Having a coffee table is an essential part of any living room. It provides a convenient surface for placing drinks, remote controls, books, and more. However, coffee tables take up precious floor space. If your living room is small, you may feel like you don’t have room for a coffee table. Fortunately, there are some creative solutions for fitting a coffee table into a small space.
Page Contents
- 1 Get a smaller coffee table
- 2 Use an ottoman
- 3 Elevate your TV
- 4 Use a storage bench
- 5 Think multifunctional
- 6 Get creative with the design
- 7 Use a stool or tray table
- 8 Take it outside
- 9 Use a chairside table
- 10 Put shelves on the wall
- 11 Use a storage ottoman
- 12 Get a lift-top table
- 13 Use a laptop table
- 14 Opt for nesting tables
- 15 Use a floor pouf
- 16 Take advantage of clearance
- 17 Use a cube stool
- 18 Choose multipurpose furniture
- 19 Use what you have
- 20 Prioritize needs over wants
- 21 Look for hidden storage
- 22 Think mobile
- 23 Borrow tabletop space
- 24 Let function follow form
- 25 Maximize vertical space
- 26 Buy two small tables
- 27 Try a tea trolley
- 28 Conclusion
Get a smaller coffee table
The most obvious solution is to get a smaller coffee table. While a standard rectangular coffee table is usually about 4 feet long and 2 feet wide, you can find smaller options. An oval or round coffee table with a diameter of 20-30 inches takes up much less floor space. There are even coffee tables designed specifically for small spaces, like nesting tables that slide under each other or lift-top coffee tables with storage inside. With a smaller surface, you’ll just need to be selective about what you keep on your coffee table.
Use an ottoman
Many ottomans can double as makeshift coffee tables. Look for an upholstered ottoman with a hard, flat surface on top. Square ottomans work better than round ones if you plan to use it as a coffee table. The key is to find an ottoman sturdy enough to hold typical coffee table items. Ideally, the ottoman should be at typical coffee table height (16-18 inches). You can store blankets, books or other items inside the ottoman when it’s not in use as a table.
Elevate your TV
Another option is to mount your TV on the wall or place it on a narrow console. This can free up the space your TV stand would have occupied for a small coffee table. Measure carefully to make sure the wall mount puts the TV at a comfortable viewing height and check that a console table will fit in the room. Don’t overlook vertical space – you can attach floating shelves to the wall above a slim console for media components.
Use a storage bench
Like ottomans, storage benches can pull double duty as coffee tables. Look for a bench that is low and long enough to accommodate coffee table duties. It should be around 16-18 inches tall. Make sure the bench is deep enough (at least 18 inches) to be useful as a surface. The storage inside comes in handy for storing throws, remotes, coasters and other items when not in use. Place the bench in front of your sofa or chairs.
Think multifunctional
Any piece of furniture near your sofa can act as a makeshift coffee table if it’s the right height. Try using a small side table or decorative trunk. Place a tray on an upholstered cube or pouf to create a hard, flat surface. You can even use stackable crates or cubes with a square of wood on top. Look around the room creatively for small tables that can temporarily act as coffee tables.
Get creative with the design
If you’re stuck on having a traditional coffee table, get creative with the design. A triangular coffee table takes up less space than a standard rectangular one. Or consider a table with a lift-up top – these add surface space when needed but tuck away neatly when not in use. You can find coffee tables with rounded corners or smaller proportions while still providing some surface area.
Use a stool or tray table
Stools and adjustable tray tables can also function as occasional coffee tables. Look for a stool or side table that is tall enough to reach sofa seat height (around 16-18 inches). Place a tray on top to create a flat surface. When not needed, you can remove the tray and slide the stool off to the side. Tray tables on wheeled legs are convenient since you can roll them right in front of the sofa only when needed.
