Why IKEA’s Latest Coffee Table Designs Left Me Scratching My Head

I don’t buy IKEA for furniture to last 30+ years. I buy it because it looks good and doesn’t cost much (which can ). Durability is not an IKEA hallmark.  And no, I’m not judging IKEA’s two newest coffee tables on the basis of any durability testing I did or quality of materials.

I’m basing my opinion solely on design. And as an aside, any IKEA sofa can be more functional and nicer looking by adding a high quality diffuser next to it on a side table or shelf.

Yesterday I spent a few hours going over all of IKEA’s coffee tables and while I found a few I like (see my list of seven best IKEA coffee tables below), the two new designs are not for me.  Neither made my list.

Two New IKEA coffee table designs that left me scratching my head are…

Before I explain why, here are the two newest offerings: LISTERBY and JÄTTESTA coffee tables. Here are photos and my reasons for not being crazy about these designs.

1. LISTERBY Coffee Table

Ironically, I love the room design above but the weakest part of it is the coffee table.  In fact, the room is so nice you might be wondering what on earth is wrong with the coffee table.  Here’s what I don’t like about it:

• Rounded corners: This is my biggest beef with it. I love oval and leaf-shaped coffee tables. I like rectangle coffee tables. What I don’t like are rectangle or square coffee table switch round corners.
• Metal round legs: It’s hard to tell from the photos but the LISTERBY coffee table’s entire leg and shelf system below the table top is metal.  Moreover, I don’t care for the legs being round.  That’s strike 3.
• Storage shelf: I loathe the slat-style shelf. It would look so much better with a solid wood shelf. That’s strike 4.

2. JÄTTESTA Coffee Table

I suspect some folks might like the functional features of the JÄTTESTA but IMO, they distract from the design.  Here’s what I don’t like about it:

• Non-flush corner legs: Notice how the leg edges aren’t flush with the table top or table shelf. They protrude with the notch design. I don’t like that. It looks unfinished.
• 4-way shelf divider:  I get that the 4-way shelf divider is functional creating four distinct storage sections but I don’t like it.  It too, looks unfinished.
• Too spindly: I like my coffee tables substantial – thick table top and thick legs. The JÄTTESTA looks rickety – spindly legs and thin table top and shelf. 

That’s three strikes.

FYI, if you like everything about the JÄTTESTA except the color scheme shown above, don’t worry because you can get it in black.

If I had to choose between the LISTERBY  or the JÄTTESTA coffee tables, I’d go with LISTERBY.

So, I’m not wild about IKEA’s latest coffee tables. That doesn’t mean I dislike all of IKEA’s coffee tables.  Here are what I consider the seven best.

The 7 best IKEA coffee tables currently available

Generally, I’m not a big fan of IKEA’s coffee tables. However, there are seven that are passable design-wise especially given the fairly low price.  Here are my picks for the seven best IKEA coffee tables.

1. STOCKHOLM Leaf-Shaped Nesting Tables – Best Overall IKEA Coffee Table

I’m a sucker for nesting coffee tables especially when they’re they same design. I like how they can be nested to create a seemingly larger coffee table or separated for two or more smaller coffee tables (can be convenient when multiple people sitting in the room).

But it’s not just because the STOCKHOLM nesting tables nest that garners them my overall rating for best IKEA coffee table.  It’s the design of each individually.  I like the simplicity of them yet they aren’t square or rectangle or round.  I like the angled legs as well. The design is simple but interesting and together can create a variety of appealing nested coffee table designs.

What these do lack, which is certainly not a dealbreaker for me, is no storage shelf beneath the table surface.  In fact, lacking a storage shelf enhances this design.

I give these a big thumbs up and if I were to buy any coffee table at IKEA, this would be it (assuming it worked with the furniture).

FYI, these, individually, could serve as side tables.  I include a similar looking design in my list of the best IKEA side tables article.

Specs:

Material: Walnut Veneer

Do the STOCKHOLM nesting tables come as a set or individually? It’s sold as a set of two which is good.  As of the time I’m writing this, the set of two costs $299.

Do they stack entirely? No, you can’t place one underneath the other entirely.  It’s an overlap (which I think looks best for this table design).

2. STOCKHOLM – Best Large IKEA Coffee Table

I guess you could say I have a penchange for oval or oblong shaped coffee tables.  My second favorite IKEA coffee table is also the STOCKHOLM line except this is just one larger table.It includes a small, concealed storage shelf below the table top.

Like the nesting variety, this too is simple in design with angled legs and elongated oval table top shape. What’s unfortunate is the storage shelf is a wicker-like material which I’m not into.

