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

published Jul 18, 2024
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Pottery Barn Folsom Rectangular Coffee Table in living room. Seal in upper left reads: "Apartment Therapy Personal Shopper: Pottery Barn Coffee Tables 2024"
Credit: Pottery Barn

You might think picking a coffee table is more straightforward than, say, buying a sofa or dining table. Larger furniture pieces are obviously more noticeable when you enter a room, but you can’t discount the power a central table has in making or breaking the feng shui of a space. There’s much to take into account, including the size of your coffee table, as well as whether it’s round, square, or a shape that’s not as common. From there, you have to consider the materials and how they fit in with the rest of your decor. It’s no quick process, but we’re here to help simplify it. In our Personal Shopper series, we visit 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 our visit, we provide a detailed breakdown of which sectional, dresser, or desk is best for your space. Because a good coffee table can cost you a hefty sum (even if it is cheaper than your couch), you want to learn as much as possible about a given model before buying it. If you’re not able to drive to your local furniture store and see it for yourself, our shopping guide is the next best resource.

For one of our recent Personal Shopper visits, we went to Pottery Barn. We’ve already covered a number of different furniture categories from the brand for this series, but we’re somehow just making it to coffee tables. Below, you’ll find the models we viewed, along with our thoughts on whom each one would suit best. Check them out, and 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, we can pretty much guarantee you’re going to want to).

The Coffee Tables

The Criteria

We judged every Pottery Barn 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 the right person for each coffee table, from the parents with young children to the summer patio lounger.

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

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?

Every Editor-Tested Coffee Table at Pottery Barn

Best Statement Maker: Delaney Nesting Coffee Table

What impressed us: The gold-toned marble tops.

Over the past year, we’ve noticed more and more retailers offering nesting-style coffee tables. Of all the ones we’ve looked at, Pottery Barn’s Delaney tables stand out the most. Their marble surfaces are unique in that they’re not white, but rather a stunning mix of beige, rust, and gold. This color scheme adds warmth to any living space. One thing to keep in mind is that both tables in the nesting duo are heavy precisely because of the marble tops, as well as their iron frames. We struggled a bit 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.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 38 inches long, 38 inches wide, 19 inches high
  • Golden Calcutta marble top on iron frame
  • Available in 2 sizes
  • Available in 1 finish

What impressed us: The oversized silhouette and pass-through drawers.

The Modern Farmhouse table is huge, which is the main reason why we deemed it the best pick for families. We could easily see its owners crowded around the oversized surface with board games or a movie night takeout dinner. We also had fun playing with the two jumbo drawers, which have a pass-through design. Basically, you get 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. The light-colored finish we viewed only made the table that much more eye-catching. Whether you’re sitting on the sofa or floor, it’s a spot you’ll find yourself gathering around every day.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 64 inches long, 30 inches wide, 15 inches high
  • Kiln-dried poplar wood, engineered wood, MDF, and oak wood veneers
  • Available in 1 size
  • Available in 2 wood finishes

What impressed us: The clean lines and open design.

Another grand model, the Folsom established itself as an instant favorite among the nearly 15 models we looked at. Its 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! We viewed the Folsom in a dark wood finish, which shows dust, so you’ll want to make sure to wipe it clean from week to week. Other than that, we 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 and undoubtedly prompt visitors to ask where you got it.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 58 inches long, 24 inches wide, 18.5 inches high
  • Kiln-dried SPF wood and veneer-engineered wood
  • Available in 2 sizes
  • Available in 3 wood finishes

What impressed us: The square shape and weathered finish.

Yet another oversized, open-display table, the Palisades boats a square shape that’ll serve as an effective anchor piece. We recommend it for people who already have an oversized sectional and plenty of floor space to spare; otherwise, it can quickly overpower the room. Unlike the Folsom and Modern Farmhouse tables, the Palisades has an intentionally distressed finish that helps break up overly refined interiors. It almost has a coastal look, and, again, you get plenty of storage space thanks to the generous undershelf. Although the table isn’t vintage, it is made of reclaimed pine, which lends a homey, antique sensibility to the otherwise contemporary silhouette. If you’ve ever fantasized about living in a larger home, it’s likely because of pieces like this one.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 44 inches long, 44 inches wide, 16 inches high
  • Reclaimed pine wood
  • Available in 1 size
  • Available in 2 wood finishes

What impressed us: The brass-toned steel frame and ornate details.

If you’re into the glam aesthetic, look no further than the Everson glass coffee table. Not only will its reflective surfaces gleam in the natural light, but this model also boasts a dazzling, gold-toned brass steel frame. The substantial undershelf provides plenty of space for decorative trays, candles, plants, and more, 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. We recommend the Everson for the sophisticated solo apartment dweller who can maintain nice things. Oh, and how could you miss the elaborate joint and foot detailing? Every detail on this table has been meticulously thought out.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 52 inches long, 30 inches wide, 18.5 inches high
  • Tempered glass top on steel frame
  • Available in 1 size
  • Available in 1 finish

What impressed us: The mosaic-style surface and vintage aesthetic.

