We Tested (and Rated!) All the Coffee Tables at CB2 — Here Are the Best Ones to Suit Your Style and Space
As someone who lives in a small apartment, I didn’t realize just how much a coffee table could make or break a living room until I moved into a home with limited square footage. Because I don’t have space for a dining table or desk, I spend a lot of time around my coffee table, whether I’m working, eating, watching TV, or hanging out with friends. In a short time, it’s become one of the most important pieces of furniture in my home, which makes testing coffee tables for AT’s Personal Shopper series that much more interesting.
In the series, I visit the brick-and-mortar stores of your favorite home retailers, including Pottery Barn, West Elm, Burrow, and Ashley, to look at the furniture and decor. After the visit, I provide a detailed breakdown of which sofa, dresser, or coffee table is best for your space. Shopping for furniture is expensive and even more complicated online than it is in person, so consider each Personal Shopper guide a resource to help simplify the process.
On one of my most recent visits, I looked at furniture from CB2. I already wrote about the brand’s sofas and dining tables, and now it’s time to break down its impressive selection of coffee tables. Below, you’ll find 11 models I viewed, complete with details about what kind of lifestyle each one would complement best.
Why CB2?
Browsing CB2’s offerings online feels akin to looking through a highly curated home inspiration moodboard. The brand’s coffee tables are best characterized as modern, trendy, and well-crafted. CB2 also exercises responsible manufacturing practices, using sustainably sourced materials for its products, such as preferred fibers and FSC-certified wood from responsibly managed forests. Additionally, the retailer offers free design services with experts to help you choose pieces that best suit your personal style. You can book an appointment in-store or opt for a virtual consultation if you don’t have a CB2 near you.
The Coffee Tables
- Best for Small Spaces: Santoro Round Coffee Table
- Best Oversized: Dome Round Ebonized Oak Coffee Table
- Best Organic Shape: Derrico Acacia Wood Coffee Table
- Best Burl Wood Style: Scatola Square Brown Burl Wood Coffee Table
- Best for Coffee Table Books: Enyo Rectangular Travertine Coffee Table
- Best Nesting Style: Carve 3-Piece Square Marble Side Table Set
- Best Marble Style: Liguria Oval Marble Coffee Table
- Best Boho Style: Espira Marbled Resin Coffee Table
- Best Statement Maker: Alastor Oval Concrete Coffee Table
- Best for Families: Macello Oak Coffee Table
- Best Fashion-Forward: Pasar Round Marble Coffee Table
The Criteria
We judged every CB2 coffee table in-store based on the following five criteria, giving each category an average rating between 1 and 5. These scores helped us determine who the dining table suits best.
- Storage: How much can the coffee table hold? Is any available storage space concealed or displayed? How much storage capacity does it have?
- Versatility: Can the table be used as more than just a coffee table? How suitable is it for working from home?
- Appearance: What style does it best suit? Does it lean more traditional (i.e., detailing, dark wood) or more contemporary (i.e., sleek, light wood)? Does it work with a range of different decor styles?
- Safety: Is it family-friendly? How well does it suit the needs of people across a range of abilities? Does the shape and material make it a safe option for families with kids?
- Durability: Does it stain or scuff easily? Do you have to use coasters? Would it age well with regular use?
Every Editor-Tested Coffee Table at CB2
Best for Small Spaces: Santoro Round Coffee Table
What impressed us: The shimmery surface and wide, plank-style legs.
My first impression of the Santoro coffee table was that it reminded me of West Elm’s travertine coffee table, which is obviously a compliment. This model, however, has a surface made of white quartz, not travertine. The quartz sparkles in the light, its iridescent chunks melded together like a collage of jewels. The light tabletop is nicely contrasted with a rich acacia base in the form of three plank-style legs. Despite the table’s attention-grabbing appearance, it’s delightfully small and pretty low to the ground, which is why I deemed it the best one for small spaces. It offers a lot of pizzazz without the hulking footprint — what could be better?
