The short answer: a coffee table should be about two-thirds the length of the sofa, the same height as the seat cushions or 1 to 2 inches lower (usually 16 to 18 inches tall), and 14 to 18 inches from the sofa. End tables should be level with the sofa arm or just below it, and a console table behind a sofa should be no taller than the sofa’s back.
Table sizes at a glance
| Table | Height | Size | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee table | Level with the seat or 1 to 2 inches lower; usually 16 to 18 inches | About two-thirds of the sofa’s length | 14 to 18 inches from the sofa |
| End table (side table) | Level with the sofa arm or up to 2 inches lower; usually 22 to 26 inches | No deeper than the sofa | Beside the arm, within easy reach |
| Console table (sofa table) | Level with the sofa back or slightly lower; usually 28 to 32 inches | Shorter than the sofa; 12 to 16 inches deep | Against the back of the sofa |
How tall should a coffee table be?
Match the height of the sofa’s seat cushions, or go 1 to 2 inches lower. Most sofa seats are 17 to 19 inches high, which is why most coffee tables are 16 to 18 inches tall. A lower table suits a low, modern sofa; a taller one, up to seat height, is easier if you eat or work at it.
How long should a coffee table be?
About two-thirds of the sofa’s length. For an 84-inch sofa, that is around 56 inches; in practice, anything from half to two-thirds looks balanced. Standard rectangular coffee tables are about 48 inches long, 24 inches wide and 18 inches tall.
How far should a coffee table be from the couch?
Leave 14 to 18 inches between the edge of the sofa and the table: near enough to reach a cup, far enough to walk through. Keep about 30 inches between the table and the TV stand or any other furniture on the far side.
What coffee table works with a sectional?
Square and round tables suit sectionals best, because everyone on both sides can reach them. For an L-shaped sectional, choose a table about half to two-thirds the length of the main side, and keep 14 to 18 inches clear on both sides. For a sectional with a chaise, measure only the sofa part without the chaise, so the table doesn’t block it. A large upholstered ottoman with a tray is a soft alternative: see sofas and sectionals with an ottoman.
Which shape of coffee table should you choose?
- Rectangular or oval: the standard choice in front of a straight sofa.
- Round: good with sectionals and curved sofas, and safer for small children because it has no corners.
- Square: suits large sectionals and seating arranged on all sides.
- Nesting or paired small tables: flexible in small rooms.
How tall should an end table be?
Level with the arm of the sofa, or up to 2 inches lower, so you can set down a drink without reaching up or down. Most end tables are 22 to 26 inches tall. If your sofa has low or no arms, match the table to the seat height plus a few inches. A lamp on the end table should have the bottom of its shade at about eye level when you are seated.
How tall should a console table behind a couch be?
No taller than the back of the sofa, and ideally level with it or about an inch lower, so it doesn’t show above the cushions from the front. Most are 28 to 32 inches tall and 12 to 16 inches deep. Choose one a little shorter than the sofa, leaving about 6 inches at each end. A console behind a floating sofa gives you a place for lamps and helps divide an open-plan room.
Next, see what size rug for a living room, living room layout rules and the sofa size guide for standard seat and arm heights.