How to choose the right coffee table

To me coffee tables are always looked down. We tend to splurge on the sofa, chairs and rug and forget about the coffee table, accent tables, poufs and ottomans. The thing is, choosing the right coffee table is not as easy as it looks. There are a few extra things to consider before picking the right coffee table than only pleasing the eyes.

The first thing to consider is size - it needs to be right in scale and proportion. It can't be too small in relation to your sofa for example, but it can't be so large either, that will become a block in the middle of the room. Height is another aspect to be considered, I can't be bothered more from a coffee table that is higher than the sofa, a good rule of thumb is to have it right at the height of the cushions of the sofa or one to two inches lower. Remember to measure everything, sketch it up on a piece of paper or use tape and mark the floors, this will help you visualize and understand proportions better.

Alongside with size comes the shape of it. I tend to play a little geometry game when I'm designing, if the room is feeling too square then I'll go for a round or oval coffee table. This helps make the room feel proportional and balanced. It is really a game of weighting all of the pieces and finding out what is going to complement them. For example, if you have a chunkier sofa with "no legs", you probably should go for a more visually light coffee table.

Family size and entertainment vibes also should play a role in your decision, think that everyone should always have a place to set their drinks at, for larger families I tend to use nesting coffee tables or a set of 2 or 3 of the same (space allowing).

Lastly, when shopping for the perfect coffee table, think about the material: wood, iron, brass, glass, shagreen, and the list goes on as there are so many options out there. Again, look around and observe what you already have. Mix and matching materials can be difficult but necessary. So, if you already have a wooden media center and chairs with a wooden frame, try to use something else on your coffee table, like a natural stone that will complement the room. If you have a great rug that you want to show off, a glass coffee table might be the best option then. If you have lots of decor pieces you cherish, like travel souvenirs, a tiered coffee table will be a great way to display them.

Well, let's remember that a room will only feel collected and done when all of the small details are completed. What is usually looked down, is exactly what is going to give your room a sense of home. The details, right? Always the details... but that's for another conversation.

Remember, a well-designed room needs a good mix of materials, finishes, shapes, textures and colors, it all comes together as a team to win the game! What is usually looked down, is exactly what is going to give your room a sense of home. The details, right? Always the details... but that's for another conversation.

Below are some of my favorite coffee tables at the moment. Enjoy!

Photo credits: Four Hands Furniture, Regina Andrew Detroit