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 37 inches long, 35 inches wide, 15.75 inches high
- Quartz top and solid acacia wood legs
- Available in 2 sizes
- Available in 3 finishes
Best Oversized: Dome Round Ebonized Oak Coffee Table
What impressed us: The ribbed corner blocks and half-dome top.
A trend I quickly noticed with CB2’s coffee tables is that most of them sit low to the ground. The Dome table is no exception, although it is big. With a diameter of 47 inches, it proved impossible to ignore in-store, even if it was partially obstructed by big candleholders. Designed by Sandra Githinji, the Dome draws inspiration from traditional Kikuyu stools. Its ribbed block legs are obviously the focal point of the entire piece, although the tabletop’s pinwheel pattern is also a cool feature. The oak table is naturally grainy to the touch, and any dust it collects will stand out against the black, so you’ll want to wipe it down week to week. Otherwise, it’s a solid anchor piece for any room that could use a bit of texture.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 47.25 inches long, 47.25 inches wide, 14 inches high
- Engineered hardwood frame with ebonized oak veneer
- Available in 1 size
- Available in 1 finish
Best Organic Shape: Derrico Acacia Wood Coffee Table
What impressed us: The thick chunks of wood and textured finish.
If you’re not a fan of fragile glass, intricate brass detailing, and other dainty coffee table features, I have just the piece for you. There’s nothing delicate about the Derrico table, which stuns with its oversized proportions and knotted acacia wood construction. A thick surface sits atop an equally chunky pedestal base. Both have a matte finish that makes every groove that much more apparent, especially when you run your hand over the wood. The organic shape of this table would work wonders to help soften up the overall appearance of your living room. It’s difficult not to feel grounded in the presence of this grand yet natural-looking piece — similar to the feeling you might get standing in front of a giant tree.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 45.75 inches long, 33.75 inches wide, 15 inches high
- Solid wirebrushed acacia wood
- Available in 1 size
- Available in 2 finishes
Best Burl Wood Style: Scatola Square Brown Burl Wood Coffee Table
What impressed us: The square shape and low profile.
Burl wood has been having a moment, although the first thing I noticed about the Scatola table was its size. Another jumbo-sized CB2 coffee table, this one looks like I could lie on top of it and fit comfortably. Once I got past the initial shock of its 47.5-inch length and width, I was able to take in its rich orange-brown finish and hypnotic burl squares. This is obviously a coffee table for big homes, and it would definitely help balance out a long sectional. Whether you have a large family or you prefer casual dinners in the living room, the Scatola will serve as a perfect gathering spot.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 47.5 inches long, 47.5 inches wide, 14.25 inches high
- Burl veneer over engineered hardwood frame
- Available in 2 sizes
- Available in 1 finish
Best for Coffee Table Books: Enyo Rectangular Travertine Coffee Table
What impressed us: The huge size and no-frills design.
The Enyo table’s huge rectangular surface and ultra-low profile make it my top pick for displaying tomes and magazines. It also stands out from CB2’s numerous marble tables because it’s made of travertine, which has a more porous and delicate texture. I also like the table’s cream color, which adds just the right amount of warmth to the surrounding space without making it look outdated. If you’re after a stone coffee table but are averse to the austerity that black or white can bring, the Enyo is a great alternative. I also saw it in side table form, which could work as a coffee table for small living rooms.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 76 inches long, 36 inches wide, 12 inches high
- Travertine veneer
- Available in 2 sizes
- Available in 1 finish
Best Nesting Style: Carve 3-Piece Square Marble Side Table Set
What impressed us: The fluted pedestal bases and numerous configuration options.
If you prefer a coffee table configuration that you can use for multiple purposes, the Carve trio is a stellar option. One of the store employees told me it was his favorite model, and I understand why. Once I got past the fact that the set includes three matching tables of varying heights, I was able to take in their stunning black-and-rust marble finish and fluted pedestal bases. Although the tables are a bit heavy, you’ll still have no problem dragging one to the side of the sofa to use as a side table or placing them around the room when serving hors d’oeuvres to guests. One of the tables was a touch wobbly when I pressed my hand against it, although that’s a common risk with pedestal tables that I’m sure CB2’s customer service team would be happy to help with.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- Large: 21 inches long, 21 inches wide, 16 inches high
- Medium: 21 inches long, 21 inches wide, 14 inches high
- Small: 21 inches long, 21 inches wide, 12 inches high
- Marble
- Available in 1 size
- Available in 2 finishes
Best Marble Style: Liguria Oval Marble Coffee Table
What impressed us: The two-tone color scheme and keyhole-style connection between the top and base.
