To measure your room for a mirrored coffee table, record the length of your sofa, the height of its seat and the space between the sofa and the opposite wall or furniture. Aim for a table roughly two thirds the length of the sofa, no taller than the seat cushions, with 40 to 45cm of legroom in front of the sofa and at least 75cm of clear walkway around the other sides. Because mirrored tables reflect light and are often heavier than they appear, you should also check reflections, rug size and access into the house before you choose.
Mirrored pieces bring light and a sense of glamour to a lounge, which is why our mirrored living room furniture UK collection includes coffee tables, side tables and consoles in a range of shapes. The nine steps below help you choose the right size with confidence.
A mirrored coffee table has a strong visual presence. It catches light, reflects the room around it and draws the eye. That is exactly what makes it attractive, but it also means an oversized table can dominate a room very quickly, and a poorly placed one can bounce sunlight straight into your eyes or across the TV screen.
Mirrored furniture is also typically built around a solid frame with glass panels fixed to it, which makes it heavier than many wooden or metal designs of similar size. A little planning ensures it sits comfortably within the rest of your modern living room furniture UK sale and arrives without difficulty.
You will need a tape measure, a notepad or phone, some masking tape and ideally a second pair of hands.
Start with a simple floor plan. It does not need to be to scale, but it should show the length and width of the room, the position of doors, windows, radiators, fireplaces and alcoves, and any built in shelving. Measure each wall from corner to corner and note the width of doorways and the direction each door opens.
Mark the position of existing furniture you intend to keep, particularly the sofa, armchairs, TV unit and any side tables. This sketch becomes your reference for all the steps that follow.
Measure the sofa from arm to arm along the front edge. For a corner sofa, measure the longer side. A coffee table around two thirds of this length usually looks balanced. For a 200cm sofa, that points to a table of roughly 120 to 135cm. For a compact two seater of 150cm, something closer to 90 to 100cm is more appropriate.
If you have two sofas facing each other, measure both and base the table on the shorter one, so neither looks overwhelmed.
Measure from the floor to the top of the seat cushion at the front edge. Most sofas sit somewhere between 40 and 48cm. Your coffee table should be the same height or up to about 5cm lower. A mirrored table taller than the seat looks awkward and makes it harder to reach drinks.
Note that deep, low lounging sofas often suit lower tables, while firm, upright sofas can take a slightly taller design.
The space between the edge of the sofa and the edge of the table determines how comfortable the arrangement feels. Around 40 to 45cm is a good target. Less than 35cm makes it difficult to sit down and stand up. More than 50cm puts the table out of reach.
With a mirrored table, sufficient legroom has an extra benefit. It reduces the chance of feet and shoes knocking the glass sides, which helps to keep the finish free from scuffs and fingerprints.
Using your sketch, draw the routes people take through the room: from the door to the seating, towards the kitchen or dining area, and to windows or French doors. Keep at least 75cm clear along these routes, and ideally 90cm for main thoroughfares.
Check that doors, including cupboard doors and TV unit doors, can open fully without hitting the table. In smaller UK lounges, particularly in terraced houses and flats, this is often the step that determines the maximum size you can choose.
If the table will sit on a rug, measure it and mark its position on your plan. Ideally, the rug should be large enough for at least the front legs of the sofa to rest on it, with the coffee table sitting centrally and at least 30cm of rug visible around the table on every side. A mirrored table reflects whatever is beneath and around it, so a well sized rug makes a noticeable difference to how the table looks.
If your current rug is too small, it is worth considering a larger one at the same time. Our range of modern rugs UK includes sizes suitable for both compact and generous seating areas.
This is the step most people overlook. Stand in the spot where the table will go at different times of day and note where sunlight falls. A mirrored top in direct sun can throw bright reflections onto the ceiling or across the TV. Moving the table slightly, choosing a design with a smoked or antiqued mirror finish, or adding a tray or runner on top can all reduce glare.
In the evening, think about lamps. A mirrored table near a table lamp or floor lamp multiplies the warmth of the light, which can look lovely, but avoid placing it directly beneath a bright spotlight.
Mirrored tables usually arrive fully assembled, so check that the table will fit through every opening on the way to the lounge. Measure the width and height of your front door, any internal doors, the narrowest point of the hallway and, if relevant, the stairwell and any turns on the landing. Compare these with the table’s dimensions, including its height when tilted on its side.
Flats with lifts need an extra check. Measure the lift door width and the interior depth of the lift car.
Once you have a target size, mark the footprint of the table on the floor using masking tape, or lay out a sheet of cardboard cut to size. Stack a few books or boxes to show the height. Leave the template in place for a day or two and use the room normally.
Sit on the sofa, reach for a cup, walk through the room carrying something, open the doors. If anything feels tight, reduce the size or consider a different shape. If the template looks lost, you may be able to go larger. This simple test is the most reliable way to be sure before committing.
Your measurements will often point towards a particular shape. Rectangular mirrored tables suit longer sofas and give plenty of surface. Square designs work well with corner sofas or where two sofas face each other. Round and oval tables are the most forgiving in tight spaces, because they have no corners to catch on shins as you move past.
If you find that a single table is too large for the walkways but a smaller one looks lost, a mirrored nest of tables or a pair of matching tables can be an elegant compromise. To compare mirrored designs with glass, wood and marble options of similar dimensions, browse our full selection of modern coffee tables UK.
If you are planning several changes in the same room, it makes sense to measure for everything at once. The same principles of clearance, sightlines and access apply to media furniture. Our guide to measuring UK rooms for an oak TV unit follows a similar process, and our article on low TV unit measurements for UK lounges explains how unit height affects the view from the sofa.
Taking an hour to measure carefully means your mirrored coffee table will look as though it belongs in the room from the day it arrives. It will reflect light in the right places, leave plenty of space to move and sit comfortably alongside your other furniture. When you are ready, you can browse mirrored tables and complementary pieces at Furniture in Fashion.
As a guide, choose a table around two thirds the length of your sofa, the same height as the seat or slightly lower, with 40 to 45cm of legroom in front of the sofa.
Yes. Mirrored surfaces reflect light and can make a small room feel brighter. Round or oval shapes are usually easiest to live with in tight spaces.
Avoid placing it in direct sunlight where possible, consider a smoked or antiqued mirror finish, and use a tray or decorative objects to break up the reflective surface.
Many do, which is why it is important to measure doorways, hallways, stairs and lifts before choosing a size.
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