How to choose the right coffee table
For a small piece of furniture, it’s surprising how much it can make or break a living room. Buying a coffee table that isn’t the right size, style, or shape (or all of the above) can make something look amiss in your living space. But never fear, because Amart’s coffee table buying guide is here, ready to guide you through finding the perfect addition to your living room.
Choosing the right coffee table comes down to several key factors:
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Function: Think about whether your coffee table will receive daily, frequent use and who will be using it, especially if you have kids and pets.
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Style: It needs to be cohesive with the style of the other pieces in your living room.
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Size: Not too small or too large for your space.
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Material: Must be right for your lifestyle and work with the other pieces in your living room.
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Height: A coffee table should be the same height or lower than the seat cushions of your sofa.
Start by working out the above criteria, then start shopping for a new coffee table for your living space.
Functionality is key
It’s easy to find something you love in Amart’s coffee table range. But don’t forget to consider your lifestyle and how this relates to the function you need from your coffee table.
Here are some questions to consider:
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Is it for decorative use as a focal point in a formal lounge room or daily use in a busy living room?
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Could you do with some storage as you see in the Argento Coffee Table?
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Should your coffee table be lightweight to pull closer to the lounge as needed?
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Do you want something heavy like the Nero Coffee Table to remain firmly in place as a centrepiece?
Start with the coffee table size - know your measurements
As a rule of thumb, your coffee table needs to be half to two-thirds the length of your lounge. Or if you have an L-shaped sofa or lounge with chaise, around half to two-thirds the length of the couch section. We suggest marking out the space with tape to get a feel for the coffee table size.
A coffee table’s height is important
A coffee table should sit the same height or lower than the couch seat cushions. This is for a few good reasons. Firstly, if a coffee table is higher than the couch seat, it doesn’t look right and creates a visual barrier. Secondly, the primary use for a coffee table is to rest a drink, perhaps a snack, a tv remote, or even play board games. So, it makes sense for the tabletop to be lower than you. Thirdly, if your coffee table is high and you’d like to style it with a vase or coffee table books, it will block your view of what’s on the other side of your table.
Let your space inform your choice
It’s all about scale. The right-sized furniture means you can avoid small pieces looking lost in big spaces or large pieces crowding out small spaces. If you have a small living room, consider buying a side table instead of a coffee table (just make sure it’s low) and choose living room furniture with storage. And for a big living room, you could go for any shape coffee table or a large nest of tables that allow you to fill up space depending on their placement.
Which coffee table shape should you choose?
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Rectangular Coffee Tables are often the first shape that comes to mind when thinking of coffee tables. This shape works beautifully with a standard shape lounge.
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Square Coffee Tables give you a little point of difference and fit nicely with most lounge settings, particularly L-shaped lounges or between two lounges facing one another. The Romulus Coffee Table is a solid, contemporary piece that will work with numerous styles.
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Round Coffee Tables create interest by varying the shapes in your space and are great for easy access around high-traffic living areas. Round tables are popular in small spaces and minimalist rooms, particularly if they have an acrylic or glass top, like the Promenade Coffee Table because the glass reflects light and takes up less space visually.
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Oval Coffee Tables help maximise usable space due to their long surface area. What’s more, the lack of sharp edges on both oval and round coffee tables means fewer bumps on shins and lowers the risk of injuries to kids. Leaf-shaped and asymmetric coffee tables like the Morawa Coffee Table are also good choices for avoiding sharp corners while creating a nice focal point in your living room.
Finding the correct placement for your coffee table
The placement of your coffee table is dependent on the layout and purpose of your room. Ideally, your coffee table should sit 50cm from the lounge edge and another 50cm (minimum) to other pieces of living room furniture such as an entertainment unit. This is to ensure adequate room to walk around your living room.
In terms of shape, a standard or long sofa works well with a rectangular or oval coffee table giving everyone arm’s reach access to it. While a square or round coffee table sits nicely in the nook of an L-shaped sectional sofa. If your lounge is facing another lounge or some armchairs, placing any shape coffee table in the middle will be fine provided it meets your style and function requirements.
Which is the perfect coffee table material for your living room?
Material choice forms a vital part of selecting your coffee table surface. You need to think about your lifestyle as well as the materials of other pieces of furniture nearby like hallway tables or sofa tables.
Glass coffee tables - a glass surface brightens a room, reflecting light back into your living area. Check out the clean lines of the Tizona Coffee Table featuring a glass top and timber frame.
Marble/marble-look - marble table tops like the Eastmain Coffee Table look elegant and are available in a variety of designs to match different styles, from glam luxe to modern contemporary or Hamptons.
Timber coffee tables - a wooden coffee table will be hard-wearing, sturdy and bring warmth to your space. The Winslow Coffee Table is a nice example of a rustic industrial look with timeless appeal.
All these materials will look beautiful! Just consider whether the material you like will stand up to your needs for durability and safety, particularly if you have small children, and establish how you feel about the level of wear and tear on surfaces.
Match your coffee table to your interior style
With your function, size, height, and potential materials in mind, you’re ready for the fun part - choosing a coffee table style!
It’s easy to shop by style on our website. Filter by coastal, industrial, country, Scandi, glam luxe, mid-century, modern contemporary or traditional interior design styles. But also keep in mind that your coffee table doesn’t necessarily have to match the style exactly e.g. A mid-century armchair or lounge doesn’t have to be paired with a coffee table of that style, however, there should be something that anchors it in place with your large furniture pieces such as the colour, material, or shape of its legs.
We hope you’ve found these tips helpful in your hunt for the perfect coffee table from Amart Furniture.