We Tested (and Rated!) Every Pottery Barn Coffee Table — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
You might think picking a coffee table is more straightforward than, say, buying a sofa or dining table, but it’s no quick process. In Apartment Therapy’s Personal Shopper series, I make it easy by visiting the brick-and-mortar stores of your favorite home retailers, including West Elm, Blu Dot, Burrow, and Ashley, to test the furniture and decor. After the visit, I provide a detailed breakdown of which sectional, dresser, or desk is best for your space. For one of my recent visits, I went to Pottery Barn to test the retailer’s coffee tables. Below, you’ll find the models I viewed, along with my thoughts on whom each one would suit best — happy shopping!
Why Pottery Barn?
As one of the best home retailers across the country, Pottery Barn is a reliable brand that stays on top of trends, ahead of production and shipping delays, and true to its Americana roots. Beyond this, Pottery Barn has a Design Crew, a team of interior design experts across the country, to help with all things planning, logistics, and aesthetics.
Not only can you take your pick from virtual, storefront, or in-home meetings with crew members, but they will also listen to your every desire when it comes to your dream space — whether it’s one room or your entire home — and develop custom renderings. Oh, and they’ll do it for free. Yep, free! No need to purchase anything, either (though, yes, I can pretty much guarantee you’re going to want to).
The Criteria
I judged every Pottery Barn coffee table in-store based on the following five criteria. These considerations helped me determine the right person for each coffee table.
- 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? Do the shape and materials 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?
Why You Should Trust Me as a Tester
Every Pottery Barn coffee table was tested by AT’s former Shopping Writer, Nikol Slatinska. Nikol tested and reviewed furniture for the Personal Shopper series to help readers find the best pieces for their homes, especially small spaces. From sofas and bed frames to dining tables and accent chairs, she’s covered it all — making her a furniture expert.
Nikol spent the day at the Pottery Barn store in NYC to evaluate the brand’s coffee tables on their design, durability, and versatility.
Every Editor-Tested Pottery Barn Coffee Table
Best Statement Maker: Delaney Nesting Coffee Table
What impressed me: Pottery Barn’s Delaney coffee tables stand out from others on the market due to their unique marble tops; they’re not white, but rather a space-warming mix of beige, rust, and gold. One thing to keep in mind is that both tables are heavy precisely because of the marble tops, as well as their iron frames. I struggled to move the smaller one out from under its larger counterpart, but with another person, you can easily transform them from one large table setup to a coffee and side table pair. The Delaney duo can take up a lot of space, or just a little.
What we love
- It's made of natural Calacatta marble
- The unique golden tones
- The versatile nesting style can be paired or styled separately
- It's great for a small and large spaces alike
Good to know
- The heavy tops and iron frames make it difficult to move
- The marble is prone to staining
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 38″ long, 38″ wide, 19″ high
- Finishes: Golden Calcutta marble top on bronze-finished iron frame
- Shipping Delays
Best for Families: Modern Farmhouse Rectangular Coffee Table
What impressed me: The Modern Farmhouse coffee table is huge, which is the main reason why I deemed it the best pick for families; I could easily see its owners crowded around the oversized surface with board games or a movie night takeout dinner. I also had fun playing with the two pass-through drawers, which give you the storage space of four drawers without having to rummage through all four to find your TV remote. Although this model is categorized as a farmhouse style, we appreciate that it’s not overly rustic. Its wooden finish is smooth, complete with clean, modular lines. Whether you’re sitting on the sofa or floor, it’s a spot you’ll find yourself gathering around every day.
