How do you match a coffee table with a sectional?

First, you'll want to ensure the coffee table is the right size for the sectional. This means it should fit comfortably within the internal cutout without blocking any walkways or impeding on legroom when people sit on the sofa. Beyond that, you can choose something that aligns with the existing furniture aesthetic (whether mid-century, minimalist, rustic, or industrial) or opt for a contrasting design. Bear in mind contrasting doesn't mean clashing but rather balancing things out with a slightly different yet complementing shape or style. For instance, a round coffee table can help balance out the sharp corners and clean lines of a sectional sofa.

What is the purpose of a coffee table?

The main purpose of a coffee table is to provide a place to set drinks, snacks, remote controls, magazines, and anything else you want within reach. It also helps center your living room furniture arrangement and doubles as decoration. That's why many people place decorative objects on top, like coffee table books, small plants, candles, etc. Some coffee tables also have built-in storage.

How long do coffee tables last?

The lifespan of a coffee table ultimately depends on the material, how much daily use it gets, and how well you care for it. That said, most will last anywhere from five to 20 years. The longest-lasting designs are often made of kiln-dried wood, as the drying process helps prevent warping, cracking, and other types of moisture damage. Mortise-and-tenon joinery can also help extend the lifespan of wood furniture.

The 9 Best Coffee Tables for Sectionals of 2023

Coffee tables for sectionals help ground your furniture arrangement while offering a functional surface for drinks and snacks. When considering your choices, interior designer Andi Morse recommends not skimping on size. "Many times, people get them too small, and it causes the whole room to be off," she says. This is particularly the case with larger sectionals, which might need an equally statement-making coffee table to tie the whole room together.

Keeping Morse's input in mind, we searched high and low to find design-forward options of various shapes, styles, and materials. Our top choice is Pottery Barn's Benchwright Rectangular Coffee Table, a versatile piece made of sturdy kiln-dried wood. It's outfitted with two drawers and a shelf, ideal for keeping remote controls, puzzles and board games, and other essentials within reach.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Castlery Andre Coffee Table at Castlery.com

Jump to Review

Best Budget:

Amazon Basics Lift-Top Coffee Table at Amazon

Jump to Review

Best Splurge:

Pottery Barn Benchwright Coffee Table at Pottery Barn

Jump to Review

Best Square:

Burrow Serif Square Coffee Table at Burrow

Jump to Review

Best Round:

CB2 Cap Cement Coffee Table at CB2

Jump to Review

Best Oval:

Lulu & Georgia Luna Oval Coffee Table at Luluandgeorgia.com

Jump to Review

Best for U-Shaped Sectionals:

Steelside Alezzi Coffee Table at Wayfair

Jump to Review

Best for L-Shaped Sectionals:

Article Baarlo Oak Coffee Table at Article.com

Jump to Review

Best with Storage:

Crate & Barrel Vander Storage Coffee Table at Crate & Barrel

Jump to Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce

Castlery

View On Castlery.com

What We Like

Modern, modular design
Pivoting surfaces with built-in storage
Arrives fully assembled

What We Don't Like

Low weight capacity
Short return window

Whether you're hosting friends, planning a movie night, or just spending time at home with family, you want a coffee table that suits your needs, day after day, night after night. With this in mind, Castlery's Andre Coffee Table is one of the most versatile options we found. This clever furniture piece is conveniently modular, with two pivoting surfaces that rotate outward when you need more space and back in when you need a more compact table.

It also has built-in storage, where you can keep remote controls, magazines, or books. The decidedly modern design is made of wood with a clear lacquer on one surface and a beautifully contrasting white glossy lacquer on the other. One thing to note is that the maximum bearing weight is a little low, at just 15.4 pounds. While the return window is only 14 days, we're willing to bet you won't be sending this piece back.

