Coffee Tables

The best contemporary coffee tables toe the line between sculptural and practical. The purpose of a coffee table is to anchor a seating arrangement and offer a surface for beverages, reading material, and more. They're also used to display decorative objects, bringing style and personality to your living room. When it comes to deciding how tall should a coffee table be, it depends on the height of your sofa. A living room table should be level with or slightly lower than the seat of the sofa. If you have a sofa with a high sit, opt for a high coffee table. If your living room seating is modern and low-slung, choose a low table.

Ultimately, the overall size of the table will depend on the size of your living room. Expansive living areas or family rooms can benefit from a large coffee table that offers ample surface space for hosting cocktail night or spreading out a board game for family game night. Conversely, compact coffee tables or occasional tables are better suited to living spaces with a small footprint.

Coffee Table Styles

Coffee tables are available in many different materials, including wood, metal, glass, and marble. A wood coffee table instantly adds warmth to a room. Dark woods evoke a traditional aesthetic, while lighter woods feel more contemporary. Wood surfaces are easy to clean, but they're also porous. Be sure to keep a stack of coasters nearby to prevent rings from beverages with condensation. Sleek and lightweight, metal coffee tables are durable and can easily be wiped clean. Unlike wood, metal isn't porous, so it's easier to maintain over time. Glass coffee tables are ideally suited to small rooms. They allow light to pass through, making a space feel bigger. Like metal, glass is easy to clean, but it can be prone to scratches. Avoid abrasive materials or objects to help prevent scratches. Finally, marble is an elegant material that can add a striking look to a room. Like wood, marble is porous, so keep coasters on hand for beverages.

When it comes to shape, choose one that provides visual contrast to your other furnishings. For example, if you have a sofa with clean lines and 90-degree angles, juxtapose it with a round coffee table. Tray-top coffee tables are great for corralling small decorative objects. If you're looking to maximize space, choose a coffee table with storage features, like drawers or additional shelves.

How to Choose a Coffee Table for Your Living Room

Wondering how to choose a coffee table? HAY coffee tables come in various materials and styles. If your home is more traditional, choose a glass top coffee table with wooden legs. If you're more of a minimalist, opt for an architectural polished stainless steel coffee table. For eclectic interiors, select a colorful coffee table to visually anchor a space. Once you've decided on a table, follow these tips on how to decorate a coffee table. Depending on the size of the table, choose three to five decorative objects to display, such as a vase, candleholder, or coffee table book. If you choose to display smaller items, place them on a coffee table tray. Remember to incorporate a stack of coasters if your coffee table is porous. For versatile coffee tables, decor, trays, and more, shop contemporary Danish designs at HAY.