Thinking about the 17 Stories Kristien Lift Top Coffee Table? Here’s the short version. It’s a budget-friendly, feature-packed table that does four jobs: coffee table, laptop desk, dining table, and storage unit. Wayfair sells it for around $197. It comes with hidden storage, built-in power outlets, USB ports, and color-changing LED lighting.
It’s genuinely versatile on paper. But it only carries a 3.6-star average from a small number of reviews. And a few complaints keep showing up: shipping damage, a “cheap” feel, and the table sliding when you lift the top. Here’s what the table actually offers, what real buyers say, and who it fits best.
Quick Answer
The Kristien is a 42-inch, 4-in-1 lift-top coffee table. It’s made mostly from manufactured wood with an iron frame. You can raise the top into a desk or extend it into a dining surface. Wayfair says the extended version seats four to eight people.
The table includes three hidden storage compartments, an open shelf, three power outlets, and two USB charging ports. The LED lighting offers 20 colors with a memory function, so it turns back on in whatever mode you left it. You can pick from four color combinations. Current price sits around $197, with financing available through Klarna or Afterpay. It comes with a 1-year manufacturer warranty and falls under Wayfair’s standard 30-day return policy.
What Makes This Table Different
Most lift-top tables just have a lid that pops up. This one goes further. 17 Stories built it around one frame that converts between three uses: coffee table, laptop station, and expandable dining table. The lift-and-extend mechanism raises the top and pulls the surface out, fitting more people than you’d guess from its collapsed size.
The built-in extras set it apart from other tables at this price. Three power outlets and two USB ports sit right in the base. That’s genuinely useful if you work from the couch or charge devices without running a cord across the room. The LED lighting is more of a design touch than a practical feature — 20 static colors, 21 dynamic modes, and a memory setting that remembers your last choice.
Confirmed specifications:
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Overall dimensions | 26.6″H x 43″W x 39″D |
| Extended top width | 39″ |
| Cabinet interior | 8″H x 13″W x 20″D |
| Weight | 56 lbs |
| Weight capacity | 500 lbs |
| Top material | Manufactured wood |
| Base material | Iron and manufactured wood |
| Colors | Oak Wood Top/Black Base, Espresso Wood Top/Black Base, Matte Black Top/Black Base, Medium Yellow Wood Top/Black Base |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Assembly | Required, tools included, 1 person suggested |
| Price (at time of writing) | Around $197 |
Wayfair prices move with sales and promotions. Treat this number as a snapshot, not a guarantee. Check the current listing before you buy.
What Buyers Are Actually Saying
This listing is fairly new. Wayfair shows only a handful of reviews, averaging 3.6 out of 5 stars. That’s a small sample, so weigh it as an early signal rather than a final verdict. A few patterns still stand out.
Buyers who received the table without damage generally liked the concept. One reviewer from San Antonio said the lift function came in handy for relaxing on the couch. Assembly took about an hour, and the reviewer called it manageable for someone comfortable with basic tools. That reviewer also flagged the built-in outlet as a nice touch — no more leaving the couch to charge a phone.
The complaints cluster around three issues:
Shipping damage. More than one reviewer reported cosmetic damage on arrival — a chipped top in one case, a bent metal piece in another. The bent piece led to a partial refund since replacement parts weren’t in stock. Flat-packed furniture carries this risk with most carriers, not just this table. Still, inspect your box carefully when it arrives, and photograph any damage before you sign for delivery or start assembling.
A “cheap” feel. Two reviewers used nearly identical language here — the table “feels cheap” for what it is. That tracks with the materials. Manufactured wood at this price point rarely matches the heft of solid wood or higher-end veneers. That’s not automatically a dealbreaker, but it’s a fair expectation going in.
Sliding when lifted. One reviewer said pulling the top up sent the whole table sliding across the floor and recommended placing it on a rug for friction. If you have hardwood or tile, plan for this ahead of time. A rug pad or furniture grippers under the legs would likely fix it.
Another reviewer noted that lifting the top unevenly makes it rise crooked. The mechanism doesn’t seem to self-correct much, so lift with both hands at the same pace rather than tugging one side up first.
