Coffee Tables & Side Tables Australia: Marble, Travertine, Timber & Glass
The right coffee table brings a living room together, connecting your sofa, armchairs and rug. A well-chosen side table adds the finishing touch: somewhere for a lamp, a book or a drink, and a chance to bring in another texture or colour.
Our collection brings together marble, travertine, timber, glass and brass coffee tables in round, oval, rectangular, square and organic shapes, plus nesting tables and side tables to match. This guide covers sizes, shapes, materials, styling and care, to help you choose with confidence.
Coffee Table Sizes at a Glance
- Height: most coffee tables sit between 35 and 45cm high. Aim for a top level with, or a few centimetres below, your sofa seat.
- Length: a rectangular or oval table about half to two-thirds the length of your sofa looks balanced.
- Round: 80 to 90cm suits a compact sofa or apartment; 100 to 110cm suits a standard three-seater or curved sofa; 120cm and over suits large or modular seating.
- Distance: leave about 40 to 50cm between the sofa and the coffee table, and 75 to 90cm for walkways.
- Side tables: choose a top within a few centimetres of the sofa or armchair arm height.
Choosing a Coffee Table
Which shape should I choose?
- Round: softens a room, suits curved sofas and has no corners to bump into, which makes it ideal for busy family rooms.
- Oval: the length of a rectangle with the softness of a round. A great all-rounder for a three-seater.
- Rectangular: the classic partner for a long sofa, with plenty of reachable surface.
- Square: suits generous modular or L-shaped sofas, and seating that faces in from several sides.
- Organic: a freeform, pebble-like top adds a relaxed, sculptural feel.
- Nesting: two or more tables that sit together or pull apart when you need more surface.
What size coffee table do I need?
Start with your sofa. Measure its length and seat height, then allow 40 to 50cm of legroom in front. In a smaller room, a round or nesting table keeps walkways clear. In a large open-plan space, choose a generous table, or pair two tables side by side, so the arrangement doesn't look lost.
What height should a coffee table be?
Level with, or slightly below, your sofa seat. Most sofas sit at 42 to 47cm, so a 35 to 45cm coffee table suits most living rooms. Lower tables feel relaxed and contemporary; higher tables are easier to reach for drinks and dining.
Coffee Tables by Material
Marble coffee tables
Marble brings natural veining and instant presence, so the table becomes the room's focal point. Our range spans classic white, ivory and black marbles as well as coloured stones such as pink, jade and brown, set on timber, brass or metal bases. Marble is hard-wearing but porous, so use coasters and wipe up acidic spills such as wine and citrus straight away. See also our marble console tables.
Travertine coffee tables
Travertine's soft, earthy tones and natural pitting suit coastal, Mediterranean and organic interiors. It pairs beautifully with ivory, sage and olive upholstery, oak and walnut, and black accents. Like marble, it's a natural stone, so seal it, use coasters and avoid harsh cleaners.
Timber coffee tables
Timber adds warmth and suits almost any sofa colour. Choose natural or light oak for an airy, Scandinavian feel, walnut for richness, black for contrast, or washed mango wood for a relaxed coastal look. Grain and colour vary naturally from piece to piece.
Glass coffee tables
Glass keeps a room feeling light and open, letting your rug and sofa take centre stage. Clear, rippled and smoked glass on brass or timber frames add a little glamour. Tempered glass is strong, but it will show fingerprints, so keep a soft cloth handy.
Brass and metal coffee tables
Antique gold, brass and bronze frames add warmth and an Art Deco or Hollywood Regency touch, particularly with a marble or glass top. Explore more in our Art Deco furniture edit.
Are marble coffee tables solid marble?
Not always. Many combine a natural stone top with a timber, metal or composite base, which keeps the weight manageable. Each product page lists its exact materials and weight.
Nesting Coffee Tables
Nesting tables give you flexibility: keep them together as a layered centrepiece, or pull them apart when guests arrive. Different heights also make for an interesting, layered look.
Are nesting tables better than one large coffee table?
Neither is better; they suit different rooms. A single table makes a strong focal point. Nesting tables are ideal for apartments, rooms that double as entertaining spaces, and seating arrangements that change.
Side Tables
A side table sits beside a sofa, armchair or bed, giving you somewhere for a lamp, a book or a drink. Browse our dedicated side tables collection for the full range.
How tall should a side table be?
Close to the height of the sofa or armchair arm, usually 50 to 65cm, so you can reach it without stretching. If it will hold a table lamp, allow for the lamp's height too, so the light sits around eye level when you're seated.
Should side tables match the coffee table?
