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V33 Coffeecart in Reclaimed Wood HGDA118 From Nuevo Living[/caption]
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Vintage factory carts are relatively simple in design: a flat wood surface affixed to four or more large metal wheels. Way back when, these were used for (literal) heavy lifting: you put something heavy on top, like a large box, crate, or shipping pallets, and the wheels allowed you to move them easily. Usually the wheels are designed to turn freely for a greater range of motion, and sometimes come in odd numbers, weird positions, or unusual mountings to help make sure the cart (and anything on it) moved smoothly.
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V33 Coffeecart In Reclaimed Wood HGDA119 From Nuevo Living[/caption]
So what does that have to do with coffee tables? Well, first of all, these vintage factory carts are exactly the perfect size and shape to stand in for a standard coffee table. More importantly, refurbished, restored carts can be absolutely gorgeous, with rustic, natural wood tops that are so popular right now, and a rugged character that you won't find on a basic wood table. Add to that a set of whimsical antique metal wheels, and you've suddenly got a fully functional coffee table that's also a pleasure to look at.
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Iron Wheel Coffee Table 111-42 From Classic Design[/caption]
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Authentic vintage factory carts that have been salvaged and restored have amazing character, with subtle imperfections and wear and tear that only come from years of use. But even modern replica versions are designed with that old fashioned, slightly weathered, rough-hewn style in mind, and often use less-than-pristine planks (or even reclaimed wood) to create a coffee table surface that's more interesting to look at than a simple finished slab of wood.
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Industrial Coffee Table 129-1002 From Sterling Lighting[/caption]
Depending on the style you prefer, you can find vintage factory carts that are either polished up and sealed, or ones that are left with totally raw, natural, unfinished wood. The latter is more traditional, of course, and has the added advantage that the wood used will naturally continue to gray and weather as it ages, so that it will slowly develop its own natural character, even if the piece itself is a replica. But a more finished cart will have a smoother surface and burnished finish that are slightly more traditional for a living room.
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Barbary Coast Cart Table In Distressed Natural 98130 From Zuo Modern[/caption]
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Having a coffee table that's highly mobile can also be advantageous, particularly if you have a large living room or a sofa that reclines or converts into a bed. Because the table is mounted on wheels, it's easy to move out of the way or around the room, even on plush carpet, and they're much less likely to scratch a hard floor than conventional table legs. On the flip side, if you're worried about the stability of your coffee table, check to make sure that at least one of the wheels has a locking mechanism. This is a common feature, but not all tables have it, so if you want to be certain your coffee table will stay put, double check to make sure.
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Westlake Coffee Table 98278 From Zuo Modern[/caption]
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Most vintage factory carts consist of a single flat board mounted on wheels, but as this particular type of furniture is becoming more widely used as a coffee table, the table portions are starting to become thicker and more table-like, with non-traditional features like open shelves for books or even built in drawers. This type of table is obviously less authentic, so you won't find an original antique cart that looks like this, but modern replicas are made with the same attention to detail - they're just designed with a little extra added functionality.
What do you think of using these old fashioned workhorses as decoration - or of the recent surge in popularity of reclaimed wood furniture in general? Let me know in the comments!...
The coffee table is one of the most basic pieces to a living room aesthetic (by Park and Oak Design)[/caption]
My first apartment had quite a large living room, but I had nothing to put in it but an overstuffed chair and a slightly dented lamp. Still, I needed some sort of surface, so an overturned cardboard box became my coffee table. It sagged on one end from the weight of my textbooks. Hopefully you are at a better stage of life than I was back then, and can therefore upgrade to a sturdier model. There are countless designs to choose from, whether you are going heavy and baroque or sleek and modern, large or small, wide or narrow. Glass-topped or two-tiered, sturdy or spindly.
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The best coffee table is the one that matches the room around it. (by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design)[/caption]
Although the choices are basically endless, when choosing a coffee table, it's important to think about what you will actually be using the surface for. Just drinks? Maybe drinks and a couple of books? A whole pile of books? These make great surfaces to set knick-knacks or photo frames or even small plants. There is even a whole line of books nicknamed "coffee table" books, big tomes of art or anatomy, or anything else guests might be interested in.
