Can Coffee Table be Higher Than Sofa Seat?

When you’re looking to buy your sofa set and coffee table separately, then it’s natural for you to be concerned about their height difference and order.

People often make the mistake of buying whatever they like, only to find out that the two don’t actually sit together that great.

Ideally, your coffee table should always be lower than your sofa. But there are some nuances that you should know. Otherwise, you may end up regretting your buying decision.

Typical Height of a Sofa and Coffee Table

A sofa seating typically comes in the height range of 40 cm - 45 cm, while a coffee table can come in the height range of 40 cm to 50 cm.

Of course, if you’re going for a custom coffee table, then you could possibly go lower or higher according to your needs.

But if you go too low or too high, i.e. going beyond the ranges mentioned above, then it’s going to be a disaster - both visually and functionally.

What if the Coffee Table is Too High?

In case you have got quite a taller coffee table compared to your sofa, and you can’t return it, then we have a few solutions for you to better your living room.

First, if you have a big enough living room, then simply increasing the clearance space between your sofa and coffee table should do the trick for you.

But sometimes, the space is of an essence, i.e. limited. In such a situation, you could try trimming down the table legs, given the table’s design allows for it.

Naturally, you can’t do anything about it if neither of the above solutions works for you. That’s why you must make the right choice at the moment of your purchase.

What if the Coffee Table is Too Low?

The biggest problem you’d face with a too-low coffee table is that your legs will be in continuous discomfort unless your sofa and table are comfortably spaced out.

So, again, the first simple solution is to increase the clearance space between the sofa and the coffee table.

And if that’s not possible, then you can extend the table’s legs with the help of an expert… because who says your table’s legs have to be a single piece of a single material. On the plus side, this may even cause your coffee table to become the talk of the evening in a good way!

You could also put decorative pieces over the table to create an optical illusion. But those decorative pieces will be a hindrance on the table during a big snack party with your guests.

Can a Coffee Table be Longer Than a Sofa?

When you’re concerned with their height difference, it’s only natural that you may also be worried about the table’s length on either side.

Ideally, you should reduce one sofa seat width from both sides of your coffee table. This is because a person sitting at the end of a sofa doesn’t really need the table to cover that person’s whole width.

All they want is to put down or lift a cup and a plate comfortably. And they don’t need a full width to do that.

However, if you have tighter space, you can cut your table’s length a little more. Ideally, the clearance between your sofa and coffee table should range from 30 cm to 40 cm. However, 35 cm clearance is the sweet spot from our personal experience.

Does Owning a Pet Affect the Coffee Table Height?

You’d assume that a table taller than your pet will prevent them from seeing food placed over the table, stopping them from stealing your food. But don’t forget they also have a powerful nose.

They will know there’s food up there, and they will try to grab it. But this is for dogs. For any cat owners, you can agree that no height difference can stop them from climbing your table. haha

In reality, tall tables will only prevent small or short-legged dogs from climbing your coffee table.

So, we suggest not considering your pets when buying your coffee table. But do ensure that the table doesn’t have injury-causing attributes. More on that in the next section.

How Does Having a Small Child at Home Affect the Coffee Table?

Theoretically, you get a little taller table to prevent your curious baby from climbing up the table. But babies grow in height. And you can’t keep buying taller tables every six months.

Our suggestion:

Instead of buying a taller table, you buy a short one - so even if your kid climbs over it, they can easily get down without hurting themselves because you can’t keep a constant eye on them. Right?

However, you must ensure that your coffee table doesn’t have sharp corners or edges. So, round tables, oval tables, or tables with curved corners would be your best choice here. Of course, their edges shall also be smoothened to avoid any chance of a severe injury. This applies in both situations, whether you have kids or pets at home.

Absence of a Dining Room can Affect Your Coffee Table Height

In a rare situation where you don’t have a separate dining space, and so you have to eat food on your coffee table, you should get a little taller table. This ensures comfort during dining and also reduces the chances of spilling something over yourself.

Choosing Coffee Table Height in Case of Nesting Tables

Depending on the current situation of the space, a group of nesting tables can add a unique charm to your living room.

We’re sure you must be thinking - should the shortest table follow the height difference rules… or the tallest one… or should it be the one in the middle (for three or more nesting tables)?

Well, you should compare the height of the tallest table with your sofa and base your buying decision on that height difference.

However, depending on the overall appearance of your sofa, your desired table, and your living space, you could play with the idea of matching the middle table’s height with your sofa seat - to cause an overall height difference on both the upper and lower side.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Coffee Table Height

Ideally, your coffee table should be 2.5 cm to 5 cm lower than your sofa seat, along with a clearance space of 30 cm - 40 cm.

You can, however, get a table of the same height as your sofa seat if you want.

But it would help if you never go for a taller coffee table unless you believe you really need it. You may find some such settings on the internet. But once you see them, you’d agree that they look a little odd.

You should know:

A taller table can and will have to work in a situation where you already have a sofa with a height below which coffee tables are just not available.

Anyway, check out our collection of great coffee tables here, and if you love one of them, don’t be shy about ordering that table from us!