Coffee tables are low tables that act as a carrying space for essentials like coffee, remote controls, newspapers, and magazines. They have a position of being the family get-together point in various cultures. Coffee tables have been a practice in Europe since the early 19th century. They are also prominent in Japanese tea-drinking culture. They are smaller than a dining table. Often they are even used as a second dining area, especially for smaller groups.
Great grandfathers of coffee tables were tripods with a stand that carried tea cups and kettles. Coffee tables later evolved into rectangular or circular teapoys that were used to carry tea or coffee and eatables during tea time.
Coffee as a cultural statement spread across the world by the 21st century so did coffee tables. It became a place where people could enjoy breaks from their mundane life. People coming to cafes no longer came to just satiate their hunger and thirst. Coffee tables in cafes bring people together. Unlike tables and chairs to serve people, coffee tables are a real game changer for friend groups. The coziness of a coffee table enables people to stay closer and have longer conversations. This means more coffee and more business for the cafe.
Coffee time gossip and conversations became essential in every household. In Asian cultures where people sit on the floor to eat, the coffee table spread quite slowly as it was an accompaniment to the sofa. When television became commonplace at home, coffee tables gained more popularity. They were built at a height to not obstruct the view of the television. Most people would watch their favorite show while having coffee. Coffee tables were needed to keep the cups and snacks between each sip.
Chinese coffee tables were initially rectangular. They slowly became a part of the sofa set, converting them into an essential in the living room or pantry.
As more people started to read for leisure, coffee tables took a larger role. Who does not love reading a book keeping their legs up? They are perfect to pair up with your window-side armchair. Imagine lying down in an armchair and watching the rain, sipping tea or coffee. A coffee table is inevitable in this perfectly relaxing scene.
Coffee tables are the perfect harmony of aesthetics and functionality. It has the traditional old-school charm that helps to elevate the beauty of your home interiors. Coffee table is a piece of furniture that is traditional and contemporary at the same time.
Styling your coffee table
- Eye-catching display – use porcelain vases or sculptures to go with your coffee wooden table. You can add Greek-style mini-white statues to make your table look distinct.
- Open book – this trick especially works in offices and cafes. Open a coffee-table book and flip it to your favorite page. Leave it on the table with a chunky statement bookmark. It can even be a book based on your work and culture in the office to grab the eyeballs of your visitors.
- Porcelain or wooden boxes – keep refreshments like mints or sugary treats in porcelain or wooden storage boxes and leave them in a tray on your coffee table. It can even be the “treat spot” for your kids. Your guests are going to love this unique touch.
- If your coffee table is quite low, play around with the height of the centerpiece. You can experiment with a taller plant or perhaps a Bonsai tree. This can work well if there is some amount of sunlight available on the coffee table.
- Leave board games and puzzles – If you are someone who firmly believes that puzzles are not just for kids and likes to work your brain during short breaks, leave some aesthetically pleasing but interesting puzzles on your coffee table. Every time you are burnt out, go grab your puzzle!
- Candles and agarbattis – coffee tables can be a convenient spot for filling the room with fragrance. A lot of artisanal brands of incense sticks and handmade waxes are available now. So when you are not burning them, they make a great centerpiece for the table.
- Giant trays – use large trays that can hold multiple things like a flower pot, newspaper, and teacups to be kept over the table. Ensure that they are tough but lightweight to not put too much pressure on the table.
- Fill a flat bowl with water and drop in some fresh flowers to float in it. If you are too lazy to change them every day, fill the bowl with some pebbles or glass beads. All of these add to the personality of the room.
- Add a smaller pedestal- if your table is wide enough add another pedestal on which you can place objects like a fruit bowl.
- Lamps – of course, we cannot miss out on the classic. It need not be as large as a bedside lamp but a smaller one with LED bulbs. You can also place brass lamps to give your table a traditional touch.
Types of coffee tables to look out for
Wooden coffee table
They are the classics in the world of coffee tables. Wooden coffee table ranges from dark walnut shades to light wood with glass tops. They are classy and can be knocked down for transportation.
Small coffee tables
They are small in size and will nearly look like a stool. But make no mistake, they are single-person-sized coffee tables. They can be an accompaniment to the main center table or coffee table. They are a neat addition to corners between sofa sets.
Glass top tables
Glass top coffee tables are a safe bet for minimal interiors. Glass tables from HomeTown are 8mm thick tempered glass to prevent breakages. But to be on the safer side, do not use heavy centerpieces that may cause scratches and put too much pressure on the glass. However, they are ideal to keep your coffee set, magazines, remote controls, and common media units.
Coffee table with racks
Coffee tables with side racks are your cupboard substitutes for the living room. Since it would be odd to have a giant cupboard in common areas, you can store goods on the coffee table and TV unit.
Round coffee table
Round coffee tables are not common in homes. But they are essential when you want to avoid corners, especially when hyperactive toddlers are around. Round wooden coffee tables have a vintage feel to them. Round coffee tables are helpful in cafes as they can accommodate more people around them while providing privacy for a group.