Despite its small size, a coffee table plays a very important role in the living room. This unassuming piece of furniture provides convenient access to a cup of coffee, the TV remote, or your favourite book – and it can also wonderfully adorn the space. What should you consider when searching for the perfect model for your living room?
Coffee Tables – The Kings of Every Living Room
Without a shadow of a doubt, a coffee table is one of the most crucial elements of any living room’s furnishings. It’s where you can place a cup of coffee or tea, put down the book you’re currently reading, or display a bouquet of flowers or a decorative plant. It can also be an original living room decoration in its own right – so its proper selection is of great importance. The endless number of stylish models doesn't make it any easier to choose – so we hope our guide will help you in making a decision on the right coffee table.
Criteria for Choosing Coffee Tables
Choosing a coffee table that will be functional, sturdy, and suited to your living room’s decor can prove to be quite a challenge. Find out what you should pay particular attention to during your search!
Size
When choosing a coffee table, it’s worth considering first and foremost the size of the living room and its furnishings. The piece of furniture shouldn’t be too large – after all, it’s not a dining table where many people eat meals simultaneously. One that’s too bulky could overwhelm a small space. However, if the living room is very spacious, a small table might, in turn, “get lost” in it. What’s more, if there isn’t already a large dining table in the house or flat, it’s worth opting for a larger model – this will then allow for comfortable entertaining of guests. It’s also important that the coffee table placed next to the lounge suite doesn’t obstruct access to the sofa, armchairs, or other points in the interior. Besides the size itself, the height of the furniture also matters. As a rule, it should be slightly lower than the seat height of the sofa or armchairs. It’s important that after placing a cup of coffee or a book, or a vase of flowers, these items do not block the view – for example, of the television standing in front of the table and lounge suite.
Materials
The material – or materials – a coffee table is made from is just as important as its size. This affects both the appearance of the furniture and its durability. Even though coffee tables typically “bear” a maximum of a few cups and saucers, or bowls of snacks and a stack of books, high-quality craftsmanship is truly important. What’s more, some materials are more difficult to keep clean than others. Coffee tables are mainly made of wood, glass, metal, or a combination of these materials. Wooden models are characterised by great durability and an elegant, timeless design. Wood also introduces warmth and naturalness to the decor and pairs well with many other materials. This variant of tables is mainly chosen for living rooms with a Scandinavian, rustic, or classic feel. In the case of real wood, however, you need to remember its proper care – for example, impregnation. Coffee tables with a glass top are also a popular solution. They are modern and easy to clean, and they also optically enlarge the space. However, unlike those with a wooden top, there is a risk of breakage. It’s no wonder that metal models are gaining increasing interest – both those that combine this material with wood or glass, and those made entirely of metal. This is an ideal choice, especially for interiors decorated in an industrial or loft style. Metal frames or legs give them character and contrast beautifully with more delicate elements – such as a wooden top or light parquet flooring. Among coffee tables, you can also find those made of elegant marble. They are in themselves a unique living room decoration, and at the same time – they are very sturdy.
Functionality
Coffee tables, as their name suggests, are primarily associated with one purpose. However, some models also fulfil other functions – for example, if a table has a shelf, it can also serve as a place for remotes, magazines, or books currently being read, and if it’s equipped with a drawer – you can store various trinkets in it. Many of them also resemble baskets or pouffes in shape – they can be opened and used to store newspapers, a warm blanket, slippers for guests, or children's toys inside. There are also extendable tables for the lounge area available on the market – this is an ideal choice when additional surface area is needed for cups or snack dishes. Furthermore, sets of coffee tables are gaining increasing popularity. They usually include two or three pieces in different sizes, which can be freely arranged next to each other to create an interesting composition. Such sets mean even greater functionality and even more space for your favourite items! Plant lovers will also find many interesting models with… a designated spot for a pot – such proposals are offered by, for example, Fatboy. As you can see, the possibilities are vast, and a coffee table doesn’t have to be associated with a simple, boring piece of furniture!
Matching Other Furniture
As we have already established, a coffee table is one of the key elements of every living room. Therefore, when choosing one, it’s worth paying attention to how it fits in with the rest of the decor. If the interior is typically decorated in a boho style and we opt for a model with a metal frame and a glass top, it may not necessarily blend in with the room’s atmosphere. On the other hand, if we place a coffee table made entirely of wood in an industrial living room with a somewhat austere finish, it won’t be a very good choice either. When looking for the ideal model, it's worth keeping in mind the overall style in which the entire space has been arranged – so that all furniture and accessories form a cohesive whole.
Tabletop Shape
Among the coffee tables available on the market, you can find solutions with tabletops of various shapes. This refers to classic rectangular, square, or round models, as well as tables with more elaborate forms. Coffee tables with a rounded top are suitable for rooms where other furniture also has rounded shapes. What’s more, they make a good choice for homes where there are children as well as adults – the lack of sharp edges means greater safety. A table with a rectangular or square top, on the other hand, is an ideal proposition for modern arrangements. If the piece of furniture is meant to be an eye-catching decoration, it’s worth considering a model with a fancy, irregular shape – you’ll find them among proposals from Ferm Living or Umbra.
Coffee Tables at FormAdore
At FormAdore, practical, durable, and stylish coffee tables await you, which will fit into the atmosphere of many arrangements – both Scandinavian or boho, as well as modernist and industrial ones. They differ from each other not only in design, but also in size and shape. So you’ll find the ideal table regardless of whether there’s plenty of space left in your lounge area, or perhaps the space for this piece of furniture is relatively small. In the “Coffee Tables” category, you’ll see all available models – choose the one that best suits your living room and enjoy a solid and elegant solution for years to come!
Choosing the perfect coffee table depends on many factors – including the size of the interior, its design, the functionality of the furniture, and its compatibility with other furnishings. Before buying, it’s worth comparing different solutions, considering your personal needs, and only then making the final decision. The range of coffee tables at FormAdore is so vast that everyone can find a suitable model – regardless of their taste or living room decor. And if, in addition to a coffee table, other furniture – such as a comfortable sofa – or accessories are needed, these are also plentiful in our assortment!
