How to choose a coffee table for the living room - useful tips and options

A coffee table is not the main piece of furniture, however, it can have a bright attractive shade and become a highlight in the interior of your home. It is most important to put it in the living room, hall or office. A coffee table is not only a decor item. It can be used as a stand for books, magazines, a laptop or as a storage place for a variety of little things. Also at such a table you can chat and have tea parties with friends and guests.

Types of coffee tables

Classic coffee table

It is used for storage of various presses, books, it is usually equipped with additional sections, shelves under the tabletop and pull-out drawers.

Dining coffee table

A small copy of the traditional dining table. The design with a round or square worktop has a central support and several legs (from one to four).

Coffee table

A table in the form of an inverted letter - "P". The support legs slide under sofa or a bed, and the countertop is located above the seat or side.

Coffee table platform

It looks like a stand table with a central support. On such a table you can put a vase with sweets, a cup of tea, a telephone, a candelabrum with candles, a table lamp.

Decorative coffee table

Such a coffee table is an exclusive from famous designers, made of expensive ultramodern quality materials. Typically, such tables are not famous for great functionality, but are bought for the purpose of contemplation and admiring, and will also become a wonderful decoration of the decoration of the apartment.

Matryoshka coffee table

A set of several tables (from 2 to 6), one smaller than the other. The original "set" of tables is perfect for a friendly company. Also, such a “pairing” effect can be used in general in the design of an apartment, in other elements of the interior.

Coffee showcase

A coffee table with a glass top, under which there is a shelf with a variety of souvenirs, crafts, cute little things. There are "windows" with an alcoholic bar or even equipped with a beautiful aquarium with backlight.

Convertible coffee table

Folding coffee table, which combines several subtypes at once - dining, bedside, computer. A little effort - and your table has changed.

Coffee table material

Manufacturing companies present coffee tables made of the following materials:

• Glass coffee table. Coffee tables with a glass surface or completely made of glass increase the space of the room, amaze with their magnificent original appearance, strict laconic design and resistance to mechanical damage and scratches.Particularly spectacular models with a support in the form of snags or hemp of trees, corals, animal horns, various abstract designs. Dust and fingerprints fall on a cold glass table “well”, but at the same time it is simple and easy to clean. Especially careful should be those who have small children or pets - after all, a glass coffee table is quite fragile. Some users left feedback about the fact that when you touch the dishes with a glass top, there is a specific sound that can subsequently annoy;
• Wooden coffee table. Expensive, environmentally friendly material is suitable for lovers of tradition, naturalness and durability. Classic wooden coffee tables are unpretentious in maintenance, pleasant to touch and harmoniously suitable for any interior decoration of a home. It must be remembered that wooden furniture is not waterproof and with significant mechanical pressures there may be traces on it. Elite coffee tables are produced from expensive valuable tree species - rattan, wenge, dark walnut. Usually, trees of such species are used in everyday life - pine, birch, alder, oak, aspen, beech and others;
• Chipboard coffee table. Inexpensive and fairly toxic material. Coffee tables made of chipboard are not very beautiful, have a smell and are not resistant to humidity;
• Coffee table MDF. This material is more expensive than chipboard. It is considered durable, environmentally friendly and practical - it is a good combination of price and quality. Such a coffee table can be bought inexpensively. And as an option, chipboard / MDF (laminated) is a common practical choice of table. Models that are prettier and more expensive are decorated with veneers similar to solid wood;
• Rattan coffee table. This wood is famous for its strength, resistance to moisture, ease of care. There is a wide range of textures, colors, shapes of coffee tables from rattan;
• A coffee table made of stone. Little tables made of stone are characterized by high quality, durability, original design, durability in operation. The disadvantages of "stone" furniture include high cost, solid weight and careful regular care. The stone can be natural and artificial. In the first case, a luxurious, expensive stone is taken, which requires certain labor costs in maintenance - spots can appear on the countertop, which are difficult to remove. The most commonly used natural stones are granite, onyx, and marble. In the second - tables made of agglomerate with artificial "roof" outwardly the same with granite and marble counterparts, however, they are considered more accessible and practical;
• Metal. Such a “heavy” table is only suitable for a certain interior stylee.g. high tech or loft. The material is considered specific and rather unpleasant when touched. But in expensive stores of coffee tables, models are sold that have elegant forged elements of metal - supporting legs, patterns, monograms and other decorative elements;
• Leather coffee table. Leather furniture It looks stylish and respectable, perfect for an expensive, and most often, office interior, for example,office. The disadvantage of a leather table is the high cost, difficult care. Dishes, household items that are placed on such a table, must be clean and dry. And as an option - you can purchase a budget coffee table made of faux leather;
• Coffee table made of plastic. Inexpensive material, characterized by lightness and ductility. Coffee tables made of plastic can be of various shapes. Minus - such tables are unstable to mechanical stress and short-lived;
• Composite coffee table. This is a mix of several different textures. For example, metal and wood, glass and wood, leather and wood, and others.

