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Imagine this scenario: You’ve invited friends over to watch Bachelor in Paradise, and you’ve all decided to order takeout. Everyone is nestled on the sofa, ottoman, and rug, enjoying the drama as it unfolds on the TV. Then the food arrives, and you quickly realize that there’s simply not enough room for it. One coffee table is not enough. In this case, less isn’t more.

Now that doesn’t mean you have to cram your space with furniture. While typical nesting tables might be intended for next-to-armchair placement, they also come in low, wide iterations, perfect for that in-front-of-the-couch real estate. You just need a couple nesting tables that you can adjust as needed. The flexibility to move things around and create a greater surface area in a snap is the difference between being able to lay out a massive buffet in your tiny home (plus wine) and having the group veto your apartment for the next Bachelor viewing. Take your pick.

The Scandi Surfaces

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Around Coffee Table, Muuto ($699)
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Leave it to Muuto to create the perfect pairing for your favorite weekend ritual: puzzles. Spread the Sunday crossword on the bigger version and rest your hot mug of coffee on the smaller one.

The Dynamic Duo

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Hip Hop, Formae (€400)
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Feel free to use these picks as an end table and a coffee table separately most days. But when you do need a larger platform, conjoin them for maximum space. The ultimate party trick.

The Primary Colors

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Nesting Tables, Mobilier Leherpeur ($691)
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Not only do these nesting tables provide ample room for your movie marathon snacks, they also double as a work of Mondrian-esque art.

The Secret Weapon

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Nesting Tables, Industry West ($277)
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If your space is really limited on a day-to-day basis, store this little guy directly under its bigger sibling until you need backup. Because running into bulky furniture in the middle of the night is never fun.

The Sleek Stripe

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Striped Stone Nesting Cocktail Tables, Global Home ($5,500)
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Tired of marble? Consider an artful, striped stone piece instead—or two. This pair is made for the maximalist with minimal square footage.

The Kidney Beans

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Nesting Kidney, 1stdibs ($3,830)
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This sleek twosome is basically the living room version of an expandable dining table. Taking them apart will double the surface area for your cheese board.

The Wooden Wonder

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Trio Nesting Tables, West Elm ($399)
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Disperse this trio around your living room so everyone has a place on which to set their drink, or, if you’re treating yourself to a particularly luxurious dinner in front of the TV, you can line them up to create a mini banquet table.

The Attractive Opposites

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Warrington Nesting Coffee Table, Burke Decor ($750)
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The right set also makes for the perfect decorative accent. Just take this marble and rattan duo: Their surfaces couldn’t be more different, but that’s why we love them together.

See more small-space buys: Bathroom Storage Doesn’t Have to Be Ugly This Modern Sydney Cottage Is Chock-Full of Amazing Storage Ideas Even the Closet in This 800-Square-Foot Condo Is Minimalist