Accessories & Furnishings
8 coffee tables guaranteed to perk up any living room
Photography: Stephani Buchman | Story: A Modern, Cali-Inspired Living Room
Accessories & Furnishings
8 coffee tables guaranteed to perk up any living room
Hardly the humble sofa-servants they once were, coffee tables are now masters of style.
Punchy or glamorous, clever or super-useful, they’re redefining the appearances of our living spaces. So, if you have a family room or living room that needs a refresh, try swapping out your coffee table for a statement-making alternative. After all, coffee tables get placed at the centre of the room — why not make them the centre of attention, too?
1. Industrial & functional
Inspired by a 20th-century factory lift, this sheet-metal table can be raised or lowered with a turn of its over-sized wheel, then locked into place. Four casters let the table be pulled toward, or moved away, from your seating. The bold appearance and variable height options make it equally suitable for use as a side table or bar cart.
2. Light giver
Designers agree: change the lighting, change the mood. This illuminated coffee table can glow white, as shown, or one of several other colour options. Use the table indoors, or out. It’s water-proof. And there are no cords—the table is rechargeable. So, you can expect 6-8 hours of sophisticated moon-glow, or party-friendly funky effects, including high-speed strobe or slow-motion colour-changes. It includes a remote control, so you can change the lighting any time you like.
3. Rustic natural
40 in. x 18 in. large rectangular live edge natural teak wood coffee table, $674 USD, homedepot.com.
Fashioned from a Teak root, this coffee table makes the most of nature to provide visual interest and ample surface space. The wood’s knots and gnarls provide large-scale texture and the glass top easily wipes clean.
4. Swivel storage
This contemporary coffee table looks like two stacked disks when closed. Slide the top, however, and a generous storage space appears. The combination of finishes (shiny lacquer and deep walnut veneer) offer instant counterpoint. This is a coffee table that will look as striking in a modern setting as it will in a traditional home. It's great for use in the family room to stow kids’ stuff—and remotes.
5. Colour pop
Available in five vivid hues, this fun coffee table is packed with purpose. Two storage compartments let you keep magazines and books nearby, and the circular stow-spots can also double as cool display shelves. Not only a perfect conversation piece, but the table is also a work of engineering genius. The force of the coiled inner panels is what holds the table frame together — no tools required! What’s more, the table folds flat and can be reconstructed in seconds.
6. Urbane
Concrete is having a design moment and paired with glass, the look is as artful as it is on trend. This table’s clean lines and allusions to cityscape make it a perfect match for a downtown apartment, but it would be equally attractive paired with antique silk rugs in a more classic setting. The heavy glass surface holds plenty, but being near-invisible, it keeps the room feeling bright and open.
7. Watch for curves
Curves are showing up everywhere, particularly in sofas, so coffee tables with soft lines make ideal companions. This one has a soft matte top on a three-legged walnut-finished base. The clean design of the piece gives it a laid-back look, and the open frame is a great fit for small spaces.
8. Trio to go
Who says a coffee table has to be one level? This triple-level version from Structube is as sculptural as it is practical. Place it in front of or at one end of your couch — it’s lightweight and easily moved to the place it’s needed most. The table has metal legs and a veneer top for easy care. Its retro look is ideal for a mid-century setting.
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