The coffee table should be either the first thing to be bought or among the last. Being at the center of the living room layout it can enhance the general feel and look of the room and draw attention to the furniture around it or it can be the focus of interest: a statement piece in its own right.
Now when choosing the right piece you need to take into account: style of sofa and armchairs, the dimensions of the room, design of rug if there is one, the materials and finishes that prevail in the room and finally how visually dominant you want it to be.
For me there are three elements to be considered when choosing the right piece, its detailing, proportions and size.
Bellow you will see five coffee tables that suit different schemes. I hope they give you some understanding of how to approach searching for yours.
Bassotti Coffee Table; design: Marcel Wanders. 2013. Produced by Mooi
I find this piece very playful. On one hand its linear top in marble gives you that austerity and masculine look which relies on the nature of the stone to achieve its particular beauty. On the other, the legs are a bit flamboyant, decadent if you prefer, moving us towards a lighter mood without giving up its particular appeal.
Platner Coffee Table; design: Warren Platner. 1966. Produced by Knoll
If it were not still in production this beautiful, elegant and timeless design would fit within the description of what we call “vintage”.
Produced in the 60’s this table remains a favorite if you want an object that embraces present, past and future at the same time: Masculine, serene and discreet.
Meridiano Coffee Table; design: T. Colzani. 2012. Produced by Porada
If you are after a coffee table that offers you a stylish and masculine look but somehow goes back in time to where craftsmanship was proudly displayed, the Meridiano Coffee table has to be among the ones to choose. I like in particular the square grid created by the strips, which is echoed in the square shape of the table. The shape of the legs gives it that contemporary touch.
Meteor Coffee Table; design: Ginger Brown. 2014. Produced by Ginger Brown
Using exotic materials can give to your coffee table that extra touch that could move it towards the area of a luxury product. Shagreen and brass are combined here for creating a piece that although simple in its design exudes attention to detail and certainly a sophisticated manufacturing process. The rich pattern of the hide contrasts with the soft and neat feel and look of the metal. This coffee table will demand to be surrounded by furniture that matches its quality.
Bespoke Coffee Table; design: Diego Correa. 2008
Bespoke pieces are a must if you want to solve a particular problem or if you want uniqueness and individuality. This coffee table I designed as part of a brief where besides wanting to achieve a masculine look it was decided to use as few materials as possible: stainless steel, wood and glass. All of them were present in the bespoke units in one way or another. The wood was stained to achieve this specific color.
The idea was to create a coffee table that had presence but was light enough not to dominate the other elements in the living room. The glass top was chosen to make the texture of the rug part of its design.
