Give your sofas some space!

If you want a comfortable living space, just think about all the practicalities it requires as well as the aesthetics. The rule of thumb is that you should allow 45cm between the seating and a central coffee table. Any less than that might feel like a squeeze, but too much more can be uncomfortable when reaching for a drink or a book.

When you’re deciding on a coffee table, make sure it doesn’t take up too much space or overpower the room. The proportions might be right when the table is about two-thirds the length of the sofa.