Choosing the right coffee table for your living room is really important. You want to make sure the proportion is correct when considering the other furniture you have in the room and that it’s made from a good material that works practically for you.
But with so many styles of coffee tables to choose from, how do you know which is best for you?
In this guide, we’re going to take you through the best practices for buying a coffee table to ensure it goes perfectly with the rest of your decor.
Things to Consider When Buying a Coffee Table
Coffee tables are sometimes overlooked as being, well, somewhere to put coffee. But they’re much more than that and can add to the design of a room. However, for them to complement the rest of the decor and be functional, there are certain factors that you need to take into consideration.
#1. What Are You Using the Coffee Table for?
The answer might be to put your coffee cup down on, and that’s fine! But lots of people need a coffee table that’s kid-friendly, has storage options, is for resting their feet upon, or acts as a mini table when entertaining. Thinking about these factors early on will help ensure you make the most out of this piece of furniture.
#2. What Size Coffee table should I buy?
Size is arguably one of the most important things to consider when it comes to buying coffee tables. Not only does it need to be proportional to the room but it also needs to fit well with the furniture around it.
For example, if you have a particularly long sofa, a longer coffee table will balance well with it. But shorter sofas or larger armchairs work well with smaller tables that can be placed to the side or in front of them. You also want to make sure that it’s not too big and that there’s space for people to comfortably walk around it – roughly 50 cm between the sofa and table is optimal.
#3. What Height should my Coffee table be?
The height of a coffee table is essential, especially when it comes to its functionality. You want to be able to comfortably put your feet up or your cup of coffee down without it being too high or too low.
Most coffee tables are 36-40 cm high and you need to make sure they match with your sofa. Try not to go more than 7 cm below your sofa or 3 cm above.
#4. Coffee Table Shapes
You can make a statement with the shape of your coffee table and there are so many to choose from. Square coffee tables, for example, fit really nicely with corner sofas. It’s also easy to style these kinds of coffee tables with trays, boxes and decorative items.
Circular coffee tables help to soften the lines in a room and are usually easier to walk around. Smaller ones can be used as side coffee tables and larger ones as a central focus. You can also use nesting or stackable tables to create nice levels and have more usable surface space.
As well as circular and square, consider hexagonal and rectangle coffee tables. Rectangle coffee tables work well with long rooms and sofas and hexagonal ones are great for creating a cosy, grouped area.
#5: How to Choose the Right Material When Buying a Coffee Table
Again, what material you choose really depends on the function of your coffee table. Wood is a great and classic option that’s durable and stylish and ties in with many interior design decors. Depending on the finish of the wooden coffee table, it can also bring natural warmth and texture to a room.
If, however, you want to use your table to rest your feet on, you might think about getting an ottoman coffee table instead. These can also be great for when kids are running around.
Glass, acrylic and metal are also popular choices of materials for coffee tables, especially in small areas. They help to create an airy feel and are functional but don’t draw too much attention.
Care of your coffee table is something else you need to consider, especially if you intend to put drinks or food down. Some materials can be harder to clean than others (even if you use coasters, spillages can happen) and you want to make sure that water stains, cup rings and sticky little fingerprints are easy to remove.
#6. Think About Storage
Coffee tables can look really elegant and give you extra space to put away books, cushions, magazines and anything else you can think of! Trunks work well in some spaces and some coffee tables have draws or removable baskets. Different materials, such as a whicker or cloth basket, can add texture and intrigue to a space.
Buying the Perfect Coffee Table – Final Thoughts
The main things to think about when buying a coffee table are that it’s functional for how you’re going to use it and that it fits in the required space. This will determine what shape, material and size you go for and whether you need storage options or not. You can then decide on the overall look, texture and finish of the coffee table to make sure it matches with the rest of your living room decor.
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