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When designing a small living room, our first tips tend to be “don’t cram too much furniture”, “don’t clutter up the space”, “undress”, etc. However, there is one piece of furniture that we think will find a place even in the smallest space, and this is a modest coffee table.
You don’t need miles of floor space to add something functional and chic to your living room. As all these small coffee table ideas prove, they can be essential additions – a place to put coffee, keep technology within reach, and prime real estate (on a small scale only) to add a bit of curated décor.
To inspire you to get the most out of even the tiniest surfaces, we asked designers to share their favorite style tips, from how to choose the perfect coffee table shape, where to place it, and (perhaps most importantly) where to place what’s on top.
Because two small coffee tables are better than one. Folding tables are great for small living rooms because you can double the surface area if needed. Guests come, you pull them out – they leave, and you clean the furniture again. This cozy piece of furniture by Christian Bence (opens in a new tab) maximizes a small space with smart furniture choices, following the coffee table trend – just three key pieces that fit perfectly into the available space.
“A living room or cozy room should never be without a coffee table (a room won’t look complete without a coffee table) so I always recommend a smaller set (i.e. go with them. A nested pair is usually the best option because you can just fit one under another, if necessary,” Christian explains.
“If space is limited and your table is too small, I would say smaller is better.” Maybe a few books for fun, but I always try to find a table that looks interesting, like this table with an antique mirror. , it has a certain form of interest. This way you don’t have to style too much.
We are not going to abandon gold-plated edges, brass is still in trend. Perfect for moving around the space as needed, these chic coffee tables create a luxurious feel.
This is a question we often ask when we give advice on decorating a small living space – choose items that are low in height. The lack of furniture on the floor gives the floor more room for light to circulate freely throughout the space, creating the feeling of a larger room.
“If space is tight, consider a coffee table with raised legs or a plinth,” suggests Andrew Griffiths, designer and founder of A New Day (opens in new tab). This way you can still see more of the floor area under the table, which will help it look lighter in the room. If I’m working in a small space, I usually choose a round table as well, as it helps bring more fluidity and softness to the space.
As for how to decorate a round coffee table, especially if it’s small, Andrew has some simple tips.
“Be easy,” he said. “If it’s a small table, too much stucco prevents it from being useful and makes it cluttered. Some greenery is always nice and I always have one or two candles by my side.
Increasing the height of coffee tables can create an elegant look, and they are very thin, which means they don’t break the space at all. Bluestone marble countertops are another big design trend for 2023 – they’re livable and smart.
A coffee table is the best place to showcase your style, but when space is tight, it’s important to make sure surface space still has some utility. You still need a place to put your coffee mug.
Designer Kathy Kuo’s approach to decorating coffee tables is to maintain a purely aesthetic separation so you can make sure you still have a clean surface space. “For small coffee tables, I like to add a small tray and stylish items inside the tray. This keeps the decorative elements inside the tray, so you can free up space on the table to actually place the coffee while still adding a touch of personality,” she explains.
“When designing trays, I like the rule of combining one vertical object (like a candle), one horizontal object (like a decorative book), and one sculptural object (like a crystal or paperweight).”
When someone is like the “crystal or paperweight” mentioned by Katie Kuo above, we immediately think of Jonathan Adler. Master of gadgets, master of objects, his creations are full of fun and personality.
When choosing the size of a coffee table for your space, consider a few unexpected things. Not only do we love the look of old and new furniture, you may find that vintage furniture is a better fit for your space than a classic coffee table.
“Think creatively. says designer Lisa Sherry(opens in a new tab). “A long, narrow bench (shown here) is a great alternative to a coffee table. Similarly, a series of small dot clocks can be a brilliant solution. They can get together when they need to and disperse when they don’t need to.
“In this dark living room, a long, narrow bench is more important than one would expect from a coffee table. It’s no more and no less than it should be; the perfect combination of form and function.” creating a beautiful organic composition. Notice the round petrified wood table to the left of the sofa. Often a series of well-chosen tables is more interesting and functional than a monolithic coffee table.
Made from acacia wood, this neat little bench fits in well with the modern farmhouse style we see in both urban and country homes. Ideal furniture for dual use.
Because we all know that when it comes to small spaces (be it an entire room or the surface of a coffee table), smaller is better. This beautiful space, designed by Frampton Co (opens in new tab), is a perfect example – minimalist yet fun. Color and bold shapes are important here, no need to clutter up the coffee table or dilute the beautiful lines of the chair and hexagonal table top.
As designer Irene Günther (opens in new tab) says about small living room furniture: “Don’t overload your small coffee table with surfaces. beautiful tabletop), the smaller the better! More importantly – from a practical standpoint – there is a coffee table to use. The lack of space makes sense.
Lisa adds: “Be a great editor, keeping scale and proportions in mind. I recommend grouping some objects for more interest. Sometimes one piece is the perfect decoration. Remember, a small table has to do more than just look good, that is, make room for drinks, phones, books or tablets.
Often with a small living room layout, the rule of thumb is that the more space you see, the better. However, we love to play with the rules of interior design on our own, and as this living room proves, sometimes it’s better to make the most of the space.
