Or nothing, to keep it from feeling cramped.

I don't like them, either. I can't tell you the number of coffee table edges I've bumped into that gave me bruises. We have a rectangular leather ottoman that doesn't have sharp edges, like wood or glass, and serves as a place to put feet up and also as a table of sorts- for newspapers and books. If you serve something on a platter, it's flat enough to hold that, too.

What kills me about those "mandatory" coffee tables in the design photos is that sometimes the tables have no apparent function other than to fill up space. Often their placement makes their use impossible.

I agree, lizzie91001. I also have a friend who has glass coffee tables and glass side tables-- glass everywhere. I find them so disorienting. I just never see them. Scary.

I agree...I have ceramic colorful gardening stools next to chairs for drinks etc. they can also be easily moved for additional seating!

Totally agree with you about coffee tables being in the way in a small room. I prefer side tables by far, or even other pieces of furniture doubling as side tables. All house traffic passes through my narrow living room, so I decided against having one in this house. In my previous apartment I used it as a footrest while reading. Now I read in a recliner in a different room, so I don't need the low table.