Coffee Tables: Glass, Wood and Metal

Even though a coffee table always follows the style of a space and not vice-versa, we cannot stress enough how important the plan of picking one becomes. It’s of absolute necessity that this small piece of furniture only adds to a room and doesn’t take anything away in terms of composure. Exploring your imagination, looking for the “perfect” coffee table is a fun and daring task, worth every minute of meticulous research and in-house deliberation. Such tables are indispensable for today’s living room, offering comfort, appeal and efficiency altogether. All this at a high price though: if it doesn’t adapt well in our living room, we’ll ruin the whole decoration narrative of that space, so we do have to take into account a couple of variables after all, like size, functions, materials, heights and shapes, in order to ensure we pick one that’s suitable for our design needs.

Coffee table construction and shapes

Round table. The shape of the table is very important: if you have vivacious babies that will audaciously be all over the place (coffee table included), the only option is the no corners option. Furthermore, round tables have the advantage of fitting in many design contexts.
Rectangular tables. Those less restrained in this sense can opt for rectangle tables, with bold, masculine contours and an inviting, more formal appeal, suitable for longer sofas and sectionals. The search narrows down even further because the coffee table has to be in complete harmony with the overall configuration of the living room. And this is the fun part because you get to envision how different silhouettes will counterbalance each other for that cozy serenity of your room.

Coffee table design

Mid-Century Modern. It’s obvious that a modern, glass and metal table won’t be an adequate choice in a traditionally outfitted room, where wood and curved lines set the tone. It might fit a Mid-Century Modern vision, if features like a simple finish, reminiscent of the 60s (conspicuously noticeable in the Mad Men TV-series) and clean lines are present.
Contemporary. What about the Suspend ii coffee table, designed by Ceci Thompson? This piece is the perfect illustration of contemporary architectural form that spotlights the richness of natural materials, suitable for most present-day arrangements. The Carrara-style white marble, along with precisely cut panels, and bold tones makes this table a desirable presence in a modern living room, too. Not to mention the built-in shelves, perfect for stashing books, magazines or remotes. Coffee tables come in as many styles as you’d wish; all you need to do is to ensure its presence maintains a uniformed balance in the room.
Traditional. Coffee tables envisioned in this style are uncomplicated pieces, mainly an all-wood design. If you don’t want to complicate matters, go with simple lines and functionality. It’s important to pick a good wood coffee table though, because we’re looking for durability and a sleek, top finish.

Coffee table materials

Veneer. It’s very important to consider solid and good quality materials; budget veneer covered tables simply won’t do – they might scratch and soon afterward, any veneer will most probably peel off.
Solid wood. We’re looking for sustainable materials, budget and family-friendly pieces, so solid wood, bamboo or rattan might just do the job. You’ll still have to use coasters or trays to avoid water rings.
Glass and Metal. Of course, contemporary materials like metal and glass will also suit perfectly in a minimalist arrangement, they are simple and easy to maintain dust-free.
Marble. Marble has been used in sculptures since classical times. No other table would be more suited to showcase extravagance and refinement than a marble top piece. That characteristic waxy look of marble penetrated by light will rejuvenate any living room. And taking care of it is very easy.

Coffee table size

When it comes to sizes, it is paramount to know exactly what size should the coffee table be. You’ll have to grab the measuring tape and get an idea of how will it fit in the room context. We should strive to create an accurate horizontal line which unites the sofa seat and the table top. Generally, heights vary between 12 to 24 inches. We want our coffee tables to be roughly two-thirds the length of the sofa or sectional (if, by any means, you intend to disregard the two-thirds rule, make sure the table is going to be smaller than that, and not bigger!) with around 18 inches between furniture pieces or walls, in order to avoid trouble getting around.

Functions and Features

As with all furnishings, it’s a form vs. function debate, and we’re looking for a happy marriage of both in our coffee table. We won’t settle with only using it as a footrest in late evenings or anchoring coffee cups in the morning; we want a well established rendezvous point for the small parties and some intelligent storage capacity for displaying books, magazines or some other random throws. We might also appreciate a table top that lets us use the laptop and mouse effortlessly (no veneer accepted though).

How to choose a coffee table?

It’s amazing how many details require our attention when searching for a coffee table. Neglect them and you’re guaranteed rejection from any design connoisseur. In this short guide, we noticed the many positives a coffee table has to offer, its different shapes, the importance of choosing a table designed in absolute consensus with the space’s overall style. We stressed the importance of having everything measured so that our coffee tables fits well in the living room, but also the need to go a step higher on the budget scale and look for durable materials that will last longer, like solid wood and metals or glass. A coffee table can take as many roles and functions as we want, it only depends on how creative we are. We dare you to unleash your creative genius and start the search for the perfect coffee table following our guide.

Glossary

Sectional – a sofa made in sections that can be used separately.
Mid-Century Modern – a significant design movement from roughly 1945 to 1975.
Ceci Thompson is a truly versatile creator, she started her career in 2002 in New York, has developed concepts for over 100 brands including Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren etc.
Carrara marble is a type of white marble of high quality, popular for use in sculpture and building décor.
Veneer - a thin decorative covering of fine wood applied to a coarser wood or other material.