We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. Whether defining a seating area with a large coffee table or outfitting a more dynamic layout with a nesting coffee table design, this essential centerpiece anchors your living room with a place for conversation and provides a surface for drinks, books, and decor. At Lulu and Georgia, our thoughtfully curated collection of modern coffee tables is perfect for your home, beautifully blending form and function.
Not sure what style fits your aesthetic and home best as you shop for the perfect coffee table? Don't worry; we have got you covered. Check out our tips below for ideas and inspiration when browsing.
Set Your Anchor: Our Coffee Table Style Guide
Coffee tables are the beating heart of a social space. It’s where you gather for hangouts, formal and casual, and is in constant use as a place to keep things in reach as you lounge. With that in mind, you want a coffee table that seamlessly fits your design and brings something unexpected to the mix—whether an inspired silhouette or extra luxe texture. Breaking down designs by shape and material is the perfect place to start when shopping for coffee tables, so let’s look at some of the basics.
Rectangular Coffee Tables
A rectangular coffee table offers a practical touch if your family gathers around it for entertaining, projects, homework, or even the occasional takeout-and-TV night. The elongated design can also help visually balance a large sofa flanked with accent chairs. Plus, many rectangular designs feature drawers or a lower shelf for added storage, making a rectangular table ideal for an everyday lounge or dynamic family room.
Square Coffee Tables
A square coffee table can pair perfectly with an L-shaped sofa or provide a focal point for a traditional living room layout, featuring two sofas or a sofa across from two accent chairs. Don't think that a traditional layout has to mean traditional style. Square tables can come in clean, modern designs or more sculptural silhouettes with an artful edge. The Underhill Square Coffee Table by Arteriors is perfect for setting off a laid-back coastal look or bringing organic appeal to a transitional space with its airy, rattan design.
Round Coffee Tables
A round coffee table may be just the fit for easy flow in an open-plan layout or small-space lounge. These tables are great focal points for casual gatherings and dynamic entertaining. Round tables come in all styles, from modern to traditional, but they are an excellent option for a soft silhouette with statement appeal. Check out our Hosanna Coffee Table—this metal coffee table offers a stunning impact with an industrial tone.
Oval Coffee Tables
Whether you're looking for a timeless touch or want something softer to pair with an extended couch seat, an oval tabletop may be the right fit. An oval coffee table offers the perfect blend of rectangular and round designs. These oblong tables provide plenty of surface space without the corners, offering easy movement in the room—an especially nice feature if you have young children running around.
Geometric and Organic Coffee Tables
Sometimes, standard shapes aren't quite the right fit. A unique silhouette is a great way to bring statement appeal to your design. Organic shapes are soft with a sculptural bearing, plus, as with oval and round tabletops, no sharp corners means better flow. Geometric designs with a bold, linear profile can also bring a striking edge to your curation. Both make ideal centerpieces to set the tone for modern design.
Nesting Coffee Tables
Nesting coffee tables can bring flexible functionality to a small lounge or apartment. Whether a nesting pair or a bunching set, these designs let you bring a dynamic dimension to your living room. Our Trio Nesting Coffee Table blends a geometric silhouette with varied scales, giving you one large coffee table and one small coffee table.
In addition to shape, material plays an important role in defining the look and feel of a piece. When shopping by material, you want to consider not only the tone and texture it brings to your design but also its practical advantages.
If you’re curating the ultimate space for sophisticated play, marble coffee tables or sculptural metal designs can offer statement appeal. For the same timeless touch with a little more warmth, wood coffee tables and rattan and cane designs always provide a grounding touch—plus, they can be lighter if you are a constant curator who likes to change up your layout. If you’re concerned about the space feeling crowded, opt for an airy frame with a glass top to let light move through your space. Note—glass tops are best avoided if you have small children.
Considering material and shape is crucial to choosing the perfect coffee table, but there are a few more notes to keep in mind as you bring the look home. Check out our tips for styling a piece in your space below.
How to Style A Coffee Table in Your Space
Size isn’t everything when it comes to coffee tables, but it is probably the easiest thing to go wrong. You want to get the scale right, or it can make your entire space feel awkward and out of proportion. An overly small coffee table can make your room feel awkward and empty, while too large of a design will leave the same space feeling crowded and small. To find the right size, you want to look at your sofa.
The height of your coffee table should be about 2 inches shorter than the couch seat. That keeps everything in reach without dominating or obstructing the view. The length of the coffee table should be about two-thirds the span of the sofa. If it is a sectional sofa, two-thirds the size of the longer portion, and for an L-shaped sofa, no deeper than the arm of the other portion.
If you are concerned about the depth of a table or how it will fit in your room, take out a tape measure and some painter's tape and mark out the footprint. A coffee table should be about 16 to 18 inches from the edge of the sofa—close enough to reach but far enough to allow for ease of movement.
Once your coffee table is in place, it’s time to make it yours. Whether maintaining a minimalist tablescape to keep plenty of open surface space or filling the table with stacks of art books so it becomes a showcase of your tastes, your coffee table is the perfect platform for staging decor. No matter your aesthetic, the important thing here is to create visual interest.
When adding decorative objects like candlesticks or vases, vary the heights so there is plenty of dimension. You also want to layer multiple textures so they can play off each other. A touch of green can add life to any curation, whether with cut botanicals or a live plant. Your coffee table is a focal point in the room, so make sure it’s an expression of you.
Lulu and Georgia Coffee Tables
However you style it, remember the coffee table you choose offers an opportunity to showcase the nuances of your design aesthetic. Loved ones and visitors can immediately get a sense of who you are by seeing how you have utilized this natural focal point to anchor your living room with a personal touch.
When you shop for a coffee table at Lulu and Georgia, you'll find designs that complement the style of your home while making it feel more elevated. Choose from our wide selection of modern coffee tables and find the perfect purchase to anchor your edit. Check out our living room shop by room page for more ideas and inspiration on creating stylish everyday living spaces.
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