CURRENTLY LOVING
Do my coffee table and end tables need to match?
As a designer, I frequently get asked the question, do my coffee table and end tables need to match? First of all, I will say matching furniture sets are a big pet peeve of mine. A room should feel lived in, curated over time. One of the best ways to achieve a collected look is to mix your furniture up, including your coffee table and side tables, not by buying a matching set. By bringing in a variety of shapes and colors to your furniture, you add interest to your space. This thrills your eye. Mismatching furniture also allows you the flexibility to move furniture throughout your home, which can instantly renew a room, adding excitement to an ever-changing space.
Fortunately, mixing furniture is much easier than you would think! Today, I am going to show you exactly how to pair your coffee table and side tables to help you achieve a designer look in your living room.
How to choose a coffee table
First, let’s choose your coffee table. Think of your coffee table as the foundation piece that the rest of your table selections will be based around. Your coffee table sits in front of your sofa, providing a place for all of the little things we need. You can use an ottoman, a small pair of tables, or a traditional coffee table, the options are endless. The next time you go to purchase a coffee table, keep these general rules in mind:
- Your coffee table should be at least half the length of your sofa, and no more than ⅔ the length.
- The height of your coffee table should sit at the same height as your seat, give or take 4”
- The coffee table should be placed about 18” away from your sofa for easy navigation.
- Select a rectangular or oval coffee table if you have a narrow space with minimal clearance
- Square or round coffee tables work well with L-shaped sectionals.
- Round coffee tables are also perfect for small living spaces where every piece of furniture counts.
How to choose end tables
If your coffee table is the foundation of your living room, think of your end tables as pillars. End tables flank your sofa and are the perfect place to house drinks, framed pictures, bowls, lamps, and other knick-knacks or accessories. When selecting end tables, keep these general rules in mind:
- Depth, make sure your table depth is not bigger than the depth of your sofa or chair
- Height, in general, end tables are usually 25-30.” Try to keep the height of your end table in line with the arm of your sofa or chair.
- When selecting unmatching end tables, try to keep their heights about even.
- Place your end tables approximately 2-3” away from your sofa.
How to mix your coffee table and end tables
Now that we have a general idea of what we are looking for in a coffee table, and end tables, let’s pair them together! Fortunately, mixing your coffee table and end tables is much easier than you would think! Below are a few simple tips to get you started.
- Materials. Mix the materials in your room to add texture and visual interest to your space. For example, if you have a warm, wood coffee table, bring in a metal or stone end table for contrast. You can also blend different woods and wood finishes. Do not be afraid to combine differing tones and grains, but keep in mind that undertones do matter. If your woods have a warm undertone, stick with a warm undertone throughout, the same rule applies to cool undertones.
- Shape. Add contrast to your space through varying shapes. For example, pair a long, rectangular coffee table with a round end table, or a round coffee table with a square end table.
- Keep it Cohesive. Your coffee table and end tables do not need to match, but it is best to keep a thread of consistency throughout your design. You can accomplish this through color, material, shape, or scale.
- Scale. As with any room, the scale of your furniture is important. Make sure your coffee table and end tables are appropriately sized for your space. For example, if you have a large, open concept living room you will need a substantial coffee table to add weight to space and your end tables will also need to be large in scale to create a sense of balance.
I hope this post helps you feel more confident to mix up your coffee tables and end tables! Below I have paired a few of my favorite combinations for you. If you are still struggling, we would love to help!
Ready to start planning your one-of-a-kind dream space? Let’s chat!
shop the look
*click the black + to shop each item
SHOPthis
POST
