When choosing a coffee table, there are a few important factors to consider which will help narrow down your search for the perfect coffee table. Coffee tables are an important part of a room; it is the focal point of the room and will be used every day. It is vital to ensure that the coffee table fits the style of the room but also provides practicality at the same time. Coffee tables can be used to store clutter underneath it, such as magazines or toys, and put drinks and plates onto it. It can also be used to display ornaments or flowers.

Style

Style can be one of the most important factors when choosing the right coffee table. You need to match a style to suit your room, whether it is modern, retro or French styled. French style furniture has become extremely popular in recent years and is one of the must have furniture pieces within homes. French style furniture can bridge the gap between modern      and   vintage to make your house look stylish and contemporary. 

Shape

If you have children or pets, a round coffee table may be more beneficial to avoid sharp corners to reduce injuries to children. Ensure that the coffee table is not too big; allowing at least 30cm around the coffee table will enable you to easily walk through. A rounded coffee table will give more room to walk around. In some extreme cases a triangular coffee table may be used, however most popular are square, rectangular and round table.

Size

When looking at coffee tables the obvious size to check is its width and length, however, one mostly overlooked factor is the coffee table height. The coffee table needs to be the right height in relation to the settee. Usually it is recommended that the coffee table be no less than 1-2 inches below the seat of your settee. If you have a higher sofa then it is best to purchase a taller coffee table. A normal height for a coffee table is 16-18 inches and for taller coffee tables it is 20-21 inches.

Functionality

A coffee table’s key functionality is to put plates and drinks onto it; however not all coffee tables are used just for this. Some are used for decoration, placing ornaments and flowers onto it. Many coffee tables also have storage space underneath, whether to hold a stash of magazines or kids toys. A few coffee tables contain drawers to allow the space to be hide storage to keep your room clutter free.

Material

There are a wide variety of materials used for coffee tables, the majority are wood. However, glass and plastic are also extremely popular. Most wooden coffee tables have a rustic look to them, but have a smooth finish on top. One overlooked material is metal, although it can look industrial, metal combined with glass can provide a sophisticated look to a modern house. Many coffee tables have a metal frame with a glass surface.