DO COFFEE AND END TABLES HAVE TO MATCH?

Choosing a coffee table is usually the easy part. Figuring out what side tables go with it is where most people get stuck.

One of the questions I get asked often is whether a coffee table and side tables should match. While there’s no strict rule, my recommendation is always the same: don’t buy them as a set.

The most beautiful rooms rarely look like everything came from the same collection. Instead, they feel personal, lived in and put together over time. That’s why I encourage you to mix your furniture instead of buying matching furniture sets.

Combining different shapes and materials adds character to your space and makes it more interesting. It also gives you the freedom to move pieces around your house or replace items without having to replace everything.

The good news is that mixing tables is much easier than you might think. In this post, I’ll show you how to pair coffee and side tables to create a designer look in your living room.

HOW TO CHOOSE A COFFEE TABLE

Let’s start with the coffee table. Think of it as the  foundation piece. Once you’ve chosen it, picking the side tables becomes easier.

Besides looking good, your coffee table should also be practical. It’s where you’ll place your coffee, books, laptop, the TV remote and all those little everyday things.

When choosing a coffee table, keep these simple guidelines in mind:

• choose a table that’s 1/2 to 2/3 the length of your sofa
• its height should be close to your sofa seat height
• leave around 45 cm between the sofa and the table so it’s easy to walk around
• rectangular or oval coffee tables work well in long or narrow rooms
• square and round coffee tables work great with L-shaped sectionals

HOW TO CHOOSE SIDE TABLES

If the coffee table is the foundation of your living room, the side tables are the finishing touches. They’re perfect for a lamp, a drink, or a book.

When selecting the side tables, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• they shouldn’t be deeper than the sofa
• try to keep them about the same height as the sofa arm to be comfortable to use
• if you have unmatching tables, look for similar heights
• leave 5–8 cm between the sofa and the tables

HOW TO PAIR COFFEE TABLES WITH SIDE TABLES

Now let’s pair them together! Mixing tables is much easier than you would think. Here are  a few tips to get you started.

Mix materials

A wooden coffee table looks great with metal, stone or glass side tables. You can also mix different wood finishes as long as they have similar undertones.

Mix shapes

Using different shapes creates a more interesting room. For example, pair a rectangular coffee table with round side tables, or a round coffee table with square end tables.

Keep them cohesive

Your tables don’t have to match, but they should feel like they belong together. Maybe they share the same wood tone, the same metal finish or a similar style. One common element is usually enough.

Think about scale

The scale of your furniture is always important. Make sure the tables fit the size of the room. A large sectional needs a substantial coffee table, and the end tables also need to be large enough to create a sense of balance. On the other hand, a smaller sofa looks better with lighter pieces. The goal is to keep everything balanced.

Hopefully, this guide and these pairings have shown that your coffee table and side tables don’t have to match to look beautiful. Focus on balance, mix materials and shapes, and don’t be afraid to create your own combinations instead of buying a matching set.

If you’d like help creating a living room you’ll love coming home to, I’d love to help.