A coffee table is, literally, the centerpiece of any living room. It’s where your guests will cozy up and stay a while. Your coffee table seems like it should be the easiest part of your room to choose and buy, but there are so many things to consider.
For example, do you like a large or a mid-sized coffee table? Do you have a certain theme in mind? How much is your budget? These decisions may seem straightforward, but there’s far more to know before you make a final choice.
Some of the best coffee tables come in a large variety of shapes and many of those look more complicated to construct than they actually are. Regardless of the style you choose there are many things to consider before making your purchase.
This list will help you find the best coffee table to fit in with your home and the look you want to achieve.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Home Chandler Rustic Industrial Solid Wood and Steel Coffee Table | Best Overall |  |
| Sauder North Avenue Coffee Table | Budget Pick |  |
| Sauder Dakota Pass Lift-Top Coffee Table | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Emerald Home Chandler Rustic Industrial Solid Wood and Steel Coffee Table
Pros:
- Beautifully designed
- Sturdy and strong
- Easy to assemble
- Made from premium quality wood and metal
- Large sized table for comfort
- Available in different colors
Cons:
- Slightly difficult to clean
- Metal legs are not attached to the table
The number one pick on our list of the best coffee tables is this wonderful product from Emerald Home. The Chandler Rustic Industrial Solid Wood and Steel Coffee Table with Open Shelf is made from wood and metal and has a beautiful design that blends well with many styles.
The table is available in different colors, with our favorite being espresso. The table weighs 54 pounds and measures 24 by 54 by 17 inches, so it’s fairly large. Plus, it folds up easily for minimal storage space.
What’s not to like about this table is that it’s a bit difficult to clean and the metal legs aren’t attached to the table.
2. Sauder North Avenue Coffee Table
Pros:
- Sexy, contemporary design
- Made of solid wood construction
- Can add extra storage with an optional shelf
- Great value for money
This is a great coffee table that has a sophisticated yet minimalist design, and it makes for a great piece of furniture at home. It comes in a range of finishes to complement your home’s interior. Plus, it features an attractive open design that’s perfect for placing books, magazines, and other knick-knacks.
It’s well-made and sturdy, and it sits on strong metal legs. It’s also supported by a rear cross-bar to prevent it from sagging under the weight of the items placed on top. Plus, the table is large enough to serve multiple purposes, and it doubles up as a TV stand too. That said, we know the most important question is: Is this table worth the money? The short answer is yes, and we have several reasons to back that up. Here are the top three:
3. Monarch Specialties Modern Coffee Table
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- On wheels for easy movement
- Great value
- Sturdy and looks great
- Nicely painted
Cons:
- Paint can chip off if handled roughly
- Non-adjustable height
- Minimal storage
Furniture can really make or break the look and feel of your home and when it comes to coffee table style there are lots of options these days. The Monarch Specialties Modern Coffee Table is a great choice if you’re looking for something in a mid-century modern style that has a bit of a retro look or if you want something unique and different in your place.
Made in China, the Monarch set comes as a single table and is easy to assemble. It comes with a chrome-finished, metal frame with a glossy white finish that fits under your living room or family room center table. It has three legs with adjustable levelers underneath for stability and can hold up to 250lbs. The legs are tempered glass and match the coffee table glass top.
4. Signature Design by Ashley
Pros:
- Exceptional value for the price
- Beautiful rustic design
- Can seat two adults (though not very comfortably)
- Easy to assemble
- Multi-tiered shelf adds versatility
Cons:
- The color isn’t a great match for the picture (we got walnut, and the picture shows brown)
- No included hardware for assembly (they’re usually included)
- The concrete top scratches easily
- Is made of particleboard, which is not as sturdy as real wood
Oak, 35" H x 56" W x 18½" D.
We love the way this table looks, and it’s an incredible value for the price. If you’re not looking for a top-of-the-line, ultra-lux option, you’ll be very happy with this purchase. The only real problems are that the color’s not a great match to the picture and that the tabletop scratches easily, both of which are likely due to the material being particleboard rather than real wood, but the look is still a great one.
5. Ameriwood Home Carver Coffee Table
Pros:
- Steel frame construction
- Sturdy construction
- Simple assembly
- Affordable price
- Steel frame construction
- Sturdy construction
- Simple assembly
- Affordable price
- Various styles available
- Hand-crafted in the USA
Cons:
- Leg assembly could use improvement
- Top does not allow for airflow
The Ameriwood Home Carver Coffee Table is perfect for the contemporary home. The table is made from a high-pressure laminate top and natural wood legs. The modern design makes the piece perfect for display while still being sturdy enough for constant use.
The wood legs are durable, tough, and perfectly complement the laminate top. The glass tabletop provides a stunning look to the piece and matches the black steel frame appearance. Along with the natural beauty, it allows for the tabletop to be used as an outlet for cables to plug into your television or laptop.
Assembly of the table is extremely easy and only requires the eight legs to be screwed into the table top. The legs are attached to the tabletop without visible screws and blends in seamlessly.
6. VASAGLE Industrial Coffee Table
Pros:
- Quality wooden frame without chemical smell
- Easy to install
- Large storage space
Cons:
- Top surface scratches easily
- It only shifts in only one direction, making it difficult to move
If you’re looking for the best coffee table, the Vasagle Industrial Coffee Table is a great option to consider.
This classic Coffee Table is a simple, rustic coffee table with a wooden frame and metal accents. It features open metal mesh storage and a large top surface area to keep books, magazines, throws, gaming, clutter, and more.
You can even use it in your patio to store extra pool supplies and bulky items that you need to keep outside, but require easy access. It also features a solid wooden interior making it much less likely to break than glass-topped tables.
