Coffee Tables

Coffee tables to suit every living space

A coffee table is more than a place to rest your cuppa. It helps define your living area, balances your furniture layout, and offers a surface for everyday living and styling. From sleek modern designs with slim metal legs to warm, textured wooden coffee tables, there’s a style to suit every home.

If you’re furnishing a smaller room, flexible options like nesting tables are ideal for saving space while still offering practical surface areas. For extra functionality, lift-top coffee tables provide a clever solution with hidden storage and a raised surface for casual dining or working from the sofa. If you’re refreshing the entire room, explore our wider living room furniture collection to find complementary pieces.

Materials, finishes, and styling ideas

The material you choose plays a big role in the overall look of your living room. Classic wooden coffee tables bring warmth and timeless appeal, while glass coffee tables help create a lighter, more open feel in smaller spaces. For a refined focal point, marble coffee tables add natural character with distinctive veining.

Finishes also influence the mood of the room; matte surfaces feel relaxed and organic, while gloss finishes introduce a polished, contemporary edge that can make a room feel brighter. Complete the look by styling your coffee table with books, candles, or a vase of blooms, and pair it with nearby side tables for extra surface space and a cohesive living room setup.

Coffee Table FAQs

Is a coffee table essential to a good living room design?

A coffee table isn’t strictly essential, but it’s often the piece that ties a seating area together. It anchors the sofa and chairs, adds balance to the layout, and gives you a practical surface for drinks, books, or décor. Without one, a living room can sometimes feel unfinished, especially in larger spaces.

What is the ideal size of a coffee table for a living room?

A good rule of thumb is to choose a coffee table that’s one half to two-thirds the length of your sofa. Height is also important -  it should sit level with, or slightly lower than, the seat height of your sofa. Leaving around 40–50cm of space between the coffee table and surrounding furniture will help maintain comfortable movement through the room.

Do people even use coffee tables any more?

Yes, coffee tables are still a popular living room staple. While styling trends evolve, the functionality remains the same: they provide a convenient surface for everyday items and help anchor a seating arrangement. Some households prefer more flexible options like nesting tables or ottomans, but coffee tables continue to be widely used in modern homes.

What kind of coffee table should you get?

The right coffee table depends on your space and lifestyle. Wooden styles bring warmth and versatility, glass designs can make smaller rooms feel more open, and marble pieces create a striking focal point. If you need extra practicality, lift-top designs or tables with shelves offer additional storage and flexibility.

When should I not get a coffee table and what are the alternatives?

In smaller living rooms or high-traffic spaces, skipping a coffee table can help keep the layout open and easy to move through. Alternatives like nesting tables, ottomans, or a couple of well-placed side tables can still provide surface space without taking up as much room. These options are especially useful if you prefer a more flexible or minimal living room setup.