Decorating
How to Choose Your Perfect Coffee Table
Need a new resting place for your cuppa? Follow our guide to finding the perfect focal point for your living room
Coffee tables are a hard-working bunch. Home to hot drinks, magazines, that much-needed glass of wine and the occasional pair of feet, they’re expected to show off glossy tomes while looking effortlessly stylish themselves. So before you commit to a new low-level lovely, take some time to consider the practicalities.
In the case of coffee tables, size matters. Mark out your intended table with masking tape so you get an idea of how it will look in relation to other furniture and a rug it might be resting on. Avoid perilously sharp corners if you have little ones running around, and bear in mind how high-maintenance your new purchase might be. The good news is there are numerous options out there. Before you buy, check out these tips for choosing the right one for your space.
In the case of coffee tables, size matters. Mark out your intended table with masking tape so you get an idea of how it will look in relation to other furniture and a rug it might be resting on. Avoid perilously sharp corners if you have little ones running around, and bear in mind how high-maintenance your new purchase might be. The good news is there are numerous options out there. Before you buy, check out these tips for choosing the right one for your space.
Buy multiple models
Sometimes a single table just isn’t sufficient. If your seating is spaced out, several smaller tables will keep cocktails accessible to all. Buy matching models to unite the scheme.
Sometimes a single table just isn’t sufficient. If your seating is spaced out, several smaller tables will keep cocktails accessible to all. Buy matching models to unite the scheme.
Get the height right
As a rough guide, the top of your coffee table should be about the same height as the surrounding chair seats, as with this pallet design, though slightly lower can work just fine. Avoid going higher, though, as you won’t want to be reaching up to put down your drink and it could block sightlines.
Check out more great uses for the humble pallet
As a rough guide, the top of your coffee table should be about the same height as the surrounding chair seats, as with this pallet design, though slightly lower can work just fine. Avoid going higher, though, as you won’t want to be reaching up to put down your drink and it could block sightlines.
Check out more great uses for the humble pallet
Explore other options
Think flexibly when choosing your table. If you’re essentially after somewhere to rest a drink, you may find a group of stools is a more convenient (and affordable) option. Select something sturdy to avoid an irritating wobble.
Think flexibly when choosing your table. If you’re essentially after somewhere to rest a drink, you may find a group of stools is a more convenient (and affordable) option. Select something sturdy to avoid an irritating wobble.
Choose fabric for cosy toes
Be honest about your coffee table use. If you’re a fan of putting your feet up, opt for an ottoman that’s upholstered for extra comfort. Simply top with a tray before you add any drinks.
Be honest about your coffee table use. If you’re a fan of putting your feet up, opt for an ottoman that’s upholstered for extra comfort. Simply top with a tray before you add any drinks.
Be practical
If you use your living room in a flexible way, choose a coffee table that’s mobile. This industrial-looking number is actually a converted trolley, so it’s easy to push to one side when it’s time for your yoga practise. It’s also a good choice for families as it’s sturdy enough to withstand the odd knock or felt-tip fiasco.
If you use your living room in a flexible way, choose a coffee table that’s mobile. This industrial-looking number is actually a converted trolley, so it’s easy to push to one side when it’s time for your yoga practise. It’s also a good choice for families as it’s sturdy enough to withstand the odd knock or felt-tip fiasco.
Dare to be different
A coffee table is just the right size and financial commitment to allow you to step outside of your comfort zone. Invest in something uncharacteristically cutting edge or even slightly kitsch to add a confident accent.
A coffee table is just the right size and financial commitment to allow you to step outside of your comfort zone. Invest in something uncharacteristically cutting edge or even slightly kitsch to add a confident accent.
Anchor it
The size of your table needn’t reflect the size of the room it’s in, but to avoid a smaller model seeming a little lost, create a connection with surrounding furniture. This wooden design chimes with the classic wooden Cherner chairs that flank it.
The size of your table needn’t reflect the size of the room it’s in, but to avoid a smaller model seeming a little lost, create a connection with surrounding furniture. This wooden design chimes with the classic wooden Cherner chairs that flank it.
Consider storage
Multipurpose furniture makes perfect sense in a small space. If you need more storage (and who doesn’t?), consider using a trunk as a simple, solid coffee table. Look for a flat-topped one if you plan to keep your tea in its cup.
See more stylish living room storage ideas
Multipurpose furniture makes perfect sense in a small space. If you need more storage (and who doesn’t?), consider using a trunk as a simple, solid coffee table. Look for a flat-topped one if you plan to keep your tea in its cup.
See more stylish living room storage ideas
Go with the flow
Glass-topped tables are a great way to maintain the sense of space in a room and a curved, corner-free design, such as this beauty by Isamu Noguchi, makes manoeuvring around it much easier, especially for toddlers! Be prepared to keep it polished, though, as fingermarks can show.
Liked this? Show us your coffee table in the comments below.
Glass-topped tables are a great way to maintain the sense of space in a room and a curved, corner-free design, such as this beauty by Isamu Noguchi, makes manoeuvring around it much easier, especially for toddlers! Be prepared to keep it polished, though, as fingermarks can show.
Liked this? Show us your coffee table in the comments below.
The right coffee table can really complete a living room. If you’re after something from a particular era, keep an eye on antiques shops and online auction houses. Remember, there will be plenty of occasions when you will be sitting contemplating your table, so dodgy replicas just won’t cut it!