Frequently Asked Questions About Coffee Tables

When picking out a new living room set, some people are at a complete loss. When confronted with all the different couches on the market and the myriad of coffee tables, they shut down. If you are one of these people, then you’ve found the perfect place to learn more about coffee tables and how they fit into your living room before you move on to selecting the rest of your furniture. Below is a list of frequently asked coffee table questions. The answers should give you a good idea of what you should be looking for in a coffee table. If you need more details on how to buy your coffee table, check out our coffee table buying guide.

 

Common Questions Concerning Coffee Tables

Do I Even Need a Coffee Table?

Coffee tables are great catchalls for any and everything that ends up in your living room. From your guests’ half-finished drinks to your children’s toys to your spouse’s bowl of popcorn, you’ll probably find just about anything you can imagine on your table at one point or another. The question is, do you want these items on your couch or, alternatively, on your floor? Without a coffee table, there are few other alternatives on which to put said items.

 

In addition, these tables also are usually the main focal point of any living room, with the TV as the exception. These tables will help you define your style and bring focus to your living room.

 

What Type of Coffee Table Should I Get?

That depends on a few things: how big your space is, what style you want your living room to reflect, and who makes up your household. People without children who live in a large space and like shabby chic furnishings will probably enjoy a large wooden table. Someone who lives in a small space with children and enjoys a more modern look might want to look at petite leather tables.

 

 

My Living Room is Small. Can I Fit a Coffee Table?

These tables come in many different shapes and sizes, so you should be able to find a good table for your room no matter how big or small it might be. Measure the space you have available and then look for tables that allow at minimum 15 inches between their edge and the sofa. Consider looking at glass tables, as well. They will let light pass through them, giving the room the illusion of more space.

 

 

Coffee Tables Vary in Height. How Tall Should Mine Be?

Consider how you will be using your table before you pick one out. If you like eating in front of the television in the living room, take a look at tables that are “tea-height” or around 25 inches. Standard 16-inch tables are good for all other purposes.

 

 

How Do I Keep My Table from Being Damaged?

If you know that your family will use your table as a footrest, fort, weight bench or any other non-traditional function, you might want to consider an upholstered table or one made out of sturdy wood. Glass tables have a tendency to break when they are under unusual stress and are a poor choice for a rambunctious family.

 

In the end, as long as you are happy with your coffee table, then you’ve made the right decision.

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