Some people like to make fun of the Tuscan interior decor trend that swept the early aughts, while others are fondly nostalgic of it. If you fancy wrought iron accents and warm wood tones, the Parquet coffee table allows you to partake in the Tuscan style tastefully. It almost looks like it could work both indoors and outdoors because of its tough iron base, which is great if you’re looking to achieve that Italian courtyard vibe. Because each table’s surface is made of reclaimed wood, no two will be exactly alike. The great thing about the Parquet table is that you can pair it with both light or dark-colored furniture, and it’ll always look right at home. And, at 46 square inches, it offers plenty of surface area for kicking your feet up or sprawling out with your work materials.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 46 inches long, 46 inches wide, 18 inches high
  • Elm wood top on iron frame
  • Available in 1 size
  • Available in 1 finish

Best for Small Spaces: Malcolm Nesting Coffee Tables

What impressed us: The thick wood tops and versatility.

Although the bigger Malcolm table has a slightly bigger diameter than the larger of the Delaney nesting tables, we still consider this pair the best option for small spaces. The biggest reason is obvious: 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. And because living in a small apartment sometimes entails bumping into furniture, it’s better to furnish your living room with the Malcolm tables’ wooden tops as opposed to the Delaneys’ hard marble. You’ll also find the Malcolms’ surfaces to be textured and a warm caramel color. That, paired with the black metal bases, makes these tables not only strong and functional, but also easy on the eyes. We also appreciate that you can buy each piece separately, if you want to.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 40 inches long, 40 inches wide, 19 inches high
  • Solid spruce, MDF, spruce veneers, and metal
  • Available in 2 sizes
  • Available in 1 finish

Best for Coffee Table Books: Chapman Oval Marble Coffee Table

What impressed us: The wide oval surface and sculptural pedestal base.

Those after a living room centerpiece that’s beautiful enough to double as decor will love the Chapman table. The classic white marble combined with the oval shape of its surface are brilliant to begin with, but the voluptuous pedestal base takes this pick to the next level. We 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. Its relatively low profile and expansive surface make the table ideal for displaying your favorite covers. You’ll be able to get a solid aerial view of them every time you pass. The stark marble is prone to staining, so just be sure to use coasters and quickly wipe up spills.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 52 inches long, 34 inches wide, 16.5 inches high
  • Marble top on iron base
  • Available in 1 size
  • Available in 1 finish

What impressed us: The woven seagrass construction and undershelf.

If it wasn’t for the fact that it was situated next to a cushy sofa in the store, we would’ve thought the Malibu table was an outdoor piece. Although Pottery Barn does have an outdoor Malibu collection, this pick isn’t part of it. Instead, its charming woven seagrass construction will serve as a breath of fresh air for your indoor lounging space. Anyone who wishes it were summer all year will adore the Malibu. Its rectangular silhouette almost reminds us of some waterfall-style coffee tables we’ve seen, which only adds to its beachy aesthetic. The table’s 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.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 48 inches long, 22 inches wide, 17 inches high
  • Mahogany wood, engineered wood, and seagrass
  • Available in 2 sizes
  • Available in 1 finish and with or without glass top

What impressed us: The extra-large rectangular shape and distressed wood.

The Thorndale table was inspired by a vintage table that Pottery Barn’s designers saw at an Alpine ski lodge, but we think it leans quite industrial with its sharp lines, distressed pine surface, and black metal legs. The table is both versatile and durable enough to double as a desk (so long as you have a laptop stand) and dining spot. The fact that it’s a whopping 60 inches long also helps. It would look great in a similarly industrial-style loft or studio — provided you have the square footage to accommodate it — especially for renters seeking an artsy vibe for their space. Although some materials clash easily with others, we think the more textures you pair with the Thorndale, the cooler it’ll look.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 60 inches long, 40 inches wide, 15.5 inches high
  • Kiln-dried pine wood top on metal legs
  • Available in 1 size
  • Available in 1 finish

What impressed us: The half-sphere shape and cratered texture.

If we had to describe the Bolinas table with one word, it would be “cute”! The round shape and compact silhouette are not only adorable but also great for small outdoor areas. We could easily picture it abutted by a patio loveseat and accent chair on your deck or terrace. Because the table is fully made of concrete, it’s heavy despite its somewhat small size. We were instantly drawn to it because of its cratered texture, and we like that the concrete is a grayish-bone color as opposed to basic white. Although you’ll want to cover the Bolinas to avoid long-term damage, it’ll stand up to daily use in spring and summer and give your backyard the modern upgrade it needs.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 36 inches long, 36 inches wide, 14.5 inches high
  • Concrete
  • Available in 1 size
  • Available in 1 finish

What impressed us: The rustproof aluminum and slatted top.

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. Its aluminum construction is incredibly durable, for one. You can enjoy ice-cold beverages and hot barbecue eats atop its powder-coated, weather-proof surface and not worry about having to take your shoes off if you kick your feet up. Aside from the paneled detailing on top, the Malibu is super streamlined in its design, so it’s 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.

How We Rated It:

Credit: Apartment Therapy Media

Specifications:

  • 33 inches long, 33 inches wide, 17.5 inches high
  • Solid aluminum
  • Available in 1 size
  • Available in 1 finish