Coffee Tables Buying Guide

If space is tight in your living area, then the ideal solution is a round coffee table. The Glam range of coffee tables are perfect for this and come in a variety of size options including a sofa table - this is perfect when you want a table close to your couch but you only have a small amount of floor space.

A nest of coffee tables is another clever solution when you want the option of more table-top space for visitors without the need to have tables permanently taking up the living area. The absolutely stunning Chevron nest of tables is one really practical option; the tables nestle into each other and feature a black parquet top resting on a gold metal frame just oozing luxury!

A round or oval coffee table is perfect when you need a good amount of table-top surface for drinks, snacks etc. The oval shape provides that surface space needed yet allows for a good flow of movement around the seating and can be easily maneuvered when required. The Osaka Acacia Wood coffee table is one option for this type of shape.

Coffee Table Types

• Sofa, End or Side Table

These names are used interchangeably but essentially they are all a type of table that can be put to the side, or the end of your sofa or couch or beside an accent or armchair. They’re ideal for lamp display, placing some books or a vase on or just as a side table for your tea or coffee. It can be a nice relaxed look to have a couple of sofa tables dotted around a larger living room. The Float sofa table is a stylish, practical but discreet option with its Scandi-style look.

• Storage Coffee Table

Living rooms, just by their nature, can become quite cluttered with books, newspapers, games, candles and so on. A coffee table with storage is the perfect solution for a clutter-free space as it allows you to have the functionality of the coffee table as well as storage options! Our Loft coffee table is exceptionally popular with its unique pine finish (there are other matching items in the Loft collection!) and it has a couple of drawers and an open shelf - ideal for storage and display in the living room! Another option is the sleek Cadell Aged Oak coffee table; it’s lower than usual coffee tables with a height of 34cm and the drawers are discreet for perfect, quick storage.

• Coffee Table Nests

Coffee table nests are perfect for both small and larger rooms. With smaller living areas, coffee table nests can be easily taken out and then stored away when not required. We recommend the Indus Rustic Oak & Peppercorn nest of tables. This is such a versatile collection because you also have the option if you have a bigger area of adding in the standard Indus coffee table and have the Indus nest as back-up for when you have a larger group of guests. Plus there is a whole Indus range of furniture to really make a style statement!

• Traditional Coffee Table Alternatives

If the purpose of the coffee table is to have somewhere to lay down items like coffee cups, then there are other options to the traditional solution. You could utilise a blanket box as a coffee table alternative - we love this Hastings grey blanket box; it’s elegant and functional because you can store lots (think extra living room cushions and blanket / throw storage). You could add a lovely tray on top to place some accents like a candle holder! We also like the idea of an ottoman doubling up as a coffee table through the addition of a pretty tray - the Sleigh ottoman would be perfect for this idea but any ottoman that would complement your existing furniture would work well!

Coffee Table-Top Materials

In terms of materials, of course wood and wood finished coffee tables are hugely popular. However, if you have a lot going on in terms of textures, colours or patterns in your living room already, a good option might be a glass coffee table; this won’t impose itself on your décor but will still add the function. We like the Zest glass coffee table for its modern style!

We simply love the Black Wire coffee tables set. The table-top is a deep black glass and the wire frame gives a really minimalist and modern look!

The Eden Sheesham wood coffee table is the showstopper in wooden coffee tables for us! It’s made from a naturally sourced Sheesham Wood; this unique coffee table has wonderful angular lines in its appearance and handily provides storage options underneath if needed.

The oval shaped Stulle Melamine Top coffee table is really on trend and it’s a fantastically practical surface (melamine) because it’s durable to hot drinks like tea and coffee cups so ideal for having that cuppa with visitors!

How to Style a Coffee Table

Once you have your coffee table that suits your needs, it’s time for the fun part - styling with home accessories .Of course, you can change things up over time, but below indicates some good starting points

• Something Green: We all love a nice plant to add interest to an area and a small plant like the one featured in the image is ideal.
• An Unusual Object: Adding in a figurine / ornament such as the bird in the image allows you to add further depth / interest to the area and also it allows for the introduction of some colour.
• Add Height: A vase or larger accessory is ideal for this part of the styling. Of course, take care not to have something that is too high in case it obstructs your TV!
• Stack of Books: Adding a pile of smaller books or magazines to the coffee table will give an instant sense of style. You could also top them off with your favourite candle.