Table Talk

Designers discuss their favorite coffee table styles and the rooms they define.

by Jason Schneider

There are plenty of choices when it comes to coffee tables. Have you ever wondered what influences the choices of interior designers, or which tables are their favorites? Here are some ideas from the pros that will make shopping for—and designing with—tables easier.

Choosing Favorites

Whether it’s the look, the feel or the storage it offers, designers choose their favorite tables for a variety of reasons. “I normally tend to choose something that is transitional in look and feel,” says Kevin Patrick of Piazza Home in Summerville, S.C. “The coffee table is an anchor for the seating in a room and therefore a focal point.”

Debra J. Stein of Debra J. Interiors in Boynton Beach, Fla., agrees. “The coffee table is the focal point of your seating arrangement; therefore, it should not only be functional, it should also look good.” She adds that her favorite coffee tables have interesting texture or design.

“I prefer large coffee tables that can hold decorative displays and offer enough space for serving drinks and putting one’s feet up,” says Olga Adler of Olga Adler Interiors in Ridgefield, Conn.

Some of her favorite styles include:

• A black plantation-style coffee table in a dramatic red living room.
• A coffee table with a tray top—practical for entertaining.
• An upholstered ottoman. “A great way to add color to a room, practical when used with a tray, and a safe alternative to a wooden or glass table for families with kids.”

Inspired Choices

Space and practicality are two important considerations designers take into account when making furniture choices.

“I’m always influenced by my client’s lifestyle and where the table will be used,” says Stein. “For instance, if they have small children, then I never specify tables with sharp corners or a floating glass top. “Location also influences my choices. Will the table be used in the family room where they will put up their feet? All of these small questions are so important in selecting the perfect coffee table.”

When choosing a cocktail or coffee table, Patrick first considers the room itself: How does the client use it and what space is available for the table? “I usually prefer to use glass-top tables so that the rug or floor covering can show through, and to maintain an open look in the room,” he says. “If children are involved, we usually go for a wooden top for durability and maybe basket storage underneath.”

For Adler, the style and scale of a room are her greatest influences. “But practicality is important, especially when decorating family-friendly homes with pets and kids in mind,” she says.

Choosing Your Table

Stein offers three questions that are key when selecting a coffee table:

1. How big a table is needed?
2. Will this be durable enough for my lifestyle?
3. Do I really like the design?

Scale is another important element. “Creating a detailed floor plan before heading out to shop is a must,” says Adler. She offers these tips:

• Take inventory of all the finishes in the room. If there are already many wood pieces in a room, then an upholstered ottoman may be a good choice.
• Make sure that there are many different shapes on the floor plan. If most of the furniture is boxy, then a round coffee table may be a good idea.
• Pay attention to quality. A good table frame may be refinished by staining or painting over its lifetime, and a good, classic shape is always a safe choice.

Patrick advises clients to choose a table that complements the other pieces in the room, rather than matching them. “This makes for a more acquired feel that a well-furnished room needs,” he says. “I would also caution against buying something that overwhelms the space by being too large or bulky.”