the seating in your living room—look to your sofa and chairs to determine what will work best in your space.

"This is an important factor in design; for an appropriate visual hierarchy, each person should be seated at the same vertical level," McColly says.

McColly adds that coffee tables lower than 14 inches or higher than 20 inches are often available yet harder to find.

Width and Length

As Nina Venice, associate design director at Four Hands says, the width and length of your coffee table should complement the size of your seating area and the room itself.

This means that you need to pay close attention to scale so that your coffee table doesn't appear awkwardly sized in the context of the rest of your space.

"A too-small coffee table is also less functional for those occupying surrounding seating," Venice says. She recommends choosing a piece that is roughly two-thirds the length of your sofa.

Placement

If you're unsure where to place your coffee table in relation to your sofa, McColly notes that this "depends on size and style."

Most often, though, placing a coffee table 17 inches away from the sofa is "the sweet spot," she says.

Style of Design

If you already own a sofa and set of living room chairs, use these to guide you, Kuo advises. "Aim to match your coffee table to these anchors and stay within the same general style," she says.

Material

McColly refers to material as "the most personal choice in selecting the right coffee table." After all, she says, "This factor is dependent on the style in which you are trying to achieve."

Think about your desired aesthetic first and search for tables that complement your target look.

"An industrial-styled room would be best suited for a metal coffee table to pull in some of those key details from that preferred style," McColly says.

She adds that wood is the number one choice in a material due to its warmth, durability, and versatility.

"There are so many wood types and color finishes that allow this material to be as unique as it is common," McColly says.

Shape

Most coffee tables are round, square, or rectangular, but of course, there are plenty of half-circle, triangle, and other options, too.

Standard Coffee Table Heights to Know

Standard

As noted above, most standard coffee tables are between 14 and 20 inches high.

Low Profile

Low profile tables are ideal for lower to the ground sofas and fall below the average height.

Tall

Tall coffee tables are best paired with taller sofas and are above the average height.

Designer Tips for Choosing a Coffee Table

Use Glass in a Small Space

Glass coffee tables are well-suited for smaller sized living rooms.

"A glass table is ideal for the surface space it offers while acting as a silhouette in the room," McColly says.

Consider Storage Solutions

You may also crave a coffee table that offers storage, in which case you will want to narrow your search further.

"If so, look for tables that are multi-tiered or that have hidden inner storage or drawers," Kuo says

Go Off the Beaten Path

Looking to take a coffee table approach that's more off the beaten path? Emily Vaughan, the founder of Emily Vaughan Interiors, offers a few possible solutions.

"If looking for something unexpected, try a grouping of irregularly sized smaller tables in lieuof a single coffee table," she suggests.

Another option, if you have lots of furniture with exposed legs present, is to try a plinth style coffee table, she says.

Prioritize Balance

Balance in the context of your living room as a whole is of the utmost importance when selecting a coffee table.

"Don’t be afraid of natural materials, distressed finishes, and unique variations," Venice says. "Have fun and mix it up!"