The living room is often the first room in your home that people will see. Therefore, this room should be the most welcoming and feel the coziest. It shouldn't feel cluttered and it shouldn't feel empty.
Most living rooms don't have a focal point, such as a fireplace. However, you can create a focal point with what you do have. The coffee table, for example, can serve as a focal point. If you don't have a fireplace and you don't have room for a coffee table then you can use your walls. On today's post, we'll be talking about the coffee table.
First let me give you some tips.
The coffee table you choose should be about the same size of your sofa. If you have a long sofa, your coffee table should be about as long, minus a few inches. The table height should be no taller than the top of your sofa seat cushions, or too low either. If you have a long sofa and can't find the right size, work with two smaller ones that fit within the length of your sofa or try nesting tables that will allow you to extend. If you have a sectional, nesting tables will pair up really nicely because you can change the orientation of the tables to mimic the sectional. A round coffee table might also work well with a sectional.
With so many styles to choose from, which do you choose? That depends on your style. Do you want classy contemporary, luxurious, rustic, modern, or traditional? Below are some examples.
A standard of 18" of space between the sofa and coffee table is recommended. The table will be neither too far or too close.
So how do you make the coffee table your focal point? It's all in how you style it. There are some basic accessories you should look for.
- Natural or organic: An organic element would be something like a seashell, driftwood sculpture, a mineral rock, or flowers. You can never go wrong with flowers. Flowers are easy to change with the seasons giving your room a more natural and fresh look.
- Books or magazines: You can have a stylish look and keep your visitors entertained. Look for books with covers that have coordinating colors - colors that match your decor. Design books or architectural books are a good choice. Magazines often have seasonal images on the cover - these will work great too.
- Candles: Nothing pulls a room together like candles! A simple item, yet with so many color options, it's a great add-on to the table. Group them in odd numbers on a tray or mixed with potpourri, sand, or rocks, or simply style them alone. You can use candle holders, just be sure to keep them short. Get creative with the candle holders. Mix and match or repurpose something from around the house.
- Tray: Use a tray to help organize a collection of random items you want to display, like the candles, or a bowl, a figurine or coasters. Play around with them.
It is important to keep it simple. A cluttered table is unappealing and reduces the function of the coffee table if you are hosting. If you're using flowers be sure to keep them short. You don't want anything blocking your view. The same goes for all other items, keep them low.
One more trick to remember is to mix styles, shapes, colors, finishes and numbers - odd numbers always work best!
Okay, so I've gathered up some examples of different styles of coffee tables. Which one is your favorite? Mine is rustic, but I also swoon over glass, gold or brassy ones.
 |
| Transitional Wood Table |
The transitional wood table: While the table matches the rest of the furniture perfectly, it is too small. Also, it is too far apart from all of the furniture. Pulled closer to one side will make the room feel more cohesive.
 |
| Geometric Brass Table |
The geometric brass table: This table is perfect! Perfect for the size of the sofa, and complements the decor in the space extremely well. It's almost a statement piece all its own.
#flowers #organic #books #geometric #brass #glass
 |
| Tufted Ottoman Image property of: Jay Jeffers |
The tufted ottoman: This is one of my favorites. I love tufted ottomans in any shape. They are very versatile complementing both casual and luxury designs.
#trays #books #tufted
 |
| Rustic coffee table |
The rustic table: This one is one of the most popular styles of coffee tables. Probably because of it's natural and neutral beauty, but also because it's the easiest to customize.
#books #candles #rustic
 |
| Industrial coffee table |
The industrial coffee table: Another versatile table style. With a mix of wood and metal, it too can be customizable.
#rustic #industrial #books
 |
| Nesting tables |
The nesting tables: Another favorite of mine. I love the look of layers and the option to play with the orientation of the tables. This style of table is perfect if you have a sectional, especially an extra long one.
#nestingtable #organic
 |
| Glass coffee table |
The glass coffee table: A thing of beauty she is! If you don't like the heavy look of a wooden or solid metal coffee table, this is a great option for you. It allows the room to look airy and uncluttered even when styled as elegantly as this one. And with the option to choose different metal finishes you're bound to find one you love.
#glass #flowers #books #candles #organic #chic
Well, we certainly have a lot of options in table styles. And if you look at the details of each image you'll also find lots of great ideas on how to style them. There is no perfect way. The only way to correctly style a table is to do it with all the things that make it perfect for you.
So, which is your favorite? If you can, would you share a picture of your coffee table and how you styled it?
*Disclaimer: The images on this blog have been accredited to the website in which I found them, they are not my own.
