If you often find yourself hunched over your coffee table to type on your laptop or eat a quick lunch, it might be time to consider investing in a lift-top coffee table. Despite their appearance as standard furniture pieces, these tables feature a unique design allowing you to raise the top to a more comfortable height for task work. Moreover, the best lift-top coffee tables seamlessly blend style with functionality, offering both aesthetics and practicality in one piece of furniture. Our top recommendation is the Orren Ellis Alexandira Lift-Top Coffee Table With Storage And Swivel Top, a well-crafted and versatile option equipped with ample hidden storage.
For budget-conscious decorators, the affordable Sweetcrispy Lift-Top Coffee Table is the perfect ... [+] choice. It's compact and ideal for small spaces, with six available finishes to complement virtually any decor.
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"A lift-top coffee table offers numerous advantages," explains interior designer Artem Kropovinsky of Arsight. "Its primary benefit is its multifunctionality, allowing it to serve as a traditional coffee table, a dining surface or even a work desk. With its adjustable height, you can raise it to comfortably dine or work and lower it when relaxing."
To find the best lift-top coffee table for your space, consider its shape and size: "Ensure it's large enough for your needs but not so large that it overwhelms your space or restricts movement," recommends Kropovinsky. It's also beneficial to select a piece made from durable materials, especially if you plan to eat on top of it. Additionally, look for an option with built-in storage to help reduce clutter in your living space. With versatility and value in mind, here are the best lift-top coffee tables available on the market today.
A Modern Table That Combines Practicality With Style
MOST POPULAR
Wayfair
Orren Ellis Alexandira Lift-Top Coffee Table With Storage And Swivel Top
Dimensions: 16 x 39.5 x 24 inches | Material: Manufactured wood | Weight: 94 pounds
The sleek and contemporary Orren Ellis Alexandira Lift-Top Coffee Table is designed to elevate your living space. With just a simple lift, it transforms from a chic centerpiece to a practical workstation or dining area. Its spacious interior compartment provides ample storage space for stashing away clutter, while the swivel top rotates 360-degree swivel to accommodate the layout of your space. While it’s made using manufactured wood, most reviewers confirm it’s sturdy and designed to last.
Best Value Lift-Top Coffee Table
A Simple Option That Won’t Break The Bank
Amazon
Sweetcrispy Lift-Top Coffee Table
Dimensions: 19.7 x 39.37 x 17.4 inches | Material: Engineered wood | Weight: 35 pounds
For budget-conscious decorators, this affordable lift-top coffee table is the perfect choice. It's compact and ideal for small spaces, with six available finishes to complement virtually any decor. The table boasts clean, simple lines and a spacious inner compartment offers plenty of storage. Constructed from engineered wood, it’s a durable option, especially if you plan to use it for eating. Assembly is required, typically a two-person job, but the added effort is likely worth the money saved on this inexpensive furniture piece.
Best Splurge Lift-Top Coffee Table
A Sleek And Stylish Option With Two Pop-Up Surfaces
West Elm
West Elm Mid-Century Pop-Up Coffee Table
Dimensions: 48 x 24 x 17.4 inches | Material: Solid eucalyptus, walnut veneer, and marble | Weight: Not listed
The Mid-Century Pop-Up Coffee Table stands out in any room with its sleek contemporary silhouette and elegant marble accents. Offering various configurations, including options with one or two pop-up surfaces, it allows you to tailor it to your space perfectly. It features an open storage cubby and a hidden compartment under the lift-top. Available in a classic warm acorn finish or a lighter wood tone, one side features a genuine marble surface ideal for resting drinks or plates while dining.
Crafted from sustainably sourced solid wood with wooden veneer on top, this coffee table is Greenguard Gold certified, ensuring it's been screened for over 10,000 chemicals and VOCs.
