Short answer: Start with the sofa, then match the other two pieces on four things: scale, height, timber finish and colour. We pair our Vela, Naos and Mira chairs and our Tessella, Eclipse and Mensa tables with our Ciello, Atmosphere, Neptune and Gaia sofas. Pick a coffee table that stays at or just below seat height, and a chair whose timber tone echoes the table.
A living room feels finished when the three big pieces look like they belong together, rather than each one being right only on its own. This guide gives you the numbers and the logic to choose well.
On This Page
- What are the basic rules for pairing a sofa, chair and coffee table?
- Which chairs and tables do we show with each sofa?
- How do I match heights and depths?
- Which lounge chair goes with my sofa?
- Which coffee table goes with my sofa?
- What are the most common pairing mistakes?
- Our recommendation
- Explore our living room range
What are the basic rules for pairing a sofa, chair and coffee table?
In the rooms we style, each sofa colour is shown with a chair, a table, a rug and cushions. Across those rooms, a few patterns repeat. The timber on the chair usually matches the timber on the table, and the chair either blends with the sofa or contrasts with it on purpose.
- Scale. Keep the coffee table in proportion to the sofa. Tessella, the longest of the four tables here at 67.6 inches (171.7 cm), is sized for a wide three-seat sofa, while Eclipse suits a chaise or the middle of a sectional.
- Height. Compare the sofa seat height with the table height before you buy. Numbers are in the sections below.
- Timber finish. Our Vela and Naos chairs and our Tessella, Eclipse and Mensa tables come in oak and walnut. Using the same finish on both is the simplest way to make them look planned.
- Colour and material. Either stay tonal (a chair close to the sofa colour) or contrast (a darker or greener chair on a light sofa). A timber and fabric mix softens a room with a lot of upholstery.
- Space around them. A common guideline is about 14 to 18 inches (36 to 46 cm) between the sofa and the coffee table, and about 36 inches (91 cm) for a walkway. This is general advice, not a product specification.
Which chairs and tables do we show with each sofa?
We show four of our current sofa collections this way. Each appears with our three lounge chairs, and with our Tessella, Eclipse and Mensa tables. The tables we show beside these sofas are side-table sizes, not coffee tables. Use the table sizes further down to check the fit. For some sofas we also name a specific coffee table.
Which chairs and tables do we show with each sofa?
| Sofa | Chairs that suit it | Side tables we show with it | Coffee tables we suggest for it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ciello | Vela, Naos, Mira | Tessella, Eclipse, Mensa | Mensa |
| Atmosphere | Vela, Naos, Mira | Tessella, Eclipse, Mensa | Tessella, Eclipse, Mensa |
| Neptune | Vela, Naos, Mira | Tessella, Eclipse, Mensa | No specific suggestion |
| Gaia | Vela, Naos, Mira | Tessella, Eclipse, Mensa | No specific suggestion |
We pair Naos with our Atmosphere and Ciello sofas, and Vela with Neptune and Atmosphere. If your sofa is not named here, you can still try the same chairs and tables with it. These pairings are general advice, not product specifications. For help choosing the sofa itself, see which Cozey sofa is right for you.
How do I match heights and depths?
Seat height is the number that decides whether a table looks right next to a chair. These are our published sizes.
- Sofas: Neptune has a seat height of 16.9 inches (43 cm) and a seat depth of 22.4 inches (57 cm). Ciello and Gaia both have a seat height of 21.3 inches (54 cm); their seat depths are 21.7 inches (55 cm) and 24.2 inches (61.5 cm). Atmosphere's seat depth is 27.3 inches (70 cm) with the original backrest.
- Coffee tables: our fixed-height tables stand between 15.4 and 16.3 inches (39 to 41.5 cm) high, and the Stella is 18.5 inches (47 cm) high when closed, extending to 26.4 inches (67 cm).
- Chairs: seat heights run from 16.3 inches (41.4 cm) on Vela to 19.1 inches (48.5 cm) on Mira.
