Table Tactics

A proper coffee and or side table can add great value to a room – you just have to know which one would be best suited for your living space.

A coffee table might not seem as important to you when you first start out in life – when just having a sofa is a big step and you sleep on a mattress in your bedroom until you can afford a bed. But as one gets older and your home starts taking shape – the sofa is replaced with a lounge suit and you get a proper bed with accessories – you become more practical and aware of what you will need to make your home more comfortable. Choosing a proper coffee table can add great value to your living room area – not only as a practical element for guests to put their drinks on, but also as a decorative element. The same goes for side and end tables. Here are a few guidelines to make your decision easier when purchasing tables for your home:

Choosing a coffee table

Size counts: Just like with any other piece of furniture, the size of the coffee table you choose is very important. Size will often be determined by the area you are buying the table for. Seeing that you coffee table is a decorative element it is important to remember to leave enough space around the table, so you can easily move around in the room and it doesn’t seem crowded. A spacious living room calls for a large, modern coffee tables, whilst smaller glass coffee tables are ideal for smaller living areas. Also remember that the table you choose should fit in with the rest of the furniture in the specific area. You can not have a tiny coffee table if the rest of the furniture is bulky and sizeable. You can also not combine a modern table with classic furniture.
Tip: If you do not want guests to put their feet on your coffee table, choose one that is slightly higher than normal to make it a tad uncomfortable.

Style and elegance: If your home decor is modern or contemporary then you would want to purchase one that fits that style. Glass, iron, and some unique coffee tables all fit wonderfully within contemporary decor. If your home is traditional you would want to choose tables that fit with your traditional style. Wooden, lift top, and antique tables fit well within traditional home furnishings. You will also find that round or oval shaped coffee tables often fits into a specific room easier than a square one. Round shaped coffee tables are also a better option if you have children because it has smooth edges. An area with limited space could benefit well from a storage coffee table with cupboards and shelves.  One should be careful when choosing a wooden coffee table, as it can make an area (that doesn’t have lots of natural light) seem smaller, dark and stuffy. Also remember that the coffee table is sturdy enough to hold the objects that you want to place on top. It is also a good idea to get matching side tables if you get many guests.

What is available?

Verifurn has a large selection of coffee tables that are made according to the client’s unique specifications. They have options to suit every theme and setting:

• Modern setting: Vixen-style coffee tables.
• Classic setting: Renaissance-style coffee tables.
• Homley setting: Zen-style coffee tables.
• Peaceful setting: Renaissance-style coffee tables.
• Elegant setting: Renaissance-style coffee tables.

Choosing the perfect side / end table

There are various side tables available on the market – in various shapes and sizes, so how does one go about choosing the best side table for the area you want to use it in?
You have to take different things into consideration before making your final decision:

Shape
Round side tables – Round side tables match almost any style and setting, except if the rest of the area is fitted with square furniture. Because these shape tables do not have sharp edges, it is less likely that someone will knock them over. Unfortunately the cons of having round side tables is that there are always gaps when you push a round table against a square piece of furniture. Pens, remotes and other smaller items always tend to slip into these gaps and get lost.
Oval side tables – Oval side tables have are similar to round tables, but offer more surface area in one direction. Sometimes oval tables will fit better into strange shaped areas than round or square side tables.
Square side tables - This is the second most popular style of side tables because it can fit well with a grouping of furniture. It compliments straight or L-shaped patterns and can provide the ideal finish for a certain pattern.
Triangle side tables – Triangle end tables were meant for a home in which space is important. If you have a cramped space, it is one less thing people are going to kick, hit a shin on, or trip over. If you have children it eliminates the threat of a corner sticking out for them to get hurt on.

Functionality
If the purpose of your side table is to be functional rather than decorative, it should be sturdy and large enough to handle the purpose you selected it for. If the purpose of this table is to hold coffee mugs or glasses when you have visitors, it will not help if it is wobbly.

Proportion
A side table shouldn’t be overwhelming, but should also not disappear in context with the other furniture in a specific area.

Height
There is no specific rule when choosing the height of your side table. Choose a height that goes well with the height of your furniture – guests will not like to reach too low for coffee and drinks, whilst tables which are too high are also uncomfortable.

Legs and style
Ensure that the style of your side table match the style and pattern of your coffee tables and other furniture. In some cases combining total different styles work well, but in most cases styles that compliments work best.

Colour
Your side tables do not have to be exactly the same colour. Just make sure you stay in the same colour family when making your final decision in order to make the table fit in with the rest of the environment.

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Images supplied by Verifurn.