What Is the Average Size of a Coffee Table?

A living room isn't complete without an attractive coffee table. Coffee tables are useful for showing off a collection of books, art pieces, entertaining guests, and even providing a place to rest your feet. When choosing a coffee table, a myriad of designs and materials can help you complete the look and feel of your space. If you are new to selecting a coffee table or are curious about how a coffee table will transform your home, you need to may have a few questions. What style of coffee table is ideal for your space? What is the average size of a coffee table? What are some design rules to follow when choosing the perfect coffee table?

Before you scoop up that ideal coffee table, know this. The average coffee table should have about 16 inches of space surrounding it so you can comfortably get around the furniture. Average sized coffee tables have a width of 18 to 24 inches and a length ranging between 36 and 48 inches. Ideally, when you place your coffee table in front of a sofa or couch, the coffee table should take up no more than 2/3 than the width of your seating.

A well-thought-out coffee table should complement a space, has enough room for your curiosities, and is a great conversation piece and accents the other furniture. In addition to knowing a coffee table's width and length, it is best that a coffee table be no higher than a set of couch cushions, or fall an inch or two below that level. A coffee table should fit seamlessly into your living area, make you feel at home, and not give off an overbearing vibe or cramp a room.

Charming Style and Effortless Chic with a Coffee Table

Adding a coffee table to a living room offers more space for personal items and enjoying a cup of coffee or tea than a side table. Besides placing plants and an area rug or two in a room, elevating the look and feel of a room can be easily achieved when you introduce a coffee table into a home. Show off your sense of flair and sophistication with a stylish coffee table that expertly displays personal effects, artistic taste, and your personality.

A coffee table is a welcome addition to a home because of its flexibility by design. Coffee tables can be used as impromptu dining tables, a bookcase, it provides additional shelving, and can cleverly tuck items out of sight if it has drawers.

Most coffee tables are found in the following designs and styles for your home.

Modern styles with swiveling parts, secret compartments, open shelving, and architectural details are available in glass, stone, wood, or a combination.
Classic mid-century coffee tables are available in highly polished wood for effortless chic.
Industrial style coffee tables add a unique touch to a living space.

Depending on the shape of your coffee table, whether it is organic, round, ottoman-style, rectangular, or square, you can better plan how to style your furniture. Choose a coffee table that wonderfully presents visually arresting sculptural objects, art books, flowers, lighting, or even live animals. Of course, a coffee table is a perfect accent furniture piece for enjoying coffee, tea, or another beverage with friends over a conversation.

Once you have found the perfect coffee table for your home, you need to understand some key points before making a final decision on your new furniture. No matter whether you are selecting a vintage piece of furniture, a coffee table with upholstered components, or a sleek coffee table with modern details made from steel and glass, you will need some specific measurement. Have a measuring tape ready, and jot down the measurements of your existing couch or seating first; this is so you can compare it with the coffee table of your dreams. Without further ado, let us explore more about coffee tables.

What Size Should a Coffee Table Be?

It may seem overwhelming figuring out whether a coffee table will be a good fit for your home, but don't worry. We have a solution for you. For starters, you might want to consider a coffee table that is round or adjustable in a smaller living space. Using this tip helps save space, increases visual flow for the eye, and aids in getting around your room with ease. Square or rectangle tables are usually a good fit for medium to large rooms, plus they may include hidden drawers or shelving for additional storage or display of items.

Coffee tables are often compared to the couches or sofas by which they are placed. Rules of interior design state that a coffee table is to be no more than 4 inches higher than a couch cushion's seat. Overall, a coffee table should not overpower a couch and be higher than the main furniture. End tables do not follow this rule and usually stand a bit higher than the couch for easy access.

A coffee table might be as much as 21 inches in height or length, or it may appear oversized if the table is an odd shape or a custom piece. The average height of a coffee table usually falls around 18 inches but it can be as low as 16 inches. The aesthetic treatment, style, and material of a table dictate it's height, length, width, and overall appearance.

Check out this modern coffee table on Amazon.

What is the Average Length and Width of a Coffee Table?

Prepare not to take up too much room when you select a coffee table. The average coffee table has a length between 36 and 48 inches, but it may be higher. The rule to follow when choosing a coffee table is that the dimensions shouldn't be more than 2/3 of your couch's length. It is possible to have a coffee table measuring 56 inches in length or longer for an extended sofa. The average width for a coffee table is 18 inches. You will want to ensure that you can provide 12 to 18 inches of wiggle room between your table and sofa.

Check out this classic coffee table on Amazon.

What is the Average Height of a Coffee Table?

Most couches have cushioned seating that sits about 18 inches high, measuring from the floor up. You will want your coffee table to either hit the 18-inch height limit or be no less than 1 to 2 inches below the top of your couch or sofa's cushioned seating. Typically, the average coffee table will be no higher than 18 inches but prepare for adjustments in height if you are dealing with custom furniture.

Check out this delightful coffee table on Amazon.

How Can I Adjust the Height of My Coffee Table?

Depending on how you utilize your living space in your home, you may want to adjust the height or width of your coffee table. Ideally, it is easier to augment the height of your coffee table using risers or spacers on the feet of the coffee table. Some coffee tables may have adjustable legs using pegs to change the height of the table. Other coffee tables may be constructed using a combination of leaves that can be extended or retracted to change the width and available surface area. Another easy method to add height to a coffee table is to place a thick piece of glass on top of the furniture.

Check out these risers for coffee tables on Amazon.

Perfect Placement With a Properly Measured Coffee Table

After you go through the effort of finding the right couches, lighting, and decor accents to complement the paint color or wallpaper in your home, you will want a coffee table to tie everything together. A coffee table is a flexible piece of furniture that provides many practical uses in a living area. Feel more comfortable entertaining guests, clean out your closet and display treasured items, or appreciate additional storage space to a room. No matter your preference for select styles of coffee tables, you can easily find the right piece of furniture to make your home complete.