The 10 Best Lift Top Coffee Tables of 2021

Adjustable tabletops are ideal for working, eating, and more

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Coffee tables are a convenient spot to rest drinks or kick up your feet, but sometimes you might wish the surface was a little bit closer—for instance if you're eating or typing on a laptop. The easy solution? Invest in a lift-top coffee table.

These unique pieces look like standard coffee tables, but their tops are mounted on a mechanism that lifts the surface up and moves it closer to you. It's an ideal option for anyone who regularly eats or works from the couch, and these tables come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to suit your needs.

Here, the best lift-top coffee tables to add to your living room.

Our Top Picks

Black metal legs and a natural wood finish give this coffee table an industrial vibe.

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The unique tiered silhouette of this coffee table make it a great choice for modern spaces.

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The round form contains both a smooth-gliding drawer and a half lift-top.

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The rustic finish and metal hardware make this lift-top table ideal for a farmhouse style space.

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There are two cubbies underneath this coffee table where you can display knickknacks and other decor.

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This coffee table has a sleek tinted glass shelf underneath, as well as a hidden storage space under its lift-top.

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The drum-shaped base is covered in pretty woven wicker for a textured appearance.

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Half of the bottom shelf is covered in wood, while the other portion is simply metal bars.

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This square coffee table has both a lift-top and a second compartment with a hinged lid.

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This coffee table resembles an ornate antique trunk mounted on short round legs.

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Pop-Up Coffee Table

This best-selling coffee table from West Elm comes in two sizes and three finishes, allowing you to find just the right combo to suit your space. It has an industrial look thanks to its black metal legs and solid wood body, and the lid includes a pop-up mechanism, allowing it to double as a workspace or tabletop. There's even a hidden storage compartment inside the table, allowing you to tuck away any clutter.

This popular coffee table is available in both 36 x 26-inch and 50 x 26-inch sizes, and it's made from sustainably sourced mango wood. The wood will have natural variations that make each table one of a kind, and the table is crafted in a Fair Trade facility, making it a purchase you can feel good about.

Lenora Lift Top Coffee Table with Storage

The Lenora Lift-Top Coffee Table has a cool modern form that's sure to earn compliments in your living room. The table comes in three colors, and it's crafted from laminate with four slim chrome legs that flare out at the bottom. The table itself has a tiered appearance that gives it a mid-century aesthetic, and of course, the tabletop lifts up when needed. The lift top of this coffee table can be locked into three different heights, depending on what you're using it for, and there's also a concealed storage compartment inside.

Ashley Furniture Urlander Coffee Table

If you prefer round coffee tables, this option from Ashley Furniture is a great pick, offering a chic farmhouse design with a convenient lift-top on one half. The Urlander Coffee Table is made from a combination of wood, veneer, and engineered wood, and it has a rustic whitewashed finish with metallic legs and hardware.

The table features a simple drum design with a smooth-gliding drawer on one side, and half of its top lifts up to transform into an instant workspace. The shabby-chic design of this coffee table would mesh well in any farmhouse, country, or rustic home, and its 36-inch diameter makes it the perfect complement to a small- to medium-sized sofa.

Better Homes & Gardens Modern Farmhouse Lift Top Coffee Table

This coffee table from Better Homes & Gardens will fit in perfectly with your modern farmhouse decor—it could even be integrated into a rustic or traditional space, too! It comes in both white and gray finishes, and there are two faux drawers on the side with complementary hardware.

However, the real benefit of this coffee table is its lift-top mechanism, which elevates the entire tabletop, bringing it closer to you, as well. It's great for using as a makeshift dinner table when you're eating on the couch, and there's also a spacious compartment underneath where you can store remotes and other items. The rustic table even has an open shelf at the bottom to display decor, and who could say no to such a reasonable price?

Chantrell Lift Top Coffee Table

The Chantrell Coffee Table has a solid, stately appearance—you'd never know from looking at it that there's a lift-top mechanism hidden inside. The table is available in a variety of wood finishes to match your decor, and it's made from manufactured wood, which is why the price is so competitive.

There's a convenient storage compartment underneath the lift-top surface, and the table's lower shelf is divided into two cubbies for a more interesting silhouette. The table features a few metallic hardware accents for visual interest, and while assembly is a bit time consuming, you're definitely scoring a deal on a versatile piece of furniture.

