Choosing a coffee table seems like it’ll be an easy process, but it rarely is. After all, there are so many great options it’s hard to know which one to choose. We’re here to break it down for you.
Before you start, you want to have an idea of your space. Ideally, your coffee table should sit 18 away from the front edge of your sofa. This gives you enough room to stretch out while still being close enough to place things on top of the table. An additional 30 should be left between the coffee table and TV/media cabinet, allowing for people to walk through. If you have a narrow living room, you can have a little less clearance.
Height is also an important detail. The coffee table should be about an inch or two lower than your sofa seating. Lower modern couches should have a coffee table that’s shorter, while taller sofas should have a higher table.
Now that we’ve got space covered, you need to figure out what you want the coffee table to do for you. Do you want it to complete a look? Maybe you need extra storage space and want to stylistically work it in? Style and function will dictate what you should place in front of your sofa.
The choices are endless. From glass to Lucite and from wood to metal, you can find something in just about every material. Whatever you choose, we recommend picking something that contrasts your sofa, both in shape and in color. It’ll give the space more definition.
If you don’t need the extra storage but have a smaller space, a clear coffee table or one with just metal framework will give your room the illusion of looking larger. If you have a larger living space but desperately need more storage, something like a trunk or a wood table with lots of drawers is perfect.
No matter what you choose, a coffee table is a great accessory piece that’s fairly easy to switch out without having to worry about a long-term furniture commitment.
This post is contributed from our friends at AptDeco. AptDeco is an online marketplace for quality pre-owned furniture. With a verified community of buyers and sellers and pre-arranged pick-up and delivery, AptDeco is a simple and reliable way to buy and sell furniture without the hassle.