The defining feature of the Liguria table is obviously its two-tone marble design; the legs are white marble that’s actually been locked into the black marble top via keyhole-style slots. I’d never seen anything like that on a piece of furniture before this, so the Liguria is truly a statement-maker. You can also opt for a reversed color scheme or even an all-black or all-white version. And despite being made from solid marble, this table will still help give your living space a cozier look because of its rounded surface and legs. Measuring 51 inches across, the Liguria is long, but it isn’t overly wide like some of the other coffee tables in the store. I’d best describe its design as cool and unique but not doing too much.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 51.25 inches long, 31.5 inches wide, 17.75 inches high
- Marble
- Available in 1 size
- Available in 4 finishes
Best Boho Style: Espira Marbled Resin Coffee Table
What impressed us: The irregular shape and small footprint.
I saw the Espira coffee table paired with a matching side table in the store, and I think it’s a great pick for small spaces both with and without its smaller counterpart. I deemed it the best boho style because of its organic shape, which can be credited to the hand-poured resin construction and swirled cream and off-white finish. The Espira is modern but still homey. It doesn’t take itself too seriously; its pedestal base looks not unlike a mushroom stem. The table also sits quite low to the ground — but then again, most of CB2’s coffee tables do. One thing to note is that the resin surface shows scratches, so you’ll want to take care and use coasters, although I’d imagine spills can be wiped off quite easily.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 35 inches long, 35 inches wide, 15 inches high
- Cast marbleized resin
- Available in 1 size
- Available in 2 finishes
Best Statement Maker: Alastor Oval Concrete Coffee Table
What impressed us: The glossy surface and unique shape.
I had seen the Alastor table on social media before visiting CB2 and loved its off-kilter design, so I was excited to finally see it in person. It looks even more massive when you stand before it, but the long, unobstructed surface makes you feel like you have all the space in the world for books, drinks, a laptop, and other personal items. The table is made of concrete, but its skipping stone-shaped top has a glossy white finish that lends a slightly futuristic vibe. I would recommend the Alastor to anyone who primarily uses their coffee table to display decor. It’s a piece of decor in itself, but it’ll also make your framed photos and home accents stand out that much more.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 55.5 inches long, 40.25 inches wide, 16.5 inches high
- Cast concrete
- Available in 1 size
- Available in 1 finish
Best for Families: Macello Oak Coffee Table
What impressed us: The tapered legs and all-wood construction.
The Macello table is the most subdued model I viewed, although depending on what you’re looking for, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I named it the best for families because its solid oak and veneered construction appears easy to maintain. Plus, its low profile and curved corners make it safe for homes with young kids running around. The tapered legs add just the right amount of visual interest to prevent the Macello from looking boring, and its dark finish will help the surrounding area feel grounded. And, at 48 inches long, it has a substantially sized surface, but it’s not too big.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 48 inches long, 46.5 inches wide, 16 inches high
- Oak with solid and veneer components
- Available in 1 size
- Available in 1 finish
Best Fashion-Forward: Pasar Round Marble Coffee Table
What impressed us: The veined marble and geometric base.
The Pasar table is business on top and party on the bottom, thanks to its maze-like geometric base. Its marble material is obviously veined, but in real life the white streaks are even more prominent — they really pop against the black. The Pasar is also decently sized for big homes and small apartments alike, so it would fit seamlessly into a variety of living room layouts. It’s not trendy, per se, but it’s a style that will always look current. No matter what other decor or furniture you switch out around it, the Pasar will remain a focal point, adding an air of luxury to the entire space.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
- 42 inches long, 42 inches wide, 16 inches high
- Marble veneer
- Available in 1 size
- Available in 3 finishes