Best coffee tables: 6 living room centrepieces for every budget

Check out our pick of the best coffee tables – no matter what shape, size or style we've got it covered

Best coffee table
(Image credit: Ikea)

In the market for the best coffee table? Well, we've got you covered because we have trawled the internet and rounded up a load of gorgeous pieces from our fave brands. Regardless of whether you are a self-confessed caffeine addict or not, a coffee table is a must-have piece of living room furniture. It gives the room focus, a centre and, yes, is a very convenient place to put your feet on or eat your dinner off. So, it's important to get the best coffee table for your living room...

Use our guide to choose the best living room furniture for your home, in terms of style, size and quality. And head to our living room ideas feature for loads of ways to style your new addition. 

What is the best coffee table you can buy?

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We think the Made.com Flippa Functional Coffee Table with Storage is the best coffee table you can buy. It's large, stylish, features lots of storage space and it's extendable for when you're entertaining. 

However, if you're looking for a more simple design for a more affordable price, opt for the retro-looking Hooper Storage Coffee Table from Made.com too; it's ideal for those who want to display things like books underneath. Find out more about both below.

Don't have the time to read the entire guide? We've listed our top three coffee table picks below to help you on your buying journey, as well as the cheapest prices.

THE BEST COFFEE TABLE

Best coffee table you can buy: MADE Flippa coffee table, dark wood with sub-surface storage and black legs

1. Made Flippa Functional Coffee Table with Storage

The best coffee table you can buy

Specifications

Best for: Versatility
Size: H39cm x W120cm x D70cm
Material: Walnut veneer, steel
Storage: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
 Extending parts 
+
 Solid and sturdy 

Reasons to avoid

-
 Very big 

If you don’t have a dining table in your home, then you may find the Flippa Functional coffee table by Made to be a useful addition to your living space...

What size is it?

Well, in case you can't tell the Flippa coffee table is huuuuuge, so you are going to need a pretty sizeable living room to handle this piece. But obviously a larger coffee table has loads of perks: it's got a ton of storage and the two top sections lift and pull out to create a taller surface, making this is a multi-functional piece, too. 

Which room styles will it suit?

As with most Made.com furniture, this is pretty modern in design but we still think it would suit most styles of living room. Its walnut veneer and metal legs slightly nod towards a Mid-century vibe.  

Colour and finish options?

You can pick from either a walnut veneer which is pictured above or a lighter oak finish. 

Assembled or flat pack?

It is delivered partially assembled. You just have to put the legs on. Easy peasy. 

Find more Made coffee tables

Best retro style coffee table: MADE Hooper Storage Coffee Table: one-piece mid-century modern design with tapered metal legs

2. Made Hooper Storage Coffee Table

The best coffee table for retro style

Specifications

Best for: Simple design
Size: H45cm x W120cm x D50cm
Material: Walnut veneer, MDF, chrome
Storage: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
 Soft, curved edges 
+
 Storage shelf 

Reasons to avoid

-
 A little bulky  

Love the Mid-century modern living room look? This retro Hopper coffee table, with its soft, curved edges pays homage to simple 1960s furniture...

What size is it?

The Hooper is long at 120cm but quite narrow at only 50cm wide and would probably fit in most living rooms. If you have a really diddy living room, check out the much smaller, Hopper side table, which could totally work as a small coffee table. 

Which room styles will it suit?

The shape is definitely statement and would probably appeal more to modern tastes. But that being said, all the finishes are very neutral so depending on how you style it, this wouldn't necessarily have to be the total focus of your living room. 

Colour and finish options?

There are quite a few finishes to choose from, as mentioned, all very neutral. There's ash, walnut, white and black all available with silver legs but if you go with one of the wood finishes you can also choose brass legs. 

Assembled or flat pack?

It is delivered partially assembled; again, you just have to screw on the legs. 

Browse more Made coffee tables

John Lewis and Swoon coffee table

(Image credit: John Lewis)

3. John Lewis & Partners + Swoon Emerson Coffee Table

The best coffee table for vintage glam

Specifications

Best for: Smaller rooms
Size: H41.5cm x W64cm
Material: MDF, Veneer, Iron
Storage: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Interesting geometric design 
+
 Two tiers for storage 

Reasons to avoid

-
 A little small for some 

If you are after something that's going to add some glam to your living space, the John Lewis & Partners + Swoon Emerson coffee table could be the best coffee table for you...

What size is it?

It's small. If you have a large living room you might even consider this to just be a side table to stick next to the sofa, but if you have a small living room, it's a dream!

Which room styles will it suit?

