How to Choose the Right Coffee Table Size
The coffee table sits in the middle of the living room, so a wrong size shows immediately. Too small and it looks lost in front of a large sofa. Too big and nobody can walk past it. Too high or too low and it is awkward every time you put a cup down.
The right size comes from three numbers: the length of your sofa, the height of its seat, and the space you leave around the table. This guide explains each one and shows real table sizes from our collection.
Rule 1: Length is half to two thirds of the sofa
Measure the sofa from arm to arm. The coffee table should be between half and two thirds of that length.
| Sofa length | Coffee table length |
|---|---|
| 180 cm (2 seater) | 90 to 120 cm |
| 220 cm (3 seater) | 110 to 145 cm |
| 250 cm (large 3 seater) | 125 to 165 cm |
If you are between two sizes, choose the smaller one in a small room and the larger one in an open living room. A set of tables counts as one table when the pieces stand together.
Rule 2: Height is level with the seat or slightly lower
Measure from the floor to the top of the sofa seat cushion. Most sofas are between 40 and 46 cm. The coffee table should be the same height or up to 5 cm lower. A table higher than the seat feels like a barrier, and one much lower makes you bend every time.
Low, deep sofas suit a table of 36 to 40 cm. Standard sofas suit 40 to 46 cm. Tables of 50 cm and more work best when you often eat or work at the coffee table.
Rule 3: Leave 40 to 45 cm between the sofa and the table
This is close enough to reach your cup without standing up and wide enough to walk through to your seat. On the other sides, keep at least 60 cm wherever people walk, for example between the table and the TV unit.
To check the whole room, add the numbers: sofa depth, 45 cm, the width of the table, the walkway, and the TV unit. Our guide on sofa size for a small living room shows this calculation with real room sizes.
Round, square or rectangular?
Rectangular
The natural choice in front of a straight 3 seater sofa. Everyone on the sofa can reach it. Examples from our collection: the AURA Coffee Table at 121 by 70 cm, and the book shaped Balzac Coffee Table at 110 by 78 cm.
Square
Best with a corner sofa or with two sofas facing each other, where people sit on more than one side. A square table of 90 to 100 cm fills the space evenly. Examples: the Timsah Coffee Table and the Soft Coffee Table, both 100 by 100 cm, and the Over Lap Coffee Table at 90 by 90 cm.
Round
Good for small rooms and for homes with children, because there are no corners to walk into. A round table also softens a room with many straight lines. See the Mandala Coffee Table Set at 90 cm.
One table or a set?
A coffee table set gives you several tables of different sizes that go together. Keep them together as one centre table on normal days, then pull the small ones next to the armchairs when guests come. In a small living room this replaces separate side tables.
Sets in our collection start from compact sizes like the Mercury Coffee Table Set at 60 cm and the Mekskano Coffee Table Set at 70 cm, up to the Herms Coffee Table Set at 75 cm.
Do you need storage?
If remote controls, chargers and magazines usually end up on the table, choose one with drawers or a shelf. The table top stays clear and the room looks tidier. The Soft Coffee Table has four drawers, and the Costly Coffee Table has built in storage.
Quick size check
- Length: half to two thirds of the sofa
- Height: level with the seat or up to 5 cm lower
- Gap to the sofa: 40 to 45 cm
- Walkways around it: at least 60 cm
- Shape: rectangular for a straight sofa, square for a corner sofa, round for small rooms
Try it in your room with Fit My Room
Fit My Room is our free online room planner. Open a sofa or a coffee table on asbarfurniture.com and press “Will it fit in my room?”. Type your room size, place the sofa, then add the coffee table and move it until the spaces around it look right. Every piece is drawn in its real size.
See all coffee tables
Browse our coffee tables and centre tables. Every product page shows the length, width and height. All tables are made in Turkey and come with a 2 year warranty. Delivery is free in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.
