Construction:
A good portion of low coffee tables are constructed out of solid wood and sit on four truncated legs or even a pedestal-style base. Due to the shorter height, you'll also find a number of open-frame sled or plinth-style bases made of stainless steel or iron with an engineered wood, tempered glass, or a stone table top. You might also come across low coffee tables that sit as one whole structure, such as tempered glass or engineered wood coffee tables with curved sides that work to give the illusion of more space.
Size:
When picking out a low coffee table, Courtney McLeod suggests that you measure the height of your sofa in order to ensure that they'll complement one another and it's not too much of a drastic height difference. A typical coffee table usually sits 16 to 18 inches off the ground while a low coffee table's standard overall height is often between 9 to 12 inches high. Danielle Colding suggests finding a larger size low coffee table that's ideal for families to curl up and do their homework that is 11 inches tall and 45 inches by 28 inches. If you're looking for something more mid-size that will nicely complement a velvet or microsuede mid-century sofa, opt for a wooden low coffee table that sits anywhere from 10 to 12 inches off the ground and measures 38 by 23 inches. And for those who don't have a lot of floor space but want a low coffee table that's unique, you could choose a round or hexagon-shaped low coffee table with open shelving that's 11 inches tall and measures around 22 inches by 20 inches.
Additional features:
A low coffee table often feels like a homage to the 1970s furniture aesthetic, but it's important to remember that it might feel a bit odd in an open space concept room if there are larger and taller furniture items alongside it, such as a classically designed dining table. For those low on storage space, Joy Moyler suggests finding a low coffee table that's designed with an open base that contains a bottom shelf or even compartments ideal for baskets or a mini drawer. If you have a busy family environment, there are lots of low coffee tables crafted out of engineered wood or other scratch and stain-resistant materials. There are also contemporary-style low coffee tables that feature built-in LED lighting that showcases the unique shape of the table or even lights up the shelving compartments.