Lift-top coffee tables may not stay closed or stay down due to a stretched hinge, broken spring, unbalanced legs, or manufacturer error.
These issues can be solved with simple tools and cheap replacement parts.
To learn more about doing these repairs yourself continue reading!
How To Fix Or Adjust A Lift-Top Coffee Table That Doesn’t Stay Down Or Close All The Way?
You can adjust a dysfunctional lift-top coffee table in several ways, depending on the cause. The most common cause is an issue with the balance of the table, caused by unstable legs or faulty spring mechanisms that lifts the tabletop. This can be fixed by either balancing the shaky legs of the table or repairing the spring mechanism.
Lift-top coffee tables are designed to make life easier. They combine the convenience and utility of a traditional coffee table with increased ease of access and use.
The lifting portion of the table allows the user to open the table top further and to place their drinks on top more easily. Several springs and brackets allow this table to open up a foot or so higher than a traditional coffee table.
Most traditional coffee tables are relatively small and require bending over to put your drink down. This style of coffee table solves this inconvenience while maintaining the charm and appeal of a regular coffee table.
However, these features can cause issues with how well this table opens up. The springs and hinges can become stretched or weakened with time, use, and other wear and tear.
Additionally, because these tables are almost always spring-loaded, they suffer several setbacks. Sometimes the spring doesn’t shut correctly or lock into place. This can cause your table to open on its own, spilling your drinks suddenly!
You can fix these common issues with the following methods:
- Balancing or fixing the legs
- Installing a latch
- Installing a magnetic lock
- Straighten the hinge
Most of these issues are common to most lift-top coffee table brands.
Fortunately, the fixes for most of these issues are quick and easy.
You can manually shave the other three legs to fix an unbalanced table leg to make them all the same height. Or you can simply shake the table a little until the top shuts all the way.
However, if you believe it was a manufacturing issue, you should request repairs from the company.
Other more serious fixes include installing a latch to hold the top shut. J Casale gives an excellent how-to tutorial on how to repair this yourself. These steps include:
- Purchasing a cabinet latch
- Screwing or applying this latch to the inside of the coffee table
- Making sure this is lined up correctly
- Check to make sure it holds
This latch should allow your coffee table to hold shut and remain down!
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Is it Easy to Get Replacement Parts for Your Lift-Top Coffee Table?
It is relatively easy to get replacement parts for your lift-top coffee table. This depends on the part you need to replace, but most hinges, springs, and latches are easily replaced. You can purchase these parts relatively cheaply online or at a local hardware store.
One of the easiest ways to find the replacement parts you’re looking for is to browse the brand online. When we searched for “hardware-lift-top coffee table replacement hinge,” the results brought back at least 20 to 30 results on Amazon.
However, if you’re looking for a specific brand, we recommend using a brand name in your query. For example, we searched for West Elm, a popular lift-top coffee table brand.
Although we didn’t find the specific brand of hinges, we found ones that were closer to the correct dimensions. If you’re unsure how big of a hinge to buy, try measuring it or calling the company where you purchased the piece.
Luckily, most of these hinges are priced between $20.00-$25.00, so they’re very accessible.
Springs can be a little harder to locate if you’re unsure what you need. The springs in a coffee table aren’t only used for these pieces of furniture and thus are harder to narrow down. You should start by getting the dimensions of the coffee table spring (both resting and stretched).
Next, you can search online for the hardware springs and look for the proper dimensions. If you have a local hardware store this process could be much easier.
Remove the coffee table spring and bring it down to your local hardware store. Most likely, they will either have the spring or will be able to order you the proper part.
Is it Hard to Perform Your Own Repairs on a Lift-Top Coffee Table?
Most repairs on a lift-top coffee table are not tricky and require basic mechanical knowledge. You can easily fix a spring or hinge with basic tools and maybe an hour or two of your time. However, repairing the tabletop or legs can be more difficult.
Replacing a hinge or spring will require you to have the following skills and tools:
- A screwdriver
- A hammer
- A ruler or measuring tape
- Ability to identify the parts
- Ability to use the above-mentioned tools
Most repairs on a lift-top coffee table can be done by anyone.
If you’ve ever repaired your own fence or worked on your car, you can probably repair your own furniture.
However, it’s important that you pay attention to detail. This includes ensuring you measure the hinges and springs properly and mark where they were installed. You can use a pencil to indicate where the hinges and springs should be re-installed.
Replacing or repairing a tabletop or table base and legs can be difficult, though.
Some table tops are made of plastic, metal, or glass. Most, however, are made of hardwood. Creating your own replacement table top can require several specialized skills, such as using an industrial sander.
If you’re making a wooden tabletop, you might also need to know how to use a woodworking lathe. These devices are very useful to woodworkers but can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.
For major repairs, you might be better off calling an expert to do the task!
How Often Do Lift-Top Coffee Tables Have This Problem?
Lift-top coffee tables have several common issues which are easily fixed. Unfortunately, due to their structure, the hinges and springs get worn out pretty quickly. However, if you know how to work with basic tools, these issues are easily dealt with.
When deciding whether a lift-top coffee table is right for you it’s important to understand the pros and cons.
The pros of these tables include:
- Multiple uses
- Convenience
- No back strain
- Look beautiful
- Extra storage space
These coffee tables offer the user ease of access.
One of the most common complaints about coffee tables is how low they are. The lift-top coffee table helps solve this issue.
When not in use, it retains the aesthetic appeal of a traditional coffee table. Although, when you and your friends want an easy-to-use table for your drinks, it can be raised to your convenience.
However, there are several issues faced by this coffee table.
These include:
- Can’t hold heavy weight when raised
- Suffers spring damage easily
- May not lock properly
- Sometimes wobbly when extended
- Hinges get worn out
Although the repairs are typically easy, they can be annoying. Most people don’t want to perform repairs on their furniture, so the TLC required by these tables might be a turn-off.
Make sure you do your homework before purchasing a lift-top coffee table for the best results. Reading reviews online should help you find the brands with the best user experience with the least issues.
Conclusion
Lift-top coffee tables offer a beautiful and easy-to-use experience for anyone who likes to throw a good tea party. These tables allow you to sit with ease and prevent back strain and neck pain from leaning over a low table.
They’re not for the faint of heart, however. You might need to know a thing or two about repairing or modifying these pieces before you purchase.
Fortunately, these repairs are cheap and simple. We hope this article helps you decide if these furniture pieces are right for you!
Sources
Bob Villa: The Best Lift-Top Coffee Tables of 2022
J Casale: Fixing a West Elm pop-up coffee table gap that won’t close with tension ball catch
