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Elite Edition

What height should a coffee table be?

Author

Emily Dawson

Published Apr 04, 2026

What height should a coffee table be?

between 14 to 20 inches tall
“The height of the table should be generally between 14 to 20 inches tall,” she wrote. “I prefer the table to be approximately two inches lower than the seat height on your sofa.

Can a sofa table be shorter than the sofa?

Sofa tables, the console table that sits behind the sofa, should be no taller than the height the sofa back. As for size, consoles can be anywhere from half the length to nearly the full length of the sofa (making sure to allow at least 6 inches from either end).

How tall should my coffee table be in relation to my sofa?

Your sofa height, or the height of the armchairs nearest the coffee table, should act as your guide. Aim for a coffee table height that sits level with the top of the seat cushions of your sofa, or just an inch or so lower, but never higher. In terms of the distance between sofa and coffee table, 16-18 inches usually works perfectly.

Is it OK to have a high coffee table?

Depending on what kind of decor you have, you can definitely make a higher coffee table work. Here’s an example of a traditional living room where a high coffee table looks really great. Here is another coffee table that is higher than the sofa seat. Design. Code. Strategy. Impact.

Which is higher a coffee table or an end table?

Some confusion may exist about the discrepancies between the proper height of your coffee table verses the height of the end table, making it difficult for you to choose a coffee table of the right height. As a general rule, the end tables usually stand higher than the coffee table, and each piece should be in proportion to the pieces around it.

How tall is the average coffee table in Norway?

In Norway, all the coffee tables were a few inches higher, in every single home I visited. Not quite tea table height, but usually around 20” or a bit higher. Most of our coffee tables in the U.S. are around 16″ – 18″. To be honest, I liked it, even though it took some getting used to.

How big should your coffee table be?

Choose a coffee table height between 16 and 18 inches. A coffee table should measure 16 to 18 inches from the floor to the tabletop.

What is the standard height of a coffee table?

The standard coffee table height is about 16-18 inches. Of course, a higher couch means a higher coffee table — maybe 20 to 21 inches high.

What are the dimensions of a coffee table?

Coffee tables are short, usually no higher than 16 to 18 inches. But some of the more contemporary tables range up to 20 inches in height.