What odd name choices for an important piece of furniture that is present near any sofa, don’t you think? We rarely use the table for either coffee or a cocktail!
This table is shorter than most, but a very necessary one. It must fit the style of the room, sometimes even being a focal point.
There are many questions I ask a client when looking to find the perfect piece.
Are there toddlers in the home? The height of the coffee table is the perfect surface for a child to use. However, rounded corners are best as sharp corners can wreak havoc on a small person’s noggin.
Glass surfaces are not preferred either. To work well with a child toys bustling about, maybe a distressed oval or round wood coffee table is best.
Will adults be using the table to rest their feet as they sit on the sofa? Again, a distressed surface will show less wear as shoes may be scratching the top.
A traditional room might have a table with carved or cabriole legs.
More modern rooms might need a more modular looking piece. Or maybe the new popular natural root type.
A glass or mirrored top would work well if you want a table that doesn’t feel heavy in the room. If you want to see the rug pattern underneath the table, a glass top table is perfect.
I find many coffee tables can be very short these days. Ten to 15 inches can be difficult to use as a resting place for a drinking glass. A shorter table is usually meant for a more modern look.
I sometimes like to place a coffee table in the center of four swivel chairs. This makes for a great surface to work puzzles, play board games or do homework. However, the height is most important. Twenty to 24 inches is best, and a round shape is preferable for the chairs to sit around.
Some coffee tables have a lower shelf, so that you have the best of both worlds: A shelf to sit books or magazines on the bottom and the top for daily use.
Some people prefer an ottoman. A soft surface to place your feet, or a place for a guest to sit. You could place a tray on the ottoman so that you could have a harder surface for decor or drinks.
Some coffee tables have a top that swivels over and up toward the sofa. It creates a taller taller for you to work or dine!
So you see, much thought should be considered when you are looking for a coffee table.
How would you like to decorate your coffee table? Is the table more for show? Maybe some stacked coffee table books with some large wooden strung beads draped over?
Maybe you will want to keep the table clean so that you can use it for food, drink…or feet! Maybe a simple hinged box to hold TV remotes will keep things simple. I love adding a green, maybe a preserved boxwood, to keep the look fresh.
