Coffee Tables: The Heart of Your Living Space
The centerpiece of any living room, a coffee table and its decor, play a big role in how the space looks and feels.
Whether you’re serving snacks or refreshing cocktails during a party or spending a quiet afternoon reading and sipping tea, your living room’s coffee table is practically a member of the family.
Part of the table’s greatness comes from its functionality — but there’s so much to love about its potential to define your space, reflect your style, and provide a spot to show off your personality. Low and sleek coffee tables are a great way to make a room look and feel larger and more open, while more substantial tables can add an element of warmth and weight. Obviously, there’s no one-size-fits-all coffee table solution — but there are a few tricks to finding the perfect option for you and your home, particularly if you’re looking for a table that fits both your space and its decor like a glove.
Why Coffee Tables Matter in Living Room Design
Coffee tables can appear as fairly simple furniture. But in the world of styling interiors, they are a true example of form and function. Think of the coffee table as a bridging union from your sofa, chairs, and accessories. The appropriate size and shape of your coffee table can make or break your space in terms of usability and traffic.
So why should you give it your consideration?!
- Functionality: Yes, they have an actual use. Drink, remotes, books, and accessories take space on this valuable surface.
- Visual Balance: Help shape your seating arrangement, from a visual standpoint. Tables fill space but do not overpower your room.
- Style Statement: Whether it’s contemporary and clean lines, rustic and reclaimed, or traditional and ornate. It’s a place to show your style personality.
How to Choose the Right Coffee Table
Picking a coffee table doesn’t have to be an intimidating experience. Keep these tips in mind, and consider how much space you have and what you want it to accomplish.
- Scale and Proportion are Important
A coffee table is meant to unite all of your seating, but shouldn’t take over the room. Ideally, you want it to be about 2/3 the length of the sofa you pair it with. If you have a smaller space, consider something round or oval for a traffic-friendly design without harsh corners.
- How Will You Use It?
Could you use hidden storage? Tables with built-in drawers or shelves help you keep the chaos at bay. If you’re a compulsive entertainer, a larger surface might be your main goal. More into lying on the couch? Maybe a light, easily movable style is more your speed.
- Match Your Material to Your Life
Wood creates heat and texture, but can scratch easily. Glass gives the space an open, modern look, but it gets dirty quickly. Metal is tough and lends an industrial edge, but it can hold fingerprints pretty easily. Just be honest with yourself about your house and habits first!
Style Tips for Making It Work
One of the most fun parts of shopping for coffee tables is getting to incorporate them into your room’s pre-existing design. Here are a couple of ways to help a sitting room sing:
- Texture Time: Match gleaming surfaces with softer elements like knit blankets and woven receptacles for a textured feel.
- Reading List and Tray-Tactic: Offer a bit of personality and establishment by setting a decorative tray atop a high pile of books.
- Height Discovery: If your table sits especially low, inject some dimension by incorporating taller design elements, like vases or candles.
Final Thoughts
Coffee tables are more than just furniture — they’re the critical design element that anchors your living space. Decide how you plan to use the table, then take a long, hard look at the specific set of functional and aesthetic choices involved in each style — and look more deeply, still, into the many design possibilities within each style. With the right coffee table — and the right juxtaposition of artful objects on top — the whole room comes together, and your space becomes a celebration of the life you lead in it.
