What kind of table do you need?

Are you looking for a table for your living room? Dining room? Kitchen? All manner of tables exist in a shape and size and at a height that will suit your purposes. Many even act as multipurpose surfaces and some even provide multiple levels. You can determine the best choice by considering the benefits of each design. Other than the one you find in your dining room, the ones you use for decorating can be considered an accent table. Every room should have one or two to provide a varied visual element and for you to place your objects of art.

An end table is just under the height of a sofa arm which puts it between 18” and 27” tall. This is below the height of standard American kitchen counter installations which are usually at 30”. They are typically used on either end of a sofa or between the elements in a sofa set, but can also be used anywhere you need an elevated surface. I have used one in the kitchen to give my smaller children a working surface right next to mine. 

It seems that no living room is complete without a coffee table. Situated in front of a couch or sofa, the coffee table is low enough your child can sit comfortably and play at the table. Adults can reach items on the table without undue bending or stooping and the table is not high enough to obstruct anyone’s view of the other people in the area which makes for better conversation.

One of my favorite decorating tips is to use a console table. These tables come in a few shapes and sizes but are primarily sized between the height of an end table and that of a high kitchen counter at 36”. They are perfect for collecting your stuff at the doorways of your home and can be a more elegant hiding place for very ordinary items like keys, dog leashes, cell phone chargers and more. My absolute favorite piece of furniture is a demi lune console table. Gorgeous!

If you need to elevate some photos or have a collection of tea cups you want to share then you may like a sofa table in your living room. These give a slightly more formal appearance to your living area as it helps the area look polished. If you only have a den but wish to graduate from your husband’s bachelor days, a clean line sofa set and sofa table with coordinating coffee and end tables will completely transform the room. If all you care to bit off right now is the sofa table, it will allow you to place vases, photos and other elegant items taking a visitors eye off your sofa set and onto the items you wish to feature.

Another trick for instant room transformation is to use nesting tables. Most are more delicate than the other furniture you will have in the room so they can bring a touch of femininity if that is what you desire. Each table can be used in a different area of the room to feature a floral arrangement or favorite photo album or your crystal collection.