skip to main content

Design Dilemma Furniture living room

What size coffee table is the right size for my living room?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I need a new coffee table. I know what I want but not sure what I need. The table I like comes in two sizes. I have placed blue tape on the floor for a 52" square table, but this table is really out of my budget. The table that is in my budget is 52"x30".

My question is, does my coffee table have to fill all the space between my chairs on the window line and my sofa. The 52" square leaves an approximate 24" path between the table and sofa/chairs on both sides. (the blue tape is an outline of the 52" square table.) See pictures of my living room and a picture of the coffee table (Interlude Landis acrylic table). I would appreciate your comments as to whether it is acceptable the get the smaller table, knowing that the space distance from the coffee table to the chairs will be much larger. Any other design suggestions are welcomed.

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Featured Answer

Denita

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

I would get the smaller table and place it closer to the sofa. I love the larger one for your space, but I also understand budget and planning.

I also would bring the two chairs in from the window. Group your furniture as if people were trying to have a conversation, about 18 inches from the coffee table to the sofa and chairs like the pic below.

You do have beautiful floors. I think an area rug would help with a conversational grouping, but I totally see where you are going with no rug at all (at least at this point).

Tillinghast · More Info

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (14)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Whatever table you select should be centered on the FIREPLACE. See new line in red. That will move the table to the right.

Vetra Contemporary Antique Silver Leaf Glass Rectangle Cocktail Table · More Info
Acrylic tables will attract dust unlike glass & cannot be cleaned with a glass cleaner so beware. The acrylic will scratch easier than glass.

The chairs should be pulled away from the window and a small round accent table for drinks etc. placed between the chairs.

I have also shown a suggested size for an area rug. Why are the cabinets on either side of the fireplace not the same finish as the bar? They look really yellow/gold.
Related Discussions
What size/shape table for my new TINY dining room?
Q
Comments (20)
geokid, I forgot about Young House Love's kitchen...I've seen theirs before. It looks great. I'm afraid their kitchen is bigger than mine though. wendyb, your space looks wonderful. In the pictures it doesn't look cramped at all to me. You might have more room widthwise and less room lengthwise than I do. I can see how traffic patterns could be a challenge. If we go with a rectangular table I'll probably run it lengthwise in our space. I looked around the web for a while yesterday and I came up with this photo which looks like similar space and layout to what I have. This has a round table, but I'm not sure what size it is (I think I'd be looking for somewhere in the 44-48" range). It has both chairs and barstools: I also found this one which has chairs similar to what I've ordered. Mine are the armless version though and mine have wood legs not chrome. Also, this space is quite a bit larger than mine. I definitely like the chairs with this style of table:
...See More
Area Rug for Living Room; Right Size (Photos)?
Q
Comments (13)
I really, really dislike a rug that doesn't fit under the legs of major seating pieces - it's OK if you have an occasional chair that just doesn't fit into the area that well. I want my FEET on the rug - definitely not half-way between table and sofa. I think 8x10 will be perfect, but if an 8x10 covers too much floor space, take a look at 6x9. Overstock has a great selection of 6x9's and also Crate and Barrell. PB has no 6x9's. Definitely run the long side of the rug with the length of the room. Also, will you be placing a TV console table under the TV? If so, think about how it will factor into the size of the rug. I would want it to either but up close to the front legs of the console or at least a foot under it. Hope that makes sense.
...See More
Is this table right for my formal living room
Q
Comments (10)
I think that table will feel like a lot, flanked by the two bulky leather couches. You call it a formal living room, but certainly the couches aren't formal. What is the decor style of the space? And, you have to take into consideration that you have to leave enough room between the widest part of the table and the center of each couch for people to sit and walk by comfortably. How does that work in the layout of the space, and how useful will the table be for people on either end of the couch once the middle is correctly placed? I would cut out a circle that matches the size of the tabletop from taped together newspapers, or a round tablecloth if you have one that you could fold to get the correct size, and see how far apart the couches will have to be with that table, or any round table. Then, if you determine that a certain size round table will work, I would look for something a bit simpler in design.
...See More
coffee table the right size?
Q
Comments (4)
A coffee table should be approximately 75% the length of your sofa. There should be between 12-18 inches of space between a coffee table and the seating surrounding it.
...See More
Related Professionals
Des Moines Furniture & Accessories · Annandale Furniture & Accessories · Asheboro General Contractors · Delhi General Contractors · Endicott General Contractors · Gallatin General Contractors · San Carlos Park General Contractors · Vail Furniture & Accessories · Fairfax Carpenters · Brookfield Carpenters · Round Rock Carpenters · Northridge Furniture & Accessories · Gilroy Flooring Contractors · Napa Flooring Contractors · Willoughby Flooring Contractors
Michele
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info
Beverly, i took your recommendation and moved my sofa back and the chairs forward to then readjusted the lines for the coffee table, the room is somewhat odd due to the bar. I do currently have small round table next to each chair on the window. You are correct the cabinets on each side of the fireplace are different color from the bar. I am in the process of having them painted white, as well as the bar will be painted white with light colored quartz/quartzite installed.

