It's fair to say that the coffee table is one of the most underrated pieces of furniture inside your casa. Over time, it will be the home of remotes, magazines, newspapers, keys and even smelly feet from time to time. Therefore, it’s worth putting a little extra consideration into the coffee table you buy.
So how do you find the right one for you and your home? Whether you're after a coffee table with a marble tabletop, or would prefer one made from glass, or solid oak, in this guide we’ll help you find the perfect fit for your living room. From round wooden centrepieces, to decorative coffee tables for modern homes, we rank the top 10 best in the UK on Amazon, Argos and John Lewis!
Whether you’re looking for a coffee table to take up centre stage in your living room, or something that will fit in a small corner as a drink’s holder, this buying guide should help you determine precisely what you need, before you buy it.
The first thing you’re going to want to do prior to purchasing a coffee table, is to measure your room and the space within which you want to put the table. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but there are three basic rules of thumb.
Firstly, the height should be around the same as that of your sofa cushions, or a little shorter. Secondly, the length of the table should be no more than two-thirds of the sofa’s length. Finally, you should leave around 2 ft (60 cm) of space around each side at all times.
Of course, these are only guidelines, so don't be afraid trust your instinct. For example, if you’re taller, don’t be afraid to add a few inches to the height. Conversely, if you’re looking to create a down-to-earth, tranquil space, think about incorporating a lower table instead.
It’s no surprise that the textbook coffee table shape is rectangular. This is because the shape generally fits well into most interiors, mirroring the shape of other common types of furniture found in one's living room, such as sofas, TV's and framed artwork. These also tend to be longer, which is useful if you have a three seater sofa, or would prefer the additional tabletop space.
Circular and oval coffee tables are easier to have around the home as they take up less space than rectangular or square tables. They're a popular option since they provide a more social gathering space should you have friends or guests over, and will soften the look of a room otherwise dominated by harsh geometric shapes.
However, you might want to opt for a square coffee table instead. These will help unify facing seating arrangements, that could otherwise look a little too far apart, by adding a common island between sofas and chairs. Unlike circular table, they will compliment rectangular furniture, rather than contrast.
When it comes to the classic coffee table there are tonnes of different materials designers can use. But generally speaking, the majority will be made from glass, metal and wood.
Woods can range from pristine and clean Skandi oaks, to weathered woods, and everything in between. The main attraction of these coffee tables is their strength and durability, which can be particularly handy if you have a busy household with children or pets.
If you're looking for a versatile coffee table design, glass works well with many different home décor themes. Because of the material's reflective nature, these can bring a lot of light and space into a room that would otherwise feel a little small or gloomy. You may be concerned that a glass table would break or shatter easily, but don't worry, they’re pretty robust nowadays.
Metal is unlikely to be used for the tabletop, although it’s not unheard of. However, it is regularly used for the legs or frame in conjunction with other materials. Depending on the metal you choose, these could either have a sleek or industrial look. Our only advice is to try and match it with any other metal décor in the room to keep things cohesive.
The final feature you’ll want to consider is whether you'll need some storage or not. This can come in many forms, such as drawers to help you hide the clutter that will inevitably end up living there.
If you’d like a storage option that’s a bit more open, you could look for coffee tables with multiple tiers. These don’t necessarily hide your clutter away, but what they do is give you more space to store or display decorative objects, such as classy photo books.
If neither of these options take your fancy, then some coffee tables have a hidden storage compartment. These tend to be inside the construction of the table, for extra storage without ruining the look of the design. However, these can be a little more difficult to get into, especially if the table is in use.
Now you have a clearer understanding of what features to look for in a coffee table, here are the top 10 best available online in the UK. Who knows? Your perfect purchase could be sat in the ranking right now!
£299.00
Dimensions | 36.5 x 81 cm |
---|---|
Shape | Round |
Material | Wood, marble, metal |
Storage | No |
£60.00
Dimensions | 40 x 60 cm |
---|---|
Shape | Round |
Material | Wood |
Storage | Yes |
£379.00
Dimensions | 40 x 90 x 90 cm |
---|---|
Shape | Square |
Material | Wood |
Storage | No |
£349.00
Dimensions | 40 x 120 x 65 cm |
---|---|
Shape | Rectangular |
Material | Glass, metal |
Storage | No |
£68.05
Dimensions | 110 x 55 x 42 cm |
---|---|
Shape | Rectangular |
Material | Wood, metal |
Storage | Yes |
£70.00
Dimensions | 45 x 100 x 50 cm |
---|---|
Shape | Rectangular |
Material | Wood |
Storage | Yes |
£56.00
Dimensions | 35 x 80 x 80 cm |
---|---|
Shape | Square |
Material | Wood |
Storage | Yes |
£66.99
Dimensions | 40 x 90 cm |
---|---|
Shape | Round |
Material | Glass, metal |
Storage | No |
£299.00
Dimensions | 40 x 100 x 50 cm |
---|---|
Shape | Rectangular |
Material | Wood |
Storage | Yes |
Image | 1 ![]() John Lewis & Partners | 2 ![]() Paldin | 3 ![]() Argos Home | 4 ![]() Argos Home | 5 ![]() Aspect | 6 ![]() Ikea | 7 ![]() Gallery Direct | 8 ![]() Gallery Direct | 9 ![]() Argos Home | 10 ![]() John Lewis & Partners |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Grayson Storage Coffee Table | Vintage Coffee Table | Evelyn Coffee Table | Stratford Chunky Coffee Table | Westwood Coffee Table | Small Coffee Table | Outline Glass Coffee Table | Boho Coffee Table | Skandi Coffee Table | Shadow Marble Coffee Table |
Features | The Coffee Table That Has It All | Champagne Style on a Lemonade Budget | Perfectly Blending Retro and Futuristic Designs | Robust Enough to Survive a Busy Household | An Industrial-Style Table for Everyday Use | One of the Best-Selling Pieces of Furniture in the World | Sophisticated Yet Subtle Style | An Ornate and Eye-Catching Design | A Contemporary Design With Hidden Storage | A Touch of Marble for Additional Elegance |
Price | £299.00 | £66.99 | £56.00 | £70.00 | £68.05 | £14.97 | £349.00 | £379.00 | £60.00 | £299.00 |
Dimensions | 40 x 100 x 50 cm | 40 x 90 cm | 35 x 80 x 80 cm | 45 x 100 x 50 cm | 110 x 55 x 42 cm | 45 x 55 x 55 cm | 40 x 120 x 65 cm | 40 x 90 x 90 cm | 40 x 60 cm | 36.5 x 81 cm |
Shape | Rectangular | Round | Square | Rectangular | Rectangular | Square | Rectangular | Square | Round | Round |
Material | Wood | Glass, metal | Wood | Wood | Wood, metal | Wood | Glass, metal | Wood | Wood | Wood, marble, metal |
Storage | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No |
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Whether relaxing, working, or entertaining guests, a living room is meant to be lived in. The focal gathering point of most homes, the right furniture will transform any interior into a warm and welcoming space, no matter how big or small. To help you deck out your lounge, here are some of the best sofas, TV stands and soft furnishings in the UK!
Whether you're looking for a perfect centrepiece, or just doing your best and working with the space you have, we hope that you've found our buying guide and recommendations useful. Here's to having a more comfortable and convenient living room!
Author: Lewis Clark
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