hidden

Shop

hidden
Black-Nesting-Coffee-Tables

Trio Nesting Coffee Table

hidden
Brown-Round-Coffee-Table

Yoko Coffee Table

hidden
Travertine-Nesting-Coffee-Tables

3-Piece Carve Travertine Cocktail Table Set

hidden
Vintage Natural Wood Coffee Table

Vintage Wood Coffee Table

hidden
Woven-Abstract-Coffee-Table

Maeve Woven Coffee Table

hidden
Vintage Red Nesting Tables

Vintage Red Coffee Table

hidden
Modern-Green-Marble-Coffee-Table

Pasar Modern Round Green Marble Coffee Table

hidden
Wooden-Wavy-Coffee-Table

Aria Coffee Table

hidden
Swirly-Wood-Coffee-Table

Tipton Coffee Tables

hidden
Modern-Black-Coffee-Table

Estate Travertine and Metal Square Coffee Table

hidden
Wooden-Stump-Coffee-Table

Burl Wood Coffee Table

hidden
Wavy-Wooden-Coffee-Table

Augie Oak Wood Coffee Table

hidden
Black-Modern-Abstract-Coffee-Table

Pentwater Round Coffee Table

hidden
Urban Outfitters burl wood coffee table

Burl Wood Coffee Table

hidden
Marble Orb Coffee Table

Marble Orb Coffee Table

Sourcing The Perfect Unexpected Coffee Table

A coffee table is often one of the first pieces you purchase and use in a home — a landing spot for your morning coffee, favorite books, or even living room dinner parties in your first apartment and in-between moves. The right coffee table can make a space visually and functionally, but just because its purpose is practicality doesn’t mean it can’t be the most interesting thing in the room.

hidden
Black-Nesting-Coffee-Tables

Trio Nesting Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Brown-Round-Coffee-Table

Yoko Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Travertine-Nesting-Coffee-Tables

3-Piece Carve Travertine Cocktail Table Set

Shop Now
hidden
Vintage Natural Wood Coffee Table

Vintage Wood Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Woven-Abstract-Coffee-Table

Maeve Woven Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Vintage Red Nesting Tables

Vintage Red Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Modern-Green-Marble-Coffee-Table

Pasar Modern Round Green Marble Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Wooden-Wavy-Coffee-Table

Aria Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Swirly-Wood-Coffee-Table

Tipton Coffee Tables

Shop Now
hidden
Modern-Black-Coffee-Table

Estate Travertine and Metal Square Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Wooden-Stump-Coffee-Table

Burl Wood Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Wavy-Wooden-Coffee-Table

Augie Oak Wood Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Black-Modern-Abstract-Coffee-Table

Pentwater Round Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Urban Outfitters burl wood coffee table

Burl Wood Coffee Table

Shop Now
hidden
Marble Orb Coffee Table

Marble Orb Coffee Table

Shop Now

Over the past few years, we’ve seen more and more designers thinking outside of the literal “box” when it comes to coffee tables, experimenting with abstract shapes and configurations. We love it when a coffee table brings something unexpected to the room, so we curated some of our favorite options for creating this look in your space. Read on for a few tips and inspiration for sourcing the perfect unexpected coffee table regardless of your budget.

4 TIPS FOR SOURCING THE PERFECT UNEXPECTED COFFEE TABLE

  • You don’t have to pick just one. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking you can only have one coffee table, but if you have space, clustering or spacing out more than one lends to a much more relaxed and elevated vibe.
  • Find something that juxtaposes the rest of the room. When we look to our favorite inspiration, the coffee table is always a little bit “off” from the rest of the space, adding some visual tension, whether that be through shape or materiality.
  • Consider spacing. Your coffee table should be about 12-18 inches from your sofa or other primary seating pieces. If you don’t want to sketch it out or use a mockup tool, try taping out the measurements on your floor or rug to get a feel for the use of space.  
  • Go secondhand! There are so many great secondhand options if you love the hunt. Plus, because what goes around comes around, paired coffee tables or nesting tables are relatively common at flea markets and thrift shops.
Best Coffee Tables for Living Room

Design by Sandra Weingort / Photography by Adrian Gaut

Best Coffee Tables for Living Room

Design by Katie LeClercq / Photography by Aaron Leitz

Best Coffee Tables for Living Room

Design by Ashe Leandro / Photography by Shades Degges

Best Coffee Tables for Living Room

Design by Delia Kenza Interiors / Photography by Nick Glimenakis

Best Coffee Tables for Living Room

Design by Brian Paquette Interiors / Photography by Miranda Estes

Best Coffee Tables for Living Room

Design by Anastasia Casey / Photography by Lindsay Brown

Coffee Table in Modern Living Room

Design by Nina B  / Photography by Nathaniel Johnston/ Styling by Mariana Marcki-Matos

Coffee Table in Modern Living Room

Design by Nina Farmer / Photography by David Mitchell

Coffee Table in Modern Living Room Design

Design by Studio Ashby / Photography by Kensington Leverne

We love how the designers below incorporated coffee tables into these spaces. Scroll through for some inspiration and shop a few of our favorites below. 

Shop the Look

BY: ANASTASIA CASEY

« >

  • Home Tours
  • Product Roundups
  • Entertaining
  • Podcasts
hidden

Custom Details Add Personality To This Ocean-front Spec Home

hidden

A Re-imagined Waterfront Lake Cottage

hidden

A Scandinavian-inspired 1950s Ranch Home

hidden

The Design Principles Marie Flanigan Swears By for a Timeless Home

hidden

Inside a Playful Knoxville Restoration

hidden

A Light-Filled Connecticut Mid-Century Remodel

See All in Home Tours
hidden

Shop Wayfair Home Decor and Furniture Like a Designer

hidden

Mudroom Design Ideas to Inspire a Back-to-School Refresh

hidden

50 Prime Day Design Picks to Shop Early

hidden

Statement Mirrors With an Artful Edge

hidden

Metal of the Moment: A Fresh Take on Silver

hidden

Shop These Designer Furniture Collabs For Well-Made Forever Pieces

See All in Product Roundups
hidden

Shop Tableware and Textiles for Spring Entertaining

hidden

Celebrating with Caesarstone

hidden

A Timeless Tudor Holiday Home Tour

hidden

Organic and Neutral Holiday Home Tour

hidden

A Cozy Lake House Holiday Home Tour

hidden

A Room-By-Room Guide to Holiday Decorating

See All in Trends
hidden

Working with Builders

hidden

The Transformative Power of Pivoting

hidden

Strategic Brand Development

hidden

Pricing Your Services

hidden

Creating a Lighting Plan

hidden

Scaling a Studio with Low Overhead

See All in Podcasts
hidden

Shop

Black-Nesting-Coffee-Tables