Coffee Table Size Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Coffee Table Dimensions

Coffee tables are a living room staple. But finding the right coffee table is no small task.

The best coffee table will not only look beautiful and complement the style of your room, but it will also need to work with other pieces of furniture and leave enough room to navigate your space easily.

According to three expert interior designers, here’s everything you need to know about the right size coffee table for your living room.

How Tall Should a Coffee Table Be?

The consensus is that your coffee table height should be within 1-2 inches of your sofa cushions. “It should equal the sofa's seat height or within 1-2 inches. The same height ensures comfort and functionality. Nothing is worse than a dinky low coffee table that causes you to stretch six extra inches to reach your drink,” says interior design expert Tennille Wood.

There can be a bit of a continental divide between Europeans and the U.S., according to designer Leslie S. Saul. “Europeans prefer their coffee tables to be slightly low, about two inches below the seat height. Some Americans prefer 2" above the seat height, while others want to match the seat height exactly. The lower height is more elegant and better for conversation, enhancing the design aesthetic, but perhaps less practical.”

‎If you’re looking for specific measurements: “Most sofas average a seat height of 16"-18", meaning a standard coffee table height is around 14"-16" H,” advises interior designer Diana Lombard.

When it comes to end tables next to your sofa, Jil Sonia McDonald notes: "End table heights do not have to match coffee table heights; as your arm must move up over the sofa arm, generally, they can be 4-6” higher than the coffee table, depending on the height of the chair arm."

What’s the Ideal Width of a Coffee Table?

Coffee table dimensions are important in how well your table fits into your space. “A good rule of thumb is that the coffee table length is around two-thirds the length of your sofa,” advises Diana Lombard.

But if you’re debating whether to go bigger or smaller, Lombard urges you to opt for a larger coffee table width.

“I like to err on the side of larger versus smaller when it comes to coffee tables. Many times, people choose too small coffee tables, which ruins the balance of the room and ends up looking out of place or insignificant,” explains Lombard. “A larger coffee table is a great way to make an impact in a room while also providing greater functionality. Most coffee tables start around 36" wide and go up from there.”

If you’d like to opt for a round coffee table, Leslie S. Saul shares the following advice: “Even though round tables look great and provide good access to the sofa, they are harder for people to reach the table to grab snacks. The round shape is great for the pull-up lounge chairs and makes a great conversation pit. Rounded corners for a rectangular coffee table makes it a little safer as you walk around it [as there are no sharp corners].”

Coffee Table Placement: How Far Should a Coffee Table be from Your Sofa and Other Living Room Furniture?

You need to create a living room layout that works to create a space you enjoy. One where the length of the sofa and your coffee table are in equilibrium, and your furniture is easy to navigate.

According to Tennille Wood, regarding how far away from your sofa or other furniture pieces you should place your coffee table, there should be around 15 inches of space.

“The ideal distance from seating to table is 15". This is close enough to reach, but far enough to comfortably walk between the seating and table,” explains the Ideal Habitat founder. “To determine the ideal size, we plan the location of the seating and then measure it 15" in. This calculates the ideal coffee table size. But we'll settle for a coffee table that will fit within this space allowing 12-18 inches for easy movement."

Leslie S. Saul agrees with those measurements. “Although the rule of thumb when sizing a table is 18" from the furniture, I've seen many clients prefer 12" so that it's easier to reach things on the coffee table,” says the Cambridge, MA-based designer.

"16”-18” is the ideal distance between the edge of the seating and your coffee table, allowing for comfortable access to books, remotes, drinks, etc.," adds Jill Sonia Macdonald. "Distances smaller than this make it challenging to get in and out of your seating, while larger distances make it more inconvenient to reach the coffee table."

Other Things to Consider When Buying a New Coffee Table

Shape

Most coffee tables are rectangular, but it’s also worth considering whether a square or round table would complement your space.

A rectangular coffee table is probably your best bet if you have a long sofa or sectional. An oval coffee table will work if you want something quirkier that still offers versatility while filling the space in front of your couch. A sectional sofa can make a round table seem too small.

How You’ll Use the Coffee Table

Before purchasing a new coffee table, you should also consider how it’ll be used in your living room, as this can greatly impact the type of table you need.

If you're into board games, you might want to look for a tall coffee table setup. It offers more tabletop space and height, so you won't have to hunch over.

If you have a small living room, the perfect coffee table for your place has storage space to remove clutter like remotes, blankets, books, and magazines hidden from sight if you need to.

If you’re using your coffee table to place a cup of coffee, tea, or vases while you watch TV, a tray can keep everything organized and protect the surface from spills.