Need help choosing correct shape and style coffee table?

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

I am trying to get a coffee table for my new living room. I am trying to go with a traditional / Mediterranean style, but it is a small room and I don't want to get something too overpowering. I am also limited in size since my sofa has a chaise on one end and a recliner on the other, so there is only approx. a 3 feet area to place the coffee table. I was thinking maybe a glass top so it won't make the room look too cluttered. Or, maybe a custom marble top coffee table that would match my fireplace surround. Also, could I do a round, since I can't seem to find any small rectangular tables.

Featured Answer

leelee

13 years ago

last modified: 13 years ago

None of the 3 above would be right. They all look dated and too ornate and heavy. Think of something more fresh, not necessarily modern.

Do any of these work for you?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (27)

PRO
Interiors International, Inc.
13 years ago
Oval table would work well.
Markey Pappa
Original Author
13 years ago
Still trying to get the perfect cocktail table. Need help choosing. I would appreciate any comments or recommendations on the 3 attached pics!
Related Professionals
Palm Bay Interior Designers & Decorators · Salisbury Interior Designers & Decorators · Burlington Interior Designers & Decorators · Kingman Interior Designers & Decorators · Chattanooga Architects & Building Designers · Show Low Architects & Building Designers · Colorado Springs Architects & Building Designers · Durango Architects & Building Designers · Coos Bay Architects & Building Designers · Palm Bay Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Columbus Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Pittsfield Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Traverse City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Canton Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Sioux Falls Kitchen & Bathroom Designers
Markey Pappa
Original Author
13 years ago
Also, size needs to be on the shorter side, approx, 42" long, since the end of the sofa is also a recliner.
Nancy Travisinteriors
13 years ago
Angle chair to look at TV move closer to sofa. remove small area rug. Get 2 round ottomans in a color or print keep the same. Put a 5 x7 area rug in a gold, black cream design under them. Add panels to end of windows, should be 2 shades darker than walls. Remove awful wall paper, paint a latte color. Leave all trim white. Add candles, plants books to TV center don't clutter, behind sofa wall add very large sunburst mirror in gold tone. Open shades. Let light in.
Nancy Travisinteriors
13 years ago
Add small round table next to chair, with a plant.
Nancy Travisinteriors
13 years ago
Add pillows to sofa in colors from rug. Same with chair also add a throw in black zebra.
studio10001
13 years ago
last modified: 13 years ago
I'd suggest a travertine w metal legs. The thick wood surrounds of the models you are showing are too massive.
suzanne_m
13 years ago
If you have a coffee table with a glass top or a plain top coffee table, I think you need a rug with some pattern. I find there are too much solid colors.
suzanne_m
13 years ago
If you have room to put a table around 24 in. in front of sofa then you don't need to have a short table. Just to confirm the space measure how much space you need when the recliner is opened then add 6 to 8 in.
Markey Pappa
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Suzanne_m, I have 54" from the edge of the chaise to the edge of the recliner. But don't you have to leave space between the sofa and the cocktail table to walk between? Yes, I was thinking of getting a rug with some pattern also.
Markey Pappa
Original Author
13 years ago
leelee, I was trying to get a mediterranean or tuscan look and feel, but I see what your saying about the tables I choose being to heavy. I do like the double glass oval table you showed,
suzanne_m
13 years ago
If the recliner is closed, you will have enough space to walk between the sofa and the table. If the recliner is open, you can walk in front of the fireplace. I also think an oval table would work fine in this room.
suzanne_m
13 years ago
I think because of the built of your furniture, a table that is 42 in. long might look too small.
Markey Pappa
Original Author
13 years ago
suzanne_m, Thanks suzanne! So you think a 48" L oval table would work?
suzanne_m
13 years ago
I would say measure the length of your sofa (less the chaise) and your table should be 20 in. less than the measure you took and center your table in this space.
Markey Pappa
Original Author
13 years ago
suzanne_m, Ok, so my sofa (less the chaise) measures 85", so I should get a table 65" long? But won't the recliner always be hitting the table when opened?
Markey Pappa
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi travisinteriors, Wow, you gave me so much great advise for my whole room. I really appreciate all those comments on how to finish off the details of my room. I've been stuck with how to finish decorating the room, so I've just been living with it empty like this for the past 6 months. I was contemplating adding side panels to my window, but the right side is very narrow because of the built in wall unit. What about adding a valence instead?
studio10001
13 years ago
No. Your table need be only so big that everyone can set a glass down! (The area rug you have used as a fill-in looks about right for that.)
suzanne_m
13 years ago
I have the same layout at my place and it works ... except that I would put 30 in. in front of sofa just to make sure that a tall person who his feet go past the foot rest won't hit the table when reclined. Also it will give you more space to walk around. If you leave 30 in. between the sofa and table and the same distance between the fire and table, how much space you are left for the width of the table? I guess one way to calculate the width of the table you can have is to measure the distance between the sofa and fireplace then subtract 60 in.
Markey Pappa
Original Author
13 years ago
Yes, I was just using that area rug for a template for the cocktail table size originally. It's not really meant to stay there, I definitely replacing it with a larger area rug.
suzanne_m
13 years ago
Sorry markeyp, I made mistake when I told you how to calculate the space you have for your table. So what I have at home and it works just fine is my sofa is 86 long and I have an oval table that is 50 x 32 and the table is 30 in. in front of the sofa.
suzanne_m
13 years ago
markeyp, I did a photoshop of your living room. I removed the rug since you said it is going. I had a table that I found in the houzz browse living room. If you click on the green label on the table, you will have a bit of information. With photoshop I could not turn the table the other direction otherwise I would deform the table but at least this will give you an idea. The has an antic mirror on the bottom shef.

Living room · More Info
suzanne_m
13 years ago
Oops, it is not the photo I wanted to post:
suzanne_m
13 years ago
TABLE 2:

Similar to the table above. I like it better than table one because the metal is darker and more contrasting it the sofa and recliner:

Hillsborough Living Room · More Info
Markey Pappa
Original Author
13 years ago
Hi Suzanne_m, Sorry I had to go out to a Memorial Day BBQ. I like this oval glass table also. I love the way you photoshopped it, It really helps to get a better idea of how it will look.
suzanne_m
13 years ago
markeyp, I have done a different photoshop with table 2.

TABLE 2 take 2: