In fact, a carefully selected coffee table can actually become the focal point of the room, complementing the other pieces of living room furniture while becoming the center of attention in its own right.

When choosing a coffee table for your living room, you want to consider two main factors: style and function.

Choosing a coffee table style

The perfect coffee table complements your décor, of course. Ideally, you want to select a table that is in the same style as the rest of your furnishings. For instance, a country inspired design may stick out like a sore thumb in a contemporary furnished living room. Conversely, a stainless steel and glass table may look out of place in a home decorated in a tropical style, or one that features highly ornate furnishings. Unless you are an experienced interior designer, you may want to stick to with a table that is in the same general style of the rest of your furnishings, i.e., traditional with traditional, contemporary with contemporary and so on.

Selecting a coffee table for its function

It used to be that all coffee tables were created equally. But no more. Today, you can get a range of models, some with features that weren’t even on the drawing boards a decade or so ago.

For instance, if you like to eat and watch TV at the same time, you can get a table with a top that cantilevers up and out, creating an eating area that is far more convenient and elegant than TV trays. If you have children, you may want to get a coffee table that has extra storage, so you can easily store kid’s toys and games while you entertain company. Some coffee tables also have thoughtful storage areas for remotes – a big help for those who have a number of them to keep track of.