This Old House Reviews Team

Coffee tables are the focal point of many living rooms, as they tie together existing decor and fill the noticeable gap between furniture. While coffee tables are an essential item for many homeowners, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes that make selecting the right one difficult. To save you time and effort, the This Old House Reviews team researched the best coffee tables on Amazon to help you select a model that fits your home’s current design. Here are our top recommendations.

Buyer’s Guide

Before purchasing a coffee table, it’s crucial that you understand the ins and outs of the product you’re considering so that you can select the right coffee table for your living space. Here are four factors to consider before buying a coffee table.

1. Size and shape

The size of a coffee table is laid out by its dimensions, which tell you the width, depth, and height of the table. Before purchasing a coffee table, measure the dimensions of the room you’re planning on putting the coffee table in and ensure that the room has the capacity to fit the table. If you’re placing the coffee table near furniture, make sure you leave enough walking room around each piece of furniture.

The shape of the table is another important design consideration. In general, coffee tables will come in one of three shapes: square, rectangular, or circular. While square and rectangular coffee tables typically provide the most surface area, circular tables can be a good fit for compact rooms.

2. Material

Although wood and glass are some of the most common coffee table materials, many models also use composite wood. Composite wood is created using a combination of materials, including wood, plastic, and straw. It’s used in a variety of carpentry applications and is well-suited for coffee tables because of its affordability and fade resistance.

3. Storage

In addition to a coffee table’s surface area, many models feature additional storage compartments or shelves. For example, the YAHEETECH Lift Top Coffee Table contains a pull-up tabletop that reveals a hidden storage compartment, great for storing books or magazines. Other coffee tables, like the VASAGLE Industrial Coffee Table, have an additional shelf for extra storage.

4. Weight capacity

Weight capacity refers to how many pounds the coffee table can support. When selecting a coffee table, think about what you plan on storing on or within the table so that you can select a model with an adequate weight capacity.

FAQs

What shape should my coffee table be?

There is no ideal coffee table shape—what’s important is that you match the coffee table’s shape to the layout of your room. For example, if you live in a one-bedroom flat with limited space, a circular coffee table may be a good option. However, if you have a large living room with spaced-out furniture, a rectangular coffee table may be a better choice as it will contour to the layout of your existing pieces.

Is a coffee table necessary?

While a coffee table isn’t necessary, they can be excellent places to stage flowers or magazines, provide a space for you to rest your feet, and make a room look more cohesive.

How do you stage a coffee table?

When staging or styling your coffee table, think about the items that you want on display. Most homeowners go for a simple vase and a few magazines to make the area feel complete without being overcrowded, while some homeowners leave their coffee table completely bare.

 

 

The This Old House Reviews team provides overviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, hands-on testing in select cases, and other objective criteria unique to a given product line. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for DIY or other non-pro users only. Editor’s picks are made by members of the This Old House Reviews team.