The 11 best coffee tables for a living room of dreams
GQ picks the best coffee tables to add a touch of style and some extra storage space to your living room
A carefully selected coffee table is not only a piece of furniture to complement your sofa, but an interior design focal point for guests as they enter your living room. They can be the centrepiece of your living room furniture with their solid wood structure, high gloss finish or modern metal frames, but they are also a practical necessity, whether that’s for hidden storage with a lift top coffee table, or showcasing the latest editions of GQ you have stacked up on a gorgeous white marble number.
The best coffee tables in the market come in a range of shapes and sizes, as well as different price points and styles, but they all have one thing in common; they are an excellent way to elevate your living space. Whether your living room is in need of a rectangular coffee table, round coffee table, glass coffee table or modern coffee table to promote it into a living space of dreams, there are endless choices to suit whatever style you have opted for in your home.
Whatever your need for a coffee table, we have you covered. From displaying the coffee table books that no one actually ever reads, to adding a splash of colour or to your space, we’ve picked the best coffee tables to enliven your home decor.
Skip to: What are the best coffee tables to buy in 2024? | What style of coffee table should I go for? | What should you consider when buying a coffee table? | How we chose the best coffee tables: GQ’s review process | Shop GQ’s edit of best coffee tables in 2024…
What are the best coffee tables to buy in 2024?
There is plenty of detail on GQ's edit for the best coffee table picks below but if you want a quick overview of our top selections, we've got a brief run down here.
A simple wooden box on top of a metal frame: could there be a better expression of the improvised nature of what Habitat calls “loft living”? Chuck a book of photos of Christo or Richard Long work on it and pretend you’re in the East Village of the 1980s.
Featuring a gorgeous geometric pattern created from dark and light acacia wood, coupled with brass accents and angled legs, this is a stunning wooden coffee table.
Small and sophisticated, the Dunelm Zoey Marble Effect coffee table will add a statement to any room, without breaking the bank.
- Best coffee table: John Lewis + Swoon Franklin Coffee Table, £349 at johnlewis.com
- Best statement coffee table: Swoon Harring Coffee Table, £319 at swooneditions.com
- Best coffee table for small spaces: Dunelm Bath Coffee Table, £129 at dunelm.com
- Best coffee table with matching furniture: M&S Farley Coffee Table, £199 at marksandspencer.com
- Best affordable coffee table: Aplington coffee table, £67.99 at wayfair.co.uk
What style of coffee table should I go for?
There is a litany of coffee table styles to suit every home imaginable – minimalist and unassuming, practical and chunky, or sleek and contemporary. You also have options like nesting tables and side tables which can be used as options as well as a coffee table, or indeed instead of depending on the layout of your room. Of course, the materials coffee tables are made from vary enormously too, from warm woods to marble, glass, and metal – or a combination of several, such as a stainless steel frame with a glass top. Whatever style you go for, we recommend buying from our recommended furniture stores to make sure you're buying from a trusted and reputable company.
What should you consider when buying a coffee table?
Before you make a decision on a coffee table, you'll want to measure up your space to make sure the table will fit and you also have plenty of room to move around it. You’ll also want to check the height and think about what you are going to use the coffee table for, whether that's displaying books, storage space, adding accessories to your room, the occasional TV dinner or perhaps simply as a decorative, eye-catching piece of furniture.
How we chose the best coffee tables: GQ’s review process
At GQ, we aim to test all the picks within our guides before we recommend them. If this isn’t possible, we make sure the coffee tables we opt to include in our guide are well-researched, are from reputable retailers and the reviews surrounding them are positive. We also make sure to include a wide selection of different styles as not every living space is equal. You’ll therefore find a mix of options from small coffee tables and storage coffee tables for those with restrictions on space, to larger oval coffee tables and modern design coffee tables that demand more space and attention. We look at the aesthetic of each table, taking into account how it would look in a range of different interiors, and we try to include a selection of different design styles. We also think about the quality of the materials used, as well as tried to include coffee tables to suit a range of price points.
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Shop GQ’s edit of best coffee tables for 2024…
1/11Modena double lifting coffee table
- Reasons to buy: Wipe-down practicality married to an attractive form
- Dimensions: H 40cm x W 112.5cm x D 50cm
- Materials: Melamine plastic, oak veneer
- Delivery time: From two days
Dunelm has a fondness of naming items of furniture after Italian cities; we don’t really know what the Modena coffee table has to do with the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari per se, but there is a certain attention to design detail that might earn it a place in a Tuscan atelier on the right day. Other than that, the combination of melamine and oak veneer make this a practical option if you are prone to spilling your macchiati, while the lifting table tops – which divide and raise themselves in different directions – offer a welcome but subtle boost to storage space. £169. At dunelm.com
2/11Swoon Harring Coffee Table
- Reasons to buy: Unique curved look | Adds impact
- Dimensions: H 31cm x W 90cm x D 55cm
- Materials: Acacia wood, steel legs
- Delivery time: Two months
The dimensions on this ‘Harring’ coffee table from Swoon lend themselves well to small spaces as well as larger ones, and it makes enough of an impact to help dictate the rest of your décor either way, whether you're working with a large room or a more compact one. The dark acacia wood adds warmth and depth to any room, and it is perfect to style some brass-accented objects on. All that, and its bottom shelf has plenty of extra storage space, while the gold metal legs make for a modern finish. £319. At swooneditions.com
3/11Oka Flavian coffee table
- Reasons to buy: Graceful three-legged design beneath a gorgeous wooden top
- Dimensions: H 46cm x W 100cm
- Materials: Oak wood
- Delivery time: Up to 10 working days
Oka’s oak wood coffee table, the Flavian, takes both its design cues and its name from the Romans; it is classical in form and has been christened after the relatively short-lived dynasty of emperors who oversaw the empire at its early peak. Here, three legs are joined by a triskele (google it), upon which a sturdy marble top has been placed – it’s low-slung at 46cm, ideal for a relaxed space.
