Coffee Tables
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Modern Coffee Tables
Mid-century modern coffee tables and modern side tables are simple and attractive pieces of modern furniture that can add another layer of interest and function to your living room, family room, or den. Whether you want a place to display books or just put your feet up, a mid-century modern coffee table helps tie your living room set together and provides a central surface for entertaining. Accent tables are must-have companions to modern sofas and can truly make a world of difference to how you engage with your space. With a coffee table or side table beside your sofa, you’ll find yourself and your household using your sofa more often for more activities, making utmost use of your living room space. At Design Within Reach, shop designer coffee tables from renowned designers.
Types of Coffee Tables
Round Coffee Tables
Round or oval in shape, round coffee tables are smooth, inviting pieces of furniture that can break up some of the harsh lines that may be present in your living room. Round coffee tables can have legs or pedestal bases, with drum coffee tables being monolithic, drum-shaped tables that rest directly on the floor. Oval coffee tables are great for long couches, while round coffee tables are better for smaller sofas or sectionals where it’s better for all sides of the couch to be an equal distance from the table.
Rectangular Coffee Tables
An undisputed classic coffee table shape, rectangular coffee tables are versatile, high-capacity coffee tables available in a wide range of lengths and widths to suit sofas of different sizes. Like with round coffee tables, a long rectangular coffee table is better for a long sofa, whereas a square coffee table is good for an L- or U-shaped sectional.
Coffee Tables with Storage
Though many coffee tables have simple legs or pedestal bases, coffee tables with storage components built into their bases can further enhance the comfort and utility of your living room set. Some coffee tables have shelves, drawers, or cabinets built into their bases, while others conceal other storage features within. Lift-top coffee tables have adjustable tops that typically conceal storage compartments beneath, while tray-top coffee tables have removable tray tops ideal for serving food and drink.
Coffee Table Materials
Wood Coffee Tables
Though many coffee tables have simple legs or pedestal bases, coffee tables with storage components built into their bases can further enhance the comfort and utility of your living room set. Some coffee tables have shelves, drawers, or cabinets built into their bases, while others conceal other storage features within. Lift-top coffee tables have adjustable tops that typically conceal storage compartments beneath, while tray-top coffee tables have removable tray tops ideal for serving food and drink.
Glass Coffee Tables
Stylish and elegant, glass coffee tables always make a striking impact on a space, despite having transparent tabletops. Because their tops are clear, glass coffee tables give the illusion of taking up less floor space than they actually do and can help make a space feel less encumbered by furniture than it might with a solid wood or stone coffee table. Glass is a crisp and easy-to-clean coffee table material, but it is important to take care to avoid cracks and scratches.
Stone & Marble Coffee Tables
Stone and marble coffee tables – especially solid stone coffee tables – are some of the heaviest pieces of furniture you can choose for your space, but not for nothing. Marble coffee tables are gorgeous tables that celebrate the beauty of natural stone. They complement upholstery, wood, metal – pretty much any material you can think of can pair well with stone or marble. If you have a minimalist space, you should definitely consider a marble coffee table.
How to Choose a Coffee Table
Coffee table dimensions are the most important consideration to keep in mind when choosing a coffee table. And with that, it’s important to know the dimensions of the seating furniture you plan on placing around your coffee table as well as have a rough plan for where you’d like to place all your living room furniture. Keep in mind that you should reserve 14” to 18” between your coffee table and surrounding seating furniture. Where you expect foot traffic, try to leave at least 30” around your coffee table so it doesn’t hinder movement through the space.
As for coffee table height, to ensure it’s at a convenient height, it’s a good idea to choose a coffee table that is within 4” taller or shorter than the seat height of surrounding chairs. Your coffee table width should be at least half as long as your sofa, but not longer.
When it comes to choosing coffee material features and materials, you have much more freedom of expression. Choosing the right coffee table type and material is more so up to personal taste and preference. If you anticipate using your coffee table frequently for a multitude of different purposes, consider a coffee table with storage to keep your daily essentials close by. If you’d prefer your coffee table to be a visually striking accent piece, go with a solid marble coffee table instead. Keep in mind each coffee table material’s durability and care needs – and if you have children, beware of glass, metal, and stone coffee tables which may have sharp corners.