Which coffee table suits your Sofa?

Author: DREIECK DESIGN Editorial Team
Last updated: July 30, 2025

Which Coffee Table for Which Sofa? Your Style and Buying Guide

For many, the living room is the heart of the home – a place for relaxation and socializing. An inviting sofa, together with the right coffee table, forms the central element of this living oasis. But the selection is vast. In this guide, we'll show you how to confidently determine which coffee table perfectly matches your sofa and your living style.

(Photo shows curved coffee table UT 05, TV stand FLY and CD stand CD 504 by DREIECK DESIGN)

Checklist: The Perfect Coffee Table at a Glance

• Height: Ideally level with your sofa's seat cushions (approx. 30-50 cm).
• Length: About one-third to one-half the length of your sofa.
• Distance: Approx. 45 cm between the sofa and the table for legroom.
• Shape: Rectangular for L-shaped sofas, square for U-shaped sectionals, round for families & smaller sofas.
• For Small Spaces: Choose glass tables, nesting tables, or models with storage.

The Right Size for Your Coffee Table: Generous or Compact?

The optimal size for your coffee table largely depends on the available space in your living room and the desired surface area. In a large living room, you have more freedom in your choice – just ensure the table isn't too small, as it might get lost in the space. However, if space is limited, a smaller, more delicate piece is recommended. Oversized models would unnecessarily make the room feel smaller and restrict movement.

Furthermore, the size of the coffee table should always be proportional to the sofa. If you have a large sectional, the coffee table can be more generous in size. For a compact two-seater sofa, it's better to opt for a smaller table or a flexible set of side tables. As a rule of thumb: the ideal table is about one-third to half the total length of the sofa. This ensures it is easily accessible from all seats.

Also, consider the distance between the sofa and the coffee table. It should be chosen so that you can comfortably reach the table from the sofa, while still leaving enough space to move around it freely. A distance of about 45 cm between the sofa's edge and the coffee table's edge is often ideal.

(Photo shows coffee table QUADRO with stainless steel feet and CD wall shelves by DREIECK DESIGN)

The Right Height: Higher or Lower Than the Sofa?

When choosing the right height for your coffee table, it's best to take cues from your seating furniture. As a general rule, the ideal coffee table is about the same height as the sofa's seat cushions. Significantly lower tables (approx. 30 cm) can create a modern lounge character, while higher models (over 50 cm) might look a bit bulky or old-fashioned unless they serve a specific purpose.

(Photo shows coffee table NUO and a mobile TV stand JANUS X by DREIECK DESIGN)

The appropriate height also heavily depends on how you intend to use the coffee table. If it's just for placing remote controls and drinks, a lower model is often sufficient. However, if you also want to eat, work, or play on it, it should be a bit higher to allow for a comfortable posture. Want to use the coffee table for various purposes? Then it's worth considering height-adjustable models, such as our SLIDE coffee table.

Our tip for testing the height: Sit on your couch and simulate a coffee table with a stack of books or boxes. Vary the height of the stack until it feels comfortable for your most common uses. Then, measure the height of the stack – this will give you your personal ideal dimension. As a general guideline for a pleasant lounge height, we recommend 30-50 cm.

The Right Shape: Is a Round or Square Coffee Table Better?

When it comes to the shape of the coffee table, it's best to orient yourself by the surrounding seating and the room's layout. You generally have the choice between rectangular, square, triangular, round, or oval coffee tables. Depending on the size and shape of your living area and your individual needs, certain variants are more suitable than others:

• For large L-shaped sofas or long, straight couches, rectangular coffee tables are often the best fit as they echo the length and are accessible from many seats.
• If the couch is very long but you don't want an angular table, oval models are a harmonious and elegant choice.
• For U-shaped sectionals, square coffee tables or larger round models work well, as they fill the central space and are accessible from all sides.
• For smaller sofas or two-seaters, round or compact triangular coffee tables are ideal as they appear less bulky.
• With two adjoining sofas or a corner solution, a small triangular table can make optimal use of the corner.
• Round glass side tables are an excellent complement to cozy armchairs. They can also be slightly higher than the coffee table to be easily reached over the armrest.
• For families with small children, round and oval designs are often the safer choice, as they minimize the risk of injury from sharp corners.

(Photo shows curved glass coffee table UT 20 and side table FADO by DREIECK DESIGN)

The Right Material: From Rustic Wood to Elegant Glass

Coffee tables come in a wide variety of materials. Whether wood, metal, high-gloss finishes, natural stone, or glass – there's something for every taste and interior style. The choice of material is less about which coffee table generally suits which sofa, and more about the properties the materials bring and the atmosphere you want to create. Among the most popular and versatile materials are glass, wood, and metal coffee tables.

