Replies

1. 
   sawdustmaker | Jan 04, 2005 01:23am | #1

   Welcome Ian

   Go look at a furniture store for ideas, or some books from the library. Don't be afraid to measure at a store, or even ask for literature with dimensions on it.

   There is something known as the "golden ratio" or something like that. It is a ratio that is pleasing to the eye, and used since ancient times. Roughly it is 1 : 1.6. I don't have the exact decimal places off the top of my head (kind of like pi ... 3.14 is probably good enough).

   You may have to play with the tapers once you establish your size.

   Good luck!

2. 
   dondownunder | Jan 04, 2005 07:29am | #2

   Ian

   There are few rules for coffee tables, one is that it should be in proportion.

   OK, that doesn't help so here's a few guidelines.

   Height of the table should be about the seat height of any accompanying sofas/lounges etc.

   Top size is more factor of the room, bigger room - bigger table.

   I find that tapers look best if started just below the rail. Overhang is best judged at the leg then decide on setback for the mortise to house the rail.

   So get the project manager, several cases of beer to set the top on & play around with location, size & heght. (you may need to consume some beer so the table height can be readjusted :-). Now get her to make all the decisions. Write them down, do a drawing & file for later use in the case for the defence.

   Good luck

   Don

    

   
   

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   Edited 1/4/2005 9:35 pm ET by Dondownunder

3. 
   Pondfish | Jan 04, 2005 03:50pm | #3

   The only dimension that I've seen pretty consistent is an 18" height (floor to table top).  As others have said, LxW is more a function of the size table desired, with width usually >18" and length usually >36".   Overhang, skirt size, and whether or not to have a lower table or stretchers is mostly an aesthetic question (with some structural strength issues coming into play).

   Have fun

   P

4. 
   GHR | Jan 04, 2005 05:49pm | #4

   I like 15-16" legs. It seems to be an efficient use of material. The top adds about 1" to the height.

   I like the width to be close to the width of the board I am using or if I need to the width of 2 bookmatched boards. 18-24" is a nice goal.

   Length is what makes a coffee table look great. 5' is my goal. (It allows me to use the templates for my 32" table tops.)

   I am sitting here looking at the table in the attachment. I spent too much time with my hands on those legs.

1. 
   mcmaster | Jan 07, 2005 02:10am | #10

   George .. the attachment was empty ? I'd like to see it ... if you have a second pls send to [email protected]

   thx ... Ian

5. 
   cherryjohn | Jan 05, 2005 12:35am | #5

   the ones I have made are usually 18" tall 18" wide at the top and 36" long at the top.  Overhangs will generally be about3" on the ends and 2" on the faces  If I make them longer than 36? I usually make the tops 1/2 the length.  But thats not something firm.  I make pieces based on what I have for wood.  Let the wood talk to you and tell you the top dimensions ( also the room its going in mingh chime in a bit too)  The height is always going to be dictated by the seating surcfaces

    

   Wicked Decent Woodworks

   Rochester NH

   " If the women dont find ya handsome........ they should at least find ya handy.....................................yessssa!"

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jan 05, 2005 09:45am | #7

   If you're going to use color and large type in your signature, would you mind terribly moving it into a signature file? Click on the My Forums button above, click on Preferences, and scroll down till you get to the signature file section. Thanks.

1. 
   cherryjohn | Jan 05, 2005 03:29pm | #9

   Thanks for the input.  I wondered where one went to do thatWicked Decent Woodworks

   Rochester NH

   " If the women dont find you handsome, they should at least find you handy........yessa!"

6. 
   Terre | Jan 05, 2005 05:49am | #6

   Good Evening,

   After building a few,  this is what I have learned:

   16 to 18 inches in height (depends on the customers preference)

   Two feet by four feet is a cocktail table (customer preference)

   Three feet by four feet is a coffee table (customer preference)

   Most people desire only one matching end table.

   Coffee tables are a newer form of furniture.  Versions from the 50ies and 60ies had them at 15 to 16 inches in height.  They have slowly being gaining in height since the 70ies.  Have yet to see one exceed 18 inches in height ... but it is a new millenium.

7. 
   BG | Jan 05, 2005 02:33pm | #8

   Mcmaster,

   I built a couple of ash coffee tables about 2 years ago...they were my first pieces other than bookcases.  I looked quite a bit for some standard measurements and came up with very little...Toplin suggested an acceptable range of 16-19"H kinda depending on the height of the sofa. Issues that I believed were important but never able to clarify include top dimensions and thickness...apron size and leg size. 

   For dimendions I looked to the sofa size...long enough table to accomodate sitters...not so long that walking around becomes obvious.  The sitting area of the sofa measured 72", I made the table 50" long by 22" wide by 16" high.  Like you, I was planning to use 3" or so legs.  To me, I may be wrong, that kinda dictates the apron size and the top thickness.  I like to have the apron 1.5 times the thickness of the leg for strength...which gave me an apron of about 4.5".  The top is 5/4 with breadboard ends..I think it would look out of balance with a 3/4" top...but 1" might have been enough.  I turned the legs which is different than your thinking...but I think you'll need to be careful that your taper is not to aggressive...it might look like it's sitting on pins,

   On the second coffee table, for my son, I made the apron about 6" so I could include a couple of good size draws.  It changed the look entirely...much heavier looking...not bad...but a different look. Good luck with your decisions...