Accent Tables

Accent tables is a vast category of living room furniture, that includes variety of items, with different purpose of use. Accent tables play an important role in completing your home interior handling both functional and decorative functions. Accent tables handle your home decor, serve as a handy storage space for the things you want always have at hand. In this buying guide we will try to explain main things to consider in choosing accent table.

Find the right place for it

When choosing an accent table it is important to know what functions it will fulfill as well where you want it to be placed. There are a lot of different types of accent tables that can be used to offer coziness and style of you home interior, but still there should be a clear understanding if there is enough space for it and accent table will not interfere with other object or even be an obstacle on your way. For example, placing a console table in a very narrow hallway may result in constant dropping of the objects sitting on it. Another example of mismatch of the accent table size is choosing too big coffee table, that would fill the whole space in the middle of living room set (sofa, loveseat and chair), leaving no place for legs, or making all movements around the table very difficult. In the perfect case use the services of the competent interior designer from the very start of furnishing your home interior. If this is not an option, try to do measurements by yourself, keeping an eye on how many free space is available for movement.

Types of accent tables

As said before, there are tens of different accent table types, that was created to fill specific niche to offer special comfort and style to home interior. Nevertheless, Accent tables can be divided in four most popular categories: coffee tables, console tables, end and side tables. Each type of the table is used to play specific function in your home interior.

Coffee table

Coffee table it is the first and main thing that appears in mind, then you think about accent tables. Coffee table is a low profile table that usually takes place in the front of sofa or loveseat, providing convenient place to put, obviously, coffee, tea or small snacks. Additional function of coffee table is decorative, because as it occupies central place in the room.

End table

End table is another table that complements the central composition of the room. End tables almost never used by one, these are like nightstands for bedrooms, bought in pairs to be placed by each side of the sofa. Main function of end table is to have decor on it, be it a vase or small sculpture. Average height of such table may vary between 20-24 inches.

Side table

Side table is the small table ordinary placed near the wall. Many people compare it to end table, merging them in one group, because these tables look alike and in most cases are interchangeable. Real difference between these two types of accent tables is the destination of use. Side table may have plenty of storage space, but end table will provide a better access to the things you would like to keep at it.

Console tables

Console tables can be considered the most elegant ones among all four types. Visual difference between console table and others consists in the shape of the table, which is narrow rectangular tabletop. Console tables are used to provide space for decor, key holder, maybe some things you would like to keep at hand before leaving the house. Console tables are often complemented with mirrors or paintings, giving your home interior an exquisite look.

Styles

As any other furniture item, accent tables are available on the market in two big styles: Modern and Traditional. Of course, each style has a variety of different directions and movements, but, frankly speaking, the difference consists between these two.

Traditional accent tables

Main feature of traditional tables is that such furniture is mostly made of hardwoods and quality cast metal, that give these tables exclusive and luxury look. Decorative accents - hand carved wood, decorative forgings, marble table tops, etc. Such accent tables, besides their durability, are very durable, designed to serve you a lifetime.

Contemporary (Modern) accent tables

Modern, accent tables vary in shape, materials and design, single thing that make them different from traditional accent tables - simplicity of accents. From simple shapes of modern accent table up to sophisticated asymmetry, modern accent tables will be a great accompaniment to your living room interior.

Mid-Century Modern accent tables

This style is on hype nowadays, everybody wants it in their interiors. Mid century modern accent tables designs are inspired by similar models created in 50’- 60’ of the last century. These designs are created from considerations of maximum functionality (plenty of storage sections) and ultimate simplicity of look. Mid-century modern accent tables often stand on thin wooden legs.

Features of Accent tables

Accent tables often come with extra features. From extra storage to built-in LED lighting. Some of such features demand special attention.

Lift-Top Accent Tables
This feature mostly relates to modern coffee tables, that consists in special mechanism that lifts the tabletop, opening the large storage space.

Transformers
Such accent tables may be a real handy option for offering versatility of use. Coffee table that can transform in a dining table, console tables transforming into an office desk - such functions are very popular and useful for small living spaces.

Ottoman Coffee Tables
Soft and cushy upholstery of coffee table offers a possibility to use the coffee table not just  a table itself, but also as a footrest and an extra seat. Upholstery material may be different, from fabrics to expensive leathers. Often, such coffee tables are equipped with built-in storage, hidden under soft cushion lid.

Casters
Casters or small wheels attached to legs of the coffee table add to mobility of the furniture piece, offering an option to easily move it from one room to another. This feature is very actual for interiors in loft interior style.

 
Nesting Accent Tables
Nesting tables appeared first in the 80’s of the XX century. Such design is still popular, and the main and maybe single advantage of such accent tables is an opportunity of have more space in un-nesting condition.

 
Trunk
Yo-ho-ho. Trunks may look like a chests full of fortune. Construction of trunks is very simple - a box, that opens from the top. It is really huge storage option, but not really useful if you want to keep there something you use often. It is usually come to situation where you searching something in a pile of stuff.
 

Materials

Accent tables as many other furniture can be made from a vast variety of materials. Here we tried to highlight the most popular ones with their pros and cons.

• Wood may be considered the most popular material for creating accent tables, be it coffee, end or console table. Wood is famous by its durability and flexibility in terms of decor and color options that can be realised with help of lacquer and paint.
• Glass is mostly used as tabletop material offering the easy to clean, waterproof, durable surface. Nevertheless, there is a number of models that are solely made of glass (mostly coffee and nesting tables).
• Marble Rich, luxury material used also for tabletops. Pattern of marble is a distinctive feature of expensive furniture and adds up to the final feel and look of the living room interior. Relatively easy to care for, it is desirable to prevent it from staining with red wine, food and other natural colorants, as marble is porous material that easily absorbs pigments.
• Metal Maybe the most durable material, yet it also the heaviest one. Metal is often used as a frame material and may be covered with shiny finish to be an additional accent touch.

Summary

Accent tables are an important for creating comfortable and cozy home interior. At the same time every type of accent tables has its own destination for use and must fulfill its functions. Keep in mind to carefully plan where you want to place an accent table to not make it interfere with other objects. Check up on the features you would like to have in your accent tables as well as carefully choose the frame materials.