Every living area has its centrepiece and very often it’s the coffee table. Being put in the actual centre of the room and used for so many purposes, the coffee table is probably one of the key ingredients for a perfect-looking living room. That’s why it feels rather intimidating when we have to buy one, remake the one we have or even style it.
On the other hand, a coffee table is maybe the most versatile furniture piece in your living room and knowing you can always change the way it looks, makes the task of picking out a coffee table easier. Many people find it helpful if they search for a new coffee table starting from its material. That way, they can see more clearly how a coffee table will fit into their living room design and how they can make the most out of its use. These are the 3 main types of coffee tables that fit every living room. Find out which style you like the best to buy the right coffee table for your living area.
1. Wooden Coffee Tables
Tables made out of wood aren’t a new thing neither in the interior design world nor in the world in general. In fact, they may be one of the oldest furniture pieces known. This doesn’t surprise us – the first evidence of carpentry furniture was found thousands of years BC. Since then, crafty carpenters have made thousands of table designs that served well people in the time they were made, through the medieval to this very day.
A little history doesn’t hurt anyone, in fact, knowing this adds an additional value to the wooden table pieces. It makes it easy for us to understand why a coffee table wood made model is the most versatile furniture piece that can fit in every lounge area. From the contemporary minimalist to the vintage or traditional baroque-inspired, there’s no style a wooden coffee table can’t fit in. Since they come in all shapes, styles and sizes, your job when choosing a wooden coffee table is to determine which one will suit your living room best.
Here are several tips to make this process easier for you.
Wooden Top or Entirely Wood?
There are coffee table wood models that are made entirely out of wood, both the top and the legs and there are ones that are made out of а metal frame and a wood top. The first ones can easily contemplate every interior and you should go for the other ones if you’re more into contemporary industrial style. Deciding which ones you like the best will narrow the list and make it easier for you.
Natural or Fabricated Wood?
Natural wood coffee tables’ top is made either of a whole timber piece or timber benchtop and a variety of frame and legs designs. If you find your living room sterile and uninviting, a coffee table made out of natural wood can add the needed warmth and natural look to it.
The coffee tables made out of fabricated wood, whether oak, cherry, walnut or maple, come in various styles and shapes. The round wooden ones can make a great addition to your Scandinavian style living room and so can the rectangle ones with thin metal or wood legs.
Extra Storage or No Storage at All?
One of the greatest things about wooden coffee tables is that various models provide extra storage space. There are open storage models, like a cross vintage table, when you have an additional space under the tabletop. The modern retro coffee table models elevated on thin legs with drawers under the tabletop are an excellent choice if you want to prevent the clutter that can be made on and around the coffee table. Another closed storage alternative is the lift top coffee tables, with a tabletop that can be lifted with a certain mechanism, revealing an extra space unit under it. If you are short on storage, buying these coffee table models will make a great difference.
2. Marble Coffee Tables
If you are wondering what coffee tables are in style now, the answer of many will be marble. There is something magical when it comes to marble. Some people claim it’s its natural pattern, for some, it’s the elegant look and some swear by its durability. Choosing a marble coffee table is a great way of straining from the traditional, opting for a luxurious and royal look. Either going for a black marble tabletop combined with a silver frame and legs for a yin yang Hollywood looking living room or a classy white marble with brass legs, you’re not making a mistake. The nesting or swivel one-in-one models provide both a stylish look and functionality at the same time. And combining marble and wood can contribute to both a warm and elegant look, yelling minimalism.
Even though marble is a very durable stone, there are some things you should consider before buying a marble coffee table. Since it’s not resistant to stain and scratches, to maintain its marvellous shiny look, marble needs to be sealed at least once a year. Besides sealing, you should take care of it daily by simply dusting it with a dry cloth and weekly by cleaning it with a proper stone cleaner. Use coasters to avoid the staining from the cups or glasses. For the love of marble, you might think, this isn’t much work. True, but parents with young kids, I feel you – think twice. If you decide on a marble coffee table, after all, the good news is, a professional can easily remake it, bringing it to its original form.
3. Glass Coffee Tables
Whatever wood, marble and metal coffee tables can do, glass ones can do it better. If you need storage, a metal or wooden base with a glass top makes a great option and can serve as your favourite items (or books) showcase at the same time. Glass coffee table can make the living room look larger and more spacious which makes them the perfect solution for smaller lounge areas. Their translucence enhances every piece of living furniture, the rug beneath it and illuminates every corner of the room. Being the ultimate eclectic furniture piece, there’s nothing more complementing to the industrial living room than a glass coffee table. And the same piece with a golden base makes for a traditional and elegant look – how versatile. If you opt for durability, go for tempered glass. The sky is the limit when it comes to glass coffee table styling ideas, so if you’re more of an artistic person, the glass coffee table should be your go-to option for a fancy looking living room.
