Short answer: A common guideline is a coffee table about two-thirds the length of your sofa, level with the seat or a little lower, with 14 to 18 inches (36 to 46 cm) of space between the table and the sofa. That is general advice, not a product specification. Our fixed-height coffee tables range from 13.3 inches (33.9 cm) high for the Ombra to 16.3 inches (41.5 cm) for the Mensa, and from 31.5 inches (80 cm) across for the round Eclipse to 67.6 inches (171.7 cm) long for the Tessella. The modular Stella is 18.5 inches (47 cm) high when closed, extending to 26.4 inches (67 cm), and 23.6 inches (60 cm) square per module.
A coffee table is the piece you reach for and walk around every day. If it is too big it blocks the room, and if it is too small or too tall it feels disconnected from the sofa. The numbers below show what to check before you buy.
On This Page
- What size coffee table fits my sofa and room?
- What height should a coffee table be?
- Our coffee tables compared
- Which shape is best: round or rectangular?
- Tables with storage, trays and extra seating
- Materials and finishes
- What about side tables?
- Our recommendation
- Explore our tables
What size coffee table fits my sofa and room?
Start with the sofa, then check the walkway. These are general guidelines used by many designers, so treat them as a starting point rather than a rule.
- Length: aim for a table roughly two-thirds the length of the sofa. A sofa that is 84 inches (213 cm) long suits a table of about 56 inches (142 cm).
- Gap to the sofa: leave about 14 to 18 inches (36 to 46 cm) so you can reach your drink and still get your legs in and out.
- Walkway: keep about 30 to 36 inches (76 to 91 cm) clear on any side people walk through.
- Depth: a shallow table, such as one around 22 inches (56 cm) deep, keeps a narrow room open. A deeper table works when the seating is far apart.
- Sectionals and chaises: a table in the centre of the seating can be smaller, because people reach it from several sides.
Measure your sofa and the floor space in front of it, then compare with the footprints below. If you are still choosing the sofa, our sectional sofa size guide shows how to measure the seating area first.
What height should a coffee table be?
The usual advice is to choose a table at the height of your sofa seat, or one to two inches (3 to 5 cm) lower. A table that sits well below the seat feels low and can be awkward to reach, and a much taller table cuts the view across the room.
Our fixed-height coffee tables are all under 17 inches (43 cm) high, so check your own seat height first. Our sofa seat depth and height guide explains seat heights across our sofas.
- Lowest: Ombra at 13.3 inches (33.9 cm) and Arca at 13.8 inches (35 cm), good beside a lower seat or a deep, relaxed sofa.
- Mid-range: Eclipse at 15.4 inches (39 cm), Tessella at 16.0 inches (40.7 cm) and Mensa at 16.3 inches (41.5 cm).
- Higher: the Stella coffee table is 18.5 inches (47 cm) high when closed, extending to 26.4 inches (67 cm).
Our coffee tables compared
These are the overall dimensions, with the tabletop and any trays or shelves in place. They come in oak and walnut.
Our coffee tables compared
| Table | Footprint (length x width) | Height | Shape | Main materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tessella coffee table | 67.6 x 27.0 inches (171.7 x 68.7 cm) | 16.0 inches (40.7 cm) | Long rectangle | MDF with ash veneer |
| Eclipse coffee table | 31.5 inches (80 cm) across | 15.4 inches (39 cm) | Round | MDF with ash veneer, ash wood legs |
| Arca coffee table | 43.3 inches (110 cm) long | 13.8 inches (35 cm) | Rectangle, built from two square tables | Particle board with ash veneer |
| Mensa coffee table | 41.7 x 25.8 inches (106 x 65.5 cm) | 16.3 inches (41.5 cm) | Rectangle | MDF with veneer, ash wood trays, steel legs |
| Ombra coffee table | 43.3 x 21.7 inches (110 x 55 cm) | 13.3 inches (33.9 cm) | Slim rectangle | Ash wood and veneered MDF |
| Stella coffee table (one module) | 23.6 x 23.6 inches (60 x 60 cm) | 18.5 inches (47 cm) closed, up to 26.4 inches (67 cm) | Square, modular | MDF with melamine finish, steel legs |
The Mensa also comes in black wood. Finishes can change, so check the product page before you order. The Stella coffee table is modular, so you can add modules as your space changes.
Which shape is best: round or rectangular?
Shape changes how a table works in the room, and our range has an example of each.
- Round: our Eclipse coffee table is our round coffee table, 31.5 inches (80 cm) across. With no corners to walk into, it suits a sofa with a chaise or the centre of a sectional, where people approach from several sides.