Coffee table shape

According to the shape of the countertops, there is such a classification: round, square, oval, triangular, rectangular, in the form of a polygon or some other arbitrary shape.

For save space in the living room tables with sharp corners (rectangular, triangular, square) are placed near the wall. Furniture of this kind is traumatic, so where there are small children, it is more advisable to buy round, oval options.

It is necessary to consider and floor area - depending on this factor, and the shape of the table may vary.

Coffee table style

The style of the coffee table is interdependent on the general decoration of the room.

• Traditional. Usually has a strict classical form. Most often this is a wooden table, with any decorative elements - metal curved legs, unusual support. It is important that the coffee table made of wood and all other furniture in the living room look like a single ensemble.
• Provence. The specificity of this style lies in a calm pastel color scheme, in the naturalness of the materials used. The French style also implies unusual elements of decor in the design of coffee tables, for example, artificial aging, two-tier, carved patterns.
• Modern. Designer's creativity is unlimited - coffee tables of various fancy laconic forms from all existing materials (glass, leather, wood, metal, stone, plastic).
• Loft. "Street" style, combining rudeness and brutality, due to which originality is born. Roughly processed wood, causing metal fittings, clumsy - all this is a loft style.
• High tech. A high-tech coffee table is characterized by lightness, dynamism, weightlessness, a symbiosis of originality and always up-to-date comfort.
• Country. The coffee table in ethnic style is distinguished by original carved decoration, mosaics, ornaments, roughness, decor elements in national themes. Country tables are made of the most ordinary materials - wood logs, bamboo, stone, rattan, leather.
• Pop Art. Pop art style is a kind of reconstruction of ordinary things, pieces of furniture into something extravagant and fantastic. This “masterpiece” will immediately transform any living room with its brightness and originality.

Coffee table equipment

• Retractable drawers. It will be needed to store any small things (toys, accessories, sets of board games). Each box is sure to find an application.
• Shelves. Fold your favorite newspapers and magazines, books are easy and simple, having a coffee table with enough shelves, and closing shelves, compartments will protect the contents from the eyes of other people.
• Wheels Easy transportation of furniture will allow you to freely move the table around living room. Wheels must be secured with a lock to prevent sudden independent movement. A coffee table on wheels is an excellent choice for large companies and tea party lovers.

How to make a coffee table with your own hands? (video)

What you need to know before you buy a coffee table?

• give preference to well-known established manufacturing companies, so you get high-quality furniture, the corresponding official guarantee and certificate;
• pay due attention to the quality of furniture fittings - legs, wheels, drawer handles, etc .;
• carefully check the product for any visible defects - chipping, scratches, deformation, bumps.

Coffee table tips and tricks

• monitor the room temperature, do not allow excessive humidity in the room in which the table stands. This adversely affects any material, whether it is wood, metal or glass;
• if there is a heating source in the room (fireplace, heater, air conditioning), place the coffee table at an impressive distance from it.This will protect the wooden table from drying out;
• if any liquid gets on the table, immediately remove it;
• do not put hot utensils, household items directly on the table, use a special support-base for this;
• wooden tables cannot be washed with detergents for mirror and glass surfaces, and glass cannot be washed with abrasive substances;
• do not allow direct exposure to ultraviolet rays - the varnish coating of the countertop may crack and burn out;
• Do not use sponges or rags with coarse, stiff fibers;
• Protect the glass table from heavy objects, sharp objects - this way you will save the glass “roof” from cracks, scratches and chips;
• Maintenance of the coffee table requires the use of soft tissues, napkins with special polishes, after which it is imperative to wipe the surface dry with a flannel cloth.