How Much Should You Spend on a Small Coffee Table? A Realistic Budget Guide

A small coffee table looks like a simple purchase, yet it is one of the hardest working pieces in a compact living room. It holds drinks, remotes, laptops and books, it takes knocks from feet and vacuum cleaners, and in a small room it sits right at the centre of every view. So how much of your budget should it take? In this guide we explain how to set a realistic spend without quoting arbitrary figures, by weighing how long you plan to keep the table, how hard it will work and what else the room needs. We look at the features that genuinely justify spending more, such as solid construction, durable tops and useful storage, and the areas where a simpler design serves you just as well. We also cover how to spot good value in small tables, how to balance the coffee table against the sofa and rug, and the questions to ask before you commit....