Multifunctional, multi-material, and multi-tiered, a well-curated coffee table can add personality to a room. They’re not just for setting down the coffee. Of the many furniture pieces in a living space, designer coffee tables often double as styling pieces to ground and accessorize rooms.
With so many options from which to choose these days, this guide streamlines the selection process so you land a piece that contributes to your space and style.
Consider Your Living Room’s Aesthetic
The first piece of advice when choosing a designer coffee table? Don’t be that shining example of “that doesn’t go with anything in here.” In selecting a coffee table, start by weighing the design sensibility of your living room. Is it modern? Traditional? Somewhere in between?
Now, find a coffee table that fits into the style in your space and go for it. Try imagining a stylish coffee table in the middle of your living room. If you can picture and have it work thematically, you’re doing something right.
Focus on Functionality and Lifestyle
Utility is next on the list of qualities to assess when shopping for a coffee table. In other words, how do you plan to use the coffee table? Need a coffee table that can double as a bar cart on Thursday through Sunday nights? Opt for one that you can comfortably place a footrest on.
Looking for something minimal to hold a well-styled stack of books, a plant, or a candle? Reclaimed wood should do nicely. Picture an hors d’oeuvres-worthy tray positioned on your new coffee table. Choose something that not only marries the dual functions of style and serviceability but relays just the right refinement along with it.
Play with Materials and Finishes
Coffee table materials run the gamut, from marble to metal and everything in between. In terms of style, marble is often the most luxurious. Reclaimed wood leans toward organic and eco-friendly products. What about glass and metal materials? They often feel more cutting-edge and current in terms of design.
To land in a spot that feels fresh and lived-in, opt for multiple materials. Maybe it’s a brass-finish frame with a marble-topped table. That’s a fusion of elegance and edge that tends to work well in many spaces.
Consider the feel of various surfaces. Marble, for instance, has a cold, hard feel, while reclaimed wood is warm and textured. Metal is cooler to the touch. Each surface can add a different layer of interest to a coffee table, but take a moment to think about how it will feel to rest your feet on it or respond to sunlight over time.
Proportions Matter
Be vigilant about selecting a properly proportioned coffee table. This means considering the space you have to play with and the pieces you want to put around it. Depending on the size of your sofa, get a coffee table that’s two-thirds the length of your sofa and the same height as the cushions on your sofa.
Add Your Personal Touch
Whether you like to style your coffee table with art books and a pretty flower, keep a bold statement piece you found on vacation, or use a tray for a vignette of special things, it’s yours to own. Show your personal style and your memories. They are designed for those who love quality craftsmanship and lasting style. We know what great coffee tables do—they become a backdrop for art books and a pop of your personality, elevating your home instantly.