- Long rectangle: the Tessella coffee table is 67.6 inches (171.7 cm) long and was designed to suit a wide three-seat sofa. It has a recessed centre area for small items such as a remote.
- Slim rectangle: the Ombra coffee table and Arca are both 43.3 inches (110 cm) long. Ombra is 21.7 inches (55 cm) deep, which keeps walkways open in a smaller room.
- Compact rectangle with trays: the Mensa coffee table is 41.7 x 25.8 inches (106 x 65.5 cm), a middle size for a standard sofa.
- Square and modular: Arca is built from 21.7-inch (55 cm) square tables, and Stella uses 23.6-inch (60 cm) square modules, so you can add to them as the room changes.
Tables with storage, trays and extra seating
Several of our tables do more than hold a mug. We keep the full comparison in our coffee tables with storage guide, so here is the short version.
- Eclipse: two half-circle tops can be arranged in different ways to give open or hidden storage.
- Mensa: the trays work as storage, a serving tray or a lap desk.
- Ombra: an open shelf and two pull-out ottomans turn the table into extra seating or a footrest. The ottoman covers are removable and washable.
- Arca: the curved version has hidden storage and the fluted version has open storage.
Materials and finishes
Our indoor tables use real wood veneer or ash wood in oak and walnut, and some use steel. Here is what each one is made of.
- Tessella: a 15 mm MDF tabletop and panels with a 0.3 mm real wood veneer and a lacquer finish. Veneer is a thin sheet of fine wood over the board.
- Eclipse: 15 mm MDF with ash veneer for the top and trays, and ash wood legs with a stained satin finish.
- Arca: 2.5 cm particle board with an ash veneer and satin finish. The fluted version has ash wood flutes, and the curved version has bent plywood edges.
- Mensa: a 15 mm MDF top with 0.3 mm veneer and lacquer, ash wood trays with a satin stain, and powder-coated steel legs.
- Ombra: ash wood and veneered MDF with a satin stain.
- Stella: 18 mm MDF with a melamine finish and powder-coated steel legs.
- Solis: cold-rolled carbon steel, 3 mm for the top and 4 mm for the base.
Each product page has a Materials and Care section with the finish details for that table, so check it for cleaning advice.
What about side tables?
A side table sits beside the sofa or chair and usually needs only a small footprint. A top near the height of the sofa arm or seat usually works well.
What about side tables?
| Side table | Footprint | Height | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tessella side table | 20.1 x 20.1 inches (51.1 x 51.1 cm) | 20.0 inches (50.9 cm) | Square, matches the Tessella coffee table |
| Eclipse side table | 19.9 inches (50.5 cm) across | 20.5 inches (52 cm) | Round, removable top tray |
| Mensa side table | 19.7 x 19.7 inches (50 x 50 cm) | 16.3 inches (41.5 cm), or 20.1 inches (51 cm) with the shelf | Shelf can be left out |
| Ombra side table | Round (cylindrical), 19.7 inches (50 cm) diameter | 19.7 inches (50 cm) | Shelf, with or without one ottoman |
| Arca side table | 21.7 x 21.7 inches (55 x 55 cm) | 13.8 inches (35 cm) | Curved or fluted |
| Solis table | 21.7 x 12.8 inches (55 x 32.5 cm) | 20.7 to 30.7 inches (52.5 to 78 cm) | Height adjustable |
The Solis is slim and adjustable, so it works beside a sofa. Its base can slide under a sofa seat base for flexible placement.
Two matching side tables can also stand in for a coffee table. Arca is designed to connect two tables into one coffee table, and Mensa can be used as a mini coffee table.
Our recommendation
Pick the table that matches your sofa and then check the walkway.
- Wide three-seat sofa or a large room: the Tessella coffee table at 67.6 inches (171.7 cm) long.
- Sofa with chaise, or a sectional: the round Eclipse at 31.5 inches (80 cm) across.
- Standard sofa and a traditional rectangular table: the Mensa at 41.7 x 25.8 inches (106 x 65.5 cm), with trays for storage.
- Small room or a narrow walkway: the Ombra at 21.7 inches (55 cm) deep, or the Arca at 13.8 inches (35 cm) high.
- Flexible apartment living: the Stella, with its adjustable height and modular layout.
- A small table next to the sofa: the Tessella, Eclipse, Mensa or Ombra side tables, or the adjustable Solis.
If you are unsure, our team can look at your room with you in a free design consultation.
Explore our tables
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.