Coffee Table | Choosing Coffee Tables for Your Space

A coffee table can be the brightest spot in your room. It can be unique, fun and can celebrate individualism. It doesn't need to match everything else. What distinguishes an accent coffee table from an occasional coffee table is its individualistic trait. Occasional furniture is designed to blend in and look-alike. Occasional is typically tables - two end tables, a coffee table and a sofa table that match. Accent furniture abandons such cliques. It doesn't run in groups, sets or suites. It stands apart, not in pairs.

When you're ready to buy your coffee table, ask yourself, "Do I want my coffee table to blend and match or do I want it to be more of a focal point in my room to add a little more character and personality?" Once you decide on this, you can move on to choosing your table style.

We sort our coffee tables by three main styles:

1. Traditional / Transitional
2. Modern / Contemporary
3. Arts & Crafts / Mission

Traditional & Transitional Styling:

The traditional style coffee tables will use dark, deep, lovely woods and feature ornate carvings. They exhibit understated elegance that will never go out of style. Traditional style furniture usually is made from mahogany, oak or classic timber that is hand-polished with an antique darker stain finish.

The transitional style coffee tables use simpler lines than those found in traditional styles. Transitional furniture incorporates comfort and simplicity with the graceful styling found in traditional furniture. Oftentimes, you may hear the terms "Casual" or "Electic" to define transitional furniture. It is as comfortable as it is classically styled and keeps up with today's lifestyles.

Modern & Contemporary

Styling:

Coffee tables with a contemporary style will have clean, soft lines that are either curved or straight. They will incorporate neutral colors, light woods and muted shades that always look fresh and chic. Contemporary furniture will have very little ornamentation in the form of carving, profiling or appliques'. The shapes tend to be very angular, with a lot of right angle corners, distinct edges, and overall lines that may be asymmetrical or otherwise not quite square.

Modern coffee tables incorporate clean lines that lean towards more geometric shapes. Different, unique, sometimes bold, define this styling. Modern furniture is sleek, with shiny, glossy elements that add visual interest. Texture and splashes of bold color in random areas are evident in the modern style.

Arts & Crafts & Mission

Styling:

Arts & Crafts styled coffee tables are also referred to as Mission coffee tables. They have a simple utilitarian design and construction that is more plain and heavy. Open parallel slats contrast the stability of the wood with the soothing presence of air and light. Well-proportioned pieces with strong lines, rich finishes, like a burnished brown, and little ornamentation define Arts & Crafts styled furniture. It is meant to be functional, purposeful and long-lasting.

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