A small coffee table floating in a sea of floors looks out of place and will make the coffee table and room look smaller and less cohesive. So don’t be afraid to lightly squeeze the furniture around the table – this will make the layout more focused and the furniture more cohesive. Just make sure you have enough space to move comfortably.
“When choosing a coffee table, it should be in harmony with the space, or rather with the seating arrangement. If your table is too big or too small, it will look out of place and break up the space of the room. Designer Natalia Miyar explains (opens in a new tab). “In this open space, the surrounding furniture is very linear, so we wanted to make a softer and rounder coffee table to contrast with it and create a sense of balance in the space again.”
Transparent furniture has been used for decades to decorate small spaces. This is the obvious choice. You don’t really have space for a coffee table, but a coffee table is essential…so keep it out of sight. These transparent designs allow you to add a piece of furniture without adding visual bulk. In addition, they follow modern interior design trends and suit any style.
“The use of contrasting materials and colors creates a wonderful eye strain. With a clear glass top and steel legs, this small coffee table creates the illusion of transparency and weightlessness by reflecting its surroundings,” explains designer Leiden Lewis (opens in a new tab). . “It works especially well in small spaces. Even just by placing something bright, bold and solid on top, the eye will be drawn to the center of the room.
Despite its blocky shape, the slim legs and glass top make this table almost invisible. Be careful not to touch those “invisible” sharp edges.
When it comes to small storage space in the living room, it’s best to hide it, so keep that in mind when choosing a coffee table. Even a small design can be squeezed into one or two paintings, and then you have a very important space to hide any unsightly technology or clutter.
“A coffee table really helps unify a living room, but choosing the right coffee table is key. We’re always looking at a space to see what works best, round, square, nested combinations, etc.,” says TR Studio founder Tom. Lu Te explains(opens in a new tab).
“In small, narrow rooms, a table with hidden storage space is perfect because you can hide all the everyday junk like newspapers and remote controls when you have guests over. Then, in terms of style, consider large stack coffee tables with textured or plain tops. Large, low-profile trays that can hold beautiful marble objects, sculptures, and trinkets, as well as essential scented candles, will also help create an Instagram-worthy coffee table.
As for the shape that works best for a small coffee table, it will depend on your space and layout, but in general, a round design will give you more flexibility. You will find more options when it comes to positioning and moving around the room with ease.
“For small spaces, we like to use round coffee tables to help with flow. For example, we made this space, which is part of an open plan between the entrance and the kitchen. It was a corner space that needed to beautifully connect the two areas, and a small round table created the perfect flow. What we love about this table is that it’s lightweight and can be moved easily, making it perfect for small spaces. Explanation by Jen and Mar, founders of Interior Fox (Opens in a new tab).
Versatility is another thing to look out for when using small living room furniture. These parts require hard work, and the more work they can do, the better. The footstool can be used as extra seating when needed, but add a small tray and some chic coffee tables and it will work from seat to table.
“Take your small living room to the next level of flexibility with an upholstered ottoman,” advises Erin Gunther. “It can be used not only as an extra seat, but also as storage space or a footstool – or you can place a stylish tray on top to create a flat surface for a mug, tea or wine.”
In small spaces, be sure to choose something with legs to get that much-important flow of light and space.
When designing a small coffee table, it is important to remember that it should be comfortable to use. Be sure to leave room for drinks, books, phones, and more.
Heed Irene’s advice: “Don’t overload the surface of your small coffee table.” To show off your style (and make sure everyone appreciates the time you spent choosing a coffee table with a beautiful top), less is more! Moreover, from a practical point of view, there is a coffee table. Therefore, it makes sense to leave room for things that you want to keep with you throughout the day.
“The number of items on a coffee table largely depends on its size. If you’re unsure, one solution is to use the power of three and choose a taller item (like a plant) and slightly smaller items (like a coaster stand), then add a small stack of books. You can even use a tray to hold multiple items together so they don’t float in the air, she adds.
We consider the coffee table an essential element of the living room, serving as the centerpiece of the room, a practical place to store everyday items and a beautiful decorative surface. As with any piece of furniture in a small space, all you have to do is size, shape, and position.
The right size will depend on your space, but even a small coffee table shouldn’t be too small, you want it to be usable and take up the space it’s designed for. In terms of shape, in a small space, a circle is the easiest to fit without breaking up the room too much. Now, as far as positioning goes, the main thing you want to make sure is that it can be used by the maximum number of people in the room, so naturally, right in front of or next to the largest seat makes sense.
Hebe, digital editor at Livingec; she has a background in lifestyle and interiors journalism and a passion for renovating small spaces. You’ll usually find her trying to do everything by hand, whether it’s spray painting the entire kitchen, don’t try it at home, or replacing the wallpaper in the hallway. Livingetc was a big inspiration and influence on Hebe’s style when she moved into her first rental home and finally got a little bit of control over the décor and is now happy to help others with decorating their own home. Make up your mind. She went from renting to owning her first small Edwardian apartment in London last year, along with her Whippet Willow (yes, she chose Willow to match her decor…) and is already looking for her next project.
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Post time: Dec-06-2022