Your coffee table is a key piece in your overall living room design scheme. It is usually positioned in the middle of the room, so it takes a central place, along with your sofa. Not only should it look good, express your style, and complement your sofa, but it should also meet your functional needs.
With so many great designs available, it can be difficult to make a choice. So I’ve rolled up my sleeves and created a 15-page shopping guide with my favorite coffee tables so you can narrow down your options. I’ve done lots of research for this guide, and I hope you enjoy (re)discovering some of these gorgeous and versatile coffee tables!
For advice on how to find the right coffee table for your space, please see Part 2 of my Ultimate Guide To Coffee Tables.
What’s inside the guide
I divided the coffee tables based on materials – Wood, stone, glass, and metal. You will also find tables categorized by their shapes – Chunky designs, like plinths, with straight lines or curves.
You will find a selection of tables with trays and/or raised edges, as well as with additional storage – Perfect to help you neatly stow away or organize books, magazines, remote controls, and miscellaneous items, and keep the main surface clean, tidy and drink or coffee mug ready.
The guide also features my favorite sets, including nesting tables, but also pieces that look beautiful combined with their smaller/bigger versions. You can play with volumes, heights, colors and materials to create an interesting and personalized combination. Many of these are great for smaller homes, and they are super versatile – They can easily be moved around the room to accommodate your needs.
Finally, since the height of your coffee table should go hand-in-hand with your sofa’s, and your lifestyle, I’ve included low (< 30 cm) and high options (versatile benches).
How to use the guide
To facilitate your search, I’ve indicated a price range with a dollar sign for each table in the guide. One $ means it is up to $500, two $$ is up to $1000, and so on. Please note these are approximate and can vary slightly by retailer and region of the world.
I also added a note on each page to show you which table I’d ultimately choose from the list. I tried really, really hard to pick just one per category, but you’ll see that I failed at my own game on a few occasions… After all, I think all of the tables selected for this guide are beautiful!
If a design also catches your eye (I hope so!), click on the image to be taken to an online store.
Note that many tables featured in the guide are available in different widths, heights, finishes, colors and/or even shapes. If you like a design but it isn’t quite right for your space, make sure to verify the manufacturer’s website before dismissing it. You can always ask in the community for an alternative, and to get help locating a reseller near you.
You will notice that some designs are repeated throughout the guide because they were worth mentioning in different categories, when applicable.
Your coffee table isn’t included in this roundup? Don’t worry! It doesn’t mean that it isn’t beautiful – There are just SO MANY designs to choose from, so I narrowed it down to some of the most popular pieces as seen in homes featured on Nordic Design and some of my personal favorites.
If you know of a design you feel is worth sharing, do not hesitate to let us know in the community.
And pictures of your living room with a beloved table are always welcomed! :)
Without further ado, here is my ultimate coffee table shopping guide!
Note that due to its size, it might take a few seconds for the document to load.
First photo: Fredericia