The main purpose of a coffee table is to provide an additional surface for a room, in a way that does not clutter or detract from the rest of the room’s aesthetic. To avoid it becoming a jumbled mismatched heap of objects, set your intentions for the table. If you have a plan for what it will be used for and how to decorate it, then it might help keep it looking great!

Here are some tips for getting your coffee table looking wonderful:

1. Show off your favorite things!

• Maybe it’s a beautiful shell collection, small statues, antiques, or art…anything! Don’t be afraid to show off your interests and the things that you hold most dear (unless you have children and they might take a dangerous tumble…!)

2. Incorporate textiles

• A beautiful piece of fabric or small tablecloth is a wonderful way to add your own taste to the room, and create a comfortable and soft feel.

3. Use low-lying boxes or trays for storage

• To prevent smaller things from getting lost and to break up the look of your coffee table, position certain clusters together on additional boxes or trays.

4.  Candles

• A few candles on a coffee table or side tables will add a warm glow to your living room.

5.  Keep it balanced and proportional

• It’s great to use mismatched items of varying sizes and heights, but make sure they are arranged in such a way that you still retain a sense of balance.

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The key is to have a little something from multiple genres. This way, no matter who finds themselves sitting in front of your coffee table, he or she will have no problem amusing themselves, or finding something to help spark up a conversation. A large book with exquisite imagery is always a good option for your coffee table. Not only will it most likely come with a beautiful cover, but it will also provide onlookers with a brief respite from the day… an effortless journey to somewhere drop-dead gorgeous. Here are 10 different categories of books, and suggestions for each. Have fun with this and don’t be afraid to go outside of your usual library!

1. Something beautiful:

• We suggest: National Geographic Stunning Photographs
• http://www.amazon.com/National-Geographic-Stunning-Photographs-Griffiths/dp/1426213921/ref=sr_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411759044&sr=1-10&keywords=national+geographic

2. Something funny:

• No day would be complete without laughter.
• We suggest Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
• http://www.amazon.com/Skyscrapers-Judith-Dupre/dp/1579121535

3. Something informative:

• We suggest A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson
• https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21.A_Short_History_of_Nearly_Everything

4. Something profound:

• We suggest Man’s Search for Meaning
• http://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/080701429X

5. Something impressing:

• We suggest: Skyscrapers by Judith Dupre
• http://www.amazon.com/Skyscrapers-Judith-Dupre/dp/1579121535

6. Something factual:

• We suggest: The New Book of Lists: The Original Compendium of Curious Information by David Wallechinsky

7. Something weird:

• We suggest: Funny and Weird Facts: 600 Interesting Facts You Never Knew by Arthur Joyce
• http://www.amazon.com/Funny-Weird-Facts-Interesting-Never-ebook/dp/B00CV32CSC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411759718&sr=1-1&keywords=weird+facts

8. Something cute:

• Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom
• http://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Friendships-Remarkable-Stories-Kingdom/dp/0761159134/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1411759791&sr=1-2&keywords=cute+animals

9. Something motivating:

• We suggest: 365 Most Prolific Motivating Quotes by Kevin H.
• http://www.amazon.com/365-Most-Prolific-Motivating-Quotes/dp/1492192147

10. Something to put life into perspective:

• We suggest: A Short Guide to a Happy Life by Anna Quindlen
• http://www.amazon.com/A-Short-Guide-Happy-Life/dp/0375504613

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If your coffee table is about 50-70% of the length of your couch, it is probably big enough. Depending how big or small your coffee table is determines how much you can actually use the table for. If it’s too small, it will look cluttered with even just a few items. Make sure that you think realistically about how the table will be used. If it’s really just for a small little nook for one
or two people, a small side table might suffice. If, on the other hand, it’s going to be the main coffee table in your living room, you might want to get a larger table so that it can be as useful as possible; however, it is possible to cross the line and have a table that verges on being too big.

If the table is almost equal in length to your couch, it will be difficult to get around. Instead of adding to the flow of your space, an overly large table will detract from it. It’s important to consider foot traffic- will people be able to manoeuvre themselves easily around the room? If the answer is no, you (and your guests) will have a tricky time navigating from one room to the next. Inevitably, you’ll end up having to move the coffee table back and forth, as people come and go. Overall, just aim for balance! If something feels off and the room feels disproportionate, it probably is. Picking out a perfectly sized coffee table doesn’t have to be a chore- just aim to compliment your pre-existing space.

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Steps for selecting your new coffee table:

• Decide where it should go.

• Knowing which room your new coffee table will go in will help you curtail which type of style or size you’re looking for…maybe you need something for a finished basement, living room, or TV room? Each undoubtedly has its own style, and will help direct your search.

• Choose a style to fit your space.

• Once you have some sort of an idea of what style you’re looking for, it will be easier to sort through your options. In this case, style reflects the materials used to construct the table, and it’s shape. Materials-wise, you’ve got lots of options…most notably metal, stone, wood, or glass. For a sleek modern look, keep an eye out for a blend of metal and glass materials. For a more homey look, look for tables made of reclaimed “farmhouse” style wood.
• Shape wise, you’ve also got a few options- square, rectangular, oval, or round. Depending on your space, choosing the right shape will make your room as functional as possible. If you have lots of different chairs rather than one main couch, a round table will work better. When you enter a room, think about the most sensible walking route, and base your table’s shape around that. The worst thing when picking furniture is to choose something that doesn’t fit the space, or impedes on you walking from one room to the next.

• Decide what size you’d like your coffee table to be.

• A coffee table is meant to enhance a space- both visually and functionally. Your furniture should fit well spatially, in such a way that it doesn’t stand out too much; rather, it fits seamlessly into the overall flow of the space. If you have a larger couch, you will need a comparably sized table, or consider using two smaller square tables side by side. If you have a lot of mismatched furniture, a round table will add some softness to an otherwise “jagged” assemblage of chairs or couches.

• Need any additional features

• Is it important for you to have a coffee table that also has a lot of storage, or maybe one that will allow you to display some of your valuables? Let it help you get organized, or serve as an added surface for your belongings. A table can have several uses, add more functionality, and be visually appealing at the same time.

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