Real wood coffee table with lift top

The West Elm Industrial Storage Pop-Up Coffee Table is our top pick

Updated on 09/30/22

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The Spruce / Zackary Angeline

A lift-top coffee table is a functional piece of furniture that provides a base for daily activities like working and eating. We spent the last year researching lift-top coffee tables from the most popular home decor brands, evaluating ease of assembly, size, and overall value.  

Our top pick is the West Elm Industrial Storage Pop-Up Coffee Table, a sturdy option made of steel and sustainably-sourced mango wood that's available in four colors and two sizes.

Here are the best lift-top coffee tables.

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.

Price at time of publish: $699

This affordable coffee table from Best Choice Products is made from durable particle board, so it's much lighter than a solid wood coffee table. The lift top reveals a slim, hidden compartment where you can store television remotes, coffee table books, or coasters. It's available in three finishes and you can request expert assembly for an additional cost. We love that it has three separate cubby sections where you could display photos, or place baskets for even more storage potential. This coffee table is not stain-resistant so we recommend you use coasters when placing drinks on it.

Price at time of publish: $130

For an industrial, yet timeless coffee table, we recommend the Lawlor Coffee Table from Trent Austin Design. It features an oak body with hairpin legs and two storage cubbies with the hidden lift-top compartment. This coffee table is surprisingly light, so it'd be great for anyone looking for an easy-to-move option that can be slid away for a pull-out sofa or an air mattress when guests are over. This coffee table does require full assembly, and the product listing suggests having two people on hand for the assembly process.

Price at time of publish: $460

If you're looking for innovation in a coffee table, the Povison Lift-Top Modern Nesting Coffee Table has a white, marbled stone top and is available in three wood finishes. While this coffee table is certainly a splurge, it has two storage drawers in the main base and a hidden storage compartment in the additional table extension. When fully extended these tables have a combined length of over 55 inches, so you have plenty of room to arrange coffee table books amongst beverages.

Keep in mind that the attachment is free-resting, meaning that it must be balanced on the main base of the table to stay upright and could be knocked over by a rambunctious child or pet. Although this is a slight safety concern, the design is heavy enough that it would require a major blow to be knocked over. It can also be pushed flush into the base, when you don't need as much surface area.

Price at time of publish: $1,299

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 base will warm up any room, plus this piece is sure to earn you compliments thanks to its quality construction and unconventional design.

Price at time of publish: $775

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 that would 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. 

Price at time of publish: $279

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.

Price at time of publish: $868

The Garan Coffee Table features not just one, but two lift-top sections, giving you even more flexibility in your living room. At 47-1/4 inches long and over 23 inches wide, this coffee table is fairly large, and it arrives fully assembled, saving you the hassle of putting it together. The table has a sleek mid-century design featuring light wood and a metal base, and the dual lift tops have storage compartments underneath for added storage. Plus, what’s really cool is that the two tops open in different directions, making it an ideal product to pair with an L-shaped couch.

Price at time of publish: $509

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.