The coffee table is often the centerpiece of a living room – it ties the space together and provides a surface for setting down drinks, remote controls, books, and more. Choosing the right coffee table can make a huge impact on your living room’s style. From modern to rustic, bold to understated, there are so many options when it comes to coffee tables. Here are 12 eye-catching coffee tables that will truly stir up your living room look.
Rustic Farmhouse Style
Farmhouse decor is all about natural, raw materials like wood, metal, and stone. It embraces imperfections and subtle distressing for a cozy, lived-in look. Farmhouse coffee tables often incorporate reclaimed wood, galvanized metal, and other elements that feel wholesome and handcrafted.
Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table
A reclaimed wood coffee table has rustic appeal while being environmentally friendly. Salvaged from old barns, factories, and other sources, the wood bears the marks of its history. Each table has a unique personality based on the wood’s varying textures, knots, cracks, and stains. A simple design allows the wood’s natural beauty to take center stage. Try topping it with stacked books and a potted succulent for a casual farmhouse vibe.
Rustic Industrial Coffee Table
The industrial farmhouse look blends weathered wood with metal accents. This coffee table features a reclaimed wood top on a black metal base. The bold metal frame contrasts beautifully with the distressed wood surface. Scattering a few well-read novels across the table creates a cozy reading nook effect. Add a rattan bowl with pinecones or fruit for some organic texture.
Modern and Sleek
Clean lines, geometric shapes, and high-gloss finishes define the modern coffee table aesthetic. These striking, minimalist pieces lend a contemporary edge to living rooms. Their streamlined silhouettes cultivate a refined, almost futuristic ambiance.
Marble and Gold Coffee Table
Few materials embody luxury like marble, especially when accented with gold. This gorgeous table pairs a smooth white marble top with gleaming gold metal legs. It makes a glamorous statement in any living room. Use the marble surface to display decorative books and a gold-rimmed vase filled with white blooms. The contrast will pop beautifully.
Concrete and Walnut Coffee Table
For an earthy modern look, try a coffee table made of concrete and walnut. The organic walnut wood injects warmth, while the concrete lends a cool industrial vibe. Built-in shelves provide storage space below the tabletop. This is perfect for stacking art books, magazines, or even firewood to complete the nature-inspired aesthetic.
Bold and Eye-Catching
Want your coffee table to be the life of the living room party? Choose a piece with vibrant colors, unique shapes, or other standout details. These coffee tables aren’t shy – they demand attention and encourage conversation.
Glass-Topped Trunk Coffee Table
This table doubles as storage space and showpiece. Constructed like an oversized trunk, it features a hinged lid so you can stow blankets and board games inside. But the real appeal is the eye-catching exterior, covered in a brightly colored, globally inspired patterned fabric. Place on an area rug and set out several throw pillows to complement the colors and patterns.
Mosaic Tile Coffee Table
Make a splash with a mosaic tile coffee table in lively colors like turquoise, coral, and lime green. The handmade tiles add playful pop art vibes and give you an opportunity to incorporate custom colors and designs. A glass tabletop provides a smoothing contrast to the busy tilework. Stack brightly bound books on top to continue the color story.
Natural Wood Beauty
For many, nothing beats the visual warmth and texture of natural wood. Wood coffee tables are timeless classics that infuse living rooms with organic beauty. They’re particularly nice for more neutral, earthy spaces.
Acacia Wood Coffee Table
Known for its rich brownish-orange hue and swirling grain patterns, acacia wood brings subtle drama to this coffee table. The profile is kept simple, featuring tapered legs and a smooth tabletop that highlight the wood’s organic lines and colors. Use textural decor like woven baskets, cotton throws, and ceramic vases to play up its natural look.
Teak Root Coffee Table
For a more rustic take on wood, check out this incredible teak root coffee table. Pieces of actual teak root are arranged in a slab and sealed to form the tabletop. The mesmerizing swirling patterns and crevices create a one-of-a-kind focal point. Let it take center stage against a calming neutral backdrop.
Artsy and Eclectic
Why choose one style when you can mix and match? Eclectic coffee tables bring together varied colors, textures, and materials for an artsy, collected look. These unique tables instantly add character to a space.
Handpainted Coffee Table
This handpainted table features a tile mosaic tabletop in fun, funky patterns and colors. No two are exactly the same thanks to the handcrafted painting process. Place atop a Persian rug to tie in the colors and designs. Set out stacks of colorful art books and your favorite framed photos to enhance the eclectic vibe.
