“Coffee table” is a bit of a misnomer — it’s rarely just a place to set a cup of caffeine. Think of it as the hardest-working multitasker in your living room: a spot to prop your feet, arrange design books, set the mood with candles, and place snacks during a party. It also acts as…
“Nonuse is the biggest indicator of failure,” says Peter Spalding, interior designer and chief creative officer of Daniel House Club, an online marketplace offering wholesale pricing to interior designers. If you and your guests aren’t utilizing the seating around the coffee table, it’s a clear sign the table is the wrong size.
Follow these simple rules to help you nail the right fit.
The Two-Thirds Rule
For perfectly balanced proportions, choose a coffee table that’s about two-thirds the length of your sofa. This ensures everyone can easily reach the table without having to lean or stretch.
Spalding also warns of dimensions that will overwhelm the space. “I think 60 by 60 inches is really the max a coffee table can be without creating a seating group that is too big for human comfort in a residential setting,” he says. For oversized sectionals, consider two smaller tables instead of one giant one. That will keep the space feeling cohesive without turning the room into a crowded obstacle course.
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The Right Height
Height matters, too. A coffee table should sit as high as, or slightly lower than, your sofa’s cushions. Spalding, who loves to kick back with his feet up, says, “For this, your table really needs to be 1 or 2 inches lower than your seating. If the room is more formal and you don’t intend for feet [to be] on the table, then you may prefer the table to be an inch or two above.”
Ultimately, shop for a coffee table that supports how you actually live. A too-high table can feel awkward for lounging, while a too-low one may look strangely squat. A too-small one may not accommodate everyday items, and a too-big one may impede flow, occasionally causing a bruised shin.
For ideal accessibility, leave about 18 inches between the sofa and coffee table. This distance is comfortable for most people to reach with both arms and legs, and it leaves enough room to move around without forcing you to stretch for a sip of coffee.
