Creating Focal Points with a Coffee Table

Friday, August 21st, 2009
Teak Coffee Table by Finn Juhl
Image by Stewf via Flickr

When it comes to turning your quaint coffee table into a lively focal point for a room, accessories are your best weapon. These accent pieces may be simple or complex, depending on the theme of your room. Often a single object can create a focal point in a modern room.

Glass coffee tables have the advantage of creating distorted reflections of the objects on top of them, and allowing the viewer to see through to the pattern underneath. For this reason, position your coffee table over a rug or a particularly attractive, high-quality floor. Match the accessories on top by using colored glass or simple metal picture frames and bowls to match both the table and hold your items for display.

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Choosing Coffee Table Shape: Round or Square

Monday, August 17th, 2009
Our Coffee miss u
Image by [ jRa7 ] via Flickr

Choosing a coffee table is an important decision. Often the focal point of the room, it unifies elements to create a peaceful atmosphere. From a sharp, modern look to more soothing circles and curves, choosing the proper shape for your coffee table will create a sense of equilibrium in your house. Typically the most popular tables on the contemporary market are the rectangular or square tables and the circular or oval tables.

Rectangular and Square Tables
A rectangular table has strong lines with curved or sharp corners. This has a double advantage. The table is easy to tuck away in the corner of a small or crowded room, and works beautifully with a clean, modern style. Choose the size based on the assortment of items you wish to keep on the table. A square table can hold your books and a nice cup of coffee, while a rectangular table can house multiple items at once.

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Positioning the Coffee Table in a Room

Monday, August 3rd, 2009
coffee table
Image by romanlily via Flickr

The coffee table can be a functional or decorative piece, or a blend of the two. Depending on your needs, you may choose to arrange the coffee table where it is the easiest to access from the couch, or you may choose a spot that has the most beauty and is aesthetically pleasing.

Regardless of the shape of your coffee table, the center of the room is an attractive location. This orientation of the table serves two purposes. You can both use the coffee table to create a focal point that unifies the room, and place it in front of a couch or chair to hold your books and drinks while you relax. Since the location is open and uninhibited by walls, any shape will fit.

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Five Things to Put on Your Coffee Table

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

Your coffee table is a reflection of your home and your own personal style. While coffee tables are mainly used as display for others, it should also be used as a tool for yourself, to express your personality. Here are five items that you can place on your coffee table to serve as interesting pieces you and your guests can enjoy.

If you are having guests over, it is a good idea to put out a bowl of snacks, such as nuts, candy or chips. While this doesn’t have to permanently stay on the coffee table, you can keep a special and decorative bowl handy to pull out at any time to fill with snacks.

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