Coffee Table Size Guide: The Right Length, Height and Distance
A coffee table should be about half to two thirds the length of your sofa, about the same height as the sofa seat or a little lower, and 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) from the sofa. For a 220 cm sofa, that means a table of about 110 to 145 cm.
Key takeaways
- Length: about half to two thirds of the sofa length.
- Height: about the same as the sofa seat, or up to 5 cm (2 in) lower; most coffee tables are 40 to 50 cm high.
- Distance: 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) from the sofa, about 45 cm being ideal.
- Walkways: keep 75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 in) around the table where people walk.
- Our 120 x 60 x 50 cm table suits sofas of about 180 to 240 cm, including our 220 cm Turkish sofa.
How big should a coffee table be?
A coffee table should be about half to two thirds the length of your sofa, about the same height as the sofa seat or a little lower, and 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in) from the front of the sofa. Those three numbers, length, height and distance, decide whether the table looks right and is easy to use.
How long should a coffee table be?
The common guide is the two-thirds rule: the table should be no longer than about two thirds of the sofa, and usually at least half of it. Shorter looks lost in front of a long sofa; longer blocks the way in and out.
| Sofa length | Coffee table length |
|---|---|
| 150 cm (59 in), loveseat | 75–100 cm (30–39 in) |
| 180 cm (71 in) | 90–120 cm (35–47 in) |
| 200 cm (79 in) | 100–135 cm (39–53 in) |
| 220 cm (87 in), our Turkish sofa | 110–145 cm (43–57 in) |
| 250 cm (98 in) | 125–165 cm (49–65 in) |
With a sofa set or an L-shaped layout, size the table to the main sofa and check that every seat can reach it. A round or square table can work better between two sofas set at a right angle.
What height should a coffee table be?
Choose a table about the same height as your sofa seat, or up to 5 cm (2 in) lower. Most sofa seats are roughly 43 to 48 cm high, and most coffee tables are 40 to 50 cm. At that height you can put down a cup or pick up a book without leaning far forward. A much lower table suits a low, lounge-style sofa; a higher one suits eating or working from the sofa.
How far should the table be from the sofa?
Leave about 45 cm (18 in) between the front of the sofa and the table, anywhere between 40 and 50 cm. Closer and you knock your knees; further and you cannot reach it from the seat. Around the rest of the table, keep 75 to 90 cm (30 to 36 in) where people walk, and at least 60 cm (24 in) on minor paths.
How wide should it be, and which shape?
Most coffee tables are about 50 to 70 cm (20 to 28 in) deep. A deeper table holds more but takes floor space, so in a narrow room choose a slimmer one. For the shape:
- Rectangle: the classic match for a long sofa or a sofa set facing a TV.
- Round or oval: easier to walk around, with no corners, which helps in tight rooms and homes with young children.
- Square: suits an L-shaped layout or a deep sectional, where seats face the table from two sides.
How does the rug fit with the coffee table?
The coffee table should sit fully on the rug, with the front legs of the sofa and chairs on it too. That usually means a rug at least as wide as the sofa. Our rug size guide shows which size suits your seating, and our red Turkish rug, 250 x 350 cm, holds a full sofa set and table.
Shop the look
Our coffee table and sofa set
Our black Turkish coffee table is a rectangular 120 x 60 x 50 cm (47.2 x 23.6 x 19.7 in) table for $100 CAD before HST. By the guide above it suits sofas of about 180 to 240 cm, which includes the 220 cm sofas in our Taupe Turkish Sofa Set. At 50 cm high, it sits close to typical sofa seat height.
Planning the whole room? Our sofa size guide covers the room and doorways, our comparison of a sofa set vs a sectional helps you pick the layout, and our sofa set buying guide covers frame, foam and fabric. You can also browse all our living room furniture or book a free design consultation.
See the table and sofa set in Hamilton
See the coffee table and our sofa set in person at Home Centre Green, 110 Lancing Dr, Unit 2, Hamilton, ON L8W 3A1, with free parking outside, and bring your sofa length if you are matching a sofa you already own.
We are open Monday to Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. We are closed on Sundays. Call or WhatsApp us on (905) 253-0202, or send us a message.
Frequently asked questions
How big should a coffee table be?
A coffee table should be about half to two thirds the length of the sofa it sits in front of. For a 200 cm sofa, that is roughly 100 to 135 cm long. It should also leave 40 to 50 cm to the sofa and enough room around it for people to walk past.
What height should a coffee table be?
About the same height as your sofa seat, or up to 5 cm lower. Most sofa seats are roughly 43 to 48 cm high and most coffee tables are 40 to 50 cm. A table at seat height makes drinks and books easy to reach without leaning down.
How far should a coffee table be from the sofa?
Leave about 45 cm (18 in), between 40 and 50 cm. That is close enough to reach a drink from the sofa and wide enough to walk past your knees. If people often walk between the sofa and the table, or your sofa is deep, go towards 50 cm.
What size coffee table for a 3-seater sofa?
Most three-seat sofas are about 180 to 230 cm long, so a coffee table of about 100 to 140 cm suits most of them. Our black coffee table is 120 x 60 x 50 cm, which suits our 220 cm Turkish three-seat sofa. Leave about 45 cm between the sofa and the table.
Home Centre Green Design Team
The team behind our Hamilton showroom. We help customers choose Turkish-made sofas, beds and carpets every day, and we write these guides to answer the questions we hear most in store.
