There’s a lot to love about sectional sofas. They’re a great alternative to the more traditional sofa and loveseat combination while providing just as much, if not more, seating. Plus, they’re hands down super snuggly.
However, when a sectional is not paired with the right coffee table, the result can be off-putting and have a major effect on the overall look and feel of your room. Here are our best tips for matching a coffee table to your sectional.
To make your space feel balanced, choose a coffee table that feels proportionate to the size and scale of your sectional. Height, width and visual weight are all important factors to consider. Think about it: an oversized coffee table just feels right parked in front of a large, overstuffed sectional — and it’s big enough to accommodate all who sit at your sectional. Conversely, a modern, clean-lined sectional pairs well with a slimmer coffee table, such as one with a metal base or an acrylic style.
We recommend leaving 14-18 inches of space between the edge of your sofa and the coffee table
For L-shaped sectionals, make sure your coffee table doesn’t extend beyond the arm of your sofa on either end. If one of the sides juts out past the sofa, it can make the room feel imbalanced and block the flow of traffic. To that end, if you’ve got a loveseat-sofa combination, try a rectangular sized table, where the shallow width is proportionate to the loveseat side of your sectional.
If both sides of your sectional are the same length, opt for a large square table that’s more likely to fit within the space and is easily accessible to everyone seated.
Round coffee tables are a great option for sectionals, especially U-shaped sectionals. Their circular shape creates space in tight quarters and is easier to navigate around, especially when surrounded by seating. Their lack of sharp corners makes them a good choice for families with young kids, too. And as far as good design goes, it’s nice to create a little juxtaposition of shapes between the furniture in your living room space.
Alternatively, a large ottoman or two small upholstered ottomans bunched together can pull double duty as a table and extra seating. Just add a tray to corral the usual coffee table odds and ends and for holding drinks. A great family-room option, the comfort factor is high: the upholstered furniture adds softness and it gives you a place to kick your feet up. But you do want to break up all that fabric with contrasting color. For example, if your sectional is upholstered in a light fabric, go darker with your ottoman. Or, choose a fun color or pretty pattern that will draw guests in.
So before you buy a coffee table for your sectional, assess your space and even take a few measurements. As long as you keep our tips in mind and buy what you love, you’ll be happy with your new furniture arrangement.
For more design inspiration, visit our Pinterest Boards, or find more gorgeous rooms in our Photo Gallery.
Did you like this post and find it helpful? Rate it below and share your thoughts in the comments!
cate
This was super helpful and fun to read. Your photos and the article suggestions go great together. I am so happy I found your website and look forward to diving deeper into it for help and products. Thank you, 🙂
Janell Redmond
Will a square shape coffee table work with an L-shape sectional?
Caroline McDonald
Yes absolutely! Just be sure to pick one that allows plenty of room to navigate around the ottoman.
Rachel
I love the striped sofa with chaise in the first two pictures! Where can I find it? Thanks!
Caroline McDonald
Rachel,
That’s our Eton Sectional in Ticking Stripe black. So glad you like it.
Caroline
Kelsey Thompson
Where can I order striped couch?
Abbey Nolte
Kelsey,
That’s our Eton Sectional in Ticking Stripe black. So glad you like it.
Abbey
Lauren
Hi, where can I find the square leather ottoman?
Thanks!
Heather Daly
Hi Lauren,
While this ottoman is no longer available, check out our Carmen Ottoman with Latte Leather top for a similar look!
https://www.ballarddesigns.com/carmen-leather-ottoman/475318?&prank=19
maggie
Hi. I love your post.
1. why do some of your pictures have a coffee table and then a smaller accent table?
2. Any size suggestions: I have a small sectional. The distance between my chaise and the arm is 53″. I tried a 38″ w oval table but it was too big. What size round coffee table would you suggest?
Caroline McDonald
Maggie,
If your room can accommodate both side tables and a coffee table, we recommend both. They serve different purposes! Someone sitting at the end of the sofa may not be able to easily reach a coffee table depending on the length of the sofa, and someone sitting in the middle of the sofa isn’t able to reach the side table easily.
In terms of picking a coffee table to work with your sofa, consider laying out your room in our Room Planner tool. It’ll help you visualize the room and you can test out how far someone would need to reach and how much walking space you’ll have around the table.
Good luck and thanks for your question!
Caroline
Juliet
hello,
I have a curved charcoal sectional sofa and I need a coffee table, what will be the right shape? thank you
Annika Dupree
Juliet,
We would love to help you with your living space! We offer a free service in which our interior designers help pick out furniture, fabric,and accessories. Just send them your question and a picture of the space here, and a designer will reach out to you with a design plan!
Kim
If I have a 124″ size sectional (sofa/sofa combo measuring same on both sides) what size coffee table should I look for? A square shape?
Annika Dupree
Kim,
We would love to help you with picking out a coffee table! We offer a free service in which our interior designers help pick out furniture, fabric, and accessories! Just send in your question and a picture of your room here, and a designer will reach out to you with your design plan!
Annika Dupree
Kim,
We would love to help you pick out a coffee table! We offer a free design service in which our interior designers help pick out furniture, fabric, and accessories! Just send in your question and a picture of the room here, and a designer will reach out to you with a design plan!
Andrea
If I have a 120×120 sectional sofa, what size coffee table works best? I’m thinking round? Pls advise, tks!
Annika Dupree
Andrea,
We would love to help you pick out a coffee table! We offer a free service in which our interior designers help pick out furniture, fabric,and accessories! Just send them your question along with a picture of the room here, and a designer will reach out to you with a design plan!
Lorelei
Hello. Can you tell me the pattern used on the ottoman in the fifth picture down?
How to Decorate
Lorelei,
Yes, it’s the Kaley Aqua fabric.
Kim b
Where can I find that couch? LOVE it!
How to Decorate
Kim,
Which one? All of these sofas can be found here. But let us know which one you’re looking at and we’ll direct you to the correct place.