How to Increase Height of Coffee Table

A coffee table that doesn’t correspond to the seating height can be very uncomfortable to use and may significantly impact the entire look of the living area. That’s why you must be careful when picking the right height for the coffee table.

But what can you do if you fell for a specific table with no chance of getting it at the right size? Then, learning how to increase height of coffee table might solve your problem.

The height of the coffee table should be 1 to 2 inches lower than the height of the seat cushions of your sofa. Before you go any further, take out the measuring tape, and see how much you’ll need to raise the coffee table. Then, follow our tips to increase the height of coffee table, and you can make your coffee table height proportionate to your seating arrangements.

How to Increase Height of Coffee Table

How to Increase Height of Coffee Table

If you’ve got a coffee table that’s higher than it should be, lowering the legs shouldn’t be too much trouble. But if the coffee table lies lower to the ground than it should be, you’re going to need some help with the task. 

Worry not, as there are a couple of ways for you to adjust the coffee table height at home. Let’s check them out!

Place extensions under the table legs

Bed risers

The fastest and most straightforward way to raise the coffee table is by placing leg extensions underneath the table legs. Depending on the design of your coffee table, you can get bed risers in wood or plastic and a wide range of various shapes and sizes. When picking out bed risers, ensure you get robust ones that can support the table’s weight. If you cannot find a set of risers in a matching color, you can go a step further and paint them so they blend in.

Bun feet

If you have a more rustic wooden coffee table with some specifically designed legs, bed risers are highly unlikely to blend in. Therefore, you’re going to need bun feet

These turned or carved feet come in various designs and can be easily mounted to the bottom of the coffee table legs thanks to the pre-installed hanger bolts. You can purchase them at the local hardware store. After you find suitable bun feet, you’ll need to drill holes on the bottom of the table legs and fit the hanger bolts. Screw them in place so that table doesn’t wobble.

PVC pipe

If you have a coffee table with an industrial look, a homemade PVC pipe extension might do the trick. Check out the diameter of the coffee table legs to calculate how wide should the PVC pipe be. 

Purchase a suitable PVC pipe from the nearest hardware store. Cut 4 equal pieces to add the desired height to the coffee table and attach them to the table legs.

Make sure the PVC extensions are cut evenly, or the coffee table might wobble.

Read more: How to Raise a Table to Bar Height

Coffee table with replaced leg

Replace the table legs

Replacing the table legs is also a good option if you have a simpler coffee table. Many hardware stores sell coffee table legs separately, so with a simpler design, you can easily find a good fit and replace the table legs altogether.

To replace the legs, you’ll first need to measure the current height of your coffee table from the floor to the top. Next, measure the table legs separately. Determine how much height you’re looking to gain with the new legs, and add that to the dimensions of the new table legs.

With the dimensions in hand, head over to your local hardware store to see whether you can find suitable table legs in the desired height.

When you find the right table legs, turn your coffee table upside down, and remove the existing feet. Measure and mark where the new legs need to go, and use screws or woodworking glue and hanger bolts to attach the new legs to the corners of your coffee table. Let the glue dry overnight before moving your elevated coffee table in place.

Adjust the tabletop

If your coffee table height needs only a slight adjustment, you can easily add around an inch by adjusting the tabletop. A glass table topper is an excellent choice for adding up to an inch of height to the coffee table. 

Carefully measure the tabletop surface and get a glass table topper at the corresponding size. Get a specific thickness that’ll add the extra height you need.

Also read: How to Style a Coffee Table

How to Calculate the Right Height for the Coffee Table

Before you start adding fixtures or get a new set of coffee table legs, you should first carefully measure out your table and see whether it needs to be elevated. The perfect height of a coffee table should correspond with the rest of the furniture revolving around it, which is typically the sofa.

A good rule of thumb is to have your coffee table an inch or two lower than the couch. That way, you can easily reach objects from the table or comfortably stretch your legs on it. The standard height usually ranges around 16 to 18 inches, but for the most proportionate dimensions, we recommend you use the couch as a reference.

Right height coffee table

Final Words

If your coffee table came in an odd height that makes it seem disproportional to the rest of the living area, you now know how to increase height of coffee table. Before you raise the bar, make sure that the coffee table is indeed too low by comparing its height to the seat cushions of your sofa.

Lifting the coffee table a couple of inches can make a big difference, so if the current height makes you uncomfortable, you have a couple of options to solve the problem. You can get the extra inches you need quickly and effectively by adding leg extensions, tabletop addons, or replacing the entire legs. Consider all three options to see which one will blend in with your coffee table and living room design the best.

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