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info
The bar has an overhang for seating which makes the room awkward and we do not use it that way. I will eliminate the overhang when new quartzite is installed. I was thinking to put a bench on this side for seating?? Thoughts?

Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info
0
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
OK, now I see the full picture. My only additional comment would be that the bar and cabinets shouldn't be a white as bright as your trim. Soft color for those pieces so they don't stand out.

Maybe match the stone on the fireplace????
0
Michele
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I will be painting the fireplace white or will be removing the stone and installing marble/quartzite wall tile. I added pictures with a bench beside the bar.
0
Michele
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Denita--I think you are right-- I need to save my money and get the larger table. Wish the acrylic tables weren't so expensive :) Love picture of the room you provided. I am in the process of switching from very traditional and dark to more transitional and light colors in my home.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
7 years ago
Michele
Original Author
7 years ago
Beverly. If I get an area rug I would want one is only large enough to have the front feet of the sofa and two chairs to sit on the rug as I do not want to cover up my floors too much. my question is: does it need to be wide enough that the Ottomans in front of the fireplace have to also sit on the rug as well?
0
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
7 years ago
No the ottomans can be on the marble floor, but make sure there's no possibility of them slipping if someone sits on the ottoman
lindac92
7 years ago
I have more than a couple of bumps on my shins from walking into a see through coffee table at a friend's house...I hate see through tables!
Why not cut a piece of cardboard the various sizes and place it on another cardboard box, that you can vary the height of with books and get a real feel for size?
Transparent tables are OK if they have a frame or edge around the glass....but completely clear are not my cup of tea. Looks like you are trying to hide the table
decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Don't go overboard with the acryllic. There is plenty of it already. Remember the purpose of a "coffee" table is a place to set down your coffee cup. Therefore, I think it should have more substance than acryllic so your room doesn't look like a show room for an acryllic manufacturer. I wouldn't mind if it matched the silver sofa table either. Center it with the FP, and draw the seating to it. I think once your seating is gathered around the coffee table, the navy bench will fit nicely at the window, behind the two chairs. Here's a run-down of what to think about when shopping (from Vern Yip of HGTV.)

https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/10-tips-for-finding-the-perfect-coffee-table-pictures
0
Michele
Original Author
6 years ago
Any thoughts on this rug? Its white with gray lines.
0
Michele
Original Author
6 years ago
Thoughts?
0
Michele
Original Author
6 years ago
More photos
0

Related Stories

DECORATING GUIDES 12 Coffee Tables to Stir Up a Living Room Look

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Keep drinks on the down low or sip in high style. You'll find a coffee table style for every design taste here

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: Right-Scaled Furniture Opens Up a Tight Living Room

By Mitchell Parker

Smaller, more proportionally fitting furniture, a cooler paint color and better window treatments help bring life to a limiting layout

FURNITURE 10 Kinds of Glass Coffee Tables That Can Make a Room

By Louise O'Bryan

Want to elevate your living room’s elegance? It’s easy to go right with a stunning glass coffee table

Design Details: Coffee Tables Done Right

By Erika Ward - Erika Ward Interiors

Don't Load Up Your Coffee Table! 8 Tips for Editing Your Accessories

FURNITURE No Room for a Coffee Table? Think Again!

By Love Your Room LLC

Consider an end, side, or accent table as a stylish and functional alternative

TRENDING NOW The 10 Most-Loved Living Rooms on Houzz Right Now

By Bryan Anthony

See how the designers of these living rooms mixed antiques with new pieces and created conversation-starting layouts

LIVING ROOMS Living Room Meets Dining Room: The New Way to Eat In

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Banquette seating, folding tables and clever seating options can create a comfortable dining room right in your main living space

SHOP HOUZZ Up to 50% Off Media Consoles, Coffee Tables and Accent Tables

Tables and storage to enhance the look and utility of your living room

0

SHOP HOUZZ Coffee Tables and Accent Tables With Free Shipping

Give your living room more surface area with these stylish options

0

CONTEMPORARY HOMES Room of the Day: Parisian Pop Lifts a San Francisco Living Room

By Bryan Anthony

Turning bedsheets into curtains and drawing on the furniture with a pen are a couple of the decorating tricks used in this living room

Sponsored

More Discussions

Can I mix these dining chairs?

29

living room layout

5

Help with Layout of Sunken Living Room off Kitchen

10

Furniture layout and style, help!

0

I have a very dark brown sofa and I want to get two leather recliners

6