The cheery on top of your interior aesthetic, the right coffee table can really make your living and lounge area. Follow our guide to learn about all the different types of coffee tables and how to choose a model that will look and feel perfect in your home.

How to Choose a Coffee Table

Below you'll find a rundown of the various coffee table shapes, styles and features to help you decide which coffee table would best suit your home.

What Size Coffee Table?

To find out how long your coffee table should be, start by measuring the length of your couch is. As a general rule, your coffee table should be between ½ and ⅔ the length of the side of the couch it will be facing. For more info on how to measure a coffee table, read our How to Choose the Right Coffee Table Dimensions guide.

The standard height of a coffee table is between 40cm and 45cm, but depending on the height of your couch, you might want to go taller or shorter. For maximum comfort and cohesiveness, the coffee table height you choose should be within 5cm of the height of your sofa.

Coffee Table Shapes: Which to Choose?

Rectangle: The most popular coffee table shape, rectangular tables pair well with longer couches. If your room has a lot of soft lines, consider breaking them up with a rectangular coffee table.

Round: A round shape works with shorter sofas and more condensed seating arrangements since long sofas tend to make round coffee tables look small. They're also a good option if you have small children or pets as there are no sharp corners to bump into.

Square: Like round tables, square coffee tables tend to work best in a smaller or square-like seating arrangement. However, square tables may not be long enough for everyone to reach if they're seated on a lengthy sofa.

Oval: An oval coffee table will work if you like the shape of a round table but have a longer sofa.

Free-form: If conventional isn’t your style, free-form coffee tables might be for you. Geometric styles such as triangular, hexagonal and half-circle tables would look good in a funky yet casual setting. If you choose a more abstract shape, your everyday coffee table can fit in your space like a sculpture or a work of art. We recommend a free-form style if your living area has a modern, sophisticated look.

Popular Coffee Table Materials

Wood: The most common coffee table material, wood is durable, reliable, and accommodating to any room style.

Glass: If your room is small or cramped, a glass coffee table will help open it up with style. Glass is not optimal for homes with smaller children, in case of breaks.

Stone: Marble, granite and slate coffee tables look best when paired with hardwood floors or muted rugs. To keep these scratch and drinks ring-free, use coasters and clean regularly with a nonabrasive cleaner.

Metal: Industrial or structural themes pair well with metal coffee tables.

Plastic/Acrylic: Durable and light, plastic or acrylic coffee tables are easy to move around and clean. Their sleek look fits well in a minimal setting.

Additional Features & Considerations

Storage Space: Organisational features like drawers, bins and shelves are ideal for storing magazines, pillows, blankets, remotes and anything else to help keep your living room clutter-free.

Trunk: Trunk coffee tables can come in many shapes but are usually rectangle-shaped. Their defining feature is a lidded top, like a traditional suitcase trunk. The lid opens to reveal a hollow inside, perfect for storing throws or toys.

Mirrored: Just like wall mirrors, mirrored coffee tables provide the illusion of a larger space. If you’re looking to open up a busy environment, a mirrored coffee table might be the one for you.

Tray Top: A tray-top coffee table is ideal for serving snacks or drinks. Its tabletop is made of one or more removable trays.

Lift Top: This type of coffee table features a moveable tabletop that can be raised from cocktail to dining table height. When not in use, the tabletop can be lowered back to coffee table height.

Upholstered: To minimise the risk of your child's head getting bumped against a hard edge, consider an upholstered coffee table.

Wheels: To save your floors from scratches, consider a coffee table with wheels on its feet for easy moving.

Tip: So you've decided on your future coffee table but still need some advice? Then check out:

• 7 Coffee Table Styling Tips
• No Space For a Coffee Table? Give These 4 Alternatives a Try
• 6 Expert-Approved Ways to Decorate a Glass Coffee Table