What is the Point of a Coffee Table?

Many customers who visit our showroom often ask, what is the point of a coffee table?

A coffee table is a small table that is intended to be put in a sitting area and used for holding items like magazines, books, remote controls and ornaments, as well as place to to put your drinks when you’re sitting in the living room.

Let’s take a closer look at the functions and benefits of a coffee table.

Coffee tables have evolved and are used for a variety of purposes

Originally, coffee tables were actually tea tables and were used back in Victorian times to set down cups of tea. They were higher than today's tables and were usually placed alongside the sofa or chairs in the parlour.

As time went on, sofas got slouchier and tables got lower. People also shifted from drinking tea to coffee. 

Nowadays, many people use their coffee tables as storage space or as a footrest. If you have a small apartment, it can be helpful to store things like books and magazines on or inside your coffee table so that they don't clutter up your living room.

There are many different types of materials used in making coffee tables today. The material you choose will depend on what you want to use your coffee table for. For example, if you want your coffee table to double up as storage, a wooden coffee table with a hidden compartment would be a fantastic choice.

Talk to a one of our designers now or book an appointment.

Book A Video Chat

Book a zoom consultation and we’ll advise you on furniture, space planning, wardrobes and more.

Book A Showroom Visit

Let our experts guide you through our 30,000 sq. ft. showroom with over 700 luxury brands under 1 roof.

Whatsapp

Email, call or book a virtual video chat with our sales team. Ask questions with no obligations.

Here are the most common materials used:

• Wood: Wood coffee tables are made from different types of wood, including oak, pine, and mahogany. They're typically made with a solid top that is often stained or painted.
• Glass: Glass coffee tables have a sturdy tempered glass top that is often supported by metal legs. The glass may be clear or tinted with colours like black or blue.
• Metal: Metal coffee tables feature a metal frame or base with either an open or closed design. They're usually made from steel but can also be made from aluminium or iron.

Uses of coffee tables

Coffee tables are a great way to add character to your home and create gorgeous interiors. But they can also be used to store or display some of your favourite things, like photobooks or special travel mementoes.

Coffee tables are a great place to put your drinks and snacks while you watch TV or entertain guests. They can also be used as a place to put candles, flowers, books, magazines and other items that you want close by while you are relaxing on the couch.

Coffee tables like the Mondial Coffee Table by Ozzio Italia are large enough to hold a wide array of items. If the coffee table has multiple surfaces, you can use it to display collections of special items in clever arrangements across each surface.

This is a great way to make the most of the space you have in your living room while still making it look stylish and inviting.

Coffee tables as temporary storage space

A coffee table, no matter what its size, is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture that you can have in your living room. If you’re looking for a multi-purpose piece, check out our Lips Coffee Table by Evanista.

Coffee tables can be more than just a place to rest your cup of java; they can also serve as a temporary storage space for small items like remotes or coasters. This is a good way to keep your living room looking clean and tidy as you can neatly stack items that are not in use all in one place.

At FCI, we’ve been designing contemporary interiors for almost 40 years. We’ve created many modern living rooms using pieces from our extensive furniture range. Take a look at our interior design project portfolio for design inspiration

Coffee tables are versatile

We have close relationships with our suppliers and we can completely customise any of the luxury coffee tables in our range according to your specifications. We know our products inside out, so we can talk you through the many options available to you and recommend the best one for your space.

The best thing about a coffee table is that it's not just functional, but it is also a highly decorative piece that says a lot about your space purely by the design that you choose. Many of our renowned brands, such as Cattelan Italian, are known for using materials of the highest quality and pairing them with unmatched craftsmanship, making their coffee tables beautiful, practical and interesting.

Whether you're looking for something simple or elaborate, you're sure to find in our range something that fits your aesthetic.

Because they're relatively small and low-maintenance, coffee tables are great for apartments or other small homes where space is at a premium. They also work well in larger rooms where you can choose an elaborate coffee table that can even double as an eating place.

In conclusion

If you want a versatile furniture piece to accent your living room or family room, a coffee table is the way to go. The best way to know what's right for you is to determine the needs of your family when you're spending time in this space.

It's important to have a clear idea of why you're purchasing one so that it can be more than just an extra piece of furniture.

Coffee tables provide an element of style and decoration to your living room that complements your other furnishings. If you're looking for that final piece that ties everything together, we recommend taking a look at our collection of contemporary coffee tables.

Call us, WhatsApp us or visit our showroom to see our coffee tables.

When you enter a room, what is the first piece you look at? Possibly your answer was the sofa. But there is one piece that makes all the difference in the decoration. And the coffee table was always the centre of attention in the room.

The coffee table creates the perfect balance in one of the house's main rooms. As a rule, we located them in the middle of the living room. But a coffee table is more than a decorative element. They can be full of functionality. They are attractive and capable of giving a special touch to different types of decoration. A coffee table is a piece that enhances a space, allows you to expose decorative items, and helps to organize the environment. One of its main assets is its versatility. But also with the function of filling a space.

Thinking about the importance of having a coffee table and how you can enhance this piece in your living room decor, we have prepared an article with possibilities for coffee tables and all the tips to choose the ideal option.

