Coffee Table Shopping

In our last home, we had two little multi-sided figures (I tried to find the math name but gave up) to place our coffee and remotes on.  They were cute, easy to move, and kid friendly. However, they have gone to live in other parts of our home, and so we are in the need of something new.

Right now, we are using a coffee table borrowed from our housemates. Using it for the last couple of months has made us realize how functional it is to have a large surface in front of your sofa.  Here is what we are curently working with.

Try to imagine the room with pretty greyish wood floor and paneling painted a lighter color.  Clearly, we have lots to do, but since it is a rainy day, and The O.C. is on Hulu, I thought compiling all of my favorite coffee tables here is as productive is as I am going to get. Plus, it helps to have them all in one place for when I show Taylor.

Here is what I was looking for in my browsing.

  • At least 4 feet long to fit the length of the sofa
  • Multiple tones or at least multiple finishes. The reason for this is because I love wood, but we have a leather sofa, so that's a lot of brown.  So I need some wood and some metal or marble.  No glass please!
  • Clean lines
  • I like all of my pieces to be stars, but nothing too flashy.
  • Also, cheap but well made

Here are my top picks:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

5 | 6 | 7

What do you all think? Drawers or no drawers?   I think that storage is ideal, but then I can just see a bunch of junk piling up in there.  However, at least said junk is hidden.  I think my favorites are 4, 5, and 7.  5 is on super sale, but there are no reviews, so I have my concerns.

One of the other options for a coffee table is this bench from Overstock.  House Tweaking inspired me using this bench as a coffee table in their living room.

I would like to put together a mood board for the living room soon, and a coffee table and a rug are the only pieces that will be new to the space.  I made a decision last week, but I am curious for your thoughts.  Which one would you pick?