Best Hydraulic Lift-Top Coffee Table
A Rustic Design That Opens And Closes With Ease
Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn Benchwright Rectangular Lift-Top Coffee Table
Dimensions: 36 x 26 x 18 inches | Material: Solid poplar with oak veneer | Weight: 68.5 pounds
Some lift-top tables can be challenging to operate, particularly those crafted from solid wood. However, the Benchwright Coffee Table boasts a piston mechanism that guarantees the surface lifts effortlessly every time. The table is relatively compact, measuring just 36 inches long, and it's constructed from solid wood with an oak veneer and a black finish.
Overall, the design leans towards the traditional side, featuring a faux drawer with matte black pulls and simple block legs. Additionally, there's an open shelf at the bottom for storing books and decor items. A small storage compartment beneath the table's lift top provides extra space for storing small items, and the legs come equipped with adjustable levelers to prevent wobbling on uneven floors.
Best Lift-Top Coffee Table With Storage
An Option With Several Storage Cubbies That Help Minimize Clutter
Dimensions: 50 x 28 x 18.5 inches | Material: Hardwood with pine veneer | Weight: 145.5 pounds
The Ashford Lift-Top Coffee Table is designed to help you keep your living room clutter-free, featuring several hidden storage areas. The top lifts up to reveal a spacious cubby, while the two side cabinets and bottom drawer offer additional functionality. With ample space for books, board games, remote controls and extra blankets, organization becomes effortless.
Constructed from hardwood with mortise-and-tenon frame joinery, this durable coffee table also has rolling casters on the bottom facilitate easy movement around a room.
Best Lift-Top Coffee Table For Small Spaces
A Sleek Option That Doesn’t Take Up Too Much Space
Wayfair
Gracie Oaks Haneline Lift-Top Coffee Table
Dimensions: 18.125 x 37 x 17 inches | Material: Manufactured wood with metal frame | Weight: 45.1 pounds
The Gracie Oaks Haneline Coffee Table features a compact design that comfortably fits in small living rooms, with its lift-top functionality doubling as a workstation or eating area. Crafted from manufactured wood with a powder-coated steel frame, it offers durability and stability.
This table includes a spacious hidden compartment and a lower shelf, providing ample storage space to keep clutter out of sight. However, it's essential to note the table's 40-pound weight capacity, meaning it's not suitable for heavy objects or adult seating. Plus, some assembly is required, though the process is quick and straightforward.
Best Farmhouse Lift-Top Coffee Table
A Table With A Distressed Finish And A Spring-Loaded Top
Dimensions: 27 x 45 x 17 inches | Material: Engineered wood | Weight: 83 pounds
The Dorrinson Lift-Top Coffee Table boasts a farmhouse-style design with a rustic whitewashed finish and charming crossbuck accents. Its sizable surface offers ample room for work, dining or simply lounging. Crafted from engineered wood with laminate on top, it provides an affordable option, though it may not be the most durable choice. Additionally, it features a practical lower drawer for storage.
The lift-top design is equipped with a spring-loaded mechanism, facilitating easy opening. Assembly is relatively straightforward, typically requiring two people.
Best Modern Lift-Top Coffee Table
A Table With Two Rotating Platforms For A Unique Design
Castlery
Castlery Andre Coffee Table
Dimensions: 55 x 27.5 x 13 inches | Material: Engineered wood with walnut veneer and lacquer | Weight: 81.6 pounds
While the Castlery Andre Coffee Table lacks a traditional lift-top design, its two-tiered top allows you to rotate both surfaces individually, bringing the platform toward you as desired. One platform features a walnut veneer while the other boasts a shiny white lacquer, offering striking contrast in your living room. While the base of this coffee table conceals a hidden compartment accessible by rotating the two surfaces.
Most Versatile Lift-Top Coffee Table
An Option With Adjustable Surfaces To Match Your Space
Amazon
Seventable Coffee Table
Dimensions: 19.7 x 47.2 x 19 inches | Material: MDF | Weight: 60 pounds
No matter your furniture layout, the Seventable Coffee Table can be adjusted to seamlessly fit within your home. This affordably priced unit features two individual lift-top surfaces, with the larger one designed to accommodate L-shaped sofas of various orientations.
