We Tested (and Rated!) All the Coffee Tables at Blu Dot — Here Are the Best Ones to Suit Your Style and Space
Although finding the right coffee table might not be the most pressing item on your agenda when furnishing your living space, it can ultimately make or break the aesthetic of the room. Even if you find the perfect sofa, rug, and pair of accent chairs, you still need a central piece to tie them together and lend some much-needed storage space. Enter: Our Personal Shopper series, in which we visit the brick-and-mortar stores of your favorite home retailers, including Pottery Barn, West Elm, 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. Shopping for furniture online can be difficult — especially when it comes to big-ticket essentials like a coffee table, which you ideally want to keep for a long time. That’s why it’s so important to have all of the details regarding a table’s durability, as well as whether it looks similar IRL to the photos you see on the retailer’s website. Luckily, you don’t have to leave your home to do that, because we’re doing it for you.
For our latest Personal Shopper, we went to Blu Dot. You might’ve already seen our rundown of the brand’s sofas, but we also looked at a handful of coffee tables that would suit a variety of lifestyles and interior decor trends. No matter what you’re after, if you’re willing to splurge a little on a made-to-last piece, you’re bound to find it below.
Why Blu Dot?
Blu Dot’s furniture is beautiful, yes, but we also appreciate the brand’s dedication to thoughtful design. In fact, the company was founded by designers, and every piece is sketched in the team’s Minneapolis studio before being brought to life. Blu Dot also prioritizes sustainability by using high-quality materials and rigorously testing furniture to prevent damage and, in turn, waste. Should you invest in a piece from the brand, you’ll find that it evolves with your lifestyle, regardless of what’s on trend. As a result, when you shop Blu Dot, you can rest assured that you’ll own and love your new piece for many years to come.
The Coffee Tables
Best Statement Maker: Half Past Large Side Table (paired with Half Past Small Side Table)
Best Open Storage: Low Space Coffee Table
Best for Coffee Table Books: Super Swoval Coffee Table
Best Boho Style: Good Times Coffee Table
Best for Small Spaces: Coco Coffee Table
Best Mixed Materials: Free Range Coffee Table
Best Glass: Flume Round Coffee Table
Best Modern: Plateau Coffee Table
Best for Families: Roundhouse Coffee Table
The Criteria
We judged every Blu Dot 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 modern design enthusiast to the avid magazine collector.
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 Blu Dot
Best Statement Maker: Half Past Large Side Table (paired with Half Past Small Side Table)
Half Past Large Side Table
What impressed us: The two-piece configuration and brown-toned glass.
We saw a number of nesting-style coffee tables in the store, and they’d all make wonderful picks for small apartments. The Half Past table is one of them. It might be compact, but it packs a punch with its brown tempered glass construction. The unusual hue, coupled with the table’s rounded lines, gives off a ’60s mod vibe. And when you pair the large side table with its smaller counterpart, you essentially get one regular-sized coffee table with a layered surface that you can pull apart when needed. What’s more, each table’s base curves inward and could serve as extra storage space as a result. Otherwise, it’s simply another stunning visual detail that this small-but-mighty piece has to offer.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
29 inches long, 21 inches wide, 18 inches high
Tempered glass
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 1 finish
Best Open Storage: Low Space Coffee Table
Low Space Coffee Table
What impressed us: The oversized silhouette and angled partitions.
We were similarly awestruck by this table’s distinctive shape. But in contrast to the nesting tables we viewed, the Low Space coffee table sports an oversized frame that makes it ideal for larger lofts or family homes. At 15 inches tall, it sits quite low to the ground, which we found to be the case with many of Blu Dot’s bigger coffee tables. But the focal point here is undoubtedly the table’s open storage. You essentially get one big shelf beneath the surface that’s broken up into sections by artful wooden partitions. Store anything from books to streaming accessories to work materials inside the expansive compartments. Although the table is pretty simple in terms of materials, it’s still breathtaking to behold in person. We’re sure it’ll look even more grand once you add your personal touches.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
52 inches long, 30 inches wide, 15 inches high
White oak veneer over constructed wood?
Available in 1 size
Available in 3 wood finishes
Best for Coffee Table Books: Super Swoval Coffee Table
Super Swoval Coffee Table
What impressed us: The low profile and expansive marble surface.
The Low Space table might have a ton of storage space for your books and magazines, but we still think this model would be best for displaying them, considering its surface is a whopping 60 inches long. The Super Swoval table also sports an extremely low profile at 12 inches tall, so you can take in all of your favorite covers without even having to stand for a bird’s eye view. Plus, think of how beautiful your tomes would look against its glossy marble surface. We also like that the white top is contrasted with a black steel base. If you have a smaller sofa, this pick might throw off the proportions in your living space, so we think it’s best for rooms with sectionals, or seating that can hold its own next to this showstopping number.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
60 inches long, 30 inches wide, 12 inches high
Marble top on powder-coated steel base
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 1 finish
Best Boho Style: Good Times Coffee Table
Good Times Coffee Table
What impressed us: The oval shape and whitewashed wood.
