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Coffee tables are the focal point of many living rooms, as they tie together existing decor and fill any gaps between furniture. Because they come in different shapes, sizes, and designs, selecting the right one is no easy feat. To help you make your choice, the This Old House Team researched the best coffee tables on Amazon. Here are our top recommendations.
Top 5 Coffee Tables
- Most Storage Space: Signature Design by Ashley Coffee Table
- Best Geometric Design: Henn&Hart Coffee Table
- Best Feet: VASAGLE Coffee Table
- Most Storage Options: Rolanstar Coffee Table
- Best Starter Table: Sauder Coffee Table
Most Storage Space: Signature Design by Ashley Coffee Table
Signature Design by Ashley Coffee Table
- $278.85
- $454.84
- 39% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Measurements: 36 x 36 x 18 inches
- Weight: 75 pounds
- Materials: Wood, engineered wood, and metal
- Features: A hidden storage compartment
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were happy with this coffee table commented on its easy assembly process and elegant farmhouse design. However, some users said that it was smaller in person than it looked in photos. Others said it had an unpleasant chemical smell.
Best Geometric Design: Henn&Hart Coffee Table
Henn&Hart Coffee Table
- $103.58
- $149.99
- 31% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Measurements: 25 x 20 x 17 inches
- Weight: 48.5 pounds
- Materials: Glass and metal
- Features: Two storage shelves
What Customers Are Saying
This coffee table was popular among Amazon customers for its stylish design, durable build, and easy assembly. However, some said that the metal paint and glass were easy to scratch. Others said that misalignment between the frame and the tiers caused wobbling.
Best Feet: VASAGLE Coffee Table
VASAGLE Coffee Table
- $93.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Measurements: 41.8 x 23.7 x 17.7 inches
- Weight: 30.1 pounds
- Materials: Particleboard and steel
- Features: Two storage shelves
What Customers Are Saying
Several positive reviewers commented on this table’s well-built design. They also liked that it had two large surfaces for storage. Some customers said that the screws didn’t stay tight, which caused the table to wobble.
Most Storage Options: Rolanstar Coffee Table
Rolanstar Coffee Table
- $129.99
- $139.99
- 7% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Measurements: 41.7 x 19.7 x 18.2 inches
- Weight: 99 pounds
- Materials: Fiberboard and metal
- Features: A hidden storage compartment, a shelf, and two drawers
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon reviewers liked this table’s versatility, as it worked as a desk, footrest, and storage area. However, its thin veneer was prone to scratches. It also took several hours for some customers to put it together.
Best Starter Table: Sauder Coffee Table
Sauder Coffee Table
- $138.71
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Key Features
- Measurements: 31.5 x 20 x 16.5 inches
- Weight: 23.9 pounds
- Materials: Engineered wood and metal
- Features: Two storage shelves
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers were pleased with this coffee table’s wood-like finish and affordable price. However, some users were disappointed when the table wasn’t as sturdy or large as they wanted.
Buyer’s Guide
Understanding the ins and outs of coffee tables can help you choose the right one for your living room. Here are five factors to consider before you make a purchase.
Size and Shape
Measure the dimensions of your living room to ensure that it has the capacity to fit the coffee table you’re considering. If you’re placing the table near furniture, leave enough walking room on all sides.
Shape is another important consideration. In general, coffee tables come in one of three shapes: square, rectangular, or circular. While square and rectangular coffee tables typically provide the most surface area, circular tables fit well in compact rooms.
Material
Many coffee tables are made with composite wood instead of real wood. Composite wood is created by mixing a combination of materials, including wood, plastic, and straw. It’s used in various carpentry applications because it’s affordable, durable, and lightweight. You can also find coffee tables with glass tabletops and metal frames.
Storage
In addition to a tabletop, many coffee tables feature storage compartments. For example, some models have a second shelf below the tabletop. Drawers, cubbies, and lift tops are also common.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity refers to how many pounds a coffee table can support. Think about what you plan to store on or within your coffee table so that you can select a model with adequate capacity.
Style
Coffee tables come in many styles, including contemporary, industrial, rustic, traditional, and farmhouse. Choose a coffee table that matches the couches, chairs, end tables, or other pieces of furniture that are going to surround it.
How To Style Your Coffee Table
Finding the best coffee table for your living space is important, as is placing and decorating it. Below, you’ll find a few tips on how to style a coffee table.
Maintain Balance
A table that’s too cluttered looks messy and chaotic. Conversely, a sparse table surface looks too empty. To keep your coffee table well-balanced, leave some empty space for feet, phones, drinks, and other items you might bring to your living room, and decorate the rest.
Swap Items Every Season
Different times of year call for different decorations. For instance, a vase with fresh flowers makes for a nice spring display, while a pumpkin or gourd works well for fall decor.
Contrast Colors
Find decorations that contrast with the color scheme of your coffee table and other furniture. For example, if your table is white, put items with bold colors on top of it. For black or other dark colors, go with metallic items. Clear glass surfaces are versatile, so you can pair them with just about any decor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a coffee table?
While you don’t need a coffee table, it’s a good place to hold decorations and support feet. It can tie all of your furniture together, turning your living room into a cohesive space.
Why does the name “coffee table” include the word “coffee”?
The name “coffee table” includes the word “coffee” because many users place their coffee mugs on the tabletop between sips. However, you can put anything on a coffee table.
How do I protect my coffee table from stains?
To protect your coffee table from stains, place beverages on a coaster or tray to keep droplets from touching your table. Most coffee tables have a finish to protect their surfaces from some wear and tear, such as a few drops of water here and there. You can apply an additional layer of finish if you want more protection.
Why Trust The This Old House Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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