Ten coffee tables to elevate any living room

If one had to assign a hierarchy to living room furniture, sofas would undoubtedly be at the top. And though we all love to be engulfed by soft cushions during a relaxing tv evening, much of the activity surrounding those at-home movie screenings wouldn’t be possible without another staple of the space: the coffee table.

Coffee tables can do so much more than hide remotes or act as temporary drink or popcorn trays. By putting a special twist on their pieces through surprising material choices, accessories or clever engineering, designers can elevate the dining table’s little cousin to new heights and functions, enabling users to take full advantage of its versatility. Here are ten examples of coffee tables that go above and beyond. 

If the thought of a glass coffee table conjures distinctly mid-century modern vibes for you, think again. While the material was certainly popular with Bauhaus enthusiasts, it has since lost none of its charm or effectiveness. Examples like Prostoria’s Avet Low Table prove that glass tabletops are particularly well suited to smaller spaces given their translucent and reflective appearance. 

Rather than crowding an already busy field of vision, they allow the eye to be drawn to display objects like books or grant uninterrupted views of a painfully chosen rug. Both the Prostoria model and Objekto’s Kaeko Black also impress with their wiry, sculptural base – a clever accent that offers design intrigue without taking away from the weightless feel of the deceivingly heavy tabletop material.

Why be content with just one coffee table when you could have two (or more)? Stackable coffee table options multiply space when needed and otherwise remain discreet by sliding into or on top of each other. There is something to be said about variations in colour, too, – Swedish Ninja’s Zick Zack Nesting Table Set is neatly effective in the expansion department and offers a geometric colour pop on top. If monochrome is more your style, combining different heights and tabletop materials of the Slot Coffee Table by Bonaldo will provide visual stimulation as well as extra surface area without being too shrill.

For those that want even more flexibility, moveable coffee tables are the way to go, no matter if you’re looking for more space to stretch your legs after a lazy dinner or prefer to have your movie snacks on the side rather than in front of the sofa. Models equipped with castors can either promote their wheels like Linddna’s Curve Table L or hide them like Coalesse’s Sebastopol design. Thanks to its sleek black wheels, the former’s mobility is immediately visible and its top and bottom trays provide ample space. The Sebastopol coffee table, on the other hand, belies the fact that it can offer a moveable feast due to its solid wood material and comparatively small castors. 

No matter if you are in favour of meals consumed in front of the tv or prefer to stick to a glass of wine or bottle of beer with your evening entertainment: height-adjustable coffee tables can prevent unnecessary spills that come from otherwise awkward angles and even provide a real dinner table experience when prompted.

Ozzio Italia’s Box coffee table is particularly impressive in the latter realm. In its original state, it resembles any other sleek, low coffee table design, but when extended to full height and length, it provides space for up to eight dinner guests at once. While TEAM 7’s lift coffee table isn’t quite as transformative, it can be adjusted in height from 35 to 71 cm by means of levers on the bottom side and offers extra built-in storage.

On the topic of built-in storage: coffee tables with drawers are the perfect fit for anyone looking to hide unappealing clutter or rotate their display objects depending on who is coming around for a visit. Minotti’s Solid coffee table stays true to its name, offering a firm, low-lying island in the living room seascape that hides its ample drawer thanks to a clever push-and-pull opening mechanism. Knoll International approaches storage differently, laying bare its Matic Storage Unit’s wooden insides and anything that occupies them in the ample space beneath a handy tray. But no need to fear: for those that prefer a closed system, the design is also available with varying marble table tops.

© Architonic

Head to the Architonic Magazine for more insights on the latest products, trends and practices in architecture and design.