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Original poster

sofas and coffee tables

19 replies

dudsville · 01/08/2020 15:18

I currently have a sofa that allows for space at either end for a coffee table. I'm ordering a new sofa that is bigger and would only allow for a coffee table at one or either end. It's not possible to have a table in the middle. I can't work out whether this will be irritating in the long run. Is anyone out there bored enough to offer an opinion on whether there must always be a coffee table in reach of the sofa?

OP posts:
missyB1 · 01/08/2020 15:32

Well dh and I have a little table each at our own ends of the sofa. We always have a drink on the go in the living room so it would be tricky if he had to keep asking me to pass his or vice versa.

katewitch · 01/08/2020 15:45

We have a narrow side table at each end, would that be an option? Just enough for drinks. But to me a coffee table is out in front of the sofa, not at the side!

Saz42 · 01/08/2020 15:47

How about a nest of tables, then you can pull one out when needed.

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Whybirdwhy · 01/08/2020 15:52

If one of the arms of the sofa is against the wall could you put a little shelf up instead of a table?

Original poster
dudsville · 01/08/2020 15:53

You're right Kate, is what I'm describing an end table perhaps?

We currently have the same layout as you Missyb.

I'm basing the idea that I won't have room for end tables on the notion that furniture shouldn't be hugging the wall. This wall is only 12 feet across so by the time it has a 7.5 foot sofa on it that's pretty full. I will google for pics where the furniture is as tighly packed as this would be.

OP posts:
vanillandhoney · 01/08/2020 15:57

We have a coffee table that DH uses, and I use the bookshelf that's right next to my side of the sofa. We had a corner sofa with a chaise-type bit, so I use that half, and the coffee table sits nearer DH's corner.

Original poster
dudsville · 01/08/2020 15:57

Saz, this would be for the nightly use so would be out all the time, but thanks all of you so much for thinking this boring thing through with me. I wonder whybirdwhy if you might have an idea there. I don't like a shelf idea, BUT I one of the little end tables is only just over a foot wide so could easily go in front of an end corner of the sofa, so out of the way but still useful (if not more so).

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Original poster
dudsville · 01/08/2020 16:00

Vanilla, I use a book shelf in another room in the same way, but in this living room the bookshelves are alongside the tv so it wouldn't be a great place to sit to watch tv.

(It seems weird to be thinking of getting bigger seating during a time when we can't have people over.)

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vanillandhoney · 01/08/2020 16:10

Vanilla, I use a book shelf in another room in the same way, but in this living room the bookshelves are alongside the tv so it wouldn't be a great place to sit to watch tv.

Ah okay, fair enough. We have a lower bookshelf by the sofa for me, then bookshelves on the wall above the TV too.

EatsShootsAndRuns · 01/08/2020 16:18

You need these. Settee arm tray. I found it on Etsy (I am not the seller!)

sofas and coffee tables
VinylDetective · 01/08/2020 16:20

Could you have a big coffee table in front of the sofa?

ButteryPuffin · 01/08/2020 16:23

Little end tables, or the thing @EatsShootsAndRuns posted, or putting drinks on a coaster on the floor? I find bigger coffee tables can become a magnet for crap, not to mention banging your shins on.

FinallyHere · 01/08/2020 17:29

What would be behind the sofa?

We have a narrow bookshelf behind the sofa, it's top is cldd Ed bel with the top of the sofa back. Although we have. Coffee table in front and a small table to the side, I find myself putting cups or glasses on the shelf behind the sofa. It's just at the right height.

Also looks lovely with an (led) candle or lamp on either end.

Original poster
dudsville · 01/08/2020 18:16

Thanks everyone. The room is too small for a coffee table in front of the sofa Vinyldetective, it's 15 feet by 12 feet and by the time all the bits and bobs stick out there's not a lot of floor space left.

I think the thing that eatsshootsandruns posted could be great actually. My OH is messy and this is one of his main trouble areas so doubly useful and then I could have the end table.

I can't rest with coasters on the floor Butterypuffin, I just wait for the thing to get knocked over by us or the dogs!

Behind the sofa, FinallyHere is a window with a really nice and spacious, wooded window ledge, and I do use this even now, but it's not available when the curtains are closed. There's a radiator beneath it and I could put one of those topper things on it but it's the only radiator in the room so I don't want to reduce the output in any way.

I think I'm learning that there are lots of options so I will go ahead and choose the larger sofa!

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superstar84 · 01/08/2020 18:20

Could you get a little table In at the side?

We've got a tiny oak table at the side of our 2 seater sofa, it much wider than a coaster it perfect for a drink & phone

sofas and coffee tables
TwoZeroTwoZero · 01/08/2020 18:32

Our corner settee takes up most of our living room (it's a very small room, not a ginormous settee!) and we can only fit a table at one end. Tbh no-one uses the table (it currently holds a few toys, some books, a moon lamp and a photo); instead we put our drinks on the windowsill or on the floor.

Original poster
dudsville · 01/08/2020 21:55

superstar, does it look crowded in, that end table? I will be able to do this with my current end tables, just worry it'll look crammed.

OP posts:
superstar84 · 01/08/2020 22:05

You don't even see it, it's in the corner and when anyone sits there and we pass them a drink you can always see them looking around wondering where to put it until we say there's a small table there!

It's been brilliant, don't think it even takes up 10cm more room as the back of the sofa is wider than the arms

Perfect for a drink but no books etc

Original poster
dudsville · 01/08/2020 22:06

That sounds ideal, thanks!

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