Short answer: Our Mensa tables are a rectangular coffee table, 41.7 x 25.8 inches, and a square side table, 19.7 x 19.7 inches. Both have trays that slide out of the tabletop.
The trays serve as storage, a serving tray or a lap desk. The side table has an optional shelf, and both come in Oak, Walnut or Black wood on steel legs. The tables assemble in about 15 to 20 minutes, and the coffee table legs can sit in a narrow or a wide stance.
Mensa is the table in our range built around its trays. If you want a surface that also hides remotes and blankets, and then turns into a tray for a snack or a laptop, this is the one to look at. This guide covers the sizes, the trays, the shelf, the materials and what to expect on assembly day.
On This Page
- What are the Mensa tables and how big are they?
- How do the Mensa trays work?
- Is the shelf on the Mensa side table optional?
- Which finishes and materials do the Mensa tables come in?
- How do you assemble the Mensa tables?
- How do you care for the Mensa tables?
- Who are the Mensa tables for, and who should look elsewhere?
- How do the Mensa tables pair with our sofas and storage?
- Our recommendation
- Explore our tables
What are the Mensa tables and how big are they?
Mensa is a small collection of two tables, sold separately: the Mensa coffee table and the Mensa side table. Both have a veneered top, ash wood trays and powder coated steel legs, so they look like a set when placed together.
What are the Mensa tables and how big are they?
| Piece | Length x width | Height | What sets it apart |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mensa coffee table | 41.7 x 25.8 inches | 16.3 inches | Two trays, narrow or wide leg stance |
| Mensa side table, without shelf | 19.7 x 19.7 inches | 16.3 inches | One tray |
| Mensa side table, with shelf | 19.7 x 19.7 inches | 20.1 inches | One tray and a lower shelf |
On our product pages the coffee table is listed from $185 and the side table from $125. Because the coffee table is only 25.8 inches deep, it suits a narrower room than a deeper rectangle would. For a longer comparison of shapes and sizes across our range, see our guide on how to choose a coffee table.
How do the Mensa trays work?
The trays are what the tables are known for. Each one sits inside the tabletop like a drawer. You pull it out, use it, and slide it back in.
- Closed: the trays are tucked inside the top, so whatever is in them is out of sight. That makes them useful for remotes, coasters, a notebook or a throw.
- Pulled out: the tray is open storage within reach of the sofa, so you can leave it half open while you use what is inside.
- Taken out: a tray can be lifted free and used as a serving tray, or as a lap desk for a laptop or a book.
The coffee table has two trays, each 27.0 x 13.2 inches and 3.0 inches deep. The side table has one, at 18.1 x 19.1 inches and the same depth. The frames are solid ash wood, with a veneered board base. We do not publish a weight limit for the trays, so keep them for everyday items rather than heavy loads. If storage is your main goal, our guide to coffee tables with storage compares Mensa with the other tables in our range.
Is the shelf on the Mensa side table optional?
Yes. The shelf is removable, and the side table works with or without it.
- Without the shelf: the table stands 16.3 inches high, which sits comfortably beside a low sofa or lounge chair.
- With the shelf: the table stands 20.1 inches high, and you gain an open lower level for a book, a basket or a plant.
The shelf is a 0.6 inch veneered board, 18.1 x 18.1 inches. Choose the version that matches the seat beside it. Whichever you pick, you can change your mind later, because the shelf can be removed or fitted again. Our guide on how to choose a side table explains how to match a side table height to your sofa arm.
Which finishes and materials do the Mensa tables come in?
You can choose Oak, Walnut or Black wood on both tables. The finish is the same on the top, the trays and the shelf, so the pieces match.
- Tabletop and shelf: 0.6 inch engineered wood (MDF) with a 0.01 inch ash veneer, which is a thin layer of real wood over a board.
- Trays: ash wood frames, stained with a satin finish.
- Legs: powder coated steel, with adjustable feet that come attached to the legs.
Veneer gives you real wood grain on the surface of an engineered board. Oak and Walnut are also offered on several of our other pieces, so a Mensa table can share a finish with a Tessella or Arca table in the same room. Our guide to table finishes for a light-colored sofa helps you choose between the three.
How do you assemble the Mensa tables?
Assembly is short, because the tabletop and trays arrive ready to use and only the legs need attaching. The coffee table ships flat with the tabletop, two trays, two leg sets and a hardware box. The side table ships flat with the top, the tray, the shelf, the legs and a hardware box. Assembly is mostly tool-free: the hardware box includes hand screws and an Allen key.
- Time: about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Coffee table legs: you can fit them in a narrow stance, for a floating look, or a wide stance, for a more grounded one.
- Side table legs: fit the legs, and add the shelf if you want it.
The coffee table box measures 44.2 x 29.4 x 6.9 inches and weighs 69.2 lb. The side table box measures 22.2 x 22.3 x 7.9 inches. Both are flat, which helps with stairs, narrow hallways and elevators.
How do you care for the Mensa tables?
Use a soft, dry cloth for dusting. For a stain, wipe gently with a damp cloth and mild soap, then dry right away. Avoid harsh cleaners, because they can damage the finish. Use coasters, because water rings from glasses and prolonged condensation can mark the wood. Both tables list a 5-year warranty on their product pages.
Who are the Mensa tables for, and who should look elsewhere?
Mensa suits a few situations well:
- Living rooms that need hidden storage on a small footprint. The trays hide small items without a separate box.
- Homes that eat or work on the sofa. A tray becomes a serving surface or a lap desk in seconds.
- Anyone building a matched set. The coffee table and side table share finishes and trays, and the pair works with our modular sofas.
Look elsewhere if you want a large storage volume, because the trays hold small items. Our Eclipse tables give you a round shape, and our Ombra table adds two ottomans for extra seating. If you want a table that grows, the Arca table is built to connect.
How do the Mensa tables pair with our sofas and storage?
As design advice, the clean rectangle and wood tones of Mensa work with most of our sofas. Our Atmosphere and Ciello collections are good starting points, and a wood finish on the table can pick up the legs or a shelf nearby. Leave 14 to 18 inches between the sofa and the coffee table. Our guide on pairing a sofa, accent chair and coffee table shows how to match all three. If you want storage beyond the tables, the Mensa credenza comes from the same collection.
Our recommendation
- Hidden storage plus a surface: the Mensa coffee table, with the trays closed.
- A tray or lap desk near the sofa: the Mensa side table, on its own or beside the coffee table.
- A low side table by a low sofa: the side table without the shelf, at 16.3 inches.
- A taller side table with a lower level: the side table with the shelf, at 20.1 inches.
- Matching finishes: pick Oak, Walnut or Black wood once and use it on both tables.
Explore our tables
Product specifications can change. Check the current dimensions on the product page before ordering.