They don't have to. Matching sets look cohesive, but contrast often feels more collected. Relate them through one element (colour, shape or material), such as a walnut coffee table with a travertine side table, or round marble with round brass.
Can a side table be used as a bedside table?
Yes, if its height is close to your mattress top and it has enough room for a lamp and a book. See our bedside tables too.
Pairing Your Coffee Table with Your Sofa
- Curved sofa: a round, oval or organic table echoes the curve.
- Long three-seater: a rectangular or oval table gives reach along the whole sofa.
- Modular or L-shaped sofa: a large square table, or two tables side by side.
- Bouclé or linen sofa: timber or travertine for a warm, tactile pairing.
- Velvet sofa: marble, glass or brass for contrast and a little glamour.
- Neutral sofa: coloured marble or a dark timber table for interest.
Find the perfect partner in our designer sofas and armchairs, then anchor the arrangement with one of our designer rugs.
Which coffee table suits my style?
- Contemporary: sculptural timber, clean-lined glass or white marble.
- Coastal and organic: travertine, washed timber and soft, rounded shapes.
- Hamptons: white or natural oak finishes and simple, classic lines.
- Glamorous and Art Deco: brass, rippled glass and coloured marble.
- Minimalist: one sculptural piece in a single material, styled sparingly.
Styling Your Coffee Table
- Start with books: a stack of two or three large-format books gives a stable base.
- Add something sculptural: a vase, bowl or decorative object.
- Bring in nature: a few branches or a small plant softens stone and glass.
- Vary the heights: group objects in threes, mixing tall and low.
- Leave space: keep at least half the surface clear for cups and everyday use.
Less is more. One beautiful object often has more impact than a crowded collection.
Care
- Marble and travertine: use coasters, wipe spills straight away, clean with a pH-neutral stone cleaner and reseal periodically.
- Timber: dust with a soft cloth, wipe spills promptly and keep out of strong direct sunlight.
- Glass: clean with a glass cleaner and a soft cloth, never anything abrasive.
- Brass and metal: wipe with a soft, dry cloth and avoid abrasive or acidic cleaners.
- Use felt pads under objects and table legs, and lift tables rather than dragging them.
- Keep hot dishes off stone, timber and glass, and never sit or stand on a table.
Buying a Coffee Table Online
What should I check before ordering?
Check the width, depth and height against your sofa, and the materials and care. Stone tables are heavy, so also check the weight and whether any assembly is needed. Then measure doorways, lifts and stairs on the way in.
Do you have a matching side table?
Many of our coffee tables have matching side tables in the same material or finish. Look for the matching name in our side tables collection.
Do you have outdoor coffee tables?
Yes. We have outdoor coffee tables designed for the elements. See our outdoor furniture for the full range.
Coffee Table FAQs
What is the standard coffee table height?
Most coffee tables are 35 to 45cm high, roughly level with or just below a sofa seat.
How far should a coffee table be from the sofa?
About 40 to 50cm: close enough to reach, with room for your legs.
How long should a coffee table be?
About half to two-thirds the length of your sofa.
Are round coffee tables better for small rooms?
Often, yes. With no corners, a round table is easier to move around, and it takes up less visual space.
What coffee table suits a curved sofa?
A round, oval or organic table that follows the sofa's curve.
What colour coffee table goes with a beige sofa?
Walnut, black, travertine, white marble and glass all work with beige. Choose walnut or black for contrast, or travertine for a soft, tonal look.
What coffee table goes with a grey sofa?
Warm timber or brass brings warmth to grey, while black or white marble keeps it crisp and contemporary.
Are marble coffee tables practical?
Yes, with care. Marble is durable, but it can stain or etch, so use coasters and clean up spills quickly.
Is travertine good for a coffee table?
Yes. It's a hard-wearing natural stone with a soft, earthy look. Seal it and treat it as you would marble.
Can I mix a timber coffee table with a marble side table?
Absolutely. Mixing materials makes a room feel layered and collected.
Do I need a coffee table at all?
Not always. Nesting tables, a pair of side tables or a large ottoman can do the same job in a smaller room.
Where can I buy designer coffee tables in Australia?
Attica House offers designer coffee and side tables in marble, travertine, timber, glass and brass, with delivery Australia-wide.
The Finishing Touch
Sometimes the smallest decisions make the biggest difference. A well-proportioned coffee table brings your living room together, and the right side table adds balance and personality. From natural stone and warm timber to rippled glass and brass, find the pieces that complete your space.
Beautifully considered. Effortlessly functional. The finishing touch your living room deserves.