Price at time of publish: $599

_{Dimensions: 55 x 27.5 x 13 inches | Shape: Square/modular | Material: Wood}

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Sturdy wood construction
Lift-top with hidden storage
Good for most L-shaped sofas

What We Don't Like

Assembly required

On a budget? Look no further than Amazon. This affordable coffee table is constructed from wood and comes in your choice of black, deep espresso, or a natural finish. It's compact but not too small—the perfect size for most L-shaped sectional sofas. One of the best things about this piece is that it has a lift-top. The surface rises up and extends slightly outward, allowing you easier access to your food, drinks, or laptop.

There's also hidden storage underneath the lid, with plenty of room to stash extra blankets, magazines, remote controls, or board games. You'll have to put this coffee table together at home, but if you're not up for the task, you can add expert assembly to your online order.

Price at time of publish: $185

_{Dimensions: 40 x 19 x 18 inches | Shape: Rectangular | Material: Wood}

Pottery Barn

View On Pottery Barn

What We Like

Kiln-dried with sturdy joinery
Two drawers and a shelf
Good medium size
White-glove delivery

What We Don't Like

Knobs could be more versatile
May take weeks to ship

If money weren't an object, our favorite pick would be this coffee table from Pottery Barn. The exceptionally well-made Benchwright is crafted from solid, kiln-dried poplar wood and features sturdy mortise-and-tenon joinery. (The kiln-drying process reduces moisture to prevent warping and cracking, ensuring it lasts several years—potentially decades.) Inspired by 20th-century workbenches, the wood grain is highlighted in each of the four available finishes.

This attractive, functional coffee table has a generously sized surface while still being compact enough to fit in a sectional-based furniture arrangement. It also has built-in storage, including two drawers with ball-bearing glides and a lower shelf. The rustic drawer knobs might not be everyone's cup of tea, but if you're not a fan, switching them out is a super easy DIY project you can do with a screwdriver.

Some colors are ready to ship, but others are made to order and may take several weeks to ship out. In either case, the Benchwright will arrive at your home fully assembled and be placed in your room of choice, thanks to Pottery Barn's white-glove delivery service.

Price at time of publish: $1,299

_{Dimensions: 54 x 26 x 18 inches | Shape: Rectangular | Material: Poplar wood}

Burrow

View On Burrow

What We Like

Compact but not too small
Subtle curvature
Sustainability sourced wood

What We Don't Like

Assembly required

Square coffee tables work well for sectionals, as they fit within the corners, whether you have an L-shaped or U-shaped sofa at home. The Burrow Serif Coffee Table is our favorite. It's compact enough that it'll be easy to fit in virtually any living room but not so small that it'll look out of place with a larger couch. This coffee table is made of solid ash wood, sourced from sustainably managed forests where trees are planted to replace all timber used.

Instead of straight lines and harsh angles, it has curved edges and slightly rounded corners, giving it an appealing uniqueness that sets it apart from other square tables. You'll have to assemble it at home, but it's a quick process—no tools needed—and comes with all the necessary hardware.

Price at time of publish: $595

_{Dimensions: 34 x 34 x 16.5 inches | Shape: Square | Material: Ash wood}

CB2

View On CB2

What We Like

Easy to fit
Pared-down yet striking
Nice contrast to clean-lined furniture

What We Don't Like

Cumbersome
Complex care requirements

Morse is a fan of round coffee tables, explaining that they're often the ideal size for sectionals while allowing easy access on all sides. We're loving this attractive concrete number from CB2. Beautiful in its simplicity, the pared-down design boasts a solid, legless look with a super-smooth surface and a slightly curved base.

Available in ivory to cement gray, it'll add the perfect juxtaposition to the clean lines and square corners of your sectional. One thing to note is that due to the concrete and stone construction, it's pretty cumbersome and might be hard to move around your home. Also, the care requirements are a little complex, calling for coasters, avoidance of oily substances, non-acidic cleaners, and waxing the surface every six months.