This model immediately grabbed our attention with its whitewashed wood construction and egg-like shape. Its chunky round legs and organic lines are what made us deem it the best boho-style coffee table of the bunch, but truthfully the Good Times table could easily fit in with a range of interior decor aesthetics, be it Scandi or farmhouse. If you’re not into the off-white color, you’ll be happy to learn that this piece also comes in a black or walnut finish. It boasts the same expansive surface you’ve by now come to expect from Blu Dot’s coffee tables, as well as the short height. If you’re after the perfect balance of style and function, look no further than the Good Times coffee table.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
60 inches long, 30 inches wide, 14 inches high
Constructed solid wood core with ash veneer
Available in 1 size
Available in 3 wood finishes
Best for Small Spaces: Coco Coffee Table
Coco Coffee Table
What impressed us: The chunky pedestal base and dark finish.
The Coco is another model that’s meant to be paired with one or more side tables from the same collection. A trio would create a striking display, but the coffee table on its own would serve a tiny studio just fine. You get just enough surface area for the basics, like your TV remote, tissue box, and a couple pieces of decor. Beneath that, you’ll find a trunk-like pedestal base made of the same black-stained acacia wood. What’s also great about tables like this one is that it arrives fully assembled. And, at 52 pounds, it’ll be a breeze to move if you change apartments or switch up your current layout — even if you’re moving it by yourself.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
26 inches long, 26 inches wide, 15 inches high
Solid acacia wood
Available in 3 sizes
Available in 1 wood finish
Best Mixed Materials: Free Range Coffee Table
Free Range Coffee Table
What impressed us: The brass hardware and upward extended legs.
The Free Range table is another model that’ll seamlessly blend in with just about any interior decor style, save for the overly traditional or ornate. It stuns with its mixed-material design. A lustrous white marble surface rests atop walnut legs and a black steel frame. But that’s not all: Our eyes quickly focused on the exposed brass hardware, which simultaneously feels both glamorous and rustic. This model is also totally small-space-friendly without being as compact as the nesting styles. An important detail we can’t ignore is the fact that its legs come up above the tabletop, which could prove dangerous for families with young children. Otherwise, the Free Range table would make a great pick for a variety of homes and lifestyles.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
36 inches long, 36 inches wide, 14 inches high
Marble top on powder-coated steel frame and solid walnut legs
Available in 2 sizes
Available in 1 wood finish
Best Glass: Flume Round Coffee Table
Flume Round Coffee Table
What impressed us: The tempered glass surface and visible leg tops.
This certainly wasn’t the only glass-top coffee table we viewed, but in this case the sleek surface steals the show. This is largely because the Flume table is so simple with its monochromatic design and steel base. We think it would suit single- or two-person households best; it could get dicey if you live with kids or multiple roommates. Another feature of note is that the tops of the legs protrude up above the tabletop, which is a feature we haven’t noticed on any other coffee table before. You could also pair this piece with a matching side table, but it’s more than substantial enough on its own — even for living rooms with extra floor space.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
36 inches long, 36 inches wide, 13 inches high
Tempered glass top on powder-coated steel base
Available in 3 sizes
Available in 2 finishes
Best Modern: Plateau Coffee Table
Plateau Coffee Table
What impressed us: The white monochromatic finish and compact frame.
We’re sure you’ve noticed by now that Blu Dot’s designers are master marble utilizers. The Plateau coffee table features a slab of the material over its top surface, while the rest of it is smartly painted white to match. The base is made of powder-coated steel, so aside from the relatively delicate top, the table is plenty durable for daily use. The Plateau is a mere 1 foot tall, so if you want to forego a lot of bending down to grab your beverage, you could pair it with a taller matching side table. What’s unique about this pick is that it looks like it could be used outdoors. Although that’s not the case, we still appreciate its no-frills design and breezy nature.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
32 inches long, 32 inches wide, 12 inches high
Marble top on powder-coated steel base
Available in 3 sizes
Available in 1 finish
Best for Families: Roundhouse Coffee Table
Roundhouse Coffee Table
What impressed us: The raised surface edges and unique wire base.
Although the Roundhouse table’s oak surface is susceptible to scratches, we still think it’s sturdy enough to withstand use from large families, or at least those with pets and small kids. You’ll find no glass, marble, or sharp edges on this pick, but it’s still eye-catching, thanks to a crisscross wire base. Additionally, the top’s rounded edges come up about half an inch, so potential spills and messes will be more easily contained, preventing rug stains underneath. Even though the all-black version of the Roundhouse coffee table would make a great anchor piece, we especially love the white oak model, which offers a nice contrast. Each option would look equally fabulous next to both dark- or light-toned furniture.
How We Rated It:
Specifications:
36 inches long, 36 inches wide, 16 inches high
Oak veneer with powder-coated steel base
Available in 3 sizes
Available in 2 wood finishes
