How to Inspect a New Coffee Table for Damage on Arrival

Check the package before you accept the delivery

Start at the moment the table reaches your door. Before the carrier leaves, look at the box from all sides. Deep dents, crushed corners, punctures, water stains, and torn tape can mean the table inside took a hard hit. Ask the driver to note visible damage on the delivery receipt, or use your phone to record the outside of the box before anything is moved.

Move the box indoors or at least onto a flat, clean surface before you open it. A soft blanket or piece of cardboard under the box protects the table when you begin unpacking. If you are unsure how to lift a large tabletop safely, ask another person to help.

Unpack and compare every part with the packing list

Open the box in a room with good lighting. Work from the top so you can see how the parts are stacked. Remove the instructions, hardware bag, and any small pieces first, then lift out the tabletop, legs, and other panels. As each part comes out, set it on the clean surface rather than on concrete or bare tile.

Most coffee tables arrive with a packing list or parts inventory. Lay every part in front of you and check it off. Look for all screws, bolts, cam locks, shelf pins, drawer slides, and any tools that should be included. If anything is missing, stop before assembly and contact the seller. Building a table without a crucial bracket can damage the finished piece.

The assembly guide covers what to do after missing hardware is resolved.

• Tabletop and panels
• Legs and base
• Hardware bag
• Instructions
• Drawers or doors, if included

Check the top, edges, and corners for dents and scratches

Start with the largest surface because that is where most damage is visible. Wipe dust away with a clean dry cloth, then look across the tabletop from a low angle. Light coming from the side will reveal shallow scratches, dents, and finish irregularities that you would miss looking straight down.

Dents can appear on the edges and corners first. Run your fingers along the edge; you are feeling for chips, rough spots, and pieces that curve inward. On wood and veneer, also check the end grain, where splits show up. On glass, inspect the entire edge because a small chip can turn into a crack later. The corner and edge types page explains which edges are easier to protect.

Warping is harder to spot. Lay a straightedge across the top in several directions and look for gaps under it. You can also set the top on a flat floor and press one corner; if it rocks, the panel may not be flat. A tabletop that rocks when you do not expect it could be warped or the legs may be uneven. See surface flatness for more.

Check the frame, legs, and joints

Inspect the frame and legs before you finalize the assembly. Check that the legs match the mounting plates and that the plates are straight. Try each joint by hand; a table should not feel loose before it is fully tightened. If a bolt hole is stripped, the wood is split, or a corner joint has opened, that is structural damage, not a cosmetic issue.

Set the assembled table on the floor and give the top a light push from side to side. A good table stays quiet and does not wobble. If the table rocks, look for leveling feet at the bottom of each leg and adjust them until it sits flat. Sturdy legs number explains how leg placement affects stability.

Check drawers, doors, and moving parts

Many coffee tables include drawers, doors, shelves, or a lift-top mechanism. Open each drawer and slide it fully. Listen for scraping sounds and watch for the drawer hitting the frame. A drawer that moves heavily or leaves marks on the inside edge can be misaligned. Make sure every knob and pull is attached and that the screws are tight.

Check doors by opening them partway and letting go. A smooth hinge should hold position without drifting open or closed. For lift-top tables, raise and lower the top a few times. The mechanism should not bind, and the hardware should feel firm. If the table has wheels, roll it and check that the casters turn freely. Hinge types and checks covers what to look for on doors.

Check labels, paperwork, and safety notices

Before you decide to keep the table, look at the underside, the back, and the paperwork. Composite wood products such as particleboard, medium-density fiberboard, and hardwood plywood sold in the United States are required by the Environmental Protection Agency to carry a TSCA Title VI compliance label. If your table is made from these materials, confirm that the labeling is present. This label also tells you the material, which matters for repairs and care.

You can use the CPSC recall database to see whether your table model is listed. The database can be filtered by furniture category and by hazards such as collapse, falling, and tip-over. If your table appears in a recall, stop using it and follow the recall notice.

If you find damage that creates a risk, you can report an unsafe product to the CPSC using its safety education resources. For normal damage, the next step is to tell the seller. For any table with drawers, doors, or shelves, anchor it to the wall after you finish assembly. Anchor It, a CPSC campaign, recommends attaching a bracket to the wall, attaching the second bracket to the furniture, connecting the strap, tightening it, and then tugging on the straps to make sure everything is secure. Safety tips has more.

Document the damage and contact the seller

Take photos of every damaged part before you touch it. Include the whole table, a close-up of the damage, any relevant label or model number, and the outside of the box if the packaging was damaged. Write down the date and what you found. These records make it easier for the seller to understand the problem and send a replacement part.

Keep the original box and packing material until you are sure the table is right. The packaging is often needed if the seller arranges a return or replacement, and it protects the table if you move it in the first few weeks. Do not discard the instructions or hardware until the claim is resolved.

Contact the seller promptly, before assembly if possible. Describe the damage briefly and attach the photos. If a part is missing, mention the part number from the instruction sheet. A company can usually replace a damaged top or a missing screw set, but a split frame may require a full replacement.

Decide whether to repair, replace, or keep it

Not every mark is a reason to return the table. Light scratches and small dents in less visible areas can often be lived with, especially on a table that will see everyday use. Keep in mind that any touch-up product changes the finish; the finishes explained and care and cleaning pages describe how to handle common materials.

Structural problems are different. A cracked leg, split wood at a joint, a chipped glass edge, a warped top, or a lift-top mechanism that jams is worth replacing. Those problems can become worse and can be a safety issue. When you reorder, choose a style that matches how you live, whether that is a glass table, a wood table, or a storage model.

What to pick after your arrival inspection

Questions

What should I check first when a coffee table arrives?

Check the outside of the box before signing for the delivery. Look for crushed corners, punctures, water stains, and torn tape. Then unpack the table in good light and compare every part with the packing list before assembly.

How can I tell if a coffee table top is warped?

Place a straightedge across the top in several directions and look for gaps underneath. You can also set the table on a flat floor and press one corner; if it rocks, the top may not be flat or the legs may be uneven. A warped top can make drawers and doors hard to align.

What should I do if a part is missing?

Stop before assembly and contact the seller. Use the packing list or instruction sheet to identify the part number, then send a photo. Keep the box until the situation is resolved.

Should I keep the box and packing material?

Yes, until you know the table is right. The original packing is often needed if the seller requires a return or a replacement part, and it protects the table if you move it in the first few weeks.

When does damaged furniture become a safety issue?

Structural damage counts: a cracked leg, split joint, chipped glass edge, or a lift-top mechanism that jams can be hazardous. Check the manufacturer's assembly instructions and, if the table has drawers, doors, or shelves, anchor it to the wall to reduce tip-over risk.

Do new coffee tables need a formaldehyde label?

In the United States, composite wood products including hardwood plywood, medium-density fiberboard, and particleboard must be labeled as TSCA Title VI compliant. If your table's panel is one of those materials, look for the label on the product or its paperwork.