How to Place a Coffee Table with Reclining Sofa? 5 Easy Steps

Reclining sofas seem like that 90s dream which today’s architects define as a design element of a ‘retro modern’ styled living space. A chic addition to your living room furniture spread that serves the looks as well as purpose. Not only in the living room, some of us even would love to have one in our reading nook too! Getting all cozy with a Colleen Hoover book and a cup of warm coffee seems like the perfect combination to give yourself a quality time.

Speaking of coffee and a recliner, how to place a coffee table with reclining sofa, actually? Is this even legal, or the decor police would file charges for this combination? All jokes aside, of course, you can put a coffee table beside the recliner chair, but how to do so tastefully?

Let’s dig a little deeper.

Do You Use a Coffee Table with Reclining Sofa – How to Go About it? 

Hey, it’s not rocket science, so there is subjectively no right or wrong answer in this case. However, functionality and aesthetics are the two key things that will prevent you from randomly placing a coffee table with a recliner chair.

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The first thing about it is the reclining chair actually reclines! Crazy! I know. So, when you think about putting the coffee table right in front of it, don’t discount the possibility of you or anyone else knocking over the table while using the chair. So, there has to be ample space left in this scenario. 

When figuring out the sofa placement with the center table, keep the following in mind:

Make sure you leave a little wiggle room when pairing up a coffee table with your reclining sofa. Usually, the sofas are displayed in pairs. In that case, put your coffee table in the middle of the two sofas. This way, both you and your partner (or friend) can reach any item on the table comfortably. A good rule of thumb is to have at least 18 inches of space between the sofa and the coffee table if you’re looking for an exact measurement.

The second thing you should pay attention to is the height of your sofa and table. To make the coffee table convenient to use, it should be set at the same height as the sofa’s seat cushions or a few inches lower. However, if you ask what would be my personal preference, I would like it a little higher because I am not exactly a tall person. I’m a person of adorable height, if I do say so myself.

Factors to Consider

Height: The height of the coffee table matters because of majorly two reasons. The first reason is the reach from the sofa to the table, and the second one is aesthetics. What benefit would the table add if you can’t reach for the items on top? Ideally, one to two inches shorter tables than the reclining sofa is suggested. These also look aesthetically pleasing.

Style: Many styles of coffee tables are out there. Pair your sofas with the one that looks the best and serves the purpose. Look for contrasting styles and sizes. For example, an oval-shaped table might go with big furniture, or if you plan to use it to work occasionally, maybe choose the ones that go over the arm. Play with the options, and choose the one that speaks to you the most.

Material: Good material that is cohesive with your room’s design and durable should be your focus whilst deciding on the material. Wood, metal, resin, acrylic, ceramic, marble, etc., are the materials available to choose from.

Budget: Last but not least, budget. Set a budget for the table and stick to it. You might like something which is so extravagant and nice but exceeds your budget. I recommend you rethink that decision and choose something more pocket-friendly. It’s just a piece of furniture and doesn’t need to break the bank.

How Do I Choose a Coffee Table For My Reclining Sofa- What Looks Good?

Choosing the perfect coffee table can be a bit challenging, especially one that goes in coordination with the space and serves functionality at the same time. But it’s definitely not impossible.

First and foremost, keep your space in mind. ‘If it fits, I sit’ is not the mentality we need here. Something that looks seamless with the reclining sofa and your overall aesthetics of the room should be something you look for.

Look for similar attributes with the sofas in terms of color and type of furniture (is it modern or mid-century or Victorian, etc.). Usually, a wood table goes with most furniture, but recently acrylic and resin-made tables have won the heart of a lot of enthusiasts. Look for several of these options, and sort out which are the ones that you fancy the most.

A glass-top coffee table can also be a perfect blend, but with those, it usually lacks storage. On that note, if you are a minimalist or love a clean look in your space, go for the coffee tables, which come with additional storage options. Trust me; you can never have enough storage! There is always something to put away, especially if you have kids.

Another option could be an ottoman-style coffee table. A perfect accent piece. It can double as a footrest if needed, and some even have extra storage! Ottoman gives you a stylish and cozy outlook with all the functionalities.

A Step-by-step Guide on Choosing a Coffee Table with reclining sofa

To put things in perspective, here is a step-by-step guide on how to actually choose a coffee table with reclining sofa –

Step 1: Before you go on and commit to any coffee/center table, take a good look at the space you are envisioning to put it in. You need a plan of action to tackle this. Take notes of the available space you have to put the table in; otherwise, it can be too big or too small. Also, note the dimensions of the reclining sofa itself.

Step 2: Make a list of alternatives. There are plenty of options out there on google. And make a mood board on Pinterest, which helps many designers and me have a clearer picture of what to look for.

Step 3: Think about functionality as well as design. One without the other will only result in disappointment in the long run. However, don’t restrict yourself, be open to options.

Step 4: Hopefully, by this step, you already have some sort of idea about what you are looking for. Now, try to come up with different ways you will be using the coffee table and list the pros and cons of each of the designs in coherence with your sofa.

Step 5: Get the coffee table of your dreams. Remember to leave room for the sofa to actually recline. Use an area rug and/or table toppers to enhance the beauty of the piece, which is in contrast with the table color.

And that is how it is done, folks! Don’t forget to keep your creative eyes open because there can always be a way that suits your needs much better.

Frequently Asked Questions on Coffee Table with reclining sofa

Final Words

In conclusion, a reclining sofa can be styled with a coffee table in a thousand different ways. One piece of advice from yours truly is to arrange all your pieces in a way that suits your sense of style. Doesn’t matter what the trend is; if it serves you the purpose and brings you joy, that’s all that matters. Happy home!

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