Striking silhouettes and unusual surfaces result in high design
Not just a surface to place drinks and display beautiful books, the right coffee table can make a striking centrepiece in your living room, as the examples in our edit will testify.
The latest looks go way beyond familiar table profiles, from Lara Bohinc’s Orbit, a gorgeously graphic, geometric metal structure to Cristina Celestino’s Caryllon for Gebrüder Thonet Vienna, with its flower shape and beautiful wooden inlay.
There’s a hint of 1950’s modernism in Emile Jones’ Stack for Heal’s, while Natuzzi’s Orfeo mixes metal, marble, wood veneer and lacquer to an eye-catching effect.
Looking for a new sofa too? Check out our edit of the best new season sofa styles.
New technology plays its part too, with Daniel Schofield’s Blur table precision cut with water jets to achieve its intricately fluted glass base. Also featuring glass is Calvin at Made, which cleverly combines the fragility of this material with the strength and sturdiness of concrete and steel.
The classic Noguchi coffee table has had a subtle and fresh update, with a new beautiful (and much paler) oak base (available exclusively at John Lewis & Partners). Another light oak piece is Kristina Dam’s Table, a minimalist model that exemplifies Scandinavian simplicity.
There are multi layers for storing or hiding remote controls and tablets with the Lowlands coffee table at Lignet Roset and three shapely tiers on the Palette by Jaime Hayon for &Tradition at Nest. The elegant Mies lounge table by Million at Opumo even has a soft leather floating shelf for stashing magazines and newspapers.
Finally from Dare Studio is Riley, a versatile piece that elegantly combines two metal-framed, timber-top tables, which can be joined together as a single piece with an over-layer, or separated to use as a coffee table and side table.
Find more ideas for modern living rooms here.
Stack coffee table, £799, Emile Jones for Heal’s
With its marble top, oak shelf and steel frame, there's a touch of 1950's modernism about this piece by Emile Jones.
Lowlands coffee table, £1,431, Böttcher & Kayser for Ligne Roset
With four surfaces positioned at various heights there's ample discreet storage space with this piece.
Mies lounge table in grey, oak veneer and natural leather, £1,110, Million at Opumo
Choose a glass or marble surface on this powder coated steel frame.
Noguchi coffee table in oak, £2,100, Isamu Noguchi for Vitra at John Lewis & Partners
This timeless piece by Noguchi has been redesigned in solid oak.
Calvin coffee table, £249, Made.com
This pared-back piece combines concrete, glass and steel.
Palette coffee table, £2,195, Jaime Hayon for &Tradition at Nest
This multi-layered coffee table is crafted from brass, marble and steel, with a choice of a black ash or walnut large tabletop.
Caryllon table, £3,995, Cristina Celestino for Gebrüder
Made in Italy, this flower shaped table has a blue inlaid wooden top and black lacquer finish making it an eye-catching piece.
Orbit coffee table, £9,760, Bohinc Studio
This geometric masterpiece is by Lara Bohinc. Demonstrating her expertise with metal work, black steel rods have been laser cut into square and circular shapes, contrasting beautifully with the verdigris patinated copper tops.
Pair of Riley tables in natural walnut and black stained oak, £2,378, Dare Studio at Aram
This clever duo consists of a coffee table with an over table for added convenience. They can be bought separately too.
Orfeo coffee table, from £1,320, Natuzzi
Sitting atop an elegant metal structure this table top is available in a mix of materials: marble, wood veneer and lacquered finish.
Table in solid oak, £443, Kristina Dam Studio at Skandium
Designed by Kristina Dam, this table is a beautiful example of Scandinavian simplicity.
Blur coffee table, £1,195, Daniel Schof
A clear-cut glass top rests on an intricately-crafted fluted glass base in this simple yet striking piece.
