The coffee table is the most-used surface in the living room, and usually the most cluttered: remotes, chargers, magazines, coasters, the kids' crayons. A coffee table with storage gives all of it a home, so the top stays clear for drinks and a few things you actually want to look at. Here are the main types of storage coffee tables, what each is best at, and how to pick and organize one.
Types of Storage Coffee Tables
| Type | Best for | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Lower open shelf | Baskets, books, throws; easy grab-and-go | Everything is on view, so it needs tidying |
| Drawers | Remotes, chargers, games, small clutter | Needs pull-out space in front |
| Lift-top | Laptop work, eating on the sofa, hidden storage | Mechanism adds weight; check the hinge quality |
| Trunk or chest | Blankets, bulky items, toys | Top must be cleared to open it |
| Storage ottoman | Soft seating plus hidden storage | Less stable for drinks without a tray |
| Cubbies or baskets | Kids' rooms, family rooms | Look depends on the baskets you choose |
Coffee Tables With Drawers
Drawers hide the everyday clutter that ruins a styled tabletop. Look for:
- Drawers you can reach from the sofa, or drawers on both long sides.
- Smooth or push-to-open hardware, which keeps the front clean and handle-free.
- Enough depth for a remote, a tablet or a stack of coasters.
- Clearance to open them: the usual 12–18 in gap between the table and the sofa works, but go toward 18 in if you open drawers often.
The Orbis Sculpted Edge Coffee Table has four push-to-open drawers, each rated for 22 lb, on a 55.1 × 23.6 in rounded-rectangle body. Its curved corners have no sharp edges, and the low 17.3 in height also works as a small TV console.
Coffee Tables With a Shelf
An open lower shelf is the simplest kind of storage, and the most flexible. It holds oversized books, a tray of games, a basket for throws, or the kids' toy bin. Check the clearance between the top and the shelf, and the shelf's own weight rating.
- The Relievo Panel Coffee Table (46.2 × 22.4 × 19.1 in) has a full-length lower shelf rated for 88 lb, and a top rated for 176 lb.
- The Relievo Square Coffee Table (41.7 in square) has a 36.6 in-wide shelf with about 13.6 in of clearance, raised 2.3 in off the floor.
- Our upholstered tables, like the Upholstered Round Coffee Table, pair a padded top with an open shelf below.
Lift-Top Coffee Tables
A lift-top raises the tabletop toward you, closer to a desk or dining height, with a hidden compartment underneath. It's popular in small apartments where the coffee table doubles as a desk or a dining spot. Check how smoothly the hinge moves, how high the top lifts, and how much weight it's rated for when raised. Read more in can you use a lift-top coffee table every day?
Round Coffee Tables With Storage and Nesting Tables
A round table with a lower shelf has no corners to bump and is easy to walk around, which suits small rooms and homes with toddlers. Nesting tables trade storage for flexibility: pull the smaller table out when guests arrive, and tuck it away again after. Compare shapes in round vs. square coffee tables.
Solid Wood, Veneer or Upholstery?
- Solid wood is durable and can often be refinished.
- Wood veneer over solid wood or engineered wood gives an even grain and resists warping. Both Relievo tables pair solid pine frames with ash veneer surfaces.
- Upholstered tops add softness; see our upholstered coffee table guide.
- For pets and kids, choose a finish that resists scratches and stains and hides fingerprints.
Storage Coffee Table Ideas by Room
- Small living room: a round table with a shelf, or a compact drawer table. Closed storage looks calmer in a small space.
- Family room: drawers for remotes and chargers, and baskets on a shelf for toys.
- Studio apartment: a lift-top, or a table with drawers on two sides.
- Media room: a low, long table with drawers, matched to the TV console.
How to Organize a Storage Coffee Table
- Sort first: keep only things you use from the sofa: remotes, coasters, chargers, a notebook, reading glasses.
- Assign each drawer a job: one for tech, one for games or cards, one for guest coasters and napkins.
- Use small trays or dividers so items don't slide around.
- On open shelves, use baskets or boxes to group smaller things, and leave oversized books stacked neatly.
- Keep the top light: a tray, a short stack of books and a plant.
See how to style a coffee table for tabletop ideas.
What to Check Before You Buy
- Overall size: about two-thirds the length of your sofa, and close to the sofa's seat height
- Top and shelf or drawer weight ratings
- Drawer depth and the type of slides
- Rounded corners if you have toddlers
- Materials and finish: solid wood, veneer or upholstery
- Assembly time and the tools needed
FAQ
Is a coffee table with storage worth it?
For most living rooms, yes. It keeps everyday clutter off the top without adding another piece of furniture.
Which is better, drawers or an open shelf?
Drawers hide clutter and look tidier. A shelf is easier to reach and holds bigger items like baskets and books. Many people use both.
What should you keep in coffee table storage?
Remotes, chargers, coasters, magazines, games, a throw blanket and anything you use from the sofa each day.
Shop coffee tables and TV stands.