The Design Store Blog Coffee Tables: Adding Functionality to Your Lounge Room

Coffee tables were not and have never been made simply to rest your coffee cup and paper on. Creative designers have created coffee tables that are stylish and functional, to add both an aesthetic appeal and a practical utility to your home. Let's take a look at how coffee tables are far more important to a home's ambience and liveability than many people realise. Functionality through better designCoffee tables should always bring an aesthetic quality to your lounge room, and a good coffee table design will do this without sacrificing functionality. Coffee table designs available in Auckland that add functionality to your home include:1. Nesting coffee tables - Instead of one large table, several smaller tables can be incorporated to your lounge. You can store them together to create one large table, or disperse them around your lounge so you, your family, and any guests can have a coffee table within reach. This design has become popular as by purchasing them as a group you can maintain a single style which adds a flow to your lounge.The Oslo Nest of Tables is a great example of a unique and fashionable set of nesting tables. Featuring an eclectic combination of shapes and forms with a striking natural oak finish, these coffee tables make for a stylish addition to a contemporary living room. These nesting coffee tables add a clean Scandinavian touch to a space when coupled with the Oslo coffee table, bringing an unconventional yet sophisticated aesthetic to a room. The Dallas Oak Nest of Coffee Tables offers a similarly unique and bold style for a home. The combination of three tables offers versatility and extra surface space for when you're entertaining. Featuring a dramatic design that highlights the natural grains of the beautiful oak material, the Dallas Oak Nest of Coffee Tables represents the perfect perfect marriage of style and practicality. 2. Rectangular coffee tables [2] - they offer a traditional sophisticated style that adds functionality as they often come with a draw, or multiple draws beneath the table top. Some great examples includeThe Cube Coffee Table, which can warm a room with its rich acacia timber finish while providing ample storage space.The Sedona Coffee Table, offering a rustic look that creates a comforting feel in a room with its solid build and chestnut timber material.The Coastal Coffee Table, combining natural wooden tones with a white painted framing to create a beachy, summer feel that is perfect for achieving a nautical decor.The Rustic Skandy Coffee Table, featuring a unique elevated design that looks rugged while remaining practical and maintaining a sense of sleekness. These tables offer a stylish aesthetic while keeping your living space neat and tidy with plenty of storage space for remotes, coasters and magazines.3. Trunks - rectangular trunks have a rustic feel and allow many items to be stored away out of sight. Coffee table aestheticsCoffee tables can either blend in or add a unique flair to your lounge room. When choosing the style of your coffee table, it is important to not only consider its own individual aesthetics, but how they fit in with the style of your lounge room. The most predominant style you have to choose from are:1. Contemporary style - these coffee tables come in unique shapes, inventive material combinations and sleek finished to give homes a modern feel. These coffee tables are a popular choice for lounge rooms as they add sophistication and style to a space without taking up too much room. The Replica Noguchi range of coffee tables for example, feature a unique and classy style with a glass top, making for a simple but striking feature in a room.2. Danish and Scandinavian styles - [4] these styles are sleek and carefully designed; often incorporating nifty storage spaces into their clean aesthetics. These styles excel in combining natural materials to create both functional and stylish designs. Oslo coffee tables are classic example of sophisticated and eclectically designed tables that don't sacrifice storage and practicality.3. Rustic style - [5] reclaimed materials such as wood have become increasingly popular as we move towards eco-friendly living, creating a popular rustic style. Old pine has been very popular in adding a natural feel to lounge rooms as part of a coffee table. Today you can find coffee tables like the Rustic Skandy, which feature rugged, rustic design while maintaining a sophisticated feel.4. Industrial style - industrial [6] coffee tables add character to your lounge room. They accentuate the minimalist design philosophy with neutral palettes and avoidance of unnecessary accessories. The Ghost Coffee Table features a light cement top with coated steel frames, making for a strong, versatile and striking feature in your home. How to style your coffee tableStyling your coffee table relies on following some key design principles; being bold, being storage smart, being functional and being cohesive. To find more comprehensive instructions and how the rule of five makes styling your coffee table simple, see this how to guide. Match a coffee table to your homeThe Design Store has many practical and beautiful coffee tables available in Auckland to add style and functionality to your home. These include the modern Lucia Coffee Table, the vintage Rustic Skandy Coffee Table, and the sleek Oslo Nest of Tables.