Your Guide for Coffee Tables

Coffee tables are what pulls our den or living rooms together for a finished look.  They link our sofas, love seats and chairs for a more complete living area.  Ah, but not all coffee tables are created equal.  Wood coffee tables, glass coffee tables or even those metal coffee tables are all equal in popularity.  Each has its advantages too; but first, let’s consider the sizing ratios that you can use to select just the right coffee tables, along with any accent tables you might be considering.

The Right Height and Other Sizing Considerations

There are a few factors to consider when you’re searching for the right coffee table but want to ensure it’s going to serve its purpose in terms of sizing.  Ideally, you’re going to want to aim for a height that’s in close proximity to the cushion height on your sofa and/or loveseat.

These are generally the perfect height to allow maximum functionality of the table top.  Its length should be equivalent to two thirds of the length of your sofa.  If your sofa is 60″, then you can figure about 40″ for the length of the table.  This is ideal in terms of sofa access.  And speaking of access, be sure to allow about two to three feet between the sofa and coffee table to avoid feeling cramped while seated and to ensure plenty of leg room.

Table Shapes

Traditionally, coffee and end tables are rectangular; but that certainly doesn’t have to be your choice.  If you have children, you might wish to consider a round or oval coffee table to eliminate those corners that are the culprit of many accidents as toddlers or younger children are learning to walk or play.  You might also consider leaving any glass tabletops out of the equation too.

A recent trend is the tiered tabletops and clustering a few smaller square or round tables with slight variations in size and height.  Ideally, you need ample room to pull this look off, but it adds dimension to your living area and offers multiple layouts.

Finally, just as there are many different shapes, heights and materials used in coffee table designs, you also are afforded the opportunity to include drawers, cabinets and even shelving.  These convenient storage spaces are perfect for remote controls, magazines and a multitude of other items that seem to clutter our dens or living rooms.  They’re also great hiding places when unexpected company arrives.