5 Tips to Consider When Choosing a Coffee Table
A coffee table is an essential part of a living room. It's more than just a piece of furniture to place your drink while you entertain your guest. It also has to complement your home décor perfectly. This is because a coffee table often serves as the focal point of the living room, catching your guests' attention. As such, choosing the wrong table can throw your entire interior design out of whack, ensuring it sticks out like a sore thumb.
Therefore, before you commit to any purchase, it is crucial for you to do your homework to ensure you get the ideal coffee table that complements your home décor. Let us share five tips you should keep in mind when you are out shopping for a coffee table.
1. Pay attention to size and proportion
It is common for homeowners to prioritize their living room seating arrangements before choosing a coffee table to match their sofas. Doing so is ideal, as it allows you to better gauge the size and proportion of your coffee table.
Ideally, your coffee table should be around two-thirds the length of your sofa. And with regards to the placement of the furniture, it should be within 14 to 18 inches from your couch. This ensures the table is close enough so that you don't have to stretch to place your drink while allowing sufficient legroom for you and your guests.
As for the height of the coffee table, it should be aligned with your sofa cushion so that it is aesthetically balanced and comfortable for the users. It is fine if the table is a few inches shorter or taller, but it should not exceed 2 inches. Any lower or higher, the table will be uncomfortable to use.
2. Select the right material
Coffee tables can come in a wide selection of materials – wood, marble, and glass, just to name a few. As such, the material you choose is highly dependent on the interior design of your living room.
Look at the current or planned theme of your living room and furniture pieces to decide which material complements your décor best. For example, if you are aiming for a rustic look, you will likely go with a wooden coffee table. Conversely, if you are looking for a sleek, industrial style, you would probably go with a combination of glass, brass, and steel.
3. Go for visual impact
It is essential to keep in mind that your coffee table is not just a piece of functional furniture but also a vital design element. Therefore, it should complement your existing furniture and living space. Ideally, the end result should make sense stylistically.
For example, a glass-top coffee table is a stylistic match for a small living room, as it makes the space appears larger and more open. Furthermore, if your living room features a luxurious rug, the transparent surface will serve to enhance the visual impact of the piece since the coffee table does not obstruct the view.
4. The function is just as important
While the emphasis on style and substance is crucial, it is also vital to remember that the coffee table has to serve its basic functions. So you should also consider how you plan to use the furniture. Some coffee tables are a repository for books, photo albums, laptops, and magazines, whereas others function as a mini dining table, holding an assortment of food, drinks, and takeout dinners.
5. Think about your lifestyle and needs
If you have children or pets to think about, then you probably should not go with a coffee table with sharp edges or one made of glass. Furthermore, if your kids typically use the coffee table to do their homework, you would not want their pens and crayons glossing over your new precious marble-tops. Perhaps an oval-shaped or upholstered ottoman coffee table may be better suited to your family's needs.
Additionally, you need to consider your needs. If your lifestyle is pretty hectic, you might want to avoid materials that require more care and attention. For example, wood is susceptible to stain rings unless you use a coaster to safeguard the table from the condensation forming on a mug or bottle. Factor in your everyday needs to decide which coffee table is ideal for you.
Conclusion
You should not dismiss the importance of choosing the right coffee table. Not only is it the focal point of your living room, enhancing the aesthetics of the room, but it also serves various essential functions in your everyday life. As such, it is vital for you carefully consider all aspects before committing to a purchase.
Once you have a general idea of what you are looking for, you can browse our luxurious selection of coffee tables online or visit our showroom to experience our products first-hand! At Finn Avenue, we offer a vast array of furniture styles to meet your furnishing needs. If style and elegance are what you are looking for in your furniture, we guarantee you will find the piece you need to complete your home décor.
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