Pros and Cons
What works in its favor:
- Genuinely multifunctional — coffee table, work surface, and expandable dining table in one piece, which matters if you’re short on space and can’t fit separate furniture for each purpose
- Built-in power outlets and USB ports, a real convenience most lift-top tables skip at this price
- Three hidden storage compartments plus an open shelf give decent storage
- A 500-lb weight capacity on the surface
- Four color options for matching different room styles
- Straightforward one-person assembly, according to reviewers
Where it falls short:
- Manufactured wood and iron construction won’t match solid wood furniture in durability or feel
- A small review sample (5 reviews) means the 3.6-star average isn’t a fully reliable signal yet
- Some buyers report the table sliding on hard floors when the lift mechanism engages
- At least two shipping-damage reports — more a logistics risk than a design flaw, but worth planning around
- The LED lighting adds cost even if you never use it, so consider whether you’d rather have a simpler, possibly cheaper table
Who This Table Makes Sense For
This table fits someone furnishing a small apartment or studio who needs one piece of furniture to do several jobs. It works as a coffee table most days, then converts into a work or dining surface when you need it. If you occasionally work from the couch, or host small groups without a dedicated dining table, the 4-in-1 design gives you a real practical edge over a standard fixed coffee table.
It makes less sense if you want a long-term furniture investment or care more about build quality than features. Solid wood construction, minimal assembly, or a higher-end finish matter more to some buyers than power outlets and LED lighting. If that’s you, look at a simpler lift-top table from a different line — or a comparably priced option, including other 17 Stories or Wayfair house-brand tables that skip the LED and dining-conversion features for a more conventional build.
If your floors are hardwood or tile, add a rug or furniture pads from day one. Don’t wait to see if sliding becomes a problem.
Buying Tips
Inspect the box the moment it arrives, before you move it to your assembly spot. Given the shipping-damage reports, photograph the packaging condition in case you need to file a claim with Wayfair.
Check current pricing and available colors on the product page before you order. Online furniture pricing shifts often, and colorways go in and out of stock.
Read the payment terms carefully if you use Klarna or Afterpay. These are third-party services with their own conditions, separate from Wayfair’s return policy.
Hold onto the original packaging, at least the larger pieces, until you’ve assembled the table and used it for a few days. If you need a return or exchange, the original box makes the process much easier under Wayfair’s 30-day policy.
Weighing this table against other multifunctional furniture for a small living space? Our guide on Ashley Jorlaina Dining Chair covers more considerations for furnishing compact apartments.
Want general guidance on furniture materials — manufactured wood versus solid wood? The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission publishes furniture safety and stability guidance. It’s useful context for any piece with a lift or extension mechanism.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the 17 Stories Kristien Lift Top Coffee Table cost?
Around $197 on Wayfair at the time of writing. Furniture pricing changes with promotions, so check the current listing for the exact number.
Does the Kristien coffee table really seat up to 8 people?
Wayfair lists the extended dining configuration as fitting 4 to 8 people. How well that works in practice depends on the extension mechanism and how much room you have around the table.
Is the table made of solid wood?
No. The top uses manufactured wood, and the base combines iron with manufactured wood. This keeps the price down, and it explains why some reviewers describe the table as feeling less substantial than solid wood furniture.
What colors does it come in?
Four options: Oak Wood Top/Black Base, Espresso Wood Top/Black Base, Matte Black Top/Black Base, and Medium Yellow Wood Top/Black Base.
Does it come with a warranty?
Yes. It includes a 1-year manufacturer warranty, plus Wayfair’s standard 30-day return policy for most items.
Is assembly difficult?
Reviewers describe it as manageable for one person. Most finished the job in under an hour with basic tools, which come included.
Why do some reviews say the table feels cheap?
This ties back to the manufactured wood and iron construction, common at this price point. It’s a reasonable trade-off if you value features and price over premium materials, but know it going in.
How many reviews does this table have, and can I trust the rating?
Just 5 reviews so far, averaging 3.6 stars. That’s a small sample. Treat the rating as an early signal, not a final verdict, and check the listing again closer to your purchase date for newer reviews.
Sources & References
- Product listing: 17 Stories Kristien Lift Top Coffee Table, Wayfair.com
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission – Furniture Safety