Short answer: Arca is a square side table, 55 x 55 cm (21.7 x 21.7 inches) and 35 cm (13.8 inches) high, that comes in two styles. The curved table has hidden storage and arrives pre-assembled. The fluted table has open storage and assembles in minutes.
Connect two tables with foot connectors and you have a coffee table 110 cm (43.4 inches) long, or connect four for an XL coffee table. Both styles come in Oak or Walnut. Arca starts as a choice between two side tables, then grows into a coffee table when you need one. That makes it useful if your room, or your plans for it, might change. This guide covers the product itself. For broader advice, see our guides on how to choose a side table and how to choose a coffee table.
On This Page
- What is the Arca table?
- Curved or fluted: how do the two styles differ?
- Where is the storage on the Arca?
- What sizes does the Arca come in?
- How do two Arca side tables become a coffee table?
- What are the finishes and materials?
- How is the Arca assembled?
- Which sofas does the Arca suit?
- Our recommendation
- Explore our tables
What is the Arca table?
The Arca table is one product with three formats, chosen on the product page under Table Type: a side table, a coffee table and an XL coffee table. The building block is always the same square side table. A coffee table is two of them joined, and an XL coffee table is four.
You also choose the style of each table: curved or fluted. For a coffee table you can pick curved with curved, fluted with fluted, or one of each. The product page lists convenient storage and customizable, mostly tool-free modularity as the key features.
Curved or fluted: how do the two styles differ?
The two styles share the same footprint and height, so the choice is about look, storage and assembly.
- Curved: soft, rounded edges made of bent plywood, with hidden storage. It ships fully assembled in a single box.
- Fluted: flutes made of ash wood on the side panels, with open storage. It ships flat and assembles with Knapp connectors.
Choose curved if you want the contents of the table out of sight, or if you would rather not assemble anything. Choose fluted if you want an open shelf you can reach into easily, and a more textured look.
Where is the storage on the Arca?
Storage is built into every Arca table, and the two styles handle it differently. The sizes below are the storage areas listed on our product page.
Where is the storage on the Arca?
| Style | Type of storage | Storage area (width x depth x height) |
|---|---|---|
| Fluted | Open shelf area | 53 x 53 x 28 cm (20.9 x 20.9 x 11 inches) |
| Curved | Hidden storage | 43.4 x 18.5 x 28 cm (17.1 x 7.3 x 11 inches), and 40 x 4 x 25.5 cm (15.7 x 1.6 x 10 inches) |
The curved storage is narrow, so it suits flat items such as remotes, magazines and coasters. The fluted shelf is much larger and suits books, a basket or a few decorative objects. When you join curved tables into a coffee table, the storage stays hidden. For a wider look at tables that store things, read our guide to coffee tables with storage.
What sizes does the Arca come in?
Every Arca table is 55 x 55 cm (21.7 x 21.7 inches) and 35 cm (13.8 inches) high. The other formats are built from that square.
What sizes does the Arca come in?
| Format | Made from | Footprint (length x width) | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side table | 1 table | 55 x 55 cm (21.7 x 21.7 inches) | 35 cm (13.8 inches) |
| Coffee table | 2 tables | 110 x 55 cm (43.4 x 21.7 inches) | 35 cm (13.8 inches) |
| XL coffee table | 4 tables | 110 x 110 cm (43.4 x 43.4 inches) | 35 cm (13.8 inches) |
At 35 cm (13.8 inches), Arca is a low table. It sits well beside a low or deep seat, and it keeps sight lines open in a larger room. If you want a surface level with the arm of a sofa, compare it with our other tables in the side table guide.
The tables ship in separate boxes. The fluted table box measures 62 x 61.5 x 20 cm (24.4 x 24.2 x 7.9 inches) and weighs 15.6 kg (34.3 lb). The curved table box measures 63 x 63 x 41 cm (24.8 x 24.8 x 16.1 inches) and weighs 17.4 kg (38.4 lb).
How do two Arca side tables become a coffee table?
Each Arca table comes with a foot connector. To make a coffee table, you place two tables side by side and hook the connectors into the levelling feet of the neighbouring table. The modularity is mostly tool-free. The tables can be separated again later, so a coffee table can go back to being two side tables at either end of a sofa.
You can combine the styles in three ways:
- Curved and curved: a smooth coffee table with hidden storage.
- Fluted and fluted: a textured coffee table with two open shelves.
- Curved and fluted: one hidden and one open storage area in the same table.
For a larger room, a connected pair of coffee tables can be pushed together into the XL format, which is 110 cm (43.4 inches) square. The levelling feet give a small height adjustment if your floor is uneven.
What are the finishes and materials?
The Arca table comes in Oak or Walnut on all formats and styles. The surface is an ash wood veneer with a satin finish over an engineered wood core. The flutes on the fluted style are ash wood, and the curved edges on the curved style are bent plywood. Oak is the lighter, more natural tone, and Walnut is warmer and deeper.
Oak and Walnut are also the finishes on several of our other tables, including the Mensa tables and the Ombra table, so a coffee table and a side table from different collections can share a wood tone. Our guide to pairing a sofa, accent chair and coffee table shows how to match finishes to your room.
To care for the surface, dust with a soft, dry cloth. For stains, wipe gently with a damp cloth and mild soap, then dry right away. Avoid harsh cleaners, and use coasters, because long exposure to condensation can damage the finish.
How is the Arca assembled?
The curved table is pre-assembled, so you unbox it and set it in place. The fluted table is flat packed. Its panels connect with Knapp connectors, and its hardware box includes three M6 screws and a 4 mm Allen key, so keep a clear floor space and a few minutes free. The foot connector for joining tables is also in the hardware box. Assembly is mostly tool-free, and the guides on the page show each step.
Which sofas does the Arca suit?
This is design advice rather than a product specification. A low 35 cm (13.8 inches) table suits low, deep seating, where a standard-height table can feel too tall. Our Gaia, Ciello and Cassini sofas all work with a coffee table of this size. Leave 36 to 46 cm (14 to 18 inches) between the sofa and the table, and keep walking paths at least 76 cm (30 inches) wide, or 91 cm (36 inches) for more comfort.
If you like the idea of a table that changes shape, our nesting and space-saving tables guide compares Arca with our Ombra, Stella and Solis tables. Our Eclipse tables are the round option, and the Stella coffee table and Solis side table change height rather than shape.
Our recommendation
- A side table beside a sofa or bed: one Arca table, curved if you want to hide what is inside, fluted if you want an open shelf.
- A coffee table for a smaller room: two tables joined, 110 x 55 cm (43.4 x 21.7 inches).
- A big seating area: four tables as the XL coffee table, 110 cm (43.4 inches) square.
- No assembly: choose curved, which arrives pre-assembled.
- Maximum open storage: choose fluted.
- Not the best fit: if you need a table higher than 35 cm (13.8 inches), look at our Eclipse, Solis or Stella tables.
Explore our tables
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.