14 lift-top coffee tables that are actually perfect for smaller spaces

Save space with clever lift-top coffee tables

Grossi Coffee Table by George Oliver in a rustic oak finish inside a green living room with a green sofa, green plant wallpaper and a neutral rug
(Image credit: Wayfair)

I've had to be resourceful with my space so I invested in a new lift-top coffee table. Rather than just being a table — you guessed it — it lifts up so that you can sit on your sofa and eat or work on a laptop without getting a sore neck. And because the tabletop lifts, you'll have extra storage space to work with and hide your clutter. 

As well as being kindly sized for your average first-time buyer, renter, and student, the coffee tables I handpicked below don't just lift to reveal storage. Some of them offer savvy trays, drawers, and shelving to keep your magazines, coffee table books, laptop, and houseplants looking good.

So, you can remove that new desk or dining table from your shopping basket and instead use your new coffee table to do it all. From glass coffee tables to marble designs, we've found plenty of picks that you'll find hard to say no to.

14 lift-top coffee tables for multifunctional living

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How we chose

While we haven't personally tested all the tables listed, we chose these entries carefully. We compared materials, size, and price when considering the value for money. We considered the functionality and storage space for each table.

We also evaluated reviews left by real shoppers and only included tables with a four-star rating or higher.

Things to consider when choosing a lift-top coffee table

Lift-top coffee tables are a popular option for people with no separate study or home office, as they allow you to sit up straight in front of a screen without needing to get a separate item of furniture. 

What you'll need to think about is what your posture will be like when you're sitting in front of this table with the lift top up. We recommend always sitting down on your chair or couch and measuring the height you'd like your screen to be at, although if you get it a bit wrong, you can remedy the situation by getting a laptop stand with adjustable heights. 

The other thing to consider is the overall size. A lift-top table won't solve your problems if the table is so large that it swallows up most of the space in your living room.

Next, consider the style. Some lift-top coffee tables are styled like traditional home office desks, which may clash with your living room style. Others imitate farmhouse dining tables or mid-century pieces, which may be more forgiving if you're not planning to put yours in a designated study/working area. 

If you are planning on putting a heavy monitor on top of your table, you'll need to find out how much weight the lift-top mechanism will take. This will be available in the item specs.

Can you use a lift-top coffee table as a desk?

Absolutely. Part of the beauty of the lift-top iteration is that, unlike its standard counterpart, it features an extendable tabletop, so you won't need to hunch over the coffee table while tapping away on your keyboard. What I would say, though, is to ensure yours is sturdy enough to withstand consistent use — particularly if you plan on working from home a lot.

Up next: these are our favorite glass coffee tables for luxury and elegance

Joseph Bobowicz
Freelance Contributor

Working across digital and print publications, Joseph Bobowicz is a London-born writer obsessed with books, culture, and all things new. When he's not writing about fashion for i-D and the Independent, he's out sourcing the best homewares to incorporate into any humble abode, fixer-upper, or first-time buy alike.

With contributions from