Should Coffee Table Drawers Face The Sofa?
A coffee table is the heart of any living room space and it’s as important as any other furniture piece. With the different styles, designs, and types of coffee tables, there’s so much to be gained from having this item placed before a sofa.
Positioning the coffee table can also entail many decisions and factors which all contribute to designing a space that looks elegant, cohesive, and functional.
If you’re wondering whether the drawers of the coffee table should face the sofa or outwards, it’s pretty simple.
Depending on the layout, design, and function, coffee table drawers can face the sofa or away from it. It’s best to consider the use, access, and aesthetic value it provides to figure out what works best for your space.
Something as simple as this doesn’t require much thought or worry but there are times when a small detail like this can impact the space to a certain degree.
Below, we’ll explore these various factors and essentials to determine if having the coffee table drawers face the sofa is best suited for your space or not.
Here’s the quickest way to know:
Table of Contents
3 Main Factors To Consider:
Function – The first thing you should consider is the purpose and function of the coffee table. Is the coffee table simply for aesthetic purposes only or can the drawers be used for extra storage as a system to keep the living area/sofa area clean and tidy?
Access – Do you plan to use the drawers to store items that need to be accessed at any time? Will having the drawers face the sofa pose an obstacle or make it uncomfortable when you need to grab something but you have to get around someone who is sitting near the coffee table drawers?
Aesthetics – What about the design of the coffee table? Will having the drawers face away from the sofa be more valuable to the space? Will the drawers be hidden if it’s facing the sofa and this will make the beautiful design go to waste? Or will it bring closer attention to the detail of the drawers if it’s facing the sofa where someone can sit and really notice the design?
At best, these three factors should be able to point out which option will be best for you. Whether that’s having the drawers face the sofa or not.
However, there’s a lot more we can look at before coming to a decision.
They are as follows:
Coffee Table Drawers Facing the Sofa
A coffee table facing the sofa can be a huge benefit for ease of access. You can simply reach over and pull out the remote, extra batteries, or a folded throw without having to wake up and go to the other side to grab it from the drawer.
This can be both a smart and practical option that makes life somewhat easier.
You can also enjoy the full view of a coffee table from the sofa in all its glory.
Especially if this coffee table is your latest favorite piece of furniture.
Having the coffee table drawers face the sofa can also contribute to the aesthetic value of the space. This can work great in providing a smooth flow and balance in the decor that appears well thought out.
It really boils down to personal preference but this orientation of the coffee table does have many benefits.
Do keep the overall function and aesthetics in mind to determine if this is best for your needs.
Coffee Tables Facing Away From The Sofa
The main benefit of this positioning is that it provides a more streamlined finish. This gives the viewer a good view of the coffee table before they seat themselves on the sofa.
If you find yourself entertaining guests quite often and this is usually the sofa you seat your family or friends on, then a coffee table positioned close to the sofa will make it difficult or awkward to access the drawers.
This is why having the drawers face away would be better in this case.
However, there are a few downsides to this. For one, if you’re lounging on the sofa, accessing the drawers that are away from the sofa can be slightly annoying when you have to get up each time. This could also disrupt the natural flow of the space.
Considering the convenience of the drawers facing to or away the sofa would also be a smart thing to do.
Now that you’re fully aware of the pros of each, I’m guessing it’s way easier to decide.
For It Or Against It? Time To Make A Choice
A coffee table should not only function in terms of aesthetics but it should be easy and convenient to use whether that’s placing a coffee cup on the surface or storing and accessing necessities from the drawers.
The positioning should be used as a tool to facilitate these needs.
For enjoying and making the best use of your space, having the coffee tables face the sofa is definitely worth going for.
Whichever option you go for, you can always change things if you decide it doesn’t work for your space.
Conclusion
As you can see, the orientation of the coffee table drawers can affect the design and overall style of the space but it also depends largely on what’s practical and functional.
Of course, aesthetics do matter and if the handles of the drawers are worth showcasing, then having the drawers face the view rather than the sofa will add an increased level of detail that will boost the aesthetic appeal of your seating area.
On one hand, having the drawers face the sofa may be more convenient if you tend to store essentials like remotes, a small throw, books, or magazines and you can simply bend forward to pull the drawer open for easy access.
On the other hand, for the drawers not facing the sofa, you also don’t have to inconvenience yourself to access the drawers if the guests are sitting on the sofa where the drawers would have been.
Altogether, having the coffee table drawers face the sofa or not can work for either option but it really depends on what you prefer and what works for your space.
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