subject: How To Choose The Right Coffee Table [print this page] When choosing a coffee table for your living room, there are a number of factors that you will need to consider in order for it to be a successful selection. The size and placement of the table is very important as it will dictate the flow of the room and contribute to the overall aesthetics of the space. Above all, ensure you have decided on the functional aspects that your coffee table will need to have in order to work for you and your space.
Shape & Dimension
The size, layout and function of your room will all play a part in helping you choose the right shaped and sized coffee table.
> Round / Oval A good choice for high-traffic areas as there are no sharp corners to bump on.
> Square Great for a large room with seating surrounding the coffee table as it will provide a focal point and central unifying point to the room.
> Rectangle The most traditional shape for coffee tables, this works best with long 3-seaters or chaise lounges to balance out the proportion of the lounge.
> Stackable Great for multi-purpose rooms or for people who move a lot, stackable coffee tables allow you to rearrange and re-stack the units in a new shape to suit different spaces or activities.
> Multi-level Adds a new dimension to the coffee table and becomes an aesthetic statement in your room while providing plenty of space to display books and decorative items.
Consider the height of the Coffee table also - if you like to sit on the floor, make sure your legs can fit under the table, or if you like to recline on the lounge and prop your feet up, ensure the table is at a comfortable height.
Placement
To work out the correct placement for your coffee table, it is key to take a look at how you and your family use the space. If it is a room that has a lot of traffic flowing through to another highly used room, like the kitchen, then you must keep in mind the flow of the space and go for a coffee table that is not too large and will not block this flow. If you are looking for a coffee table for a space that is multi-purpose, then perhaps a cluster of side tables is best as they can easily be moved to the side when needed.
Functionality
A coffee table can be more than simply a spot to place a cup of tea it can provide storage, additional seating and make a statement in your living room.
To further narrow down the search, make a list of requirements that the coffee table should have in order to be functional in your space. This may include the ability to double as seating, feature drawers to store magazines and remote controls, a display area for decorative items or be on wheels to move around easily.
Material & Colour
When deciding on the material, colour and finish of your coffee table, think about what you already have in the room and what style you tend to lean towards. If you like very modern and contemporary design, look for glass or polyurethane finishes. If you like more traditional styles, then chunky, solid timber tables may be more your style. For small spaces, simple, curved glass works well as it visually doesnt take up much space.
