Jody D'arcy
Not everyone has a coffee table in their living room, but adding this stylish staple can take your space from basic to beautiful. Here’s how to make it work.
Tell a story
Choose a coffee table that speaks of the scene you’d like to set in your living room. Be it a collected antique chest, a sleek designer statement or a stylish and functional timber piece, make it the linch pin to assert your style.
Location, location, location
Position your coffee table close to your sofa or armchairs so it forms both a useful surface and an anchor to a conversational arrangement of furniture. Keep it within reach but allow enough space to come and go from seating.
Style it up
With useful and beautiful objects. Keep items within only two categories: essential or loved, styling them in groups together. Hide remote controls in attractive boxes, stack design books neatly together in colour coded piles and top with a beautiful object or accessory.
Related: How to make your coffee table more beautiful
Mix and match
Your coffee table doesn’t have to exactly match the other pieces of furniture in your living room, but it must work together with them. Pick up tones of colour that complement one another, or add a metallic frame for a touch of glam.
A glass topped table takes up less space visually as the eye can see through it to the space beyond. An antique chest will be heavy visually so will require plenty of area to sit comfortably and provides a striking anchor in a cosy setting – perhaps in front of a fireplace.
Shape up
Coffee tables with rounded edges help your living room to flow, both visually and practically so if you’re challenged for space, look to a circular style or one with a rounded shape.