Take it outside
If you have outdoor space adjacent to your living room, consider placing your coffee table there. An outdoor side table, ottoman or small bistro table can come inside when you need it. Look for weather-resistant materials that will hold up to being moved in and out. Make sure to measure any doors or openings to be sure the outdoor table can fit through. This is an optimal solution if you have patio doors leading right into the living room.
Use a chairside table
Chairside tables are designed to hold drinks and accessories next to chairs or sofas. Take advantage of this furniture’s small size and light weight to occasionally use it as a coffee table. Place it in front of your sofa when needed, then move it out of the way when company comes over. Style it attractively so it looks nice even when not in coffee table mode.
Put shelves on the wall
Floating wall shelves take up no floor space and can hold many coffee table items. Mount shelves at coffee table height next to or behind the sofa. Use them to store art books, the remote, and display decorative objects. Just make sure items on the shelves are things you don’t need to access frequently. Wall-mounted shelves are perfect for holding vases, sculptures or baskets to stylishly corral remotes.
Use a storage ottoman
Storage ottomans are a perfect dual-purpose solution for small spaces. Look for one with a smooth, flat top that can hold coffee mugs and other items. Make sure it’s stable and sturdy enough when used as a table. When it’s not in use, simply tuck it away out of sight. Storage ottomans come in many shapes, sizes and styles – everything from round poufs to square leather trunks. With one of these, you can have a coffee table only when needed.
Get a lift-top table
Lift-top coffee tables are specifically designed for small spaces. They blend in seamlessly as a standard coffee table, then lift up to reveal useful storage space inside. Look for one with a smooth finished top that you can decorate attractively as part of your tablescape. Make sure the lift-top feature is easy to operate and the table feels stable when raised. Lift-top coffee tables are available in many materials and styles to match your existing decor.
Use a laptop table
Laptop tables on wheels have become a common desk solution for small spaces. When not in use, slide a laptop table in front of your sofa to serve as a coffee table. Choose one that is the right height and has a tray or tabletop surface. Look for a laptop table with an attractive design since it will be on display in your living room. You can easily tuck it out of the way when not being used as a coffee table.
Opt for nesting tables
Nesting tables are designed to fit together in a compact footprint. They come as a set of two or three tables in graduating sizes that slide under each other. Pull them apart and use the smallest one as a coffee table. When it’s time to make room, simply slide them all back together again. Nesting tables are a great option if you need an occasional coffee table but want the flexibility to get it totally out of the way.
Use a floor pouf
For a super flexible solution, use a floor pouf topped with a small tray for a lightweight, movable coffee table. Choose a low pouf around 14-16 inches tall in a cube or cylinder shape. Top it with a decorative tray that can hold a vase, candle or other accessories. When not in use as a table, simply slide the pouf off to the side. Look for rectangular or square poufs, since round ones won’t hold items as well.
Take advantage of clearance
Coffee tables come in standard sizes, but you can likely find a smaller scale one to fit your room’s proportions. Measure the narrowest portions of your walkways to see what could possibly fit. Take advantage of any nooks, like behind a recliner or next to the sofa arm. Narrow rectangular tables can tuck into tight spots against a wall or behind a couch. Simply leaving a few inches of breathing room around a table makes it feel smaller.
Use a cube stool
Cube stools and ottomans make unexpected coffee tables, because they tuck away so easily when not in use. Look for a design with a flat top – storage cubes work well! Decorative leather, velvet or upholstered cube stools add style and a convenient surface. Place it right in front of your sofa when needed. When company comes over, simply pick it up and set it aside. Cube stools take up minimal floor space.
Choose multipurpose furniture
Coffee tables aren’t just for holding drinks! Choose a piece that adds storage, seating or style. Try a trunk that offers enclosed storage or an upholstered bench with open shelving underneath. Look for a coffee table with built-in drawers to help contain clutter. A table with a lift-top doubles your surface space. Find coffee tables with casters or wheels so you can easily roll them out of the way as needed.