Price at time of publish: $649

_{Dimensions: 38 x 14 inches | Shape: Round | Material: Cement, natural fiber, stone fiber}

The 11 Best Sectional Sofas of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Lulu & Georgia

View On Luluandgeorgia.com

What We Like

High-end, solid oak construction
Unique elongated shape
Large open shelf

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Not returnable

Oval coffee tables are an ideal way to fill the space without taking up too much room vertically like a round coffee table might. And while the options in this category are a bit more limited, Lulu & Georgia doesn't disappoint. The Luna Coffee Table is a striking piece crafted from solid oak wood. Whether you opt for the light or dark finish, you'll see the rich grain pattern shining through. The elongated oval shape will balance out the square corners of your sectional with soft curves and structural appeal.

We also love that there's an open shelf in the center, where you can place woven baskets, storage bins, or folded blankets—you could also leave it open to minimize clutter. The price might be hard to justify, but if it's within your budget, we say go for it. Just bear in mind that, like other made-to-order items from the brand, this piece isn't returnable.

Price at time of publish: $1,298

_{Dimensions: 48 x 20 x 16 inches | Shape: Elongated | Material: Oak wood}

Wayfair

View On Wayfair

What We Like

Reasonably priced
Reinforced steel frame
Rustic yet versatile

What We Don't Like

Not ideal for low-sitting sofas
Assembly required

The interior cutout section of a U-shaped sectional is usually about 60 or 70 inches, so you want to make sure there's enough space to walk around the coffee table and place your feet on the floor while sitting down. With this in mind, we suggest the Steelside Alezzi Coffee Table, which is just 42 inches wide. This durable furniture piece is made of solid wood (including both new and reclaimed lumber) and has a concealed powder-coated steel frame for extra reinforcement.

The distressed timber and planked surface offer a subtle rustic flair without sacrificing versatility. Since this coffee table is slightly taller than average, it may not be ideal for low-sitting sofas. It calls for at-home assembly, but you can add assembly to your order if you don't want to put it together yourself. All things considered, the price is more than reasonable.

Price at time of publish: $390 for Natural, $400 for Slate Gray

_{Dimensions: 42 x 24 x 18 inches | Shape: Rectangular | Material: Solid wood, powder-coated steel}

The 16 Best Coffee Table Books of 2023

Article

View On Article.com

What We Like

Unique shape
Easy to fit
Arrives fully assembled

What We Don't Like

Pricey
Only one color

For L-shaped sectionals, we recommend the Article Baarlo Coffee Table. The well-made design is crafted from solid oak, plywood, and MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and features an oak veneer with a natural finish. We wish it came in at least one more color, but the light-toned wood is undeniably versatile.

Slightly wider on one side with curved edges and rounded corners, this coffee table flaunts a unique egg-like oval shape. The wide cylindrical legs are the cherry on top (or bottom) of a truly stunning piece of furniture. Narrower than most rectangular tables, the dimensions will fit nicely into the corner of your L-shaped sofa without overwhelming the space. While the price is a little steep, you can count on Article for high-quality pieces. Plus, it'll arrive at your home fully assembled.

Price at time of publish: $699

_{Dimensions: 46 x 25 x 15 inches | Shape: Oval/egg | Material: Oak wood, MDF, plywood}

Crate & Barrel

View On Crate & Barrel

What We Like

Minimalist-modern design
Extra-large drawer
High-quality, reliable construction

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Potentially too wide for U-shaped sofa

We also like the Vander Coffee Table from Crate & Barrel. This handsome, minimalist piece features clean lines and a classic rectangular silhouette. Instead of an open shelf, it has a large drawer big enough to store multiple throw blankets, extra decorative pillows, or even bedding for a sleeper sofa. This coffee table is made of engineered wood with a smooth oak veneer in your choice of a moody charcoal or light natural finish.

It comes in two sizes, 44 and 50 inches wide. The larger option might be too wide to fit within a U-shaped sectional, but the smaller one should work with most sofa configurations. Though the Vander is one of the more expensive options we found, it arrives fully assembled with white-glove delivery. And with Crate & Barrel, you know you're always getting a high-quality, long-lasting product.