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Consider a cafe style coffee table for smaller rooms. (by Patrick Sutton Associates, photo by Gordon Beall)[/caption]
Another thing to keep in mind is size and spacing. In general, you are going to want your coffee table to be about the same height as the rest of your furniture, especially if you plan to use it to hold food and drinks. You don't want your guests having to reach too far. If you have low furniture, consider a lower table. On the other hand, if the room you are working with is small or cramped, you might want to consider a taller, cafe-style table. It takes up less space and would be a trendy accent to an otherwise standard set-up.
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A sectional table makes rearranging simple. (by Powell/Kleinschmidt, Inc)[/caption]
I don't know about you, but my living room has always been more of a multipurpose room than anything else. It goes from study room, to tv room, to entertaining room, to installing-overflow-relatives-on-the-couch room. If you're not really sure what kind of set-up you are going to need, consider a sectional coffee table, or several small tables. You can push them together when you need a large surface, or split them up when you need to make the room more easily navigable.
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A coffee table need not always be strictly a table! (by For People Design)[/caption]
A coffee table can really be anything you need it to be, including not even a table at all. The above photo is an increasingly popular trend--substituting a large ottoman with some sort of stable surface set on top, a tray or a wood or marble panel. While probably not as stable as a table or as easy to clean in the event of spills, it's creative and unique and could be repurposed into another seat or footrest if the need arises.
Coffee tables are the basic of the basic, honestly, you wouldn't know to look at them. There are countless ways to incorporate them into your decor usefully and creatively. Whether you use them to hold stacks of mail, cups of coffee, or just to make a statement, you can find one that fits your style.
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Charlotte Cocktail Table Set JM-Q1313-CT ET from AFD Home[/caption]
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When you think "coffee table" the image that comes to mind is probably something fairly traditional: a low, square wood table that maybe has a little storage and maybe has some nice woodwork. But while many of these tables have something of a generic look and feel, they can also be a great opportunity to subtly define your space's style. Different styles of woodwork and different wood finishes imply different design movements, and even with a sofa that is distinctly not antique inspired, choosing a coffee table that is is a great way to lock in a more distinctive style, whether the "antique" you use is a Louis XV reproduction or turn of the century industrial factory cart.
Rosa Coffee Table CPG CT from Bellini Modern Living[/caption]
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Similarly, most "modern" coffee tables are yawn-inducingly boring: simple, square, minimalist, and done in a single solid, lacquered color. But while these certainly get the job done, they also leave a lot to be desired in terms of style - which is a real shame, because modern tables that play with design can be really striking. Combining other modern materials - like chrome and glass - and simple, non-square geometric shapes lets you keep that minimalist feel, but with a table that looks a whole lot more interesting.
Hanako Cocktail Table 02-HAN CT BLK from Oggetti[/caption]
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...and if you want a modern look, but aren't so concerned with maintaining a minimalist aesthetic, you can tables that are even more visually striking. Complex, repeating geometric patterns and interlocking shapes are hallmarks of a more intricate modern design, and are perfect for adding a little bit of flair to a modern living space. Tables with a little bit of curve are also a great way to break up the blocky feel of a very streamlined, rectangular sofa set, but the mathmatically inspired patterns won't break an austere contemporary look.
Palm Tree Coffee Table 33918 from SPI Home[/caption]
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Then, there are the novelty coffee tables: usually glass-topped with a base designed to explicitly show off your sense of style. These can be almost anything: gargoyles, forest animals, sea creatures, exotic plants - your imagination is pretty much the limit. Not all of these tables are to everyone's taste, but that's sort of the point - different designs will strike a chord with different people, but all are great for setting a theme for your space, and putting your interests (whatever they might be) at the front and center of your living room.
