Coffee Tables

More about Coffee Tables

Coffee tables have the ability to completely transform a room, so when it comes to choosing one, you want to choose wisely! If you’re feeling a little stumped about which one to go for, here are some little tips that we swear by.

What are the different types of coffee tables?

First things first, let’s figure out what we’re working with here. With so much on offer, it’s good to start off by stating the who’s who of coffee tables.

Are you looking for a living room or family coffee table? A living room table is more decorative, and is used to elevate your decor scheme. On the other hand, a family coffee table will typically go through more wear and tear as they’ve specifically designed for busy households. In this case, it’s best to opt for a less fragile material like glass while also looking for coffee tables that contain inbuilt storage – avoiding clutter of children’s toys and random bits and bobs that accumulate with large families.

You can also break down coffee tables according to what material they’re made from. Are you after a sturdy, solid oak number, or are you swaying to industrial style metal ones? There’s also more purse-friendly reclaimed timber types as well as super chic

Where to place your coffee table

Coffee tables usually sit smack bang in the middle of the room, between your sofa and TV – after all, you need to be able to easily reach over and pick up your mug and any other snacks. We recommend aiming for a table which is either the same height as your sofa cushions or slightly lower, and leave a minimum of 14-18 inches between the table and the sofas surrounding it.

However, if you have a small living space, you may want to keep the main area clear so that you have more floor area to play with. Go for a small circular coffee table and place it on the side of your sofa.

Then again, another way to overcome a lack of space is to go for a smaller coffee table. Coming in square, rectangle and circle shapes, choose one that corresponds to the length and width of your sofa. After all, it’s likely that you’ll choose a sofa size that correlates to the size of your room. Meaning a long sofa will be paired with large round or rectangular coffee tables, while a corner sofa can be paired with a round of square table.

If you’ve got a small living room, we also recommend you get a coffee table with built in storage and pair it with some stunning wall shelving. Whether you go for metal or wooden coffee tables, we’ve got wall shelving to match, which is important if you want a coherent look in your living room.

How to match your coffee table to your furniture

Glass coffee tables are a classic thanks to their ability to reflect light and subsequently make the space feel bigger. In order to maximise this effect in the nighttime, make sure you grab some good lighting. Look for industrial floor lamps as metal goes well with glass, or try a wall spotlight if you don’t have that much floor space to play with.

If you’re after a cosy aesthetic in your living room, drawing off warm hues and lots of cosy furry throws and cushions, glass can sometimes feel a bit too cold. Go for a gorgeous wooden coffee table, there’s plenty of types to suit any budget here. Go for solid oak for the ultimate country chic look, or a distressed version for a rustic haven escape.

Other things to consider here is other statement pieces like a bookcase, your rug and random trinkets. Make sure you match colours and materials here. But, then again, if you’re into the slap dash, contrast look – it can be super fun to mix and match different materials and colours. Just follow your gut here, as long as you like it then you’ve won this whole decorating game.

If you’re still confused, it can be good to step back and figure out your overall aesthetic. If your living room has bare white walls and hardly any furnishings or trinkets, then you’re a minimalist. Glass coffee tables are great here as the see through nature of them gives the illusion that they’re not taking up space or overly cluttering the design.

On the other hand, if you’ve got lots and lots of colourful knick knacks, endless psychedelic throws and the smell of incense wafts constantly, then you dear friend are a bohemian babe. For your coffee table to match, go for a funky, bold colour or a wacky abstract design to match the overall feel of the room. We also recommend getting a big coffee table if you can, as it can double up as more space to place your decorative ornaments.

Industrial types usually reside in converted spaces, with plenty of waxy green houseplants and exposed brick walling and lighting. If this is you, definitely check out the metal coffee tables. Pair it with a modern clock and some industrial wall art, too. Or, if you want to break up the industrial vibe, go for some cute coastal prints or amazing animal wall art.