You Don’t Have To Choose Between A Coffee Table Or Ottoman - These Are The Best Alternatives To A Coffee Table
Choosing between a coffee table or ottoman can feel like having to choose between function and comfort, but don’t worry - you won’t have make that choice with our list of the best alternatives to a coffee table.
When working on remodels, planning how furniture will lay out in the space is an important thing to consider.
Often our clients will want to include both a coffee table and an ottoman in their living room.
It isn’t hard to understand why. A coffee table adds function - a place to set drinks, snacks, decorative pieces and coffee table books. With those uses in mind, putting your feet up on that coffee table often isn’t considered good manners.
To add more comfort and coziness to their space, adding an ottoman then comes into play.
But how do you include both, especially if you have limited space, or you don’t want the room to feel too crowded?
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What To Choose: Ottoman Or Coffee Table?
When considering new furniture to buy for a living room or family room, it isn’t uncommon to wonder how to fit both a coffee table and an ottoman into your space.
As we mentioned above, both options offer unique and necessary benefits that everyone wants in their room.
Unfortunately, coming up with a layout that allows ample walking space and a clean design while having both a coffee table and an ottoman in front of a sofa can be complicated. It doesn’t mean you can’t do it, but it just doesn’t work for many people’s desired aesthetic.
Since you’re here, it is probably clear to you that we have a preference for the comfort of ottomans.
Ottomans serve a very particular purpose, as a place to put your feet up. It often is padded for comfort and coziness. With the specific use of an ottoman, it is more difficult to replace.
On the other hand, since there are many great options that can give the same benefits of a coffee table, choosing an alternative can be a smart move without having to compromise on the functional elements that a living room or family room needs.
What Functions Does A Coffee Table Offer?
To find the best alternatives to a coffee table, we need to define what purpose coffee tables serve in a living room or family room.
Decorative -
A coffee table often can be a grounding center point to a living room or family room. The design of the coffee table can play an important role in the overall look of the space and is an opportunity to add more design features to a room.
It is a place where decorative items can be placed such as photos, flowers, or the ever famous, coffee table book.
A Firm Surface -
Traditionally coffee tables have a hard, flat top surface. This is useful for those who want to serve guests in their living room or family room as it can be used for setting drinks, snacks, or other serving items. It is also helpful when needing a place to write or for kids to do activities such as drawing or homework.
Functional Alternatives To A Coffee Table:
Now that we have defined that to have a reasonable alternative to a coffee table we need something that is both decorative and offers a firm surface, we can get into our list. All of these meet those requirements and some even have additional benefits of their own.
A Sofa Table For An Alternative To A Coffee Table
48” Long x 16” Deep Wheeled Rustic Sofa Table
Sofa tables, also known as console tables, are long tables that can be placed along the backside of the sofa. They are great for adding definition and additional storage space to a room. A sofa table can be used as a place to set drinks and snacks or even for lamps to add lighting over the back of the couch.
Sofa tables come in super narrow to wider options, depending on the amount of space you have available. They can be placed behind a sofa that is out in the open, or tucked between the back of a sofa and a wall, if necessary.
These are great alternatives to a coffee table because they have great potential to add both decorative and functional purposes, including additional storage space.
Slide Under Side Tables For An Alternative To A Coffee Table
These side tables can be called a variety of names, from tray tables, snack tables, to end tables but the styles all have one thing in common: they can slide the feet under a sofa with a flat surface above.
When not needed, these tables can be tucked to one side and serve as an end table. Otherwise they could be left in place constantly, if desired.
These sliding side tables come in every style and finish you can dream up. From traditional, to rustic to ultra modern. There are nearly endless options available in these compact but useful tables.
We love this alternative to a coffee table for sectionals as it can be placed anywhere throughout the sofa to offer a flat surface to set things!
These slide under sofa tables offer decorative options as well as functional hard surface for eating, writing, serving, etc. that make it an excellent alternative to a coffee table.
Coffee Table Ottomans For An Alternative To A Coffee Table
54” Long x 28” Wide Ottoman With Coffee Table
Coffee table ottomans, or ottomans as coffee tables? Whichever you prefer, there is an alternative to a traditional cushy ottoman for those who want a combination that offers benefits of both.
These ottoman/coffee table combinations generally have a cushion on them, but may have an overall firmer feel to the top. Some come with trays or pull out wood drawers that allow a hard surface for setting food, drinks, or for writing.
