The Sunday Mail
COFFEE tables serve several purposes. From completing a look to storage and display, they are much needed in any given space.
The question is: Which style will work for your room? In addition, should you go with a wooden one with chunky legs or a metallic one with a glass top? Should it be round, square or rectangular?
The options are endless and, at times, can be overwhelming. Here we will help break down the maze of decisions and steer you in the direction of the perfect coffee table.
Budget
The price points for a coffee table can range from ultra-expensive to very budget-friendly, so, before you start shopping, know what you have to spend. Your overall budget should be broken down into areas such as accessories, lighting and furniture.
The furniture includes the sofa, side tables, chairs and coffee table, with a larger portion allocated to the bigger pieces. The good news is that you can bend a little on your budget if you see something you love as long as it does not compromise the quality of the sofa or chairs.
Shape
As you lay out the plan for your living room, think about the best shape for the space. Do you have children or pets? Is it a large room or is it small and narrow? A round or oval coffee table is ideal if you have children or pets.
The curved edge means no injuries if one bumps onto it. Using a rectangular shape and allowing 30 inches between the television console and the coffee table will give you the right amount of room to walk between the two pieces. A rounded one gives a little more room to walk past, as it will curve away from the television console.
Size
As with shape, you will need to determine the size you need. The height of a coffee table is important. It should not be lower than one to two inches from the seat of your couch. The standard height for a table is 16-18 inches and pairs well with a typical-sized couch. A higher sofa requires a taller table.
Functionality
Another important factor is to know what the primary use will be.
Will the table be more decorative or provide storage? How much storage will be enough? Tables can come with shelves or drawers to hold everything from kids’ toys to that stash of magazines you will someday read.
Material
Coffee tables can come in a wide variety, too. There are industrial ones in metal. Materials such as glass, combined with either brass or steel, offer a more sophisticated look. Whether it is oak, maple, cherry or walnut, wood has its own feel to it.
Style
Formal, informal, modern or vintage – these are all styles to be considered when purchasing your coffee table. If you favour a contemporary look, choose a sleek metal table with a glass top.
Scale
Every piece in your room should be of an appropriate scale. For example, a heavy clunky overstuffed comfortable couch paired with a dainty coffee table found in your grandmother’s attic is not of the right scale. Pair an overstuffed couch with a large table, instead.
Alternatives
Sometimes, thinking outside the box allows you to find the perfect coffee table that perhaps is not a table at all. Old steamer trunks, cedar chests and ottomans are fabulous alternatives to the typical coffee table.
Small groupings
Who says you need to use only one table? Try a collection of tables. For an interesting look, place two sets of identical nesting tables next to each other and pull out each one to expand the surface area while staggering the table tops, too. — mymove.com
