Are Coffee Tables Out for 2026? Here’s What Designers Really Think

If you have a smaller living room and are thinking of what to sacrifice to make the most of the square footage you do have, designers say you might not actually need a coffee table—especially a standard low-profile one with four legs and a tabletop.

Here, three designers weigh in on why not every contemporary living room needs a coffee table, and they offer some more practical alternatives to consider instead. Hello, storage and smaller options that still provide plenty of surface to set things on.

Not Every Living Room Needs a Coffee Table

When Robert and Sharon Reed of Walnut & Ash Interiors are working on a living room design, they don’t begin sourcing coffee tables until they’ve determined that the space would actually benefit from one.

“In many spaces, a traditional coffee table may not be the best option,” Sharon says. “We always consider the size of the room and how it’s going to be used.”

For example, a small living room may benefit more from a piece that provides extra storage or seating.

The Reeds also want to ensure that their clients can still move comfortably between furniture arrangements, and a coffee table could make that difficult.

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Every Living Room Does Need Surface Space

Designer Jennie Rebecca Springer agrees that coffee tables aren’t always necessary in a living room, but their function of providing extra surface space is essential.

“Depending on the flow of your living room, a traditional coffee table may not be ideal, but you absolutely need adequate tables and surface space to support both everyday living and effortless hosting,” she says.

A traditional coffee table isn’t the only piece of furniture that can provide surface space. Here are some designer-approved alternatives.

Trunks

A trunk in front of your sofa can serve the same purpose as a coffee table, and it has a dual purpose.

“In a small space such as an apartment or condo, storage space can be minimal,” Robert says. “In this case, the use of a trunk is a great option.”

He suggests storing pillows, throw blankets, board games, and seasonal decor in a trunk. You can keep the decor on top minimal so you’re still able to easily access these items.

An Ottoman

Designer Claire Thompson is a big fan of opting for an oversized ottoman instead of a coffee table, but mainly in more casual spaces.

“It’s usually best to place this in more of the loungey living room than the formal, but we love an ottoman in place of a coffee table,” she says. “We will typically style with a tray or have some small martini tables or side tables nearby for convenience. It can really make a room feel cozy!”

Nesting Tables or End Tables

As counterintuitive as it sounds, multiple tables may be a better option for a small living room than one coffee table, according to Springer.

Nesting tables can serve the same purpose as a coffee table when you’re hosting, and you can conveniently move them off to the side for your day-to-day living room arrangement.

End tables on either side of your sofa will also make a great place to place drinks and decor like books.