The article has been checked for accuracy (content includes links to reputable media sites, academic research institutions, and occasionally medical studies). All content on our website has been reviewed, however, if you believe our content is inaccurate, out of date or otherwise questionable, you may contact us to make the necessary corrections.
8 minutes
It is a very important piece of furniture for the visual aspect of the living room. The coffee table must be consistent with the rest of the furniture, be functional and have a balanced decoration.
One of the fundamental pieces of furniture when equipping the house is the coffee table. Along with the sofa, is the most important element for living room or the living room. Not only the shape, material and size are involved, but also the way of occupying it. It is common to give more attention to the details of the sofa for decoration, however, the coffee table has a similar role.
A common mistake is to use it as an object repository. If the right ones are accommodated and selected, a more aesthetic appearance can be achieved, making the most of the functionality of the furniture.
There is no perfect copy, although there is a series of tips that serve to choose the one that best suits personal taste. And also to the requirements of the room.
What should I keep in mind when choosing a coffee table?
You have to pay attention to different details when choosing them, since the possibilities are many and the combinations varied. For example, put the focus in its direct link with the sofa, its comfort of use and the space it will occupy, without relegating the functional aspect. In general, it is usually placed in the center of the room.
Think about the needs of the home, depending on who inhabits it
A person living alone is not the same as a family with Small children. It is convenient that, in the second case, materials such as glass or crystal are not chosensince they are easier to break.
Conversely, someone who lives alone or with another adult may be at risk from items like marble or uneven legs.
Shapes of a coffee table
Among the forms that a coffee table can have, there are classic options and other more risky ones. The most common are usually rectangular and roundwhile the hexagonal or asymmetric ones do not please everyone.
If a main piece of furniture is preferred, it is convenient to focus on the decoration, so sophisticated materials must be used. Other people choose them to support plates of food or drinks, which points to elements that are easier to clean. In case that inhabit childrenit is advisable to avoid sharp corners.
other designs
Some people prefer variations that are not always a table, but do serve that function. For example, the recycling of a previous piece of furniture, such as a bedside table.
On the other hand, there are double models, among which are the twin tables and those of the nest type; that is, one smaller than the other. These last two options are among the biggest trends today.
Measures
A fundamental aspect to integrate in the best way a coffee table to the environment is taking some measurements. The most important thing is to know the space you are going to occupy; something that can be simulated by placing duct tape on the floor and imagining its superior build.
It is also convenient to calculate about 50 centimeters of separation with the sofa and an estimate of 1 meter with respect to the television. The size shouldn’t be more than half the size of the chair, but it shouldn’t be much smaller either, as it won’t look good.
Regarding the height, it has to be in accordance with the rest of the furniture in the room, especially the seats. Many people choose the trend of low tables, which brings a minimalist look.
Materials
The previous point leads to the issue of materials. Fundamental characteristic for its durability.
You have to know certain basic aspects of the many variants available for a coffee table:
- Bamboo: flexible material of exotic preferences. It generates the feeling of being in a garden or outdoors.
- Glasses or metals: aimed at those who prefer to prioritize the latest trends in decoration.
- solid wood: a classic choice, destined to have a wide durability and without major complications in terms of fashions and combinations.
- Marble or microcement: They create a look of elegance and sophistication. They are usually combined with metal.
- Crystal: it has the advantage of having a visual effect that reduces your space. In the case of wanting to exhibit floors or carpets, it is an ideal option due to its transparency.
Common mistakes when choosing and decorating a coffee table
Beyond the shape, material and layout of the furniture, it is common for mistakes to be made when occupying it. It is a table that must be functional, but it is also key in the decoration, since it fills an important visual space in the living room.
The following are some common mistakes that it is always preferable to avoid:
- High heights with objects: especially when books and plants are placed. Although it is appropriate to give a height contrast with a floral arrangement, it should not exceed a few centimeters. As for books, 2 or 3 stacked is enough.
- Remote controls in sight: This is an inelegant detail. It is convenient to store them in a drawer or inside a tray.
- Excessive recharge: the coffee table must be occupied, but neither be a repository for objects.
- Do not fill below: Leaving the bottom of the furniture free is a common mistake and a wasted opportunity to complement the decoration.
- Use only the center: the table has several sectors and can be divided to provide a balanced decoration.
- Do not combine materials: many people tend to place objects of the same material as the table. From a decorative point of view, do the opposite. If it is made of wood, glass ornaments, and vice versa.
5 decoration suggestions for the coffee table
Another fundamental issue to achieve a pleasant, functional and decorative coffee table is choose well the objects that adorn it. It is a piece of furniture designed to give an aesthetic appearance, so accumulating things on its surface undermines that objective.
1. Distribute the objects
The goal is to balance the visual weight. That is, the hardest items, like books, go on opposite sides of the table. Vases and small trays can take up the remaining space. It is important to prioritize what is functional for everyday life.
Many people choose some types of indoor plants to decorate the tables. For trays and decorations, materials like glass are always pleasing to the eye.
2. Choose decorations of personal taste
If you have a stack of books, they can be used as a pedestal for a decorative piece of personal taste. As for the trays, if they are going to house objects inside, it is recommended that they have the same shape. In addition, they serve to store those small items that tend to get lost, such as remote controls.
3. Take into account the type of coffee table
Beyond the different decoration strategies, it is not convenient to fill them completely, so that space is available to support other things. If the choice was a nesting table, the largest one is usually used for decoration, while the small one has an auxiliary function.
4. Divide the spaces
A useful strategy is imaginarily dividing the circumference of the table into 3 or 4 different spaces. In this way, it is easier to distribute the plants on one side and the books or trays on the opposite sector.
As for the remaining spaces, remember that smaller objects, such as candles or vases, work best.
5. Compensate for heights
In general, the coffee table is a low piece of furniture. And it’s okay, so be it.
However, to make up for it, it is recommended that some of its elements have a certain height. This can be done with a flower vase, a vase, or a small stack of books.
Attention to form and its adaptation
When decorating, a square coffee table is not the same as a round one. In the first case, it is convenient to make 3 or 4 divisions to fill the spaces in a consistent and balanced way. As for the round ones, items with the same shape, such as vases and candles, are recommended.
It is important that the coffee table is in harmony with the sofa and accompanies it, both in its shape and length. In addition, it must be within the reach of all the people who sit down, so that it fulfills the common function of supporting glasses or saucers.
Combining all these elements, it is possible to achieve a table suitable for the environment, adjusted to personal taste and functional for use.
You might be interested…