How to Choose a Coffee Table That Completes Your Living Room

Choosing the right coffee table for your living room really boils down to three things: proportion, function, and style. You're looking for a table that’s about two-thirds the length of your sofa, sits at a similar height to the cushions, and fits both your room's look and your family's daily routine.

The Secret to a Perfect Living Room Starts Here

For our neighbors in Dyer, Crown Point, and all across Northwest Indiana, a living room is more than just four walls—it’s the true heart of the home. It’s where life happens. As a family-owned business serving this community since 1983, our team at Groen's Fine Furniture knows that the right coffee table can anchor an entire space. It’s not just a piece of furniture; it’s where homework gets done, stories are shared, and memories are made.

Think of this guide as a friendly chat about finding a coffee table that genuinely fits your life, not just your living room. Our family will walk you through the practical, honest advice we've shared for generations—from getting the scale just right for that new Flexsteel sectional to picking a material tough enough for a lively family game night.

More Than Just a Purchase—An Investment in Comfort

We’ve always believed you should never have to settle for furniture that’s just "good enough." Your home is a reflection of you, and every piece in it should feel personal. That’s why our family is so passionate about helping our customers find exactly what they’re looking for. A great coffee table can completely change the feel of a room, making it more complete and inviting.

To go a little deeper on creating that welcoming atmosphere, check out these expert tips on how to make your home cozy.

We'll also touch on how our custom, American-made options can bring your unique vision to life. You can design it your way, from the perfect dimensions to the ideal finish. This commitment to lasting quality and personalization is at the core of everything we do.

At Groen's, our family believes buying furniture is about building a home. It's about finding pieces that will last, support your family's needs, and bring you comfort for years to come. That's our promise to you, our Northwest Indiana neighbors.

And because we want everyone to have access to lasting quality, we'll explain how our special financing options can give you the buying power to invest in a piece you’ll love forever. Let’s get started on finding that perfect centerpiece for your living room.

Getting the Size and Scale Just Right

Before you even think about style or material, let's talk about proportion. This is the single most important factor in making your living room feel balanced and thoughtfully designed. A coffee table that’s too big can completely overwhelm the space, making it feel cramped and hard to walk around. On the flip side, a table that’s too tiny gets lost and looks like a forgotten afterthought.

In our family's showrooms in Dyer and Crown Point, this is the very first thing we discuss with our customers. Getting the measurements right from the start ensures your new table won’t just fit—it will actually enhance your existing furniture and pull the whole room together.

The Sofa to Table Length Rule

Think of your sofa and coffee table as a team. For them to work well together, they need to be in proportion. Most interior designers swear by a simple guideline to create that visual harmony:

Your coffee table should be about two-thirds the length of your sofa.

So, if you have a 90-inch sofa, you should be looking for a coffee table that’s somewhere around 60 inches long. This keeps the table from overpowering the sofa but ensures it's still substantial enough to be useful for everyone sitting down. It's a simple trick, but it makes a world of difference.

Finding the Perfect Height

Height is just as crucial as length, and it all comes down to comfort and function. You want to be able to reach for your drink or the remote without it feeling awkward.

The sweet spot for a coffee table is within 1-2 inches of your sofa’s seat cushion height—either a little taller or a little shorter. For example, if your sofa cushions are 18 inches off the floor, a table between 16 and 20 inches high will feel perfectly natural.

Don't Forget Traffic Flow and Clearance

Finally, you have to be able to live in the room! Think about how you and your family actually move through the space. You need enough clearance to walk around comfortably without constantly bumping into corners.

Here's what our team recommends:

• Leave about 18 inches between the edge of your coffee table and your sofa. This is close enough to be convenient but gives you enough legroom to feel comfortable.
• Make sure there's at least 30 inches of open space between the coffee table and other furniture, like your TV console or an accent chair. This creates clear, easy-to-navigate walkways.

Our family's advice has always been to measure twice and buy once. Before you come to visit us in Dyer or Crown Point, take a few minutes to jot down your sofa's length and seat height. Knowing these numbers makes finding the perfect table a confident and genuinely fun experience.

To help you remember these key rules, we've put together a quick cheat sheet. It's a simple way to keep the ideal proportions in mind while you shop.

