Choosing the right coffee table for your living room

A coffee table is an essential piece of furniture in your living space, which is why it must be both functional and visually appealing. This genuinely decorative piece enhances your living room and lets you enjoy relaxing and socialising in this space. As coffee tables come in all sizes, colours, materials and styles, with many special features such as in-built storage and lift-up tops, it can often be tricky to choose the right one.

Materials

The choice of materials is a determining factor when choosing your coffee table, as it influences its appearance, durability and maintenance. You can choose from materials including wood (solid, exotic or composite), glass, metal, marble and combinations of different materials. Each has its own distinct characteristics: wood brings warmth and authenticity to your interior, while clear glass is popular for the feeling of lightness it provides.

Styles and trends

Coffee tables are available in a multitude of styles, from classic and contemporary to vintage, Scandinavian and even industrial. Choose a style that matches your living room's overall look. If your decor is more modern, opt for clean lines and contemporary materials. On the other hand, if you prefer a more traditional look, select a coffee table with a classic finish and elegant details.

Choose the right coffee table size

The size of your living room is the most important factor to consider when selecting your coffee table. If your living room is spacious, you can choose a larger coffee table, or opt for several smaller side tables or nesting tables. Gather them together to create a large surface area or separate them to create several individual surfaces. However, in a small living room you should choose a smaller coffee table that is round or oval in order to avoid overloading the space and to allow you to easily move around without hurting yourself.

Choose a coffee table to match your sofa

Your coffee table must pair well with your sofa, which remains the centrepiece of your living space. Make sure you choose a table whose height is close to that of your sofa, making it easy to put things on it or rest your feet. If your sofa has wide armrests, consider a coffee table with rounded edges to avoid bumping into it. And if you have a sectional sofa, consider a coffee table that is modular or is designed for this specific layout. If you have two sofas facing each other or a spacious living room, you can opt for a large coffee table.

Choose a coffee table to suit your needs

Before choosing your coffee table, think about what you need in your daily life. For instance, if you usually eat your meals in front of the TV, choose a coffee table with an easy-to-clean surface and a suitable surface area at the right height. If you often entertain guests, a coffee table with built-in storage for magazines or remote controls can be very practical for keeping everything out of sight. For families with young children, a coffee table with rounded corners is the safest choice.

Consider your decor when making your choice

Your coffee table should blend seamlessly with your living room decor. Think about the dominant colours and patterns in your living space in order to choose a table that matches the rest of your furniture and decor. If you have a rug on which to place your coffee table, make sure the coffee table doesn't hide it by covering it completely. A coffee table topped with a clear glass top will add a designer touch, a sleek style and a feeling of lightness to your living room, and will show off your rug if you have one. In a Scandinavian-style living room, you can choose an ultra-low coffee table in a smooth, mellow wood that will look great against a light-coloured rug.

A rectangular metal coffee table will add character to an industrial-style living room, especially if you have leather armchairs. If you like colour and juxtaposed materials, you can even use footstools as coffee tables. Choose materials that are easy to care for, avoiding fabrics such as linen. If you want to enhance your living room decor, opt for a slender, contemporary coffee table with a low top, which will add a sense of grandeur and lightness to your interior.