Mellow Motion Coffee Table CT1082S from Whiteline Imports[/caption]
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For the more practically-minded, you might want a coffee table that serves as more than just a surface space. But even if you're looking for a piece that can do double duty as a serious storage unit, that doesn't have to mean plain jane drawers or cubbies. Plenty of coffee tables (both traditional and modern) incorporate added storage into their design in a way that makes them both useful and attractive. For more modern designs, that often means coffee tables that unfold or expand to reveal added storage or surface space, while for coffee tables with a more traditional look, it might mean hidden doors and hollow interiors that can be filled up, closed up, and forgotten about.
Nova Metallic Beige Ottoman TOV-O97 from TOV Furniture[/caption]
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Last but not least, one big trend I've been seeing more and more lately is coffee tables that do double duty, combining a fairly standard square coffee table design with a padded, upholstered tabletop. If you've ever had to nag someone to get their feet off your coffee table, you'll immediately see the appeal of combination ottoman/coffee tables. The cushy pads are literally made for you to kick back and put your feet on them (no worry about scuff marks!), and while the cushions are usually firm and flat enough for the table to serve as a table, they also do beautiful double duty as footrests or even spare seating, and are a great way to add a little pop of color (and some extra softness) to your living space.
Whatever your sense of style, there's almost definitely a coffee table out there that will fit it. So don't feel like you have to stick with a generic style - a cool coffee table is a perfect opportunity to spruce up your space!
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...It's no secret that I love multi-functional furniture. From sleeper sofas to storage beds and everything in between, my small-space-loving heart soars when I find a great piece of furniture that really earns its keep. Nesting tables, ladder chairs, garden stools - you name it, if it does more than one thing well, I love it. Some of my personal favorites, though, are actually coffee tables. Why? Because ordinary coffee tables take up a lot of space, but don't really do much. Sure, you can toss a magazine or a remote on one, or maybe kick up your feet (if that's your thing), but these big, low tables aren't actually useful for much more than taking up space... unless they're specifically designed to.
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Bay Storage Coffee Table CT1126-WHT from Whiteline Imports[/caption]
While you might find coffee tables with a built in drawer or two, or maybe an open shelf at the bottom, by and large ordinary coffee tables are more for show than utility. Simply put, they're designed to help fill up the empty space left in the middle of your living room set, and often act more as a visual anchor than a functional furnishing. So, more often than not, coffee tables are nothing more than a pretty little waste of space - at least, until they aren't. This Bay storage table looks like a perfectly ordinary modern coffee table on the outside, but the table top lifts up and pulls away, revealing cleverly hidden storage on the inside. It's a subtle modification, but one that not only makes the table more functional, but also keeps it looking neater than a conventional open shelf at the bottom.
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Marlow Coffee Cocktail Table in Walnut HGSD404 from Nuevo Living[/caption]
Lift-top coffee tables also come with another added benefit: not only do they have a whole lot of storage on the inside, but when you lift up the table top, it raises to just the right height - and moves just close enough to the sofa - to be used as a TV tray. This might actually be my favorite coffee table modification, because it really makes the table well worth having. Lift-top coffee tables make it possible to eat comfortably in the living room without adding any extra furniture, are worlds classier than basic folding TV trays, and best of all, stow away completely invisibly when they aren't in use.
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Mellow Motion Coffee Table CT1082S from Whiteline Imports[/caption]
Moving parts can also be used to expand the amount of surface space a coffee table has. At a glance, this Mellow Motion coffee table looks like nothing more than a simple square with some cool lines. But give it a little push, and you can move one or both of the top two layers to create a larger, rectangular surface, or push them out of the way entirely to reveal added storage underneath. This is perfect for a smallish living room, because it means you can get a little extra surface space when you need it - say, if you have company over and need a place to put some glasses or mugs - but still have the ability to fold it away when you don't, so your whole living room won't be dominated by a too-large coffee table.