What we love
- The oversized surface is perfect for board games and hosting
- It has pass-through drawers for more storage
- It balances modern and rustic styles
- The accessible low profile
Good to know
- It might be a tight fit in small spaces
Specifications:
- Styles: Also available as a square coffee table
- Dimensions: 64″ long, 30″ wide, 15″ high
- In Stock
Best Open Storage: Folsom Rectangular Coffee Table
What impressed me: The Folsom’s brick-like shape is unignorable, as is its open-display design, which makes this piece perfect for displaying decor and organizing your living area. You can place bins on its under-shelf to hide clutter or arrange your tome collection so that every title is in sight — the options are endless! Note that the dark wood finish shows dust, so you’ll want to make sure to wipe it clean from week to week. Other than that, I adore its textured feel and rich grain. Unless you have a traditional interior aesthetic, this piece will fit right in with the rest of your furniture.
What we love
- The versatile, modern silhouette
- The open display offers storage and styling options
- Its natural finish highlights the wood texture and grain
Good to know
- The dark finish requires regular cleaning
- It might clash with more traditional interiors
Specifications:
- Styles: Also available as a small square coffee table, large square coffee table, rectangular grand coffee table, and round nesting coffee tables
- Dimensions: 58″ long, 24″ wide, 18.5″ high
- Finishes: Available in Desert Pine and Charcoal wood finishes
- In Stock
Best Glass: Everson Rectangular Glass Coffee Table
What impressed me: If you’re into the glam aesthetic, you’ll love the gold-toned brass steel frame and gleaming glass surface on the Everson coffee table. The substantial undershelf provides plenty of space for decorative trays, candles, plants, and more. And the elaborate joint and foot detailing make it truly dazzling — but if you’re looking for a versatile coffee table that can double as a workspace and dining spot, maybe steer clear of this fragile piece.
What we love
- It has a large undershelf for storage and decor
- The luxurious and sophisticated look
- The intricate joint and foot detailing
- It complements modern and traditional spaces
Good to know
- The delicate design requires caution
- It's not ideal for working or dining
Specifications:
- Styles: Also available as nested coffee tables, a round coffee table, and an oval coffee table
- Dimensions: 52″ long, 30″ wide, 18.5″ high
- Finishes: Available in a Brass, Bronze, and Polished Nickel frame finish
- Most Styles In Stock
Best Coastal Style: Malibu Rectangular Woven Coffee Table
What impressed me: It might look like an outdoor piece at first glance (Pottery Barn has a separate Malibu outdoor collection), but this charming, woven seagrass table will serve as a breath of fresh air for your indoor lounging space. The rectangular silhouette almost reminds me of a waterfall-style table, which only adds to its beachy aesthetic. Its natural material can hold up to spills, but you’ll want to keep an eye on the edges so the seagrass doesn’t unravel. As always, we appreciate the ample undershelf on this artisan-made furnishing.
What we love
- The large surface area
- It has an undershelf for extra storage
- The durable, family-friendly design
- The woven material can withstand spills
Good to know
- Handle edges with care to avoid unravelling
- It can be purchased with a glass top for extra protection
Specifications:
- Styles: Also available as round nesting coffee tables
- Dimensions: 48″ long, 22″ wide, 17″ high
- Finishes: Available in a seagrass exterior
- In Stock
Most Durable: Malibu Platform Outdoor Coffee Table
What impressed me: The Malibu outdoor table’s boxy shape initially made us think that its surface concealed a roomy storage trunk, and even though this was unfortunately not the case, there’s still much to enjoy about this contemporary piece. It’s incredibly durable, for one — you can enjoy ice-cold beverages and hot barbecue eats atop its powder-coated, weather-proof aluminum surface and kick your feet up without worry. Super streamlined in its design, the Malibu is a smart choice for people after a polished outdoor space instead of something whimsical and boho-inspired. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself lounging next to it all day.
What we love
- The durable, heavy-duty design
- The stylish slatted top
- The rust-resistant aluminum construction
- The ultra-modern silhouette
- It's family friendly
Good to know
- There's no built-in storage
Specifications:
- Styles: Also available as a rectangular outdoor coffee table and a rectangular outdoor coffee table with nesting stools
- Dimensions: 33″ long, 33″ wide, 17.5″ high
- Finishes: Available in a Black and White metal finish
- In Stock