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What are the Best Tips for Buying a Coffee Table?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated May 17, 2024
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Buying a coffee table that is right for your space is a little more complicated than making a quick trip to the local furniture store and grabbing the first one that catches your eye. In order to choose the right table, it is important to keep several factors in mind. Before going out to look for the ideal coffee table, take the time consider the design, the scale, the texture, and the price you are willing to pay for this important piece of furniture.

Everyone knows that the design is important when buying a coffee table. The idea is to have the piece blend in with the overall design of the room. If the space is decorated in a style related to specific era, an antique coffee table of some sort may be in order. Rooms with a more eclectic appearance may call for the selection of a modern coffee table design. Do some research online to get ideas on what the table should look like in order to fit in with the décor and theme of the room, and it will be easier to spot a likely candidate while out shopping.

Texture and materials are also very important when buying a coffee table. Here, the furnishings and the other design elements in the room will also come into play. You may find that a wooden coffee table helps to enhance the warmth of the room and works well with other wooden elements within the space. At the same time, a glass coffee table may be a better solution, depending on the choice of colors, materials, and textures already in use in the space.

When buying a coffee table, few things are more important than the scale of the table. Keep the size in balance with the rest of the room. Doing so provide the practical benefit of being able to walk around the table without stumping the toes or barking the shins. Visually, a coffee table that is too large for the space will make the room feel small and cramped, while one that is too small will seem lost and disconnected from the rest of the room, even if the texture and design are right.

As with most purchases, price is a factor when buying a coffee table. While a relatively small piece of furniture, it is possible to spend a great deal of money on this one purchase. If your budget is tight, don’t hesitate to visit thrift shops and spend some time at flea markets and yard sales in search of the right table. While you may need to refinish the table or make some other type of cosmetic repairs, the end result is a table that is exactly what you want, and at a price that you can reasonably afford.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum , Writer
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

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Malcolm Tatum

Malcolm Tatum

Writer

Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
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