Coffee tables have been in the public consciousness since the twentieth century when urban “coffee houses” were the height of society. Nowadays, they’re a staple of a well-designed home, making the coffee table heights debate a familiar one.
Whether you plan to create a living room setup that is sleek and minimal or low-key and family-friendly, getting your coffee table size and height to gel with your living room’s dimensions are a must. In this guide, we offer our in-the-know tips to get it right, leaving no stone unturned.
Contents:
The ideal coffee table heights and size for your living room
Standard coffee table height
As you might imagine, coffee table heights can vary quite significantly brand to brand, but on the whole, they tend to adhere to similar dimension ranges. A standard coffee table will typically stand at 40-46cm tall and take up 46-61cm in width.
Low coffee table height
A low coffee table and a Scandi or Japanese style aesthetic are a match made in heaven. These shorter varieties tend to be between 30-35cm tall.
Adjustable height coffee tables
With more and more modern coffee table alternatives breaking into the mainstream, there’s more than ever to choose from, which brings me to the adjustable height coffee table – yes, these exist.
While certainly the bougiest option available, it eliminates the need to worry about which height to go for as it caters to everyone. This is especially useful if a myriad of people of different ages, sizes and mobilities are going to be using it.
Nests of coffee tables
Instead of choosing one standard coffee table, a nest of tables can be a more flexible option – and they look elegant too. This way you can reap the rewards of an interesting, tiered look and alter your coffee table arrangements to suit your needs, ideal if you have lots of guests around.
Coffee table to sofa size ratio: what is the perfect height?
Coffee table height is crucial, but it’s not the only aspect to keep in mind when designing the sitting room of your dreams. There are a few other dimensions you need to factor into your scheme to keep it both cohesive and functional as we’ll find out…
Coffee table height vs sofa
Should a coffee table be lower than a sofa? The same size? Or should it be higher than your seating? All good questions.
And the answer? Well, as you might’ve imagined there’s no one-size-fits-all. In fact, there is a whole slew of possibilities at play from the size and layout of the room to your use of the space, which we can boil down to three options. Let’s dig a little deeper.
Standard sofa height
Before we go anywhere, we need to think about the height of your coffee table in relation to the other furniture, and especially your sofa as it will be in close proximity.
The standard sofa height, otherwise the distance between the floor and the very top of the sofa, ranges from 66-92cmtall.
Coffee tables lower than the sofa
Coffee tables are one of many solutions for a narrow or cramped living room, but they also a great option for kids as they’re shorter and easier to reach. If you opt for one that is shorter than the sofa you can introduce a unique element of style into the room, drawing attention to your sofa which will dwarf the table.
Measurements
If a coffee table is too low it can make a room feel cramped and disordered. That’s why we recommend leaving a 1.5-5cm difference between the height of your coffee table and the height of your sofa seat.
Coffee table the same height as the sofa
An easy fix to all of this umming and ahhing about coffee table heights is going for one the same height as your sofa. Bringing everything to the same level creates a sense of cohesion and is the most practical way to go. At this height, you can also comfortably use it as a footrest when the surface is clear.
Measurements
The standard height guidance assumes you own an average-sized sofa of up to 92cm tall and with a seat cushion height of 42-48cm. Odds are your sofa might not conform to these standard measurements.
In that case, size up or down your coffee table to suit your needs. That means finding a coffee table that allows seated guests to easily reach any items placed on its surface.
While you might expect to be on the lookout for coffee tables that fit within the average 66-92cm range, you may have to stray from these measurements if you own a taller than average sofa or low-profile seating such as a futon couch or ottoman.
Remember to make sure to measure your seating accurately in order to avoid any unwanted surprises when your new table is shipped to your home.
Coffee tables taller than the sofa
Looking to make a statement? Then go for a coffee table taller than your sofa. This will turn the unassuming piece of furniture into a centrepiece worthy of your guests’ attention.
Whilst not the most practical idea for an awkward living room layout, it works well for large spaces as the contrasting furniture heights will shine a spotlight on individual pieces, making you appreciate them more.
Measurements
Only choose this option if you want to do something unexpected or if you have a taller sofa than the average. A higher sofa will require a 50-53cmheight coffee table, generally speaking.
Coffee table length to sofa
We’ve gone over coffee table heights vs sofa heights, but what about length? This is the secret: follow the two thirds rule. By choosing a coffee table that is approximately two-thirds the length of your sofa you can create harmony and prevent the space from being overwhelmed.
For reference, a standard coffee table is 40-45cm and the average sofa length is about 220cm. So you might want to play around with design plans a little to find the perfect balance.
Remember: while a coffee table is usually centred in a room, it doesn’t have to be. And particularly if you have an uneven room to work with. Instead, centre it with your sofa and you can’t go wrong.
Where should you place a coffee table?
It seems like a simple question at first. One that could be answered by plonking your coffee table wherever it fits. But it’s more complicated than that.
When it comes to coffee table placement, you’ll need to consider the flow of traffic across the room and the aesthetic appeal of the room. Get it wrong and you could knock the whole design off balance. But get it right, and see everything blend together seamlessly.
The golden clearance rule
As the living room is a high traffic area, naturally you’ll want to ensure that there is adequate space for people to traverse the room without bumping into anyone or anything.
Space between coffee table and sofa
Narrow living rooms leave you with the challenge of how to maximise the space you’ve got without the room starting to feel cramped. We recommend giving 30-45cm of breathing space between your sofa and coffee table.
Space between coffee table and TV stand
I know what you’re thinking: what about the TV console? Well, we suggest leaving about 60-75cm for the optimal viewing position and to leave a suitable walkway to allow people to pass by. The same goes for other pieces of furniture.
Coffee table width
To discover your ideal coffee table width, you can measure the length between your sofa and TV stand, then subtract 120cm (75cm+ 45cm). This will work best in your space.
Find your perfect match
For the best of all worlds, we recommend a nest of tables each of a slightly different height. This gives you more leeway to customise your layout to match your needs, perfect if you envision yourself using the coffee table as extra space for cups of tea, tabletop games, snacks and the like.
Whichever coffee table you choose, we hope it meets your expectations and more. Discover more insights into living room design on the rest of our blog.
