The standard height of a coffee table is 14 to 18 inches tall from the floor to the tabletop. This height works well with most sofa and sectional seats, which range from 17 to 19 inches high. For optimal comfort and functionality, the height of the coffee table top should be 1-2 inches lower than the seating. For seating on the floor, a low-profile coffee table is preferred, while a taller coffee table is better for work and accessibility.
This coffee table height guide provides details that allow you to make an informed decision about the best coffee table height for your purposes. You’ll discover key factors to consider when choosing coffee table height and how to avoid common mistakes when selecting the best height for your needs.
Standard Coffee Table Heights
The most common coffee table heights are between 14 and 18 inches from the floor to the tabletop. These are considered standard heights.
Low-profile and extra-tall coffee tables are also made but can be difficult to find.
A coffee table in this height range, from 14-18 inches, is ideal for most living rooms. The choices for height allow you to select a coffee table height that is 1-2 inches lower than your sofa seats, which are 17 to 19 inches high for most sofa styles including modern and traditional. This height creates an ergonomic fit that makes it comfortable to reach forward and slightly down to reach items on the table. And tables in this height range are easy to reach for people seated on the floor. And while some homeowners won’t approve, this height also makes the coffee table an inviting footrest.
Standard coffee table height creates good aesthetics as well, visually balancing the height of the table and the height of the surrounding furniture. Tables higher than this range can block sightlines, create visual imbalance or make it difficult to reach objects on the table. One that is too low for the sofa also makes reaching items difficult.
What is the Height of a Low-profile Coffee Table?
Low coffee tables are 10 to just less than 14 inches tall. Coffee table height in this range is most common in tables with contemporary, modern, Japanese or Scandinavian design that delivers an open, unobtrusive aesthetic.
Low profile coffee tables are a good fit for sofas with lower seats too, in the 15-17 inch height range, common among modern and mid-century sofa designs. They also work well if you plan to use cushions on the floor for seating around the table to eat, play board games, converse with company or lounge casually. Keep in mind that low-profile coffee tables are difficult to reach from standard height sofas.
Are Extra-tall Coffee Tables Available?
Yes, tall coffee tables are produced in heights from 19 to 24 inches. Extra-tall coffee tables are typically paired with sofas and sectionals that have seats that are 20 inches or higher.
Taller coffee tables also work well with higher seating including large armchairs and recliners or when dining chairs are used in the living room for extra seating. The higher tabletop enhances accessibility for those who have difficulty bending over to reach items on the table. And working on an extra-tall table, writing or using a laptop, is often easier than working on a standard height coffee table. Aesthetically, tall coffee tables are better for balancing large or tall pieces of nearby furniture.
Taller tables may feel awkwardly high paired with standard sofas and surrounding furniture. And they can appear oversized, negatively affecting the visual balance of the room.
What Is an Adjustable Height Coffee Table?
Adjustable or convertible coffee tables are those with a mechanism allowing you to raise and lower the tabletop. Some are multi-functional, adjusting between coffee table height and dining table height. Hydraulic and mechanical mechanisms are used. Various types are called lift-top coffee tables, pop-up coffee tables and extendable coffee tables.
What Factors Determine the Right Coffee Table Height?
Considerations when choosing coffee table height include the size of surrounding furniture, how you plan to use the coffee table, personal size and preference, and whether accessibility needs are a factor.
The height of your coffee table should be 1-2 inches lower than the height of the sofa or sectional seats. If your sofa seats are 19 inches high, then a coffee table 17 or 18 inches high is best, for example. This is especially true if you typically sit on the sofa or sectional to access the tabletop for eating, snacks, work or other activities.
If you enjoy sitting on the floor or on a cushion when using the coffee table, then a standard height table 14 or 15 inches high is better. Or consider a low-profile coffee table 10-12 inches high, perfect for those who have a custom of sitting on the floor for meals. Shorter coffee tables are also referred to as low dining tables.
When your coffee table doubles as a desk or crafting table, you’ll find that a taller table 17 or 18 inches high is ergonomically optimal. You might also try an extra-tall coffee table 19 or more inches high, but keep in mind that it might disrupt the visual harmony of the room and be difficult to reach when seated on the floor.
Taller adults and anyone with accessibility issues that make it hard to bend over or reach forward will also benefit from a tall standard coffee table or extra tall model.
Finally, if your space or budget demands a multi-function table, consider an adjustable height unit that doubles as a dining table.
Matching Coffee Table Height to Your Sofa
The general rule for pairing a coffee table to your sofa in terms of height is that the table should be 1 to 2 inches lower than the sofa seats. This difference in height is the most comfortable for everyday use. It makes it easy to reach items on the table without having to lean forward or down.
However, if you work on your coffee table, writing, crafting or using a laptop, then the height of the table and height of the sofa seat should match – or the table should be 1-3 inches higher. This will prevent you from having to hunch over the table, which can quickly cause back strain.
Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Coffee Table Height
You can avoid errors when picking a coffee table if you follow the guidance above about matching the height of the table to the furniture and to the function for which it is most often used.
The biggest mistake is choosing a coffee table and a sofa based only on their appearance together without regard to their relative heights. In other words, choosing a coffee table that is too high or too low is a problem. For the most common uses, the coffee tabletop should be 1-2 inches lower than the height of the seats around it. These standard uses include things like displaying books or decor and resting food or drink items that you occasionally pick up. Aesthetics and functionality should both be considered.
A second mistake that will inhibit your enjoyment of the table is not considering how you plan to use it – in other words, ignoring the table’s function. For example, if sitting on the floor is your custom, then a tall coffee table will make reaching items difficult. Lines of sight will also be obstructed, making conversations awkward. The opposite mistake is selecting a short coffee table where a taller size would better serve your purposes such as working at the table or be a better height match for the seating surrounding the table.
Finally, failing to consider the overall height of the room can lead to choosing a coffee table that is a poor fit. If the room has a ceiling higher than 8 feet and contains tall bookshelves and similar furniture, then a taller table will fit the room better. On the other hand, in a room with lower ceilings, low-hanging lighting, and furniture that is shorter, a lower coffee table is ideal.