Available in four finishes, this coffee table boasts a farmhouse-style aesthetic, complete with a slightly distressed finish and X-shaped accents on both ends. Additionally, it includes two drawers at the bottom for storage, along with compartments underneath the table surfaces. However, it's worth noting that it's made from MDF, which may not be as durable, particularly if exposed to moisture.
Dimensions: 17.7 x 31.5 x 31.5 inches | Material: MDF, steel and linen upholstery | Weight: 112 pounds
The Everly Quinn Sohad Lift-Top Coffee Table serves dual purposes, doubling as a small eating area with its included three stools. Unlike many lift-top tables with rectangular designs, this coffee table features a circular shape, and its three linen-covered stools neatly nest underneath when not in use. Supported by a gold-covered metal frame, the tabletop boasts a faux marble finish, adding elegance to any space.
Equipped with a convenient lift-top mechanism, this coffee table allows you to adjust the height of the surface, revealing a well-sized storage area underneath. While minimal assembly is required, it's worth noting that certain components are made from MDF, which may be more susceptible to damage compared to real wood.
As you search for a lift-top coffee table, consider finding one that suits the shape and size of your living space. While most lift-top products are rectangular, there are also circular options available, like the Everly Quinn Sohad Lift-Top Extendable Frame Coffee Table.
When it comes to sizing, a common guideline is that a coffee table should be two-thirds of the length of your sofa. This creates a balanced appearance in the room and allows ample space for movement around it. Additionally, consider the height of the table—it should be one or two inches shorter than the height of your sofa cushions when it's closed.
Material
Coffee tables are crafted from a variety of materials, including wood, metal, glass and manufactured/engineered wood. "The ideal material for a coffee table depends on your needs, preferences and the table's intended use," says Kropovinsky. "Wood is a traditional choice, offering durability and various finishes, making it suitable for everyday use. Glass adds a modern and elegant touch and is low-maintenance, making it easy to clean. Metal tables provide a contemporary style and are also durable for daily use." These materials are highly durable and can withstand frequent use.
For budget-conscious shoppers, coffee tables made from engineered wood or MDF may be available. Engineered wood, like plywood, is often a good budget-friendly option, as it offers durability. However, MDF may be more prone to bending or cracking, particularly under heavy use.
Opening Mechanism
To operate effectively, lift-top tables require some form of opening mechanism to elevate the tabletop. Inexpensive tables typically utilize hinges, which can make opening a bit more cumbersome and may slam shut if not lowered carefully. A step up from hinges are spring-loaded tabletops, which provide some assistance in raising the tabletop. At the high end, units may feature hydraulic opening mechanisms, requiring minimal effort to operate and often providing the smoothest motion.
Can You Eat Off A Lift-Top Coffee Table?
Many people utilize lift-top coffee tables as workspaces, particularly in the absence of a home office, but they can also serve as dining areas. If you lack a dining table or simply prefer eating on the couch, a lift-top table simplifies reaching for your food without needing to hunch over.
When shopping for a lift-top coffee table for dining purposes, consider the materials used. Tabletops made from MDF are susceptible to staining and warping when exposed to moisture. Therefore, opting for a more durable material or being vigilant about using coasters and placemats while eating is advisable.
Should A Lift-Top Coffee Table Have Storage?
While exploring various lift-top coffee tables, you'll notice that most offer some form of storage—ranging from a simple compartment under the tabletop to built-in drawers and/or cabinets. These storage areas prove useful for storing supplies like blankets, pillows, remote controls and other living room essentials, making them a sought-after feature on coffee tables.
However, if you don't specifically desire or require storage space, certain designs, such as the Castlery Andre Coffee Table, offer minimal or no storage options. Ultimately, the choice boils down to personal preference.
How High Should The Top Of A Lift-Top Coffee Table Lift?
When you lift the surface of a lift-top coffee table, it typically moves towards you and increases in height by 6 to 8 inches. The most comfortable height for this surface will vary based on your intended use and the height of your couch.
"For dining or work purposes, the height should accommodate chairs or be at a comfortable level to avoid straining your neck or back," recommends Kropovinsky. "Generally, the lifted top should align with your chest level for the most comfortable use."
