For about two months, I had 14 coffee tables scattered in my living room. Gregory Han for NYT WirecutterCat high jinks were in full effect during testing. Gregory Han for NYT WirecutterFor about two months, I had 14 coffee tables scattered in my living room. Gregory Han for NYT WirecutterWe visited stores both online and in person, and we considered dozens of tables across price ranges, styles, and dimensions. We pored over specs and favored high-quality materials and fair return policies. We also noted extra functionality, such as shelves, rounded corners, movability, and storage compartments. In the end, we focused on 14 promising candidates, which we brought into our homes to assess further.We approached coffee-table testing the same way we do for any furniture item, including desks and sofas: by examining how people actually use them.We assessed proportions. To start, we determined whether a table’s size felt “right,” particularly relative to a sofa’s seat height. We looked for heights that were comfortable for various sofa setups, as well as sizes that worked for both smaller and larger living rooms. We had two living room setups — one with a low sectional sofa at a 14-inch seat height, and another with a sofa seat height of 16 inches — but we kept in mind higher sofa seats, too.Here’s how some of our picks look next to a sofa with an 18-inch seat height. Though the best combination ultimately depends on personal preference, most experts we talked to said that the table height should be around the same as the seat height, or as much as a couple of inches lower. Vincent Drayne/NYT Wirecutter We considered everyday use. We subjected each table to the realities of everyday life, using it as a landing pad for snacks and drinks, as a resting spot for books, magazines, remotes, eyeglasses, and coasters, and as an occasional footrest while we binge-watched TV shows and movies. The tables also doubled as a playground and rest platform for two rambunctious young cats.We checked for normal wear and tear. We dusted and wiped down typical messes, including rings from hot and cold beverages, and noted whether surfaces stained too easily or resisted cleaning. We also checked how easily the surface scratched with everyday objects, like keys.We tested for stability. We firmly shook each table and noted any rattling or swaying. We purposely bumped into them to confirm that they didn’t tip or shift too easily.We did quality-control checks. We inspected each table’s construction and looked for common pain points, such as mediocre veneer applications, shoddy connection points, loose hardware, and uneven painted or lacquered surfaces.And of course, we also kept in mind the subjective effect a table has on the whole of a room and whether the design felt as good to live with as it was presented online. We used each table for two to four days as the main coffee table, but we lived with all of them for about two months. In the end, we found eight tables that we believe are worth the prime real estate in your living room.
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