A general rule is to keep the coffee table at or a little below the sofa seat. By our numbers, that is easy next to Neptune, and even simpler next to Ciello or Gaia, whose seats sit higher. For more on how seat dimensions feel, read our guide to sofa seat depth and height.
Which lounge chair goes with my sofa?
All three chairs below are shown with every sofa we style, so the choice comes down to size and style.
Which lounge chair goes with my sofa?
| Chair | Overall size, L x W | Overall height | Seat height | Seat depth | Frame |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vela | 30.5 x 22.9 in (77.5 x 58.1 cm) | 27.3 in (69.4 cm) | 16.3 in (41.4 cm) | 21.9 in (55.5 cm) | Ash timber legs, oak or walnut |
| Naos | 31.7 x 31.9 in (80.5 x 81 cm) | 30.1 in (76.5 cm) | 17.1 in (43.5 cm) | 21.9 in (55.5 cm) | Ash timber arms and legs, oak or walnut |
| Mira | 33.5 x 27.6 in (85 x 70 cm) | 29.9 in (76 cm), frame without cushion | 19.1 in (48.5 cm) | 20.1 in (51 cm) | Black powder-coated steel with walnut-toned ash arms |
- Vela has the smallest footprint of the three, with a mid-century Scandinavian shape and a reclined seat.
- Naos is the roomiest footprint and has timber arms. It suits a larger room or a corner you want to anchor.
- Mira pairs a sling seat and cushion with a steel frame, which adds a little industrial contrast next to timber tables.
Pick a tonal chair (a fabric close to your sofa) for a calm room, or a deeper colour for contrast. See our lounge chairs for the fabrics available today.
Which coffee table goes with my sofa?
Our tables differ most in length and shape, so match them to the sofa layout first.
Which coffee table goes with my sofa?
| Table | Overall size, L x W x H | Timber finishes | Good with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tessella | 67.6 x 27.0 x 16.0 in (171.7 x 68.7 x 40.7 cm) | Oak, walnut | A wide three-seat sofa |
| Eclipse | 31.5 x 31.5 x 15.4 in (80 x 80 x 39 cm) | Oak, walnut | A sofa with chaise, or the centre of a sectional |
| Mensa | 41.7 x 25.8 x 16.3 in (106 x 65.5 x 41.5 cm) | Oak, walnut, black timber | Atmosphere and Ciello sofas |
| Stella | 23.6 x 23.6 inches (60 x 60 cm) footprint; 18.5 inches (47 cm) closed, up to 26.4 inches (67 cm) | Oak | The smallest footprint of the four |
- Tessella has a recessed centre for small items and is sized for a wide three-seat sofa.
- Eclipse has two half-circle tops that can be arranged to give open and hidden storage.
- Mensa has trays that work for storage, serving or as a lap desk.
- Stella is our smallest coffee table by footprint and the tallest of the four.
If you want to read more on storage options, see our guide to coffee tables with storage.
What are the most common pairing mistakes?
- A table that is too short for the sofa. A small table in front of a long sofa looks lost. Tessella is sized for a wide three-seat sofa.
- A table taller than the seat. Check the numbers above before you order.
- Mixing too many timber tones. We generally match the chair timber to the table timber.
- Blocking the walkway. Leave about 36 inches (91 cm) clear.
- Forgetting the rug. Most of the rooms we style include a rug. Our rug size guide shows how to size it.
Our recommendation
Here is how we would build the room from our published sizes.
- Small room or studio: a Vela chair with an Eclipse or Stella coffee table. All three are compact. Our small-apartment sofa guide can help with the sofa.
- Medium living room: a Naos or Mira chair with a Mensa coffee table, in matching oak or walnut.
- Large room with a wide three-seat sofa: a Tessella coffee table with a Naos chair, to balance the length of the table.
- Sectional or chaise layout: Eclipse in the centre of the layout, plus a Vela or Mira chair at the open side. Our guide to sofa configurations can help you plan it.
Explore our living room range
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.