Let’s Table It: Tips for Selecting the Perfect Coffee Table

The coffee table is more than a place to toss the remote. It’s where we put our drinks down and our feet up. And with some forethought into space and needs, it can become the focal point of the room. Here are some tips for helping your clients make the perfect selections for their homes.

Make a Table of Contents

Before anything, make a list of clients’ needs. For gamers, a coffee table with built-in shelves provides easy-access storage for controllers and handheld devices, as well as extra display space for favorite books, remotes or memorabilia.

For clients who love to entertain, a taller table is more convenient for wine and snacks. And for those who work from home, consider a mobile laptop table that is easy to maneuver.

Take Measure

Scale, balance and spacing matter. The coffee table should not be the same length as the couch, for instance. Instead, there should be sufficient space to navigate around. It should also be at arm’s length from the sofa or chair — generally between 12” and 18” — to keep everything within reach while also allowing for legroom.

Nest is Best

Table groupings that can be easily rearranged, reconfigured or nested are a great solution for a number of seating arrangements, including sectional couches or in spaces where a smaller footprint is required. They’re also great for parties and spacing around the room when needed.

Look Beyond the Surface

Wood provides a great opportunity for introducing texture and dimension to a space and can complement both traditional and contemporary aesthetics. Glass tables, meanwhile, can provide an airier look and feel to any room, and help to accentuate the carpet, rug or flooring beneath it.

For more table inspiration, checkout BDI’s beautiful table collections, or visit bdiusa.com.