Good Designs for Coffee Tables

Coffee tables, also called cocktail tables, serve decorative and practical purposes in the living room. They provide a place for drinks, snacks and entertainment accessories such as remote controls. Positioned in reach of the main seating area, the coffee table occupies a central place in home hospitality. Displaying flower arrangements, art books and sculpture makes the coffee table a focal point in the home. Good designs include features that are safe, practical and attractive. Does this Spark an idea?

Material

With a growing consciousness on the value of living green and choosing eco-friendly products, consider coffee tables designed in sustainable materials such as wood, rattan and bamboo. These natural materials require little maintenance beyond dusting and occasional polishing. Protective finishes and the use of coasters under drinks reduce the risk of damage to the tabletop. Glass tends to show dust and fingerprints, and, in busy households, may need to be cleaned daily. Because glass has such a hard edge and can chip, crack and break, avoid glass coffee tables in homes with children. Metal and metal-framed coffee tables also have a hard edge. The design effects of both glass and metal have their place and work well in adult households. There are also designs combining materials, such as a wood frame with a glass insert in the middle for a cocktail table that requires no coasters.

Shape and Style

Round and oval coffee tables present an inviting appearance. Avoiding corners on low furniture reduces the risk of shin bumps for adults and injuries to children from the edges and corners of squared-off furniture. Coffee tables with rounded edges and rounded corners also share the advantage of being kinder to the body in case of accidental contact. A pedestal-style table (one central support) makes cleaning fast--swoop the duster around the leg and vacuum the visible area of the rug or dust mop the floor. Most coffee tables have four legs, some have three. With multiple legs, coffee tables with widely spaced legs provide the most convenient access for cleaning and are at less risk of damage from vacuum cleaner bumps.

Features

Good features in a coffee table include a lower shelf and drawers. In a busy household, a small living room or in any home where clutter tends to build up, the extra space helps the room stay neater. The lower shelf holds books and magazines. A drawer keeps notepads, pens, crayons, small toys and remotes out of sight when not in use. A coffee table with a cabinet underneath makes a good choice in studios and small rooms, and for anyone who could use extra storage in the living room.