Small Living Room Ideas
Round vs Rectangle Coffee Table: Which Is Better for a Small Living Room?
The coffee table sits in the middle of every walkway, so in a small living room its shape matters more than its style.
Save to PinterestRound: the case for it
No corners to bump into, easier to move around, and a curve softens a room full of straight lines.
Round: the trade-offs
Less usable surface for its footprint, and it can look small in front of a long sofa.
Rectangle: the case for it
Matches the shape of most sofas and gives the most surface for drinks, books and remotes.
Rectangle: the trade-offs
Corners stick into walkways, which matters in narrow rooms and homes with small children.
Quick verdict: Tight walkways or kids? Round. Long sofa and lots of stuff? Rectangle.
What to look for before you buy
Size
A common guideline is a coffee table about two-thirds the length of the sofa.
Height
Close to the height of your sofa seat, or slightly lower, is usually comfortable.
Storage
A shelf underneath or lift-top adds storage in a small room.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a table too large for the walkway.
- Ignoring height relative to the sofa.
- Picking sharp corners with small children around.
Questions people ask
Is a round coffee table better for a small living room?
Often, because it has no corners and makes walkways easier. A rectangle works better with a long sofa.
What size coffee table for a small sofa?
Aim for about two-thirds of the sofa length, and leave space to walk around it.
Whatever shape you pick, aim for a table about two-thirds the length of your sofa and roughly 40 to 45 cm away from it.
