personal shopper

We Tested (and Rated!) Every Coffee Table at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space

Nikol SlatinskaShopping Writer, Home
Nikol SlatinskaShopping Writer, Home
In my role at Apartment Therapy, I'm most passionate about making my home look beautiful and organized and helping our readers do the same — often at a discount. Although I cover my fair share of newsy pieces, my work focuses on long-form service articles that help our audience…read more
updated Dec 15, 2025
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
Pottery Barn living room with coffee table featured and personal shopper seal in upper left
Credit: Pottery Barn

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!

By the way, you can always check out my reviews of the brand’s other furniture categories, like sofas, desks, and dressers, if you’re interested in exploring further.

Credit: AT Media

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 Commerce Shopping Writer, Nikol Slatinska. Nikol has written for Apartment Therapy since 2022. She has 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 Coffee Table at Pottery Barn

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

  • Natural Calacatta marble
  • Unique golden tones
  • Versatile nesting style can be paired or styled separately
  • Great for a small and large spaces alike

Good to know

  • Heavy tops and iron frames are difficult to move
  • Marble is prone to staining

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 38″ long, 38″ wide, 19″ high
  • Finishes: Golden Calcutta marble top on bronze-finished iron frame

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.

By the way, you can shop the Tahoe Brown finish on sale for $747!

What we love

  • Oversized surface for board games and hosting
  • Pass-through drawers for more storage
  • Balances modern and rustic styles
  • Available in light and dark wooden finishes
  • Accessible low profile

Good to know

  • Might be a tight fit in small spaces
  • Dark wood finish requires regular cleaning

Specifications:

  • Styles: Also available as a square coffee table
  • Dimensions: 64″ long, 30″ wide, 15″ high 
  • Finishes: Available in Fog and Tahoe Brown wood finishes

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

  • Versatile, modern silhouette
  • Open display offers storage and styling options
  • Natural finish highlights texture and grain

Good to know

  • Dark finish requires regular cleaning
  • Might clash with more traditional interiors

Specifications:

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 makes 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

  • Large undershelf for storage and decor
  • Luxurious and sophisticated look
  • Intricate joint and foot detailing
  • Complements modern and traditional spaces

Good to know

  • Delicate design requires caution
  • Not ideal for working or dining

Specifications:

Best for Small Spaces: Malcolm Nesting Coffee Tables

What impressed me: This pair is the best option for small spaces because you can pull the tables apart for extra storage, then push the smaller one back under its parent when you want your floor space back. Plus, living in a small apartment sometimes entails bumping into furniture, so it’s better to furnish your living room with the Malcolm tables’ wooden tops as opposed to the Delaneys’ hard marble, for example. The textured and warm caramel-colored surface paired with the black metal bases makes these tables not only strong and functional, but also easy on the eyes. I also appreciate that you can buy each piece separately.

What we love

  • Versatile, family-friendly design
  • Space-saving silhouette
  • Mixed materials add style and texture
  • Sold as a set or individually 

Good to know

  • Minimal storage space
  • Heavy metal base might be challenging to move

Specifications:

  • Styles: Also available as a rectangular coffee table
  • Dimensions: 25″ diameter, 15″ high
  • Finishes: Available in a Glazed Pine wood finish

Best for Coffee Table Books: Chapman Oval Marble Coffee Table

What impressed me: The classic white marble on the Chapman coffee table combined with the wide, oval-shaped surface are brilliant to begin with, but the voluptuous pedestal base takes it to the next level. I like that the base is black, so it contrasts nicely against the white. It’s also short, which is why the Chapman is the winner of the “best for coffee table books” category; the relatively low profile and expansive surface make it ideal for displaying your favorite covers. The stark marble is prone to staining, though, so be sure to use coasters and quickly wipe up spills.

What we love

  • Large surface area
  • Classic antique-inspired look
  • Sculptural base doubles as decor
  • Low profile for displaying books

Good to know

  • White marble is prone to staining
  • No undershelf storage

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 52″ long, 34″ wide, 16.5″ high
  • Finishes: Available in white marble

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

  • Large surface area
  • Undershelf for extra storage
  • Durable, family-friendly design
  • Woven material can withstand spills
  • Can be purchased with a glass top for extra protection

Good to know

  • Handle edges with care to avoid unravelling
  • Unique look may not complement all interiors

Specifications:

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

  • Durable, heavy-duty design
  • Stylish slatted top
  • Rust-resistant aluminum construction
  • Ultra-modern silhouette
  • Family friendly

Good to know

  • No storage
  • Not very versatile

Specifications:

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