Repurposed Suitcase Coffee Table
For the ultimate one-of-a-kind table, look no further than this retro piece made from a vintage suitcase. The worn leather exterior and brass studs add antique travel flair. Open the lid to reveal handy built-in storage space. Play up the vintage story by topping with a typewriter and black-and-white photographs.
Petite and Space-Saving
Small living rooms and apartments benefit from coffee tables with modest footprints. Compact, space-saving coffee tables provide surface area without crowding the room. Their smaller size makes them easy to move around and accommodate various furniture arrangements.
Nesting Coffee Tables
Nesting tables are the perfect pick for smaller spaces. The set includes three wooden tables in graduated sizes that can be stacked together when not in use. Pull them apart to create flexible display space near sofas or armchairs as needed. Their clean-lined design works well with numerous decor styles.
Lift-Top Coffee Table
Maximize space with this clever lift-top coffee table. It looks like a standard rectangular coffee table, but the top lifts up to reveal hidden storage cubbies inside. Use these built-in compartments to tuck away books, blankets, board games, and media accessories. The neutral finish adapts easily to any color palette.
Unexpected Shapes and Styles
Who says a coffee table has to be square or rectangular? From round to oval to asymmetric, coffee tables come in all types of standout shapes. These unique silhouettes make an instant impact in living rooms.
brass C-Shape Coffee Table
The graceful C-shape design gives this brass coffee table dramatic style. Place beside a sectional or floating sofa so guests can set drinks and snacks along its curving form. The sleek brass finish adds a mid-century modern touch. Play up the retro vibe with conversational seating and artwork in bold, contrasting colors.
Concrete Tree Stump Coffee Table
Bring the outdoors in with this incredible concrete coffee table modeled after a real tree stump. It captures the organic texture and shape down to the smallest details, making it look like a found forest treasure. Set atop a sisal or jute rug to continue the rustic cabin motif. A simple glass vase filled with foraged branches and wildflowers would make a perfect finishing touch.
Displays Built for Books
For the bookworm who wants their latest reads front and center, look for coffee tables engineered specifically for displaying books. Their built-in shelves and stands keep volumes within arm’s reach.
Leaning Book Ledge Coffee Table
This coffee table allows you to artfully display books with its leaning wooden ledge. Simply stack books horizontally and let them rest against the angled shelf. The spare, streamlined design puts all the focus on the books without overwhelming the small space. Try organizing by color for a rainbow effect, or by size for visual impact.
Bookcase Coffee Table
Floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases surround the top of this coffee table, creating prominent display space. The varied shelf sizes nicely accommodate both upright and stacked books. Place your most prized titles face-out to highlight their covers. Fill in any gaps with framed photos, plants, candles, or other cherished items.
FAQs about Coffee Tables
How do I choose the right size coffee table?
Pick a coffee table with surface dimensions about two-thirds the length of your sofa or seating area. This provides enough space for setting down drinks and snacks within easy reach. Make sure there’s at least 12-18 inches between the edge of the coffee table and the couch so you can easily walk past.
How can I style a coffee table?
Keep it simple with just a few eye-catching accessories like books, vases, trays, or small sculptures. Rotate seasonal items to keep it fresh. Try grouping accessories in threes for visual impact. Play with height by stacking books and using risers or pedestals.
What are some kid-friendly coffee table ideas?
For families with small children, choose an unbreakable polypropylene plastic or bamboo table, or look for one with rounded corners. Washable leather ottomans work well too. Display snacks, coloring books, and games your kids can easily access. Use unbreakable melamine or plastic dinnerware.
What are the most popular coffee table styles?
Simple rectangular wood or glass tables work with almost any decor. Round, oval, and curved tables add unique shapes. Lift-top tables offer hidden storage. Nesting tables are great for small spaces. Reclaimed wood and concrete tables give an industrial vibe. Bold patterns, colors, and materials create an eclectic look.
Should my coffee table match my other furniture?
Not necessarily – feel free to mix up wood stains and materials for an eclectic look. Just be sure to stick with an overall cohesive style, like modern, rustic, or traditional. Repeat some colors from your sofa or accent chairs. The coffee table can make a statement while still coordinating.
Conclusion
Your living room coffee table can truly define your space’s style. From sturdy reclaimed wood to sleek marble and glass, rustic to modern, understated to eye-catching, coffee tables set the tone for the entire room. Consider your decor style, everyday needs, and the table’s visual impact. With so many inspiring designs to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect coffee table to stir up your living room look. Let this unique furniture piece showcase your personal taste and creativity each time you walk in the room.
