You notice in photos. So let’s see a photo of your tiny living room.

When we have company over, no one (but my husband who sits on the floor) uses the coffee table for drinks. They always use the side tables. At my grandparent's for family gatherings, the coffee table is only used by a couple of people because they have a sectional sofa and it's the only nearby surface.

(Side note: I spent an odd amount of time studying people's behaviors at gatherings the year leading up to designing our new build. I also learned that people, unless close family members like siblings, don't like sitting side by side on couches or love seats. They will choose standing over sitting in the middle of 3 seat sofa or drag a folding chair/dining chair over even though there's only one person on the loveseat. People love individual chairs.)

I prefer side tables also. I'm single and only have company about every other week. Guests always want to get together at the dining room table - never in the living room, for whatever reason.

I think it is a bit of overkill to have both, especially since they tend to hang out in matched sets. It depends on what kind of entertaining you do. If your guests are likely to turn up the music and need some space to dance, then the coffee table would be in the way. Even if you think you need end tables because you want to increase your lighting with lamps, you can put a pair of matched floor lamps at each end of the sofa and use a coffee table. If you're likely to need extra seating more often than a surface for drinks, an ottoman that can be topped with a tray or used for seating might be best. If your style is very formal to antique, then all three tables might work for you. Be sure end tables arrive 1" above or below the sofa's arms. When topped with lamps, the lamps should reach 58-64" above the floor. Coffee tables should be 12-18" from the seating to be useful, and arrive 1" above or below the sofa seat. Keep it within 2/3 of the sofa's length and half its width.

I have to have a coffee table, always. Our sofa arms are pretty tall, and although there is a side table between them, we never use it for drinks (just a lamp). We use our coffee table for drinks, snacks, basket for remote, and feet.

It really just depends on how you live and other factors. When we entertain, we all set our drinks on the coffee table.

Our side table is a tall, narrow butcher block we had when I was growing up. I painted the legs black and stained the top. It’s pretty cool looking.

I was going to suggest a coffee table immediately but after reading comments, I believe with what Jinx said- that it depends how you live/your personal preferences. I get so much use out of coffee table and my side tables usually only have plants on them. I know you're worried about a coffee table "getting in the way" in a tiny living room but you would be surprised how much more open it can make a small space look to have a sofa with a coffee table in front of it compared to a sofa with two side tables smushed in on either side of it.

I love having a round coffee table and it is accessible from five seats. It’s great when entertaining to place hors d’oeuvres and drinks on and creates a congenial atmosphere. (Our side table is rarely used.)

All that to say, a coffee table can be so useful and really grounds a room, but it does need traffic flow space.

Thanks to all. Interesting how some folks use side tables and other coffee tables, which leads me to the conclusion that I will just have to try it out to find out since I've never used one. My main visitors are my grandkids so I guess I will ask them what they think they would use most. We are always snacking in the living room and my side tables are small in order to fit the space and don't provide much room for plates and drinks. Maybe I will find a cheap one on FB just to check it out and then if I end up really liking it I'll get one I like. If I don't the Goodwill will get a donation.

Ahh. With grands, I’d want a coffee table. They can use it for snacks and crafts. :)

Definitely a coffee table fir your grandchildren and consider storage for some of their things.