Price at time of publish: $999

_{Dimensions: 50 x 26 x 16 inches, 44 x 36 x 16 | Shape: Rectangular | Material: Engineered wood, oak veneer}

The 10 Best Coffee Tables of 2023

Final Verdict

Overall, we like the Pottery Barn Benchwright Rectangular Coffee Table. This well-made piece stands out for its kiln-dried wood construction, dependable joinery, built-in storage, and classic aesthetic. But if you're on a budget, we highly recommend the Amazon Basics Lift-Top Storage Coffee Table. And if you're interested in a circular design to contrast the squared corners of your sectional, go with the CB2 Cap Ivory Cement Coffee Table.

Size and Shape

The first thing to consider when buying a coffee table for a sectional sofa is the size. "Make sure it is large enough to accommodate the space," says Morse, explaining that something too small can make the whole room look off. However, you still want to ensure it'll fit within your furniture arrangement. While U-shaped sectionals are larger, they have limited space for a coffee table, which is why we recommend a mid-sized option like the Steelside Alezzi Coffee Table.

Additionally, the height of the table should align with the height of the couch. A lower-profile sectional will be better suited with a lower table, like the Article Baarlo Oak Coffee Table.

Traditional rectangular designs work well, but that's far from your only option. "My favorite is a round coffee table," says Morse. "It allows people to get access easily and takes up the right amount of space."

Room Placement

Coffee tables are usually placed directly in front of sofas. But since sectionals potentially block off one or two walkways in the room, it's important not to overlook placement. You don't want your coffee table to be so small that it looks out of place. However, it should be compact enough that people still have plenty of legroom and space to walk around it. With this in mind, a square design like the Burrow Serif Square Coffee Table is often a wise choice for a sectional.

Style and Design

Lastly, think about what type of table you want and what it will look like not only in front of your sectional but also in your living room as a whole. A wooden rectangular table like the Pottery Barn Benchwright Coffee Table is always a safe choice.

However, something circular (like the CB2 Cap Ivory Cement Coffee Table) or oblong (such as the Lulu & Georgia Luna Oval Coffee Table) can help break up the monotony of squared-off furniture. In any case, consider the color and style of your existing furniture and the overall aesthetic of your space, then choose a coffee table that'll look cohesive.

FAQ

How do you match a coffee table with a sectional?

First, you'll want to ensure the coffee table is the right size for the sectional. This means it should fit comfortably within the internal cutout without blocking any walkways or impeding on legroom when people sit on the sofa.
Beyond that, you can choose something that aligns with the existing furniture aesthetic (whether mid-century, minimalist, rustic, or industrial) or opt for a contrasting design. Bear in mind contrasting doesn't mean clashing but rather balancing things out with a slightly different yet complementing shape or style. For instance, a round coffee table can help balance out the sharp corners and clean lines of a sectional sofa.
What is the purpose of a coffee table?

The main purpose of a coffee table is to provide a place to set drinks, snacks, remote controls, magazines, and anything else you want within reach. It also helps center your living room furniture arrangement and doubles as decoration. That's why many people place decorative objects on top, like coffee table books, small plants, candles, etc. Some coffee tables also have built-in storage.
How long do coffee tables last?

The lifespan of a coffee table ultimately depends on the material, how much daily use it gets, and how well you care for it. That said, most will last anywhere from five to 20 years. The longest-lasting designs are often made of kiln-dried wood, as the drying process helps prevent warping, cracking, and other types of moisture damage. Mortise-and-tenon joinery can also help extend the lifespan of wood furniture.

Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and product tester specializing in home improvement and lifestyle. For this article, she interviewed interior designer Andi Morse of Morse Design, who provided insight into the best sizes, shapes, and styles of coffee tables for sectionals. After considering dozens of models from various brands, she narrowed it down to attractive, versatile, durable designs with standout features. Theresa has been contributing to The Spruce since 2019, where she covers furniture, decor, storage solutions, and organizational products.