A coffee table is a piece of furniture that often does not get a lot of attention in the furniture selection process, and yet it will likely become one of the most used pieces in your living or family room.  You’ll want to go through a careful thought process before deciding on the right coffee table for your room.

• As is the case with any big furniture decision, measure the space.  Allow for 15″ between any seating and the table.   Coffee tables can range anywhere from 11″ to 25″ in height.  If you plan on eating in the living room and setting dishes on the table, then opt for the highest height possible.  If your room is extremely contemporary, then a low 11″ table can be a stunning look.

• Consider the amount of traffic that will be circulating throughout the room. If your living room is always filled with people and action, then you will need to pick a durable table rather than an antique.  A sturdy wooden table with built in storage can be a great option for a busy family.  A large upholstered is perfect if you have family members who like to prop their feet on their coffee table; it can also work in anywhere from the most casual room to a formal living room.

• If you have a stylish rug or beautiful flooring that you want to show off, a glass coffee table will do a wonderful job of showing that off.   A glass coffee table reflects light and makes the space seem bigger as well.

• Go with the opposite look of the other pieces of furniture.  If your sofa and chairs have exposed legs, then an upholstered ottoman can be the best look.  If the sofa and chairs are skirted, then a glass table with metal legs or a wooden table with defined legs will look best.

• Typically, rectangular tables are the most functional.  However, in a space where the other furniture is square and sharp at the corners, a round or oval table provides a nice contrast.  In a particularly large room, a square coffee table provides a huge amount of space for placing books, plates, and glasses.

With a decision based on size and function, as well as materials that best complement the look of the room, your coffee table will become a focal point rather than simply a holding place for books and drinks.

The kitchen table is often one of the most used pieces in our entire home.  It is truly the definition of a multi-tasking piece.  From science projects to bills to catching up with friends to actually eating, the kitchen table takes us from morning to night.  Because we spend so much time with this one piece of furniture,  it is essential to choose a table that meets both our needs and our style.  With practically unlimited choices in aesthetics and size, how does one begin the process of selecting the right kitchen table for their own home?

Photo: Martha Stewart Living

Measure the size of your kitchen or breakfast nook.  You will want at least on each side of the table where there will be chairs.  Anything less makes it difficult to push the chair out.  Ideally, you will have more in the range of 3 feet, but this is not possible in all spaces.  A small round table fits nicely if you have a large, open kitchen and plan to break the space up with the table towards the middle.  A rectangle is nice when you are trying to separate a living area from the kitchen.

Photo: House to Home

How many people will typically dine at your kitchen table?  A small round table is a nice look, but is only practical for very small families.  If you have more than four people dining on a regular basis, then you should consider a rectangular table.  Do you need ample room for serving dishes in the middle of the table?  This will be an important consideration when choosing a table width.  Remember you can always get a table with additional leaves if large groups occur, but are a rarity.

Consider what kind of activities will be taking place at the kitchen table on a regular basis.  If you have children that will often do their homework, crafts, and playing at the table, then you will want to pick a table with an extremely durable top.  There are tables with marble, tile, and polyurethane coated woods that will stand up to all sorts of marks and spills.  If you have a contemporary style, you could even go for a plastic or metal style.  Whatever material you choose, you just have to remember that you do not want to buy a table that you have to tiptoe around.

Photo: Veranda

Lastly, you will want to decide on a style.  There are endless options available on the market today.  Depending on the style of your kitchen, you could do anything from a rustic, farmhouse table, to a french country pedestal table, to a contemporary, clean lined plastic table.

Photo: Hickory Chair

As one of the most versatile pieces and biggest investments that you will make in your home, it is worth sitting down and giving thought to the considerations that go into choosing the right kitchen table.  You’ll end up with an attractive and functional table that takes you from morning to night and from reading the paper to sneaking a late night snack.