Which square coffee table should you choose?
Like a couch, sofa, or dining table, the coffee table is an essential piece of furniture when it comes to furnishing a living room or family room. To choose the right coffee table, you should consider its shape, among other criteria. You can choose from rectangular, round, or oval models, as well as square coffee tables.
These sturdy and practical tables are particularly popular for their ability to fit into any interior. As a result, they are in high demand among customers. However, finding the perfect square coffee table isn’t always easy. Here’s a buying guide and a list of tips and tricks to help you choose with ease.
Choose based on the available space
Although a square coffee table is considered practical and suitable for many different spaces, it’s essential to make sure you have enough room for it in your living room. If space is limited, the coffee table will still fit, as its shape makes it fairly unobtrusive.
However, you need to make sure it’s neither too small nor too large, nor too low nor too high in relation to the sofa, the TV, or other pieces of furniture already in the room—or those you’d like to pair it with. To help the furniture blend in better with the living room, it’s especially important to make sure it’s placed at the ideal distance from the sofa. That way, you can easily reach it to set down a cup or a book, or to stretch your legs.
Choose Based on Your Decor
A square coffee table is known for adding character to a living room without overwhelming the interior design. However, before choosing a model, it’s important to make sure it will blend in with the decor or enhance its aesthetic appeal. This step will help you select the right square coffee table design, color, and material.
The idea is to match the coffee table to the living room’s decor. For example, it’s a good idea to choose a minimalist square coffee table for a Scandinavian-style living room, a retro model for a vintage-style living room, and so on.
Choose Based on the Material
To ensure that a square coffee table blends seamlessly with your interior decor, it’s important to pay close attention to the material it’s made of. Let’s explore the different options for a successful combination.
The square wooden coffee table
A wooden coffee table is ideal for interiors decorated in a Scandinavian, rustic, bohemian, country, or industrial style, among others. It complements almost any style and is especially popular for its ability to bring a fresh, authentic feel to a space.
The square coffee table made of metal or steel
The square metal coffee table is a perfect fit for interiors designed in an industrial or loft style. Likewise, thanks to this material, it blends even better with other decor elements, regardless of what they’re made of.
The square glass coffee table
Understated and elegant, the square glass coffee table helps to create a sense of lightness in the space. It is therefore well-suited to minimalist interiors.
The square stone coffee table
With a stone top, the square coffee table adds even more character to the living room. However, it has a cold look that may not go well with everything.
The square plastic coffee table
Plastic coffee tables are popular because of the wide range of colors and shapes they offer. They can be very stylish and add a touch of originality to the decor. However, it’s important to note that the choice of material shouldn’t be based solely on aesthetics. It should also take into account your lifestyle, the material’s durability, and how easy it is to clean. Therefore, you should choose:
- a square wooden coffee table, for its sturdiness and ease of maintenance;
- a plastic coffee table, practical and easy to move;
- a square glass coffee table, if you don't have children at home and because it's easy to clean;
- etc.
Choose Based on Dimensions
In general, square coffee tables take up little space, and their dimensions can be adapted to any interior. However, it’s still a good idea to make sure the tabletop dimensions and the table’s height are just right.
The dimensions of the tabletop
The top of a square coffee table, like that of a rectangular coffee table, typically measures 100 or 60 cm. However, depending on the available space and your needs, these dimensions may vary. For example, in large spaces, you might choose a square coffee table with sides measuring 120 cm × 120 cm. On the other hand, for a smaller space, a tabletop measuring 100 cm, 60 cm, or 40 cm on each side may be sufficient.
Height
To choose the ideal height for your square coffee table, you need to consider two factors: the size of the room and the seating arrangement. Based on these criteria, you should also choose a square coffee table whose height matches that of the lowest seat in the room. Similarly, you can choose a coffee table that is no more than 3 or 5 cm lower than the height of the sofa.
In addition, it is recommended that you choose a model whose height makes it easy to reach the glasses and plates that may be placed on it.
Choose Based on Your Feet
The legs are a part of the coffee table that deserves careful consideration. Several factors can help you choose the right ones, such as their height, material, and appearance. When it comes to leg height, for example, you should opt for 30-cm legs if you have a low sofa and 40- to 50-cm legs otherwise.
As for the material of the legs, it should be chosen based on your decorative needs. For example, it’s advisable to choose iron legs if you’re going for an industrial style. Finally, for aesthetic reasons, you can choose slanted legs, thick legs, thin legs, designer legs, etc., depending on your preferences.
Choose based on potential uses
One reason the square coffee table is considered practical is its versatility. When making a choice, it’s therefore important to ensure that the model you’re considering can serve a variety of purposes, just as you should choose your coffee table based on how you plan to use it.
The Decorative Square Coffee Table
A variety of stylish and unique square coffee tables are available on the market. These pieces are perfect for adding a special touch to your living room decor. You can also accessorize them with certain items to make them even more unique.
The Square Coffee Table with Storage
For storage purposes, it’s recommended to choose a coffee table that comes with an additional shelf. You can use it to store books and newspapers, for example. Similarly, you can opt for a model with a drawer or storage compartment to take advantage of more storage space.
The square coffee table for dining
If the square coffee table you’re looking for is intended only for eating, setting down a glass, or resting your feet, there’s no need to break the bank on designer models. Any model will do, as long as the material is sturdy and easy to maintain. For example, avoid choosing a square coffee table made from certain types of wood, especially if you’ll be placing hot dishes on it, as this could leave marks.
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