Which statement about end tables and sofa arm height is supported by design guidelines?

• A. End tables should be taller than sofa arms.
• B. End tables should be integrated into walls.
• C. End tables should match arm height of sofa.
• D. End tables should be lower than the floor.

Answer: (C)

When choosing furniture heights, aligning the end table with the sofa arm height creates a balanced silhouette and practical usability. If the table is at about the same height as the sofa arm, you can rest a drink, place a lamp, or reach small items without awkward bending or stretching from a seated position. This consistency also helps the eye read the arrangement as a single, cohesive seating area.

Taller end tables would create a noticeable step up from the arm, making reaching items less comfortable and disrupting the line of sight and flow. Built-in or wall-integrated surfaces change the function away from a portable end table and aren’t about matching sofa height, so they don’t reflect the same ergonomic and proportion guidelines. A height lower than the floor is not feasible for furniture and would defy practical use, so it isn’t a design standard.