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Elsy Coffee Table in White CT1035-WHT from Whiteline Imports[/caption]
This Elsy coffee table offers similar benefits, but is even more flexible, able to fully fan out into a long, wide shape, or simply twist slightly so that each of the layers of the table is pointing in a slightly different direction. Once again, this makes it possible to add a little extra surface space when it's needed (and even orient it directly toward where the person who needs it is sitting), and while this table doesn't have any built in storage, it has a gorgeous sculptural quality that would make a brilliant centerpiece for a modern living room.
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Tiffany Coffee Table Rectangle CT1116R-BLK-WHT from Whiteline Imports[/caption]
Of course, a coffee table doesn't have to be a transformer to be considered "multi-function," and in fact some of the best modifications are simpler ones. For example, I'm absolutely in love with this Tiffany table, which has a removable tray integrated into the surface of the tabletop. Put together, the two pieces have a very strikingly modern look; with the tray removed, it becomes a surprisingly elegant and convenient way to serve drinks or snacks to a group: just load up the tray in the kitchen, then secure it in the fitted niche of the table for a no-clutter tableside service.
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Discovery Coffee Table 404102 in Clear from Zuo Modern[/caption]
Other small details, like incorporating dips and grooves into the surface of the table, also work surprisingly well. This Discovery table, for example, has a built in sling that's perfect for keeping magazines and remotes organized. Again, it's a pretty small difference, but one that really helps cut down on clutter (and misplaced remotes!) while simultaneously eliminating the need for a second piece of furniture to do the same job.
Coffee tables are often throwaway pieces, but they certainly don't have to be. Adding in simple, innovative features will add functionality to your living space, and often a really unique style, too. But what do you think of these modern multi-function coffee tables? Let me know in the comments below!
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Bella Coffee Table, 232B-C by Meridian Furniture[/caption]
I like this one for its simplicity. It has a cherry finish, giving it a rich, reddish tone to the wood. This will match well if your furniture has a lot of warmer tones and beige or eggshell white. The top is made of marble, which is both sturdy and easy to clean. That's good to have if you have a light-colored top to your tables, as they show dirt and spills more than than darker colors.
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Lyon Coffee Table, 285-C by Meridian Furniture[/caption]
The cherry wood finish on this clawed coffee table goes well with just about any living room color scheme, and would be ideal for a high-traffic room with kids or pets. The range of colors in the marble surface help conceal dirt, debris, and even some surface scratches from regular use. What I like about this table is that the rich brown hues will almost guarantee a smooth blend with the rest of your living room furniture so that you aren't stuck rearranging all your things in an attempt to coordinate the room best.
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Milan Coffee Table, 257-C by Meridian Furniture[/caption]
The addition of light colors to the sides is a bold choice for this design, as orange, blue, and green can be difficult to match with the room around it. This also has the same challenge as the cherry finish, in that white will show dirt and debris a lot easier than the darker coffee table options. If you can make it work though, it will definitely be the centerpiece of your room and invoke a lot of awe from your guests.
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Valencia Coffee Table, 258-C by Meridian Furniture[/caption]
A gold finish table is for those who want a sense of grandeur to go with the antique clawed foot style. It works well in conjunction with bronze and brown hues. This is not the best choice if you have a carpeted floor, as the carpet a lot of living rooms have are a brown-beige that won't do the nuanced colors of this table a favor, but you can get around that with a solid area rug. That way, you will be framing the gold legs within the living room as the focal point of the rug, rather than blending in too much with plain carpet.
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Florence Coffee Table, 218-C by Meridian Furniture[/caption]
This coffee table has the most elaborate clawed feet of the group and the darkest colors. The legs and sides have an ornate, leaf-like pattern. If you own black leather furniture or just want something spill-proof for the kids, this table would definitely fit the best in your living room. As a quick tip, think about the height you'd like your table at when you're next to it. Most coffee table surfaces end up level to around knee height when you're sitting on the couch. If you're not sure how tall a coffee table listing is, I would recommend simply using a measuring tape and measuring the height a family member's knees reach while sitting. When shopping online, it can be hard to eyeball the size of an object from the pictures or from the site's measurements. If you know exactly what range of numbers you want, it will save you a lot of time while shopping....