Sometimes they have cushions that are soft on one side, or firm surface on the other. This is useful as it can easily be transitioned between the two depending on what you need at the time.
It goes without saying that these are the ultimate combination of all of the benefits of a coffee table and an ottoman. As an alternative to a typical coffee table, you will get decorative looks with the ability to have a firmer surface when it’s needed.
Trays As An Alternative To A Coffee Table
The easiest of all the alternatives to a coffee table is adding a tray to your ottoman! If you already have an ottoman and buying a new one isn’t an option but you want the function of a coffee table, adding a tray is going to be your best bet.
All you need to do is choose a tray that is the right size and shape for the design you desire. Trays come in a every single style, color, and size you can imagine which means there is one out there to fit your space.
Trays are a great alternative to a coffee table to because they are easy to replace, you can swap them out depending on the seasons, they can be easily tucked under your ottoman or sofa when not in use, and are extremely cost-effective.
These offer the benefits of design and function which makes them the perfect coffee table alternative for any household or budget!
12 Places To Shop Online For Alternatives To A Coffee Table:
If you’re wondering where to start your search for the best coffee table alternative for your own house, don’t worry, we have you covered there too.
Here are a few of our favorites places with links to the necessary pages for each. That means, once you know which alternative for you, the shopping process is streamlined to get you to the right pages to help you find what you need. You can thank us later!
1. Wayfair Coffee Table Alternatives -
The filter features on Wayfairs makes this my first stop when shopping for any of these coffee table alternatives. There is a huge variety but it isn’t overwhelming because you are able to easily search for exactly what you need in just seconds by adjusting their many search filters.
2. Amazon Coffee Table Alternatives -
A huge variety at a great price - plus who doesn’t love quick shipping and easy returns? Looking for alternatives to a coffee table is as easy as can be on Amazon!
3. Houzz Coffee Table Alternatives -
When looking for really specific or unique items, Houzz is my one-stop shop. I love the amount of different coffee table alternatives I can find on this site. Plus, their search function and filter helps to make the process easy.
4. Frontgate Coffee Table Alternatives -
Chic options as an alternative to a coffee table are easy to find at Frontgate. Stunning designer pieces make this one of the best stops for unique home decor finds.
5. One Kings Lane Coffee Table Alternatives -
To find beautiful, luxury coffee table alternatives, you must check out One Kings Lane! The selection is especially unique and the pieces are high-end designs.
6. Burke Decor Alternatives To A Coffee Table -
Contemporary and cool are how I would describe the alternatives to a coffee table available on Burke Decor. There are pieces you won’t find elsewhere and are sure to be on trend and good quality.
7. Carlyle Avenue Coffee Table Alternatives -
A hand picked selection of high-end and high quality coffee table alternatives can be found on Carlyle Avenue. While there aren’t a huge amount of items, what they do have is sure to impress you with it’s design.
8. West Elm Coffee Table Alternatives -
Modern and practical coffee table alternatives are perfect for any home and exactly what you’ll find at West Elm. A beautiful collection of items that are also practical make it one of my favorite places to shop.
9. Viva Terra Coffee Table Alternatives -
Unique and somewhat bohemian, I love the tailored selection of coffee table alternative items at Viva Terra! There are unique pieces that have a focus on being green which is always a benefit when being a conscious consumer.
10. Serena And Lily Coffee Table Alternatives -
Clean, coastal and contemporary - Serena and Lily offers a beautiful collection of coffee table alternative items for those who prefer a carefree style. I personally love the cool, clean, and natural colors, textures, and materials used in their designs.
11. Belle & June Coffee Table Alternatives -
A curated collection of classic pieces and designer styles are what you’ll find when searching for coffee table alternatives at Belle & June. The neutral color palettes and contemporary styles can be easily blended in most existing home decor.
12. Cost Plus World Market Coffee Table Alternatives -
Truly individual pieces with a wide variety of styles are available as coffee table alternatives at Cost Plus World Market. There is something for everyone here, with a mixture of designs from rustic to glam to midcentury modern and beyond!
Which Coffee Table Alternative Do You Love?
You don’t have to compromise on choosing between an ottoman and a coffee table, because you can use one of these awesome alternatives! These alternatives to a coffee table offer decorative benefits to fit your style and a firm surface to offer serving and other functional uses. No matter which you choose, all of these options can help you create your dream space that is as functional as it is comfortable.
Now I want to hear from you - Do you prefer a coffee table or an ottoman? Which alternative to a coffee table would you choose? Let me know in the comments below!
