Your Complete Guide to Coffee Table Styles
Find the coffee table that fits your taste.
Update your living room with a coffee table style that meets your needs and fits the room's aesthetic. Coffee tables tie a living room together – they are the center of the space and create a communal area surrounded by sofas and accent seating. Find the right shape and material to match your space’s style with the help of our in-depth guide.
Coffee Table Shapes
Coffee Table Materials
Coffee Table Styles
Coffee Table Shapes
The first step to choosing the right style coffee table is selecting the right shape – it should speak to the style of the room and the other pieces of furniture. We've outlined the most common top shapes and base shapes to streamline your shopping process.
Top Shape
Rectangular
Rectangular coffee tables are the most popular shape. They work best in a living room with a longer sofa or larger seating area. This long shape with its pointed edges can add a sleek feel with a thinner-framed silhouette, or it can offer a sturdier, more classic look with a thick wood-framed silhouette. This coffee table shape makes a great addition to a modern, traditional, or rustic space.
Round
Round coffee tables are a great option for smaller living rooms. This shape works well with all interior design styles and adds softness to a space thanks to its smooth edges. Bonus: Doubleup with a set of two smaller round coffee tables for a fresh look.
Square
Square-shaped coffee tables are space-savers that work perfectly in a square-shaped seating arrangement. Make sure your square coffee table is within reach of every seat in the room, so everyone can set down their glass with ease.
Oval
Like the rectangular coffee table, an oval coffee table requires a longer sofa to create a proportional living room space. An oval’s smooth shape adds a softness to your room, plus an extra stretch to accommodate your larger space.
Four Legs
A four-leg coffee table base is the standard base style. This base can be made from a range of materials and with different dimensions, but it always has four legs secured to the ground.
Frame
A frame base is welded together to create thin connected legs and a space on top for a tabletop to be placed. These bases are most often made from metal or wood.
Drum
Where a frame base is slender and has thinner legs, a drum base is one solid piece with a flat bottom and no legs. This base style is most often made from stone, concrete, or wood.
Like the shape of the coffee table, the material can also help further your home's aesthetic. We've outlined five of the most common materials so that you can find one that fits your style.
Metal
A metal coffee table adds a structured and sleek look to a living room and fits in with so many aesthetics including glam, modern, rustic, and industrial. Whether you're using iron, steel, or another metal alloy, this material is known for its longevity and durability. It also pairs well with a glass, wood, or upholstered tabletop.
Wood
Wood is a classic coffee table material that easily fits with every interior design style. Wood coffee tables add a natural element to your space and can fit in with a warm or cool color palette, depending on the wood tone you choose. Depending on the finish, wood is a porous material, so coasters are key for keeping the coffee table looking fresh.
Stone
We love the sleek and sturdy feel a stone coffee table brings to a space – it's perfect for adding a touch of nature to a modern, traditional, or rustic living room.
Marble
For a luxurious addition to a glam or modern space, consider a marble coffee table. The unique veining of this stone pairs perfectly with a metallic frame for some flair or a wood base to give an air of sophistication to a more traditional room. Marble is also heat-, moisture-, and chip-resistance – it can last for years without needing to be replaced or repaired.
Glass
Glass is primarily used as a tabletop material and placed on a base of a different material, like wood or metal. A glass tabletop is perfect for adding a delicate element to your space and fits in with glam, modern, traditional, and transitional living rooms.
Coffee Table Styles
Discover which types of coffee tables work best with your aesthetic.
Traditional
Center the space with a timeless coffee table. To match the elegance of traditional living rooms, opt for a simple silhouette in a rounded or rectangular shape. This classic top shape works well with any combination of sofas or accent chairs. We love how the round coffee table complements the rounded arms of the slipcovered sofas while the brass legs match the brass tones throughout the space. Add a small stack of decorative books to the coffee table for a personalized finish.
With a curated blend of traditional and contemporary pieces, transitional spaces are inviting and unique spaces. To further your space’s transitional design, pick a coffee table that gently juxtaposes the living room furniture. Choose a round coffee table with carved details and an aged finish to soften the clean lines of a mid-century modern sectional, or try pairing a sleek rectangular coffee table with a classic chesterfield for a chic contrast to the rounded arms of the sofa.
Make a modern statement with a contemporary coffee table. For modern living rooms, think sleek edges and clean-lined designs. Look for visually interesting elements, such as angular shapes or minimalist silhouettes. Opt for a metal coffee table for a streamlined look, or select a wood coffee table to add an organic feel. The crescent-shaped cutouts in the example above play with negative space and give the coffee table a unique shape.
Choose a sophisticated coffee table to elevate a glam living space. Go for a coffee table that masters the luxe style, with elements like gold details and geometric shapes that blend seamlessly into a glam space. The rounded black coffee table in the photo above pairs perfectly with a plush sofa and a curated gallery wall. We love how the glossy finish captures the light and gives the space a polished feel.
A coastal coffee table adds relaxed style and beachy texture to your living room. Pick a coffee table with organic elements and a light neutral tone to match the laidback silhouettes of the space. We love how this light wood coffee table looks with the simple sectional and hand-knotted area rug. The drum shape and textured design bring the right amount of coastal style to the living room.
A rustic aesthetic combines plenty of natural texture and earth tones to create a cozy ambience. Select a coffee table with a distressed wood finish or an aged metal frame to suit the warmth of rustic design. For an even bolder look, choose a leather coffee table. The leather coffee table in the photo above adds a rich cognac color that matches the accent chairs. Top the coffee table with a decorative tray for versatile styling.
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