Coffee Tables- A smart and simple way to bring flexibility and distinction to your living room furniture collection is with a new coffee table. There are a few important things to consider
before purchasing a coffee table.The
main areas of concentration: size, function, and form.
Size:
Before purchasing a coffee table, consider proportion.You don’t want a piece that dwarfs its
surroundings or vice versa.If you’re
thinking of a classic oblong table, go with one that’s half the couch’s length
of shorter (usually 44 to 48 inches) and about 22 to 30 inches wide.The oversize square is trendy these days, but
whether you choose that or a rectangle, make sure there are about two to three
feet between the piece and the surrounding furniture, so people can move around
easily.In tight quarters, a round table
(with a maximum diameter of 36 inches) may be your best bet, since a circle is
less difficult to navigate (no sharp corners) and works nicely with both love
seats and L-shaped sectionals.Whatever
shape you select, look for a table about the same height as your sofa’s seat
(typically 18-20 inches) to create a strong horizontal line that will help
unify the room.
Function:
As the architectural adage goes, form follows function – or at least is
should.So when deciding which table to
buy, as yourself how you’ll use it.Will
it hold your magazine collection?Be
your central serving spot at parties?Provide a perch for your favorite decorative items?People who love to entertain should consider
circular or elliptical pieces, which guests will naturally gather around.If you need more storage, check out lift tops
(great for storing blankets, movies, etc.), Mission tables (with a low shelf
for magazines and books), or tables with drawers, like apothecaries (for photo
albums).Glass is the easiest surface to
keep clean, if it’s one interrupted sheet, and some models are sleek showcases
for collectibles, protecting them from dust underneath a glass top.Two warnings:If you have young kids, steer clear of glass tables – the edges can be
dangerous unless set in a frame
Form:
If
you’re in the market for a bargain, you may be tempted to buy an under-$30
particleboard number covered in a veneer. But with regular to heavy use (think
everything from kids doing school projects to guests sitting down on it), that
kind of table will probably scratch and stain; plus, any veneer may peel.
Better budget choices: treated wicker, reed, or bamboo, are sturdy enough to
hold even the heaviest pile of books. (Bonus: Investing in sustainable
materials like these is a good green move.) If you’re looking for a family-friendly
piece that’s also a keeper, consider solid wood, which most experts recommend
for its durability and versatility. There are endless styles to choose from in
a wide range of prices.Also long
lasting, albeit not as warm looking: glass or molded acrylic, which create the
illusion of space.In truth, a coffee
table can be made of anything — cork, copper, aluminum, driftwood, or even an
antique door. What matters most is that it suits your taste
