This Gorgeous Coffee Table Has Two Game-Changing Features That Make It Perfect for My Tiny Living Room

Shopping for coffee tables is a tricky endeavor — more so, I would say, than shopping for most other kinds of furniture. The tables made of quality materials usually cost upwards of a grand, while anything reasonably priced is oftentimes a piece of junk that starts falling apart after a couple of years of use. I would know, considering I had a piece of junk for a coffee table last year.

A previous roommate had brought it over from her old apartment, and everything about this table was downright unfortunate. It was only 13 inches tall, abnormally long, and ugly, to boot. Plus, the only storage it offered was in the form of three wide but short shelves that could only house a handful of magazines each.

When that roommate moved out and sold the coffee table, I wasn’t even mad, but I knew I needed to find a replacement table ASAP. I thought of Article, whose furniture is not only visually appealing but also highly practical. While browsing its products, I saw the Karl lift-top coffee table and decided it was just what my tiny living room called for. I reached out to the brand, and they sent me a table to test. More than two months after receiving it, I’m ready to share my honest thoughts.

As its name states, the Karl table has a partial lift-top that extends up and out via a steel mechanism. I say “partial” because the table’s surface is actually bisected, so half of it lifts up to create a dining or desk surface, and the other half opens via steel hinges. Both halves boast spacious storage compartments underneath that are roughly 6 inches tall. Despite the central division between the two parts of the surface, the table maintains a sleek appearance, punctuated only by charming chamfered edges around the top.

The other thing worth highlighting is the table’s size. It measures 46 inches long, 30 inches wide, and 18 inches tall. Considering the dimensions, the Karl table is not especially small-space-friendly. I’d describe it as an average-size coffee table for houses and a large table for apartments. That being said, I have a tiny living room, and it just so happens to fit perfectly in the space. 

For reference, I have a 76-inch-long sofa and a 5’3” by 7’6” rug, and the table fits snugly among them. Technically, it might be too big to look right proportion-wise, but I enjoy having plenty of surface and storage space.

At the risk of sounding overly positive, I love my coffee table. Truly the only downside is that, as I mentioned before, the table is a bit oversized for small spaces. Even still, I like its size and shape, and I enjoy that two people can use the lift-top to work, eat, or watch a show on one laptop at the same time. I’ve found that since we got it, my two roommates and I spend more time together around the table just chatting or looking at things online.

From the very beginning, owning the Karl table has been a breeze, especially because I got it delivered to my apartment and assembled in my living room, which only took 20 minutes. If you’re also someone who takes forever to put furniture together, I would highly recommend the add-on.

As soon as the table was ready to use, my roommate and I took advantage of its two storage compartments, filling them with books, magazines, puzzles, board games, and random tools from previous furniture assembly projects. We were able to stack two board games on top of each other or three chapter books and still get the top to close, which was impressive. I’ve also stored dining place mats and a couple of lint rollers inside the table, so it’s great for things you want to keep on hand but out of sight.

The table’s solid construction is also noteworthy. I chose the white oak finish, which matches the other light-colored furniture in my home. Both solid wood and veneered wood are used throughout. The former is great for supporting weight, while the latter serves as a durable exterior material. I wipe the table surface down every couple of weeks using a damp cloth and mild surface cleaner, and this gets rid of any food residue or grime that has accumulated.

As for the interior steel mechanisms, I find that they allow for smooth lifting of the surfaces on both sides of the table. Whenever I push the lift-top down, it closes softly on its own, never slamming. That being said, if there’s something heavy on the surface like a laptop or plates of food, I push the top all the way down to avoid wearing out the mechanism.

• The white oak finish: I waffled between the walnut finish and white oak finish but ultimately chose the latter because it matched more of my furniture. The light color gives my living room an airy quality despite how large the table is, and I love how both dark- and bright-colored decor pops against the table surface.
• The sturdy build: At $700, this table is well-priced considering how sturdily it’s built and how modern and stylish it looks. Both the interior and exterior have proved incredibly durable after more than two months of daily use.

Article offers a 30-day return period on every item, including this coffee table. That means if after 30 days you’re not totally in love with your new table, you can exchange it free of charge or send it back.

So long as the table’s dimensions work for your space, my answer to this question is yes, yes, yes! If I had to go back to January when I was in a rush to get a new coffee table, I would still make the same decision. It’s as practical as it is beautiful, and I think it’s worth every penny. Although I was sent a sample free of charge, if I had to spend my own money on a coffee table, I would gladly do so for this one.

• Functions as a coffee table, dining table, and desk
• Has storage space underneath its surface, too
• Can accommodate up to four people around its surface for casual dinners and hangouts
• Lift-top serves as a convenient laptop stand for streaming shows from the couch

• Article, $699

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