If you’re furnishing your living room, getting a coffee table might not be on the top of your to-do list. Perhaps, you may be more focused on finding a trendy sofa for your space or the perfect rug to match it. But according to interior designers, the coffee table is often the anchor in the room and as such, it should not be overlooked. Aside from offering an excellent place to build the seating area around, it can be the perfect focal point of your living room decor.
The variety of materials, sizes, shapes heights and features that coffee tables are available, means you have a lot to choose from. Here are some things to keep in mind before you commit to a coffee table you’ll love.
Know Your Material Options
Should you go for a glass coffee table or choose a wood model? As you know, wood is the classic material for tables. It’s durable and versatile but is also prone to dent and scratch. Low-quality wood or wood veneer will show every dent and scratch and even high-quality wood can show stain marks from drinks or whatever else gets spilled on it.
Laminate is a material popular for its durability. Cheaper than wood, laminate is used to make coffee tables in all shapes and colours. Although it’s resistant to wear and tear, it can also chip and models with corners can be pretty sharp.
Glass coffee tables, generally supported by a metal or wood frame, are a great option if you’re looking to create a lighter look in your living room. Due to its transparent nature, a glass coffee table gives the illusion of much more space, making a small space seems bigger. Wood or metal coffee tables are popular options but they can overwhelm a small space with weight and colour.
And because glass is colourless and without strong style definition, this means it can easily work with any decor style, colour scheme or personal taste, you can make it contemporary, modern or traditional with the way you choose ottomans, lamps, trays, etc.
Another modern material you can choose is ABS plastic. It has been increasing in popularity due to its variety of vibrant colour options and innovative shapes. Like glass, this surface is easy to clean, making it ideal for holding food and drink.
Pay Attention to the Size and Height
There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to furniture. The length and width of your coffee table should be proportional to the size of the room in which it is placed. I recommend that you measure your interior before making a purchase to make sure that it is a comfortable fit. Also, remember that less is more; there’s no need to overcrowd or clutter a space. Aim for a table that is half to two-thirds the length of your sofa, and leave at least 60cm around it for people to walk by. Plotting things out with newspaper on the floor first is a quick and easy method to visualize how much room it will take up.
As for height, a coffee table that is too high or too low can seem awkward in your living room. To feel comfortable in your living room, your coffee table should be the same height as the cushions of your sofa or a couple of centimetres lower.
Be Mindful of the Shape
For a complimentary and cohesive look, the shape of your coffee table should be consistent with the design and shape of the space as a whole, as well as the appearance you want to achieve. Rectangular or square coffee tables go well with classic décor and traditional angular furnishings.
Round tables with clean lines and curved edges, on the other hand, will reinforce a cool contemporary impression when outfitting a modern room. Smooth circular surfaces are a safer choice for toddlers since there are no edges to snag on, and they evoke a gentler and more welcoming appearance. Circular patterns are also popular in vintage settings, as they infuse their surroundings with a cool nostalgic touch.
Aesthetic vs Functionality
A coffee table, which is frequently placed in the centre of a room, may change how you see the space as a whole. When used correctly, it will blend in with the rest of the furniture and enhance the environment.
However, it’s also critical that your design withstands the pressures of its intended use, so consider what you need it for when making your decision. Will it be utilized solely for ornamental purposes, such as displaying photo frames and ornaments? Is it necessary to keep magazines and TV remotes out of the way yet within easy reach? Or will it play a more important role in entertaining visitors who are gathered about with friends and food and need a place to put their drinks and nibbles?
Extra Features
Last but not least, consider any additional features you’d like your coffee table to provide. You’ll find many designs that have a useful shelf where you can store everything from magazines to TV remotes while keeping them neatly out of the way. Versions with storage drawers, on the other hand, will keep any bits and ends tidily hidden within for an ultra-organized and uncluttered look.