7. Sauder Dakota Pass Lift-Top Coffee Table
8. Sauder Harvey Park Cocktail/Coffee Table
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Sturdy construction
- Good quality
- Very easy to assemble
- Great for storage and display
- Available in different sizes
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- Poor quality control
- Inconsistent color accuracy
- Glue is visible through the finish
If you’re in the market for a beautiful, well-made coffee or cocktail table, this model from Sauder is one of the best coffee tables for your house.
It features a contemporary, yet modern design and is constructed from durable and solid hardwood. It’s available in a variety of finishes to match your existing furniture. This coffee table is very versatile and can be used for display space, or it can be used as a place to prop your feet up, eat food, store items, or even to place drinks.
This coffee table was designed to be used for both display and function. It’s thrifty in size and has ample storage space under the top surface. At 32 inches in length, the grooves created by the smooth wood grain add flair to the surface of the table and the elegant legs give the appearance of a more expensive model.
9. Dorel Living Faux Marble Lift Top Coffee Table
Pros:
- Surface is easy to clean
- Solid wood construction
- Nice design that can fit in a variety of home decors
- Sturdy
- Ready to use upon arrival
- Affordable
Cons:
- Metal piece in the base creates an odd-looking bulge
- Some customers have experienced problems with the table arriving damaged
- Some customers have complained about receiving the wrong color/style
If you’re looking for a functional coffee table to match your home decor, this faux marble lift top table from Dorel is a good choice to consider. With a black marble finish over a solid wood frame, this table blends in effortlessly with both modern and traditional home designs.
The Dorel lift top table is easy to clean and comes with a scratch-resistant surface. All of the decorative cutouts in the table are made from stainless steel, which gives it a nice industrial look. The bottom of the table is also designed with a metal base, which adds plenty of stability given its weight. On the other hand, the base also makes the table slightly heavier than some comparable options.
10. Zinus Troy Modern Studio Collection Classic Rectangular Coffee Table
Pros:
- Easy to assemble
- Fully recyclable materials
- Handy storage shelf
- Clean, minimalist design
- Lightweight and easy to move, as is
- Sturdy construction
- Easy to clean
- Sturdy and non-toxic
Cons:
- Minor gaps in joints
- Wood planks tend to have certain imperfections
- Surface scratches easily
- A few reports of discoloring from oils
Overall, the Zinus Troy coffee table is a great choice for its versatility and tasteful design. The triangular shelf on the tabletop and the rectangular shelf beneath give you plenty of places to store books, magazines, gaming consoles, smartphones, remotes, snacks, and anything in between.
The best aspect of these table is that it is highly customizable. They are perfect for living in small spaces or for those who move around a lot. The 7mm thick wood is also handle the wear and tear any college apartment or loft can put on it. All in all, this coffee table makes a great choice for your home or office and is available in a variety of finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the best coffee table?
Coffee tables are essential for any living room that is complete with a sofa. Even if your family did not start the day without at least one delicious cup of joe, chances are that it will happen sooner or later. It's just the way things work.
If you have a space with an open floor plan, then you need to make one simple rule that every coffee table that occupies that space is a solid piece of functional furniture that can withstand the minor beating that coffee tables go through every day.
This recommendation is especially true if you have young kids. Older kids and adults know how to handle their stuff, but young children don't always have that level of control.
How do I choose a coffee table?
Know your space and type of decor: A coffee table is more than a spot to drop a decorative material, it's also a spot to rest your legs while watching TV or a place for your coffee as you as work at your laptop. Therefore, it should work well with the rest of your space, including your other furniture and design.
How big is the coffee table and your space? A coffee table should be big enough for you and your guests to fit comfortably-but not too big that it dominates the room or that you can't get around it.
How will you bring in your coffee table? Will you be needing to carry the table when you are moving in and out?
Rustic, marble, wood, or industrial?
The last question you would want to consider is about the style you want. Do you want something rustic and uneven, or do you want something smooth and slight?
What is the best wood to use for a coffee table?
Alder is the most commonly used wood for coffee tables. This is because it is exceptionally hardy, making it suitable for anything that will be placed on a coffee table. Another good choice is oak. Oak is used for its strength, structure and stability. However, it is one of the most expensive types. Mahogany is another great option. It offers a smooth look that would suit any home. Those with large chairs often choose walnut for its durability.
If the coffee table is going to be placed in a living room, it is a good idea to select an option that matches the room's décor. You could choose between different shades of wood, or a variety of materials.
Copper espresso tables are also a hot item right now, especially for living rooms. These are often made using reclaimed materials. They are made using a huge variety of materials from wood to metal.
What is the point of a coffee table?
A coffee table, regardless of what is placed on it, can serve as a whole new room. If your coffee table is your centerpiece, then what you put on it says a lot about you.
Outdoor coffee tables, while often overlooked, can be a fantastic addition to a patio or deck. Patio tables that are made from teak, or another weather-resistant wood, are something that many homeowners wish they had.
Conclusion
For any living room, your coffee table is the centerpiece. It sets the scene for how you want your living room to look, and it’s an important part of your decor. This is why you want to consider getting the best coffee table that fits with your style and your home. However, with so many different coffee tables to choose from, how do you know what you need? We’ve done all the hard work for you and have put together a list of some of the top coffee tables designed to make your decorating so much easier. We’ve gone through several different tests, and have found the 10 most popular coffee tables out there.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Home Chandler Rustic Industrial Solid Wood and Steel Coffee Table | Best Overall | |
| Sauder North Avenue Coffee Table | Budget Pick | |
| Sauder Dakota Pass Lift-Top Coffee Table | Upgrade Pick | |