£1,595£797. At oka.com
4/11Aplington coffee table
- Reasons to buy: Rock-bottom price for an excellent piece of furniture
- Dimensions: H 45cm x W 106.25cm x D 60.25cm
- Materials: Wood and steel
- Delivery time: One day
We never thought that the phrase “budget coffee table” would mean much; at least not until we saw the Apington, which for less than £70 will hold its own against any run-of-the-mill table on the market. It’s simple, in dark wood on a black steel base and with a grille underneath it between the legs on which you can keep your coffee table books (or other bric-a-brac that doesn’t quite suit the tabletop itself). It’s scratch- and wear-resistant, easy to wipe down, and has height adjusters to even out any potential leaning issues on a rug or carpet. If you’re after something truly no-nonsense (which will be delivered in a day, no less!), then look no further. £67.99. At wayfair.co.uk
5/11Habitat Cornelia Coffee Table
- Reasons to buy: Adds light to a space | Made from solid oak
- Dimensions: H 38cm x W 120cm x D 52cm
- Materials: Solid wood
- Delivery time: Area dependant
There are strong Ercol vibes in this ‘Cornelia’ wood coffee table, but at a more reasonable price. The spindle shelf and gently tapered legs create neat lines that are one of the hallmarks of retro mid-Century furniture. It also allows for plenty of light to shine through it, to avoid feeling overbearing in the middle of your living room. Made from solid oak, it’ll see you through all the gatherings and life events you throw at it, plus the shelf at the bottom is perfect for your coffee table books. £250. At habitat.co.uk
- 6/11
M&S Farley coffee table
- Reasons to buy: Industrial design | Minimalist
- Dimensions: H 42cm x W 95cm x D 55cm
- Materials: Marble top, metal legs
- Delivery time: Around 1 week
The Farley coffee table from Marks & Spencer is pretty much as minimalist as coffee tables come. This is a table designed for a beautiful scented candle and a couple of pretty books and very little else. The metal legs and marble top deliver a combination of industrial and luxury appeal, while the 10-year guarantee offers piece of mind. For those considering a coffee table alongside a side table or nest of tables, this is a great choice as matching options in those formats are available. £199. From marksandspencer.com
7/11Dunelm Bath coffee table
- Reasons to buy: Industrial design | Tray style
- Dimensions: H 40cm x W 70cm x D 70cm
- Materials: Metal
- Delivery time: Up to 1 week
One for the smaller living spaces out there, or perhaps even as a side table, the Dunelm Bath Coffee Table is perfect for storing essentials on, from a great coffee table book at the bottom to a blooming plant at the top. Its minimalist design means it won't overpower your living room, while the handle at the top makes it easy to move around where it's needed. Best of all, it comes in black and gold colour options, and coordinating furniture pieces are available too. £129. At dunelm.com
8/11AM.PM Oreus mango wood table
- Reasons to buy: Organic shape | Effective design
- Dimensions: H 30cm x W 50cm x D 46cm
- Materials: Mango wood
- Delivery time: Unspecified
The AM.PM Oreus coffee table is made from solid mango wood, giving it a super luxurious look and feel. It offers a low profile, unique shape and it's perfect for those areas in the home where space is limited. Three colour options are available to choose from and while black is our favourite for its subtlety, the Oxblood Red and Grey-Green have the potential to deliver a perfect focal point. The angled top and chamfered finish will add to any living space however, no matter what colour you choose. £165. From laredoute.co.uk
9/11Habitat Loft Living coffee table
- Reasons to buy: Industrial design | Clever top
- Dimensions: H 46cm x W 100cm x D 50cm
- Materials: Oak veneer
- Delivery time: Area dependant
Constructed from powder-coated steel and oak-veneer wood, this is a coffee table that is likely to look great for years to come. Its distinctive industrial frame and wooden tray top will see it look the part in any modern setting, happily accepting any drink, book, plant or candle that comes its way. There's no hidden storage but the minimalist look of the black legs, coupled with the practicality of the lipped top will make this coffee table a great option for many homes. £120. At argos.co.uk
10/11Dunelm Zoey Marble Effect Coffee Table
- Reasons to buy: Opulent design | Decent price point
- Dimensions: H 80cm x W 80cm x D 45cm
- Materials: Marble top, metal legs
- Delivery time: Around one week
Marble coffee tables have a timeless element to them, which means they’ll continue to look stylish and elegant in your home for years to come. And while this one from Dunelm isn’t real marble, the marble effect means it's an affordable way to capture that luxuriously opulent look marble has, but without having to break the bank. The gold hairpin legs also give the table a bit of an art-deco feel, a luxe touch that we’d say will elevate the aesthetic of your space instantly. £129. At dunelm.com
11/11John Lewis & Partners + Swoon Franklin Coffee Table
- Reasons to buy: Geometric design | Stylish wood design
- Dimensions: H 35cm x W 101.5cm x D 55cm
- Materials: Acacia Wood, Veneer, MDF
- Delivery time: Around 3 working days
Designed by Swoon and exclusive to John Lewis, the Franklin coffee table captures the best of the two brands, reflected instantly in the design and construction. Making the most of the darker wood, the table adds texture by highlighting both the lighter and darker grains of the wood in the geometric patterning on the side, while the two drawers also add storage space to ensure no cluttered surfaces. The gold detailing on the drawers is a lovely touch too, bringing a modern style to an otherwise quite traditional piece. It's truly got it all. £349. At johnlewis.com
