How Much Overhang Should a Coffee Table Have? Practical Guidelines for Comfort and Style

When you’re setting up a living room, the coffee table often feels like an afterthought. But get the size wrong - especially the overhang - and you’ll spend months dealing with awkward leg room, spilled drinks, or a table that just doesn’t fit right. So how much overhang should a coffee table have? The answer isn’t just about looks. It’s about comfort, safety, and how people actually use the space.

What Is Coffee Table Overhang?

Overhang is the distance between the edge of the table and the edge of the sofa or seating area. It’s not the same as the table’s total length or width. Think of it like this: if your sofa is 84 inches wide and your coffee table is 48 inches long, the overhang on each side is how far the table sticks out past the sofa’s front edge.

Too little overhang? You’ll have to stretch to reach your coffee cup. Too much? Your knees hit the table every time you sit down. And if you have kids or pets, a table that’s too close to the sofa can become a tripping hazard.

The Goldilocks Zone: 14 to 18 Inches

Most interior designers and furniture manufacturers agree on one sweet spot: 14 to 18 inches of overhang on each side. That’s the range that balances accessibility and comfort for most adults.

Here’s why:

• At 14 inches, you can easily reach a drink, book, or remote without leaning forward.
• At 18 inches, there’s enough space for your legs to rest naturally without bumping into the table.
• Anything less than 12 inches feels cramped - especially if you’re sitting on a deep sofa.
• Anything more than 20 inches starts to feel unbalanced and takes up too much floor space.

This rule works whether you have a low-profile modern table or a traditional wooden one. It’s not about style - it’s about human anatomy.

How to Measure It Right

Don’t guess. Measure. Here’s how:

1. Measure the depth of your sofa - from the front edge of the seat cushion to the back. Most sofas are 36 to 42 inches deep.
2. Measure the width of your coffee table.
3. Place the table in front of the sofa, centered.
4. Use a tape measure to check the gap between the sofa’s front edge and the table’s edge on both sides.

For example: If your sofa is 40 inches deep and your table is 48 inches long, the overhang on each side is (48 - 40) / 2 = 4 inches. That’s too little. You’d need a table around 68 inches long to get 14 inches of overhang on each side.

Pro tip: Use painter’s tape to mark the table’s ideal position on the floor. Sit on the sofa and see if your knees brush the tape. Adjust until it feels right.

What About Round or Oval Tables?

Round tables don’t have sides, but they still need clearance. Aim for at least 14 inches of space between the edge of the sofa and the edge of the table. If your table is 42 inches in diameter and your sofa is 40 inches deep, you’ll have roughly 11 inches of clearance - close, but a little tight. Go for a 48-inch diameter table instead.

For oval tables, treat the long sides like rectangular ones. The rounded ends are less critical - just make sure they don’t stick out too far into walkways.

Special Cases: Deep Sofas, Sectionals, and Low Seats

Not all sofas are created equal. If you have a deep sectional (48+ inches), a low lounge chair, or a modern sofa with no armrests, standard rules don’t always apply.

• Deep sectionals (48+ inches): Add 2 to 4 extra inches of overhang. Try 18 to 20 inches. This gives your legs room to stretch without feeling trapped.
• Low-profile seating (14-inch seat height): Use a lower table (14 to 16 inches tall) and keep overhang at 16 inches. A tall table with short overhang will feel awkward.
• Corner sofas or L-shaped setups: Place the table closer to the shorter side. You don’t need equal overhang on all sides - just enough so you can reach things from any seat.

In Melbourne, where open-plan living is common, many homes have large sectionals. That’s why local furniture stores often stock tables between 60 and 72 inches long. It’s not a trend - it’s a practical response to real living spaces.

What Happens When Overhang Is Wrong?

Too little overhang (under 12 inches):

• You constantly have to lean forward to grab things.
• Drinks and snacks get knocked over when standing up.
• It feels like the table is "sticking to" the sofa.

Too much overhang (over 20 inches):

• Your knees hit the table every time you sit or stand.
• The table looks like it’s floating in the middle of the room.
• It blocks movement - especially if you have a walkway between the sofa and a sideboard or TV stand.

One client I worked with in Fitzroy had a 78-inch table with only 8 inches of overhang. She kept stubbing her toes on the table leg. After switching to a 64-inch table with 16 inches of overhang? She said it felt like her living room finally "breathed."

Height Matters Too

Overhang isn’t the only thing that matters. Table height should be within 4 inches of your sofa seat height. Most sofas sit at 17 to 19 inches. That means your coffee table should be 13 to 19 inches tall.

If your table is too tall, you’ll have to lift your arm to reach things. Too low, and you’ll be hunched over. A table that’s 16 inches high works for 90% of homes.

Final Checklist: Your Coffee Table Overhang Quick Guide

• Start with 16 inches of overhang on each side - it’s the safest default.
• Measure your sofa’s depth before buying a table.
• Test the space with tape on the floor before moving furniture.
• For deep sectionals, go up to 18-20 inches.
• Keep table height within 4 inches of your sofa seat height.
• Round tables need at least 14 inches of clearance all around.
• Don’t let the table block walkways or doorways.

There’s no magic number that works for every home. But if you follow this range - 14 to 18 inches - you’ll avoid the most common mistakes. And that’s more than most people do.