Coffee tables for the living room and family room

There are really only two types of designs of coffee tables, modern and traditional, all other styles are basically made after these two styles. Contemporary coffee tables are the most common because they are in-between modern and traditional. Contemporary is a more up to date looking coffee table designed from a traditional style, but shaped a few curves, mixed with straight lines and edges so that it is not too modern.

Many come with loads of storage space and convenient drawers underneath. The most popular contemporary tables that offer you storage are the lift top or storage trunk styled tables.

	Antique walnut table will enhance your living room. With it's polished surface and tapered edges it's perfect for arranging serving platters or kicking up your feet. View more wood tables
	This table with ottomans comes in a black or cherry finish. The glass almost appears to be floating above its wood base. The table has two matching rolling stools that are sure to draw attention as a functional and interesting design.. This style can be used as a modern or retro design. view all contemporary and modern tables
	This retro looking rectangular table has a raised, glass top, and two storage drawers. The drawers are on metal drawer glides. It has metal legs and handles to enhance and accentuate the contemporary stylish look. View all glass tables
	This storage trunk coffee table is perfect for a family room or living room. With a large storage area built underneath the table top, you can store all of your extra blankets, throws and another items as you need to. To view all storage coffee tables go here.
	Lift top tables are perfect to bring your meal, laptop, or newspaper closer to you, these lift top and flip top coffee tables have a lot of storage room. Featured in all sorts of finishes and different features. Ideal for a family room as well as the living room. More about lift top
	Coffee tables with black finish. These tables with their smooth black finish are the easiest to decorate with and to match colors with your other furniture. Go here to review more black coffee tables.

The important feature when buying a accent table or coffee table is the height, to be functional it must match the height of your couch cushions. Especially when using glass, if it is too low people tend to put their cups or other items down much harder than they normally would.

Choose something that creates an interest in the design, because of its uniqueness. Two modern tables that do this are wrought iron and glass top coffee tables. These are also a good choice if you are wanting to buy a more contemporary shape. Tables with glass tops are quickly becoming the favorite choice of interior decorators when furnishing a living room with modern furniture.

What will you display on your table?

What you place on a table actually plays a huge part in how you see the overall design. By using a colorful table centerpiece like a decorative glass vase to place in the center can make the overall effect quite striking.

If you have purchased one of our scented jar candles as a decoration and accidentally spilt wax on on the table, please do not scrape it off, you will scratch the finish. All you will need is a blow dryer and paper towel to get it off. Take a blow dryer put it on the highest high heat setting and hold it over the hardened wax until it melts and then wipe off with a paper towel.

Four common table styles for the living room

Traditional tables have dark wood finishes like a black lacquer and tend to be quite decorative. Straight lines are often matched with curved details in brass, iron, and hand painted wood, normally made to look like antiques. Oak is the favored wood of choice.

Casual tends to be large for better comfort and utility with less emphasis on design elements. Normally the type your find in a family room or the rec-room.

Modern tables have clean lines, smooth tops and edges using glass or stainless steel. Modern tables often feature curved wrought iron where it isn't typically seen to give them a retro look. Sizes are usually on the smaller side nesting and convertible styles are used here.

Contemporary is little more than casual, with straight, clean lines and edges, simple curves and very little carvings or decorative features. Generally these tables are made with a solid wood base and have a glass or wood top. They also may have storage shelves underneath them like lit top tables which is a popular design for the living room. Shapes are normally rectangular but you see many square and round types with glass tops.

Table buying tips:

Accent tables that are always popular

Table Sets - Opting for one of the unique table sets will allow you to coordinate all your furniture into one style and color. In general, a table set features matching end tables, a poplar set has a black lacquer finish.
Nesting Tables, are stackable, these tables are sets of the same shaped table of different sizes that can be stored under one another to save space. These are ideal for when you have large gatherings and need more table space to put along side extra chairs.
Side tables, these smaller tables are usually placed at either end of a couch or beside a chair. End tables are usually where you would place a lamp or vase of flowers for display.
Modern tables - modern furniture for the living room
Lift top coffee tables are very handy if you want to add extra storage. They are also the best choice for people with back problems and for the elderly that have trouble bending over. They are also ideal for the family room for teenagers that like to do their homework in this room.

If you buy a table that is too low for your couch and chairs it will be uncomfortable to use. You will be stretching too far to put a coffee cup or to reach your favorite plate of cookies when serving guests.

This holds true for all sizes except lift top coffee tables, these are designed to raise to the proper height and to reveal storage space or to extend the surface of the table. These are an excellent choice for people with bad backs.

Another consideration is the material you want these to be made of. Glass is very nice but not always the best choice when you have toddlers. Unfinished wood furniture is a good choice because it lasts the longest and can be refinished over time. With all coffee tables you are going to want coordinating accent and end tables, be sure to check out our selections in these home furnishings. Repairing and replacing a broken glass top on a coffee or end table. For glass table repair details go here.