There's a lot of gold going on here, so if you like a bit of glam in your living room furniture, it's perfect. The geometric pattern on the tabletop also gives it a slight Art Deco edge – we can imagine this in a living room with deep teal walls and pink velvet sofa and a couple of starburst mirrors dotted about. 

Colour and finish options?

You can choose between an ashy grey wood (above) or a warm brown. 

Assembled or flat pack?

This one comes all fully assembled for you. 

Find more coffee tables at John Lewis 

Next Malvern coffee table

(Image credit: Next)

4. Next Malvern coffee table

The best coffee table for traditional living rooms

Specifications

Best for: Traditional style
Size: H40cm x W100cm x D65cm
Material: Solid and manufactured wood
Storage: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
 Easy to wipe clean 
+
 Neutral paint colours 

Reasons to avoid

-
It is quick bulky 

If you have a traditional living room the Malvern coffee table is a classic...

What size is it?

The Malvern isn't huge, it would probably fit in most living rooms, but we will say the design perhaps lends itself better to larger rooms. In any small space, you want to be choosing furniture that allows light to flow through it, and this piece is obviously quite solid. 

Which room styles will it suit?

It's a classic style coffee table, so would be at home in any living room, but we think the neutral colourways and the oak top would best suit a more traditional space. 

Colour and finish options?

There's cream, grey, oak and slate to choose from all of which still have an oak top. 

Assembled or flat pack?

This one is self-assembly, but it's very easy and straightforward to put together. 

Browse more coffee tables at Next

Dunelm coffee table

(Image credit: Dunelm)

5. Dunelm Lucy Cane Grey Coffee Table

The best coffee table on a budget

Specifications

Best for: Price
Size: H46cm x W85cm x D55cm
Material: MDF, FIR
Storage: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
 Sturdy 
+
 Distressed texture 

If you are after a cheap coffee table, head to Dunelm, they have loads of affordable options, but our favourite is the Lucy Cane Grey Coffee Table...

What size is it?

It's quite narrow, this Dunelm coffee table, so if you don't have loads of space it could be a good option. It also quite tall too, which could be a plus if you have a tendency to have the occasional TV dinner or if you're finding a lot of coffee tables to be too low for your sofa. 

Which room styles will it suit?

It edges on the side of being traditional, but not overly so and we think this could work with any style of living room. If you like that rustic, shabby chic look then this is a definite but the grey finish does give it a slightly more modern feel. 

Colour and finish options?

Go for either the slightly distressed grey finish – or there's a cream version too, which has a much more country-esque vibe. 

Assembled or flat pack?

Part assembly is required, but it does come mostly put together – it's just a case of having to screw on the legs. 

Shop all Dunelm coffee tables

Best coffee table

(Image credit: Ikea)

6. Ikea Listerby coffee table

The best Ikea coffee table

Specifications

Best for: Ikea
Size: H45cm x W140cm x D60cm
Material: Particleboard, Oak veneer
Storage: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
 Goes in any room scheme
+
 Easy to co-ordinate with

If you are after a good looking coffee table that you can decorate around when you move house or change your room's style, the Listerby from Ikea is a great find.

What size is it?

It's narrow enough that it will fit in small living rooms, but its length makes it a good size for two people to be enjoying a TV dinner from at one time. 

Which room styles will it suit?

It's the ideal Scandi buy: that means it fits in a modern scheme or a traditional one just as happily. Because it's light-coloured and pretty see-through, it's a good choice for making small or cramped living rooms feel larger, too.

Colour and finish options?

It comes in a hardwearing oak veneer, which has been finished (and made even more durable) by a protective coat of white lacquer, giving it a limewashed look.

Assembled or flat pack?

It's from Ikea, so of course you'll have to assemble it! But it's not difficult...

Shop all Ikea coffee tables

Looking for more living room inspiration?

Annie Collyer
Head Ecommerce Editor

Hi! I'm Annie, and I'm the Head Ecommerce Editor at Real Homes. I've been part of the Real Homes team since 2018, when I joined as Deals Editor. Along with covering major sales events — from Black Friday to Amazon Prime Day — I review home must-haves so that you can buy with peace of mind. Mostly focusing on home fragrance and sleep, as well as a few vacuum cleaners, I've tested pretty much every item you can think of that you need in your home. I live on the outskirts of the city in a two-bed apartment with my husband and my pug, Doug. So I am always searching for compact alternatives and ways to save floor space. What about when I am not typing away? Well, you'll find me enjoying an iced coffee (no matter the season) and trying out the latest brunch spots the city has to offer, or booking my next holiday. Where else can you find my words? Livingetc, Homes & Gardens, Ideal Home, Gardeningetc, and Woman & Home.

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