Coffee Table Measurement Cheat Sheet

Keeping these simple numbers in your back pocket will save you a ton of guesswork and help you choose a coffee table that feels like it was made to order for your space.

This simple flowchart breaks down the key things to consider: your life, your space, and your style.

Ultimately, the perfect coffee table is a blend of what your family needs, what your room can handle, and the look you want to create.

It’s interesting to see how these standards have changed over the years. Back in the 1950s, living rooms were bigger, averaging around 200 square feet. Today, that number is often closer to 150 square feet. This shift means modern coffee tables are designed to fit today's more compact spaces, which is why the 18-20 inch height standard is so common now.

Nailing these measurements right from the start is the key to a successful purchase. For more detailed tips, be sure to check out our complete guide on how to measure furniture for any room in your house.

Choosing Materials That Match Your Lifestyle

Once you’ve figured out the right size and shape for your coffee table, the next big decision is choosing a material that genuinely fits your family's daily life. This is where you match the furniture to your lifestyle, not the other way around. The material doesn't just define the table's look; it determines its durability, maintenance needs, and how well it will stand up to everything your household throws at it.

For a busy home in Munster with kids doing homework or pets playing nearby, the choice of material is everything. You need something that offers both beauty and peace of mind.

The Timeless Strength of Solid Wood

When it comes to lasting value and durability, nothing really compares to solid wood. As a multigenerational, family-owned business that has served Northwest Indiana since 1983, we’ve seen firsthand how high-quality wood furniture becomes a part of a family’s story. It's a true investment in a piece that can last for generations.

Our Amish furniture, for example, is built from solid hardwoods like oak, cherry, and maple. These pieces aren't just beautiful; they are incredibly resilient.

• Oak: Known for its prominent grain and exceptional strength, oak is fantastic at hiding minor wear and tear, making it perfect for high-traffic family rooms.
• Cherry: This wood offers a rich, warm color that deepens beautifully over time. Its smooth, fine grain brings a sense of elegance to any space.
• Maple: As one of the hardest domestic woods, maple is extremely durable and resistant to dents and scratches—ideal for a home with active kids.

The real magic of a solid wood table is its ability to be refinished. A scratch or a water ring that might ruin a veneer table can be sanded out and repaired on a solid wood piece, giving it new life for the next generation.

Wood's enduring appeal is clear, with industry reports showing it's projected to make up 55% of global sales in 2025. Since our family opened Groen’s Fine Furniture, we’ve seen how solid hardwoods, particularly those in our American-made Amish pieces, can appreciate in value over time—a testament to their lasting quality.

Modern Materials: Glass and Metal

For those in Schererville or St. John looking for a more contemporary or industrial feel, materials like glass and metal offer a sleek, modern aesthetic. However, it's important to weigh their practical pros and cons for your home.

A glass-top table can make a smaller room feel more open and airy because it takes up less visual space. Metal frames—whether in brass, chrome, or black iron—add a sophisticated, architectural element.

But these materials demand a different kind of care. Glass tops show fingerprints and dust easily, requiring frequent cleaning to look their best. They are also more susceptible to scratches and chips. And while tempered glass is strong, it's not indestructible—a real consideration for households with young children.

Maintenance and Honest Advice

No matter the material, every coffee table requires some care to keep it looking its best. Our team believes in providing honest, practical advice so you can make a choice you’ll be happy with for years.

Protecting a wood finish is simpler than many people think. The key is using coasters, cleaning spills promptly, and avoiding harsh chemical cleaners. Many of the high-quality tables we carry feature catalyzed conversion varnish finishes, which provide superior resistance to moisture, heat, and scratches. For a deeper dive into preserving your investment, our guide on how to care for wood furniture offers some great tips.

Ultimately, choosing the right material is about finding that perfect balance between the style you love and the durability you need. We invite you to our showrooms in Dyer or Crown Point to see and feel the difference for yourself.

Balancing Everyday Function with Lasting Style

Your coffee table should work just as hard as you do. Let’s be honest, it’s far more than just a decorative piece; it's the command center of your living room. Is it a display for your favorite books, a convenient footrest during movie night, or the official surface for family board games? The key is finding a table that meets all these needs without sacrificing an ounce of style.

We often see families in our Crown Point showroom trying to decide between beauty and utility. Our family has always believed you can—and should—have both. A well-chosen coffee table can elegantly serve every purpose you need it to.

