The living room table has a big part in the room’s aesthetics and functionality. It can make or break the space and people still don’t pay much attention to its style, shape and colour. You need something that will fit the space, complement the rest of the interior and be as practical as it can.
What to Consider When Buying
Material
Choosing the right material that will complement the living room’s overall design is of great importance because not every material matches every interior design. There’s a big variety of tables for a living room to choose from. You can go for a traditional wooden one, a more contemporary glass-top table or an industrial metal one.
Wood
Nothing can beat the popularity of wood as a table material. This is a classic choice that can take up so many forms that you can’t compare it to any other material. It looks amazing and it gives a sense of peace and tranquillity around it. Wood fits in well with homes with a rustic or country feel.
The three most popular types of wood for this type of furniture are walnut, oak and mahogany. They belong in the hardwood category, are very sturdy and can last for many years to come if you take care of them properly. It doesn’t require a lot of attention. An occasional cleaning and some waxing will suffice. Just keep an eye on water rings and always use a coaster when serving beverages.
Metal
Metal gained its popularity with the rise of new trends and styles. Metal tables are made of steel, iron or aluminium. In some cases, manufacturers can use other alloys, but the quality of the table will be compromised. Metal tables give the living room a vintage appeal and can match almost any interior design.
They’re oftentimes combined with a glass top that serves as an elegant finish to a robust table design. You’ll notice that the glass has fingerprints, but you can easily clean them up. The glass-metal combination looks great, but if you have small children, this might not be the best choice because of safety reasons.
Stone
Stone is a good option for you if you’re willing to spend a few extra dollars on your coffee table. These tables are sturdy, quite attractive, and incredibly durable. They require more upkeep than other options but are a true eye-catcher. The most popular stones used are alabaster, marble, granite, basalt, slate, limestone and travertine. None of them have a problem with heat and none will get scratches or warp over time.
Size
Most tables for a living room are considered coffee tables. Their size should be in cohesiveness with the rest of the furniture. This is especially important for the sofa or some other seating area where the table is placed in front. No matter the furniture’s style, the size of the table shouldn’t be disproportional.
Always take measurements. The table shouldn’t be longer than two-thirds of the length of the sofa. Make sure you leave enough room (approximately 50cm) around the table for people to move freely and stretch their legs comfortably. The height of the table shouldn’t be higher than the seating base of the sofa. If you want to make it lower, don’t go further than 5cm because it’ll be uncomfortable and impractical.
Shape
You can find living room tables in a variety of shapes. The shape and size of the room will be the main influence of the table shape, but you should also pay attention to the seating arrangements around it.
Rectangular
You should get a rectangular sofa if you have a regular, everyday sofa. By combining the two, you get a seating area that’s comfortable for everyone that’s sitting around the table. They can easily access the coffee, drinks and food on the table. This is a good combo if you don’t have enough walk-around space. To make the table more practical, choose a design with drawers. Now, you’ll have extra storage space for cords, remotes, magazines, batteries and other knick-knacks.
Square
If you have a large, cosy sectional or a more traditional arrangement with a sofa and plenty of chairs, a square table is a great choice. If you have an L-shaped nook, it’ll fit perfectly. One advantage of square tables is that they give you a lot of styling space. If you want to experiment and break the rules a bit, get a table with a square top and a round base.
Round
Round tables are great space savers. They fit nicely in smaller rooms where there’s barely room for a coffee table. It goes well with a sectional or a chase-style sofa. If you want to make the space look bigger, get a glass round top. This detail will create an airy and visually open room. Plus, a round table is safe around children. No sharp edges for them to get hurt on.
Oval
If the living room is rectangular, an oval-shaped table will look nice. It’ll elongate the room and complement its shape. You’ll get a good flow in the space especially if it’s a high-traffic area. An oval table can soften the look of an angular sofa and make a statement.
Style
Bringing the room together and matching the table to your existing décor is the final thing to think about. Go for a table that will bring depth, add visual appeal and complement your lifestyle.
Modern/Contemporary
The characteristics of a modern interior design are glass, metals, simple shapes, clean lines and dark colours. You have a wide variety of designs to choose from. You can go with a glass top table with a metal base, a painted concrete table or even one made of a whole tree trunk. Modern designs often come in neutral and darker colours such as black, shades of brown, grey and even silver and gold. The most modern shapes are oval and round.
Classic
When thinking about the classic, traditional style, consider something resilient, solid, timeless, and simplistic. This style includes lighter-coloured woods, simple elements and timeless, elegant decoration. Go for tones such as cream, white and light brown.
French Traditional
This style is ornate, intricate, and hefty, evoking an old-world, Henry VIII mood which is the exact opposite of the modern style. When you’re browsing through the store, you’ll notice that this style has many colours involved. It’s mainly browns, creams and some cool greys. Also, you’ll notice that the corners and the legs of the tables have small but very detailed ornaments that make them more vibrant.
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