Interiors expert's rule will ensure you pick the perfect coffee table for your living room every time
The right furniture choices can make your living room an area you love relaxing and entertaining in, but get it wrong and the space can feel either cramped or empty.
Thankfully an interiors expert has shared their tips for selecting the right coffee table for a space so we can get it right the first time.
One of the top tips from furniture specialist, Sam Deeble from Woods Furniture, will help you get the size of your coffee table spot on.
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Look at your sofa for an idea of how wide a coffee table to get. Getty Images/iStockphoto
"The right-sized table depends on the room and other furniture's size. Opting for a coffee table that's about two-thirds the width of your sofa is a good rule of thumb," Deeble told The Sun.
It's not just width we need to get right, it's also height, and for that the expert has another way to tell what size to look for.
Rectangle shapes work for a more structured look in the living room. Getty
"Ideally, select a table that's around the same height or slightly lower than the sofa seat cushions," Deeble said.
Size is one thing, but another coffee table aspect that can change the look and feel of a room is shape, and usually the choice is between square or rectangular and curved or round tables.
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"A square or rectangular piece brings symmetry to a space and works well for a balanced design. However, while this table shape is perfect for a polished look, its sharp edges can harshen a room's appearance if used in the wrong aesthetic," Deeble explained.
"Meanwhile, a round-shaped table will soften the room's features for a relaxed, inviting space."
Material is another thing to consider, for example, if the room gets a lot of traffic and the table will be used a lot you'll need something durable.
Options suggested by the expert for a table that will be used lots include stone, metal and wood.
You can also consider material in terms of the look it will give the space, such as timber for a natural vibe.
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Timber adds a calming natural feel to a room. Getty
With those functional aspects sorted then you can look at aesthetic features like colour.
When you have your coffee table, you can enhance the look of it by styling it with décor like a coffee table book, candle and vase.
To get this right try using the rule of three and a triangle shape to guide you.
The rule of three just means choosing three objects of different heights and textures to group together, while the triangle shape is a way to think of how you place the items.
More than three items is fine but keep in mind odd numbers of things tend to look better than an even number of items.
An example of this could be layering one or a couple of coffee table books under a vase with flowers, a candle and a trinket box. This creates a triangle shape using a group of three on a base.
Whatever you choose to style your table with – though you can just leave the coffee table bare – make sure there is still room for you to pop your beverage or whatever it might be if the coffee table is functional rather than just decorative or storage.
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