• Glass coffee tables look particularly light, elegant, and modern. They visually open up the room and make it appear larger. A beautiful rug is also shown to its best advantage under transparent glass. Furthermore, glass is easy to clean and hygienic.
• Wooden coffee tables (especially solid wood) are very robust, durable, and radiate naturalness and warmth. Depending on the type of wood, color, and finish, they can set a rustic, classic, or very modern accent in the living area.
• Metal coffee tables (like stainless steel or chrome) are also very stable and easy to care for. They often lend a touch of industrial flair to modern living rooms but can also look very delicate and elegant.

(Photo shows coffee table QUADRO and side table JANUS III by DREIECK DESIGN)

The Right Colour: Accent or Harmony?

Which coffee table color matches which sofa is a matter of personal taste and ultimately depends on the overall concept and style of your living room. Do you have a Scandinavian-style living room? Then tables in light colors, white, or with natural wood surfaces are ideal. For living rooms in a classic country house style, darker wooden tables are often a coherent choice. Or perhaps you want to create a deliberate style break and set a bold accent with a colored coffee table? The coffee table, with its diverse range of colors and shapes, is also very well suited for this.

Of course, you are somewhat guided by the chosen base material in terms of color, but there is now an impressive variety of models. For example, a glass piece does not always have to mean a transparent glass top on legs – satin, colored lacquered, or printed glass tops are also possible.

(Photo shows glass display cases with LED lighting SOLUS BACKLIGHT and lacquered glass tables ST 06 by DREIECK DESIGN)

At many manufacturers, like DREIECK DESIGN, there is also the option to individually combine different materials and surfaces. For example, in our range, you will find elegant glass coffee tables with wood or modern glass coffee tables with metal, where colors for wooden elements or lacquers are often selectable.

The Right Coffee Table for Small Rooms: What to Do with Limited Space?

Small living rooms often present a special challenge when it comes to furnishing. It's important to carefully consider which pieces of furniture are truly necessary and what might be omitted to avoid overcrowding the room. Many people with limited space decide to forgo a coffee table altogether to save precious room. However, this is not absolutely necessary! With a few clever tricks and the right selection, a coffee table can blend harmoniously into a small living room and offer significant benefits.

Visually Enlarge the Living Room

In small rooms, definitely avoid large, bulky models. They would take up too much floor space and thus restrict necessary freedom of movement. Additionally, they would visually narrow the space – exactly what you want to avoid in a small living room. Instead, round or oval coffee tables are particularly suitable, as their organic shape makes them appear less massive and they are often perceived as lighter and more airy.

A similar positive effect is achieved with glass tables. Due to their transparent surface, they appear less conspicuous, visually open up the room, and make it feel more spacious. They also reflect light, ensuring more brightness in the room, which in turn makes it seem larger and airier.

Cleverly Use Additional Storage Space

For small living rooms, coffee tables with integrated additional storage are particularly recommended. Models with storage compartments, drawers, or a second level below the tabletop make optimal use of the available space for storage purposes. This way, you even gain space, as remote controls, magazines, and other small items don't have to lie on the tabletop.

(Photo shows glass coffee table with shelf REMUS DOUBLE by DREIECK DESIGN)

Also interesting for flexible space use are so-called nesting tables (several tables that slide into each other) or turnable models like our URANUS. These often consist of at least two differently sized individual tables that can be pushed together to save space or distributed flexibly in the room as needed. This way, you can gain valuable space when required or create additional surfaces when guests arrive. Models with wheels are also practical, as they can be moved with little effort if you need the space in front of the sofa for something else.

(Photo shows turnable glass coffee table URANUS by DREIECK DESIGN)

Conclusion: Finding the Perfect Coffee Table for Your Sofa

The sofa and coffee table are an inseparable duo in the living room – one is hardly imaginable without the other, and together they significantly shape the atmosphere of the room. To help you confidently find which coffee table is ideal for your sofa, your needs, and your living style, we have summarized the most important aspects for you here in a brief and clear checklist:

• Optimal Height: Approx. 30-50 cm, ideally matched to the seat height of the sofa.
• Ideal Distance between Coffee Table and Sofa: Approx. 45 cm for good accessibility and freedom of movement.
• Optimal Size/Length: About one-third to one-half the length of the sofa.
• Preferred Material: Glass for elegance and lightness, wood for warmth and naturalness, metal for a modern or industrial chic.
• Colour: Matching the interior style or as a deliberate accent.
• Rectangular Coffee Tables: Good for large L-shaped or long sofas.
• Square Coffee Tables: Ideal for U-shaped sectionals.
• Triangular Coffee Tables: Suitable for smaller sofas or as a corner solution.
• Round Coffee Tables: Suitable for smaller sofas, U-shaped sectionals, and child-friendly interiors.
• Oval Coffee Tables: A good choice for long sofas and also child-friendly.
• Round Side Tables: Perfect complement to armchairs.
• For Limited Space: Smaller coffee tables, round/oval shapes, glass as a material, models with additional storage or flexible elements (nesting tables, wheels).

Remember: Many of our DREIECK DESIGN coffee tables are also available as custom-made pieces to perfectly suit your individual wishes and spatial conditions.