What’s the STOCKHOLM coffee table made from? It’s a walnut veneer.

How much does it cost? $399.  This is one of the more expensive IKEA coffee tables but IMO, worth the money. It’s quite nice.

3. Kragsta – the Best Round IKEA Coffee Table

I included the KRAGSTA coffee table because it’s one of the only options at IKEA that works in a more traditional living room design.  I know IKEA does not cater much to traditional design but this certainly does.  It features a beveled edge circling the surface about an inch from the edge which is a nice touch.  What I don’t like are the cross beams creating a crisis cross for leg support; it makes it look cheap.  This table would be much nicer without those cross-pieces.

IKEA isn’t entirely clear with what the KRAGSTA is made from other than solid wood legs.  

Another important aspect to note is that this table is fairly tall for a coffee table coming in at 18 7/8 inches tall (48 cm).  Compare that with the large STOCKHOLM coffee table above which is 15 3/4 inches tall.

4. Tingby – Best Square IKEA Coffee Table

Often I find myself appreciating whimsical elements in design. The IKEA TINGBY coffee table is a perfect example of that. They almost look like kids tables. They have wheels, which I normally don’t care for on furniture but in this case the bright red, rounded corners, obvious storage shelf and wheels work together to create a viable whimsical coffee table option for a less formal living room or family room.

The side-by-side is a must IMO.  One of these would be too small in pretty much any room.  That said, like the nesting tables, I like how these two could be separated for more function.  Nobody likes having to get up to put their drink down.

One aspect of the TINGBY nobody will complain about is the price.  It’s $69.99 per table. Two will set you back $140. Not bad at all.

5. IDANÄS – Best IKEA Glass-Top Coffee Table

I stand corrected. Here’s another traditional coffee table design with glass top in rectangle shape.  I typically don’t care for glass-topped tables but it works with this given that there’s quite a bit going on including storage shelf and two drawers.  This is a great coffee table option for those who need space saving furniture.  Storage is almost always a welcome feature. 

That said, with a glass top, while you can store on the shelf below, you need to tidy it up or it’ll look bad.  

6. TRULSTORP  – The Best “Lift Top” IKEA Coffee Table

I like lift-top coffee tables because I like working on laptops on the sofa.  And so I included IKEA’s TRULSTORP “lift top” coffee table. I don’t care for this design much. It’s blah whether up or down.  If I were in the market for a lift-top coffee table, I’d look for something else.

The top did lift up smoothly and I was able to drop it down and it gently returned into its place.  In other words, the lifting hinges are decent.  

When down, this design is unsightly due to the seam down the center of the table.  Seams aren’t necessarily bad and I get it’s a lift-top table but surely there’s a way to incorporate that seam into the design so that it’s interesting.

One major pro for the TRULSTORP is the price. It’s only $249 which is pretty good for a lift-top coffee table.

Two Alternatives lift-top coffee tables to the TRULSTORP

I included the TRULSTORP because I wanted to include a lift-top design but it’s the most disappointing IKEA coffee table in this list.  Therefore, I want to offer a couple of alternatives in the same price range that I think look way better. Here they are:

a. Eoghan Lift-Top Coffee Table

For only $155, is a great option. I love the rustic design and check out all the storage. Moreover, the entire top lifts so there’s no unsightly seam.

17 Stories Round Lift Top Coffee Table

If you like the idea of a round lift-top coffee table, at a very low price ($136).

7. LACK – Best Minimalist Rectangle IKEA Coffee Table (also the cheapest IKEA coffee table)

The LACK coffee table is about as close to the chunky design as IKEA makes for its tables.  The LACK doesn’t lack but it’s not especially special in anyway either.  It’s the kind of coffee table you wouldn’t notice – neither good nor bad.  It serves its purpose. It won’t make a room ugly but it won’t enhance it either.  

It comes in dark brown as well.

The best part is the price. It’s only $49.99. If you’re looking for the lowest cost, this is your table.  Like I said, it won’t be a showpiece in any room but it certainly won’t make any space look worse. Sometimes that’s the best you can hope for.

What don’t I like about IKEA coffee tables generally?

My beef with IKEA coffee tables is they lack substance.  There’s no gravitas to any of the designs.  They’re simplistic and have a cheap, flimsy design.  I hate to say it because IKEA does well with other furniture products but not coffee tables.

I know IKEA coffee tables are inexpensive and that I can’t expect $1,000 worth of wood and design to go into a $200 coffee table, but there are some that aren’t exactly super cheap.  Some of IKEA’s coffee tables come in at a few hundred dollars which isn’t chump change.  For that kind of money, I’d like to see something better.