Living Room with Ballet Coffee table by Alma de Luce

How did coffee tables appear?

Initially, coffee tables had a purely commercial purpose. That is, they had the function of facilitating business between the owner and tenants on the property.

In ancient times, the coffee table - located in the centre of the entrance hall or a lounge - was unoriginal and distinctive in design. A kind of Drum shape with a pedestal base and sterilized feet to prevent boot damage. The top was round or octagonal in an oak or sturdy walnut effect. Its perimeter would have seven drawers, one for each day of the week and, in some cases, one for storing money.

The evolution of social life has transported business to offices, and, as such, the coffee table has become an object of beauty. It became the focal point of a room.

Living Room with Masouleh Coffee table by Alma de Luce

How to choose a coffee table?

There are several models of coffee tables on the market. Each model will create a different visual effect. To choose the perfect coffee table for your living room, consider the following tips:

• Harmony:

   ensure that the composition of the space is visually pleasing to the eye by combining colours, textures, patterns and other decorative elements. A more traditional room combines a classic and elegant piece, while a contemporary room combines a more modern piece of furniture.
  
  

• Material:

   the coffee table material complements the chosen decorative style. For example, a wooden table gives a natural and cosy look, and a glass table offers a modern touch to the decor.
  
  

• Format and design:

   Format and design: you can choose a rectangular, square, oval or more irreverent design, always following the pattern of the environment. The design and materials are features that will make the coffee table the protagonist of the room, capable of attracting eyes in a fraction of a second. A tip can be to base the shape of the coffee table on the form of the sofa: a rectangular or L-shaped sofa matches a rectangular table, while more petite sofas require square or round tables.
  
  

• Measures:

   Always consider the space and coffee table measurements to create a harmonious and functional interior. The perfect coffee table should fill the space, ensuring enough circulation around it. Also, evaluate the height of the furniture concerning the sofa seat.

The biggest challenge regarding interior design or home decor is creating the perfect living room, which can seem daunting. Here is a book of inspirations for you to make the most perfect, visually pleasing and stunning living rooms.

Living Room with Kanzashi Coffee table by Alma de Luce

Benefits of having a coffee table

Although it may seem like just a decorative detail, a coffee table is one of the essential pieces of furniture in your living room. As we've already seen, it not only improves the look and feels of the room but also performs a critical utility function. The coffee table is an elegant piece to capture all the personality of a living room or even an outdoor space.

This piece of furniture, which goes far beyond its decorative power, has several advantages in its use:

1. Functionality

You can use the coffee table in different ways, such as supporting glasses, plates and snacks, books, magazines or television controls. Options with drawers are favourable for storing objects. Also, did you know that nowadays, more technological solutions with USB entrances allow you to charge the batteries of tablets and smartphones?

2. Harmonization of the environment

Regardless of the model you choose, a coffee table complements the other elements in the room, ensuring a harmonious environment composition. Since the coffee table will capture attention, the best way to ensure harmony is by choosing a piece according to the room's colours, textures, prints and materials. This way, you can be sure that the final decoration will have a unique touch.

3. Decoration

A coffee table can be just decorative, functioning as a way to display decor items you want to highlight, such as floral arrangements, sculptures, family photographs or other decorations that will make the space personalized.

Five coffee table suggestions from ALMA de LUCE's collection

Feel inspiration from the known legend of Finn McCool in Ireland. The modern design of the McCool coffee table captures the essence of the invincible and bold warrior of Irish myths and legends through the finest craftsmanship. This centre table brings an elegant flair to your home decoration.

Mccool Coffee table by Alma de Luce

Our second suggestion is the Goathi centre table, a functional piece that incorporates that timeless appeal behind the woodwork, elegantly designed in simple, clean lines. Available to a set of two coffee tables and an elegant and highly decorative stool that gives an attractive presence to any environment.

Goathi

Coffee Table By Alma de Luce

Do you want glamour and luxury in your living room? Choose the Pamukkale centre table, designed to make an impression and deliver an unmatched experience.

Pamukkale Coffee Table By Alma de Luce

If you're a fan of decoration inspired by nature and want to transport these feelings to your living room, Roatan is a perfect choice. This coffee table is the true essence to reach organic decor. One of the following interior design trends is furniture inspired by nature's shapes. This table is a good start.

Roatan Coffee Table By Alma de Luce

Last but not least, we suggest the table Ballet, a reinterpretation of the ballerinas' tutus that breathes sophistication and delicacy. Definitely, this coffee table is a statement piece for the most luxurious interior designs.

Ballet Coffee Table by Alma de Luce

A small detail, the perfect design

"The details are not the details. They make the design."
Charles Eames, Designer

Designer and architect Charles Eames knew the importance of little details to make a difference in interior design. With a coffee table, you can have a small point that will create the perfect balance in your living room. Take this opportunity to follow our tips and choose the ideal solution!

See here on Alma de Luce's Pinterest some inspirations that best suit your needs, your tastes or your client's desires. Once you're inspired, want some help getting started? Contact us here.😉