Smart Storage Solutions for a Clutter-Free Space

One of the most common challenges we hear from our Northwest Indiana neighbors is how to manage everyday clutter. Remotes, magazines, kids' toys, and charging cables can quickly take over a living room. This is where a coffee table with smart, integrated storage becomes your best friend.

Consider these incredibly functional designs:

• Lift-Top Tables: These are the ultimate multi-taskers, instantly transforming your coffee table into a comfortable workspace or dining surface. The hidden compartment underneath is perfect for stashing laptops, books, or blankets.
• Tables with Drawers: A classic solution for a reason. Drawers provide enclosed storage that keeps smaller items organized and completely out of sight. Our Amish-made options can even be made to order with hardware that perfectly matches your home's decor.
• Tables with a Lower Shelf: An open bottom shelf offers a great spot for displaying books, decorative baskets, or stacking board games. It keeps the tabletop clear while adding a layer of visual interest.

A family from Crown Point recently worked with us to design a custom Amish storage table. They needed an elegant way to hide their young children's toys at the end of the day. We helped them create a solid oak table with deep, soft-close drawers that blended seamlessly with their decor, proving that family-friendly function and sophisticated design can go hand-in-hand.

The Impact of Shape on Flow and Conversation

Beyond just storage, the shape of your coffee table dramatically influences how your living room feels and functions. The right shape can improve traffic flow, encourage conversation, and even make a room safer for little ones running around.

• Rectangular and Square: These traditional shapes work beautifully in larger rooms and pair nicely with standard sofas. They offer ample surface area, making them incredibly practical for entertaining.
• Round and Oval: For homes with small children or busy, high-traffic areas, round and oval tables are fantastic choices. Their lack of sharp corners minimizes bumps and bruises, and their curved lines create a softer, more inviting atmosphere that just naturally encourages a communal feel. They are also perfect for sectional sofas, as they make it easy for everyone to reach the table.

If you're looking for an option that truly excels in both form and function, you might want to learn more about choosing your nesting coffee table, as these adaptable pieces offer incredible flexibility for any space.

Functionality Is More Than a Trend

The demand for multi-functional furniture isn’t just a passing phase; it’s a direct reflection of how modern families live. As our homes and lifestyles have evolved, so have our expectations for the furniture within them.

This shift toward practicality is backed by some serious market trends. Functionality is a primary driver in today's coffee table choices, with storage-integrated models projected to capture a significant 35% of the $5.7 billion global market by 2027. This trend really gained steam after 2008 when sales of multi-use furniture spiked as homeowners looked to maximize smaller living spaces.

Choosing a functional table is the first step, but styling it to reflect your personality is what truly completes the look. For some practical tips, check out our foolproof guide to the perfectly styled coffee table.

Design It Your Way with Custom Furniture

Why settle for a coffee table that’s almost right when you can have one that's absolutely perfect? It’s a question we ask every day here at Groen's, and it's the core of what we believe in. We see so many people from right here in Northwest Indiana walk into our showroom feeling like they have to compromise on size, finish, or style. We’re here to tell you that you don’t.

When you've searched high and low but can't find a table that fits that unique space in your St. John living room or matches the heirloom wood of your existing furniture, it's time to stop settling. This is exactly where the lasting value and incredible flexibility of custom order services shine. It's the ultimate way to get exactly what your home needs.

Becoming the Designer of Your Own Space

The idea of "custom furniture" might sound complicated or out of reach, but our family has spent decades making it a simple and genuinely rewarding experience. We've built strong relationships with renowned brands like Canadel and gifted local Amish craftsmen, which empowers you to become the designer. This isn't about picking from a limited catalog; it’s about creating a piece that is uniquely yours, from the ground up.

Imagine being able to specify the exact dimensions you need. You get to choose the perfect species of solid wood and select a finish that flawlessly complements your Bassett sofa. You can even pick the hardware that ties the whole room together. This is what we mean by bespoke—made for you, by you. For a closer look at how it all comes together, our guide on custom furniture made simple breaks down every step.

You don't have to be an interior designer to create a custom piece. You just have to know what you love. Our team is here to handle the rest, guiding you through the choices to make sure the final result is exactly as you envisioned.