Falster Lift-Top Coffee Table

The Falster Lift-Top Coffee Table is sleek and elegant, and its high-quality construction and versatile design make it worth every penny. The splurge-worthy table is made from hardwood with a beautiful acacia veneer that shows off the wood's natural graining, and it's mounted on open sleigh legs made from durable iron.

The tabletop of this piece lifts open on a mechanical hinge, revealing a hidden compartment to hold all your clutter. There's also a tinted glass shelf underneath the table, giving it a modern vibe and providing the perfect spot to display your favorite coffee table books.

Beachcrest Home Nobles Lift-Top Coffee Table

Complete your beachy or bohemian living space with this round lift-top coffee table. The Nobles Coffee Table 33-inch drum-style form that's wrapped in woven wicker for a unique appearance. The table is mounted on four slanted feet, and yes, the wooden top lifts up easily to reveal a hidden inner compartment. The wicker has a rich cold finish that will warm up any room, and the piece is sure to earn you compliments thanks to its quality construction and unconventional design.

Urban Outfitters Kirby Pop-Up Coffee Table

Bring some contemporary flair into your home with the Kirby Pop-Up Coffee Table. It has a black metal frame that holds up the faux wood tabletop, which has a natural finish to mesh with just about any decor, and there's a unique lower shelf that has metal bars on one side for an unconventional appearance. The top of this stylish coffee table lifts up to reveal an inner storage space, and it retracts slowly and quietly for safety.

Grandin Road Tristan Lift-top Coffee Table

For larger living spaces, you'll want a more spacious coffee table, such as this one from Grandin Road. The Tristan Lift-Top Coffee Table is a 36-inch square, and it's crafted from solid pine wood with an iron base. It has an intricate carved design on all four sides, and you can choose from two wood finishes to match your style.

However, the best part of this coffee table has to be its two-compartment design: One half of the tabletop lifts up to serve as a workspace or eating surface, and the other half hinges open to reveal an additional storage compartment. The lift-top's manual mechanism raises and lowers smoothly and easily, and the coffee table even has levelers on its legs for use on uneven floors.

Ashley Furniture Carynhurst Coffee Table

This coffee table resembles an ornate antique storage trunk, complete with a (faux) metal keyhole, handles on both sides, and bracket accents on the corners. The table has a distressed light gray finish that accents the wood's natural texture, and it's built from reclaimed solid pine and mounted on four rounded bun feet.

The Carynhurst Coffee Table is fairly large, measuring 52 x 28 inches, and its tabletop can be lifted up to increase the height of the surface. There's a convenient storage compartment inside the table where you can tuck away living room essentials, and overall this piece is sure to become the focal point of any room thanks to its attractive appearance.

Style

People are attracted to a wide variety of decor styles: mid-century modern, boho, farmhouse, you name it! You'll want to select the coffee table that best complements your preferred aesthetic and coordinates well with your existing furniture.

Size and Shape

Some of the coffee tables featured above are square or rectangular, while others are round. Consider the square footage and layout of your living room before placing an order to ensure that the piece you purchase will fit into your space seamlessly.

Price

Furniture can be an investment, and you'll want to consider ahead of time whether you plan to buy a table to use for many years to come, or if you're looking for something that will be more temporary. It can be worthwhile to spend a bit more up front and rest assured that a piece will last for years to come, but others, such as those who move homes frequently, may wish to find a less permanent solution.

FAQ

  • How do you fix a lift top coffee table?

    If a coffee table is not opening smoothly or has difficulty staying shut, there may be an issue with its hinges. Use lubricant on them to adjust as needed.

  • Can you eat on a lift top coffee table?

    Yes, when the top of the table is closed, the piece will function just like any other coffee table and should provide enough surface space for two people to set plates and glasses.

  • Do you need a coffee table?

    Most homeowners and renters choose to have a coffee table in their living room—it can make a space feel more complete but also serves as a key surface when entertaining or relaxing. It is beneficial to have an area on which to set cups, appetizers, magazines, remote controls, and other living room essentials.

This article was researched and written by Camryn Rabideau, who is a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. With a background in interior design, she's an expert on all things home and has ample experience testing and writing about furniture and decor.

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