COFFEE (TABLE) TALK
5 Easy Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Piece for Your Space
In the quest to find THE coffee table, there are many factors worth considering. Yet with so many options out there, it may be confusing to know where to begin. What factors help narrow down the search? These tips will make this task a bit more manageable by giving you questions to consider and pointing out factors that should be taken into account when deciding what shapes, sizes, and styles should make the final cut.
Match the Room’s Shape
The very first thing that goes into selecting a coffee table for your space is taking into account the shape of your room. If your living room is long and narrow, don’t waste your time looking for square or round coffee tables. You will end up with a coffee table that is disproportionate to the room and furniture arrangement. Square rooms should have square or round coffee tables and rectangle rooms should have rectangular or oval coffee tables.
Keep it Low
A coffee table is considered accent furniture. It should be just that—an accent. Keeping tables low will take up less visual space and allow for the more predominant furniture—like sofas—to set the stage. The preferred height for your coffee table is usually the same height as your seat cushion—about eighteen inches. You can veer a couple of inches in either direction and be fine. But as the height of your coffee table creeps up, you are visually taking away space from the overall furniture arrangement and throwing the scale of your space out of balance.
Round vs. Rectangle
I like to keep it pretty simple in my overall furniture arrangements. However, I like things to appear balanced. If you have some seriously straight and chunky lines in your room, you may opt for a round or oval shaped table to make it more visually interesting. Conversely, if your room has a bunch of slouchy, soft lines, you could try a more structured rectangular or square coffee table. Offsetting the shape of your coffee table with the other furniture in your space will give you a very complete and balanced look.
Make it Personal
I like to infuse a bit of personal style when it comes to designing spaces for my clients. I will select a coffee table that matches their demeanor—artistic, creative, or serious. You may play around with different materials such as wood, metal, and glass. Odd shapes and unusual bases are another great way to imbue some personal style.
Fill the Space Appropriately
Not only will your space dictate the shape of your table, but it will also have an impact on its size. If you have a large space with high ceilings, opt for an oversized coffee table. If your space is closer to the size of an apartment, keep it minimal. There is nothing more cringe in the design world than a perfectly operational room with a simply too-small coffee table. Make sure you give really great thought to the size of your coffee table by considering the size of your room. Take a measuring tape and try out different sizes.
Interiors Editor Erin Melkonian
Erin Melkonian
Interiors Editor
Erin runs a collaborative design firm, EMID Design Group, specializing in healthcare, hospitality, and residential interior design, in Fresno, California. Seeing the world through an artistic lens has allowed Erin to experiment in a number of different styles. Everything she does with a space is deliberate. Every piece has a purpose and has been thought about (from color, to position, to scale) in order to create the most unique and personal spaces for her clients.