Use what you have
The best solution may be right in front of you! Take inventory of what you already own. Could a kitchen TV tray work temporarily? What about stacking large books or records under a piece of wood? Arrange baskets or decorative boxes on top of a storage cube. See if any small side tables could be called into coffee table duty when you need them. With creative styling, anything stackable at the right height can hold coffee table essentials.
Prioritize needs over wants
When evaluating coffee table options, think about your needs vs. your wants. Do you absolutely need a table for drinks and remotes? Or do trays and shelf storage provide enough space? Define what’s essential to you. If a full coffee table isn’t vital, look into more adaptable solutions like ottomans and nesting tables. Focus on your must-haves before selecting a coffee table for a small room.
When floor space is tight, look for coffee tables that store items out of sight. Lift-top coffee tables conceal storage tubs or shelves inside the base. Tables with woven baskets or sliding doors keep clutter hidden but close at hand. Look for benches or ottomans with room inside to stash books, blankets or games. Prioritize coffee tables that seem compact from the outside but reveal secret storage space when opened.
Think mobile
Coffee tables on wheels or casters make it easy to get them out of the way fast. Look for a coffee table with lockable wheels so it stays securely in place until you need to move it. Wheeled coffee tables are perfect for placing in front of the sofa only when in use. When company comes over, simply roll the table off to the side or into a corner. This maximizes your open floor space as needed.
Borrow tabletop space
If a full-size coffee table won’t fit, borrow tabletop space from adjacent furniture. A sofa arm, console table or chairside table top can support a tray. Arrange coasters and decorative items attractively to mark it as a makeshift coffee table area. Floating shelves attached to the wall behind the sofa create coffee table space with no footprint. Even a windowsill, fireplace hearth or radiator cover can act as impromptu coffee table territory.
Let function follow form
Don’t feel like you have to stick with a traditional rectangular coffee table design. If a standard coffee table is too bulky, get creative with the shape! Round, oval and asymmetrical coffee tables occupy less visual space. A table made up of separate tiered shelves or cubes takes up less floor room. If the only space is in a corner, try a quarter-circle or triangle shaped table. Let your coffee table’s unique form follow the function of fitting into your small living room!
Maximize vertical space
Floor space comes at a premium in small living rooms. Maximize vertical storage and surfaces that go up instead of out. Floating wall shelves provide coffee table space without the footprint. Attach a shelf directly to the wall behind or next to the sofa to hold books within arm’s reach. Hang a wall-mounted drop-down table that folds flat when not in use. Even crowded spaces have unused vertical real estate for shelves and surfaces.
Buy two small tables
Using two smaller coffee tables instead of one large one maximizes style options. Place two identical end tables or accent tables next to each other to create a long coffee table. Or flank the sofa with two different tables, like a round wood table on one side and rattan cube stool on the other. Mixing coffee table styles and shapes makes the arrangement seem intentional. Just be sure to leave enough room in the middle for setting down drinks!
Try a tea trolley
Tea trolleys, also called tea carts or butler trays, offer a lightweight rolling coffee table solution. These delicate-looking wheeled tables range from minimalist metal frames to intricately carved wood. Look for two-tier or three-tier designs to maximize surface space. Tea trolleys give you a coffee table only when you need it. When not hosting guests, simply wheel the cart into a corner or next to a wall.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Takes up less floor space | Less surface area for items |
| Easy to move around | Wheels could damage floor |
| Inexpensive option | Lightweight construction less sturdy |
Conclusion
Lack of space doesn’t have to keep you from having a coffee table. With some savvy shopping and creative thinking, you can find the right coffee table solution for even the smallest living room. Look for compact designs, multifunctional furniture and portable wheeled tables to maximize your options. Don’t limit yourself to standard coffee table sizes and styles if they don’t fit your room. Any stable surface at coffee table height can fill in when needed – even ottomans, stools or trays. With the right coffee table adaptions, you can enjoy this useful living room furniture item, even if you have no space to spare.