How to Find the Perfect Coffee Table to Accessorize your Room

By: Roland Parris Jefferson III


Coffee tables have been a staple of living and family room furniture for generations because of the beauty and functionality of the pieces that can grace the front of your sofa. When it comes to entertaining, a coffee table is an absolute necessity in allowing your guests to have a spot to set drinks and appetizers. For the family unit, these tables become a center for games and puzzles, and can often double as a storage cabinet for music and movies. There is no doubt that a coffee table is a handy piece of furniture for your home. However, selecting the right table in terms of style and function can be easier said than done. By keeping a few basic guidelines in mind when shopping for a coffee table, you can be sure that you will find the most useful and beautiful piece for your room.

The Size of a Coffee Table

There are some basic rules of thumb to consider when selecting the best coffee table for your room. Size must be one of the first considerations, and it is not a bad idea to take measurements of your room before heading out on your shopping trip. Pack that tape measure to take with you as well, since a table that looks great in a showroom might be the completely wrong size in your own living room. The most common height for a table like this is between 16 and 18 inches, but it is not completely unheard of to have a table as high as 21 inches. The key to selecting the right height is in the measurement of your sofa. A table should either be the same height as the sofa that it will sit in front of, or perhaps an inch or two lower. The length of the table should equal about two-thirds of the length of your sofa as well.

The Style of the Table

Once you have a good idea of the size of the coffee table that you will be shopping for, you can begin to consider style. Sometimes style is tied into functionality, which means that if you need a place to store electronic equipment or games, you might want to look for a table that includes built in storage. This can consist of cabinets or drawers that are incorporated into the base of the table, or shelves that can hold large baskets that will hold plenty of family stuff. If you are on the hunt to expand the storage in your room, a wood table might be your best bet. However, don’t rule out an ottoman with a removable lid, since these can soften the contours of the room while providing plenty of storage as well. An antique trunk can also provide a stylish alternative for drink placement and plenty of room for storage.

A coffee table can provide function and add style to your living or family room. With a few basic guidelines in mind, you can find the perfect table for your home.


Roland Parris Jefferson III is an online researcher based out of Los Angeles, California. For free tips, recipes and expert advice on Coffee, please visit our Coffee Table Resource.