Solving Real-World Design Challenges

Customization is often more of a practical solution than a luxury. We once worked with a family in Dyer who had a beautiful but unusually long and narrow living room. Every standard coffee table they tried either blocked traffic flow or looked comically small and out of place.

We sat down together and designed a custom Amish-made table crafted from solid maple. We specified a longer, narrower dimension that perfectly suited the room's layout, included discreet drawers for remotes and magazines, and matched the finish to their existing entertainment center. The result wasn't just a coffee table—it was a solution that transformed their living space, making it more functional, harmonious, and beautiful. It became a true family heirloom, built to last for generations.

Let's break down the difference between the experience you'll find at a big-box store versus the personalized journey we offer.

Standard vs. Custom Coffee Tables

Choosing between a standard, off-the-shelf piece and a custom-ordered one is a major decision. The table below highlights some of the key differences you'll find.

Ultimately, choosing a custom coffee table is an investment in quality, function, and your own personal style. It’s a guarantee that the heart of your living room will be a piece you truly love, built with integrity right here in America.

Time to Find the Perfect Piece for Your Family

Choosing the right coffee table is a big deal, we get it. But you don't have to go it alone. We've walked you through the very same process our team uses every day: carefully measuring your space, matching materials to how you actually live, thinking about function first, and always considering the lasting value that comes with customization. The goal here is to find a piece that will be a part of your family’s story for years to come.

We’ve always believed that investing in high-quality furniture that lasts should be within reach for every family in Northwest Indiana. That’s why we’re proud to offer special financing options (subject to credit approval). It’s our way of giving you the buying power you need to bring home that solid wood Amish table or stylish Bassett piece you’ve fallen in love with, without having to settle.

Experience the Craftsmanship Firsthand

At the end of the day, the best way to know if a piece is right for you is to see it, touch it, and experience it in person. We’d love to personally invite you and your family to visit our showrooms in Dyer or Crown Point. Come run your hand over the solid, handcrafted Amish furniture and see the rich, durable finishes for yourself.

Our team is here to help, not to pressure. As a multigenerational, family-owned business, our staff is non-commissioned. Their only goal is to offer honest advice and 5-star service to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.

And for those households with rambunctious kids and four-legged family members, choosing a durable piece is even more important. To help with that, we've put together some helpful advice on how to choose kid-friendly and pet-friendly furniture that can stand up to anything.

Visit Groen’s Fine Furniture in Dyer or Crown Point today to explore our custom options and ask about our special financing plans. Let our family help you create a home you love.

Common Questions We Hear About Choosing a Coffee Table

Our family has been helping our neighbors in Northwest Indiana choose the right furniture for decades. Over the years, we've heard some of the same great questions time and time again.

Here are some quick, honest answers to the things our customers ask most when they’re trying to find that perfect coffee table.

What Shape Coffee Table Is Best for a Sectional?

For sectionals, we almost always find ourselves recommending a round or oval coffee table. It just works. These shapes are fantastic because they soften all the sharp angles of a large sectional and make it so much easier to walk around without bumping into corners.

Another great thing about them is how they let everyone seated easily reach the table, which really encourages a more communal, conversational feel in the room.

That said, a large square table can also look beautiful, especially if your sectional forms a distinct U-shape. That setup creates a cozy, defined nook where a square table feels right at home.

How Do I Protect My New Wood Coffee Table from Damage?

Protecting your investment is actually simpler than you might think. It really comes down to a few good habits. The most important one? Always use coasters for drinks. This is non-negotiable if you want to prevent those dreaded water rings. Using trivets for anything hot is a close second.

Beyond that, just dust regularly with a soft cloth and be sure to clean up any spills right away before they have a chance to set.

Many of our Amish and brand-name tables, like those from Bassett, already come with highly durable, catalyzed finishes that offer incredible protection against daily wear. A few simple habits will ensure your solid wood table stays beautiful for generations.

Is a Custom Coffee Table a Lot More Expensive?

Not necessarily. While a bespoke, American-made piece is certainly an investment in quality craftsmanship, it often provides far better value in the long run.

With our special financing options (subject to credit approval), a custom solid wood table that perfectly fits your space and style can be very attainable. Think of it as an investment in a piece that will last a lifetime, unlike mass-produced alternatives that you might find yourself needing to replace in just a few years.