No lounge is complete without a gorgeous coffee table. These small coffee tables can be decorative in their own right while also providing you with a useful space to hold decorative items, coffee table books and even your feet when you settle in for the night.
Throughout the years these humble pieces of furniture have been uplifted to a position in the home that provides you with the opportunity to include a beautiful piece of design in your lounge. These tables can be a polished piece bought from a store or even become a DIY project that you create yourself using upcycled materials to support a more ecofriendly way of living. The design of the simple table has made so much progress throughout the years that you aren’t limited to your bog standard wooden rectangle with no character anymore. Whatever style, colour or material you favour, you can find a coffee table that suits you down to a T.
40 Small Coffee Tables To Spice Up Your Lounge Design
So if your lounge needs some sprucing up with a new coffee table here is some inspiration.
1. Chevron Reclaimed Timber Table
This square coffee table is made of ecofriendly thin reclaimed timber slats that have been laid in a two chevron patterns facing one another. V shaped metal legs that blend into floorboards holds up the graphic wooden tabletop whose warmth contrasts starkly against the cool toned surroundings. The simple design also incorporates a handle free drawer for convenient storage.
2. Wedge Shaped Coffee Table
This tradition style coffee table is an unusual wedge shape that fits perfectly into the corner created by the leather sofas. The solid wooden table features built in storage underneath the tabletop; which makes it appear far less bulky and ensures that the surface remains uncluttered. Being able to see through the triplet of chunky table legs allows for some permeability in the lounge space, which lightens a room that is full of some very dark, heavy materials.
3. Low Round Coffee Table
This whole lounge set has been designed together using the same wood and design details. The coffee table is constructed of dark wooden slats cut into a circle with a dashed pattern burnt into the surface. The bowed wooden legs are accented with black rings; which is all repeated in the matching side table. The leather chairs match the hue of the wood almost identically and bear the same burnt details but with legs that splay out in the opposite direction.
4. Futuristic Rolling Table
This little coffee table has a simple cube framework in a clean white on a small set of castors. What makes this simple design special, however, is the optical illusion tabletop. The surface is a square with rounded edges that uses purple LED lights to create some visual trickery that makes it appear that there is a deep lit up space beneath the glass where there is in fact just a void. Tables like this will add a futuristic vibe in any living room.
5. Pair Of Rustic Wooden Tables
This comfortable, rustic lounge has used a pair of cute wooden tables sat side by side as one central coffee table. The pale, lathed wooden table legs wrap around the edges of the bright white carved tabletop and fits in perfectly in the neutral toned space. They have been combined with wooden trays to hold useful or decorative items so the pristine surface remains unsullied.
6. Eclectic Neon Blue Coffee Table
The design of this dressing room revolves around this vintage table that has been updated by painting it neon blue. This signature colour is repeated throughout the room in the side table, oval dresser and window bars. These pieces are the only moments of colour in the neutral vintage room, an eclectic combination of bright colours within a classic stark space.
7. Rolling Stack Of Logs
This nature inspired coffee table has a base that is formed out of a platform of plywood held up by little black castors. The table surface is created by rows of evenly sized logs left raw and glued in place upright so their rings form the table’s surface filled in by wood filler. Due to wood being a very heavy material the wheels make it easy to move around and means it can be used in a variety of places depending on your need. This style of table can be cheaply DIYed using found materials and some hardware store supplies.
8. Quirky Cushioned Small Coffee Tables
This pair of dinky tables are made up of a metal frame with a soft mint upholstery surface. The interesting half moon table legs stack back to back with one another and perch the soft cushions in their points. Since the cushions can’t hold a cup of coffee because its soft you could pair them with a decorative tray to solve that problem and adapt them from day to day. They also doubles as comfortable footstools.
9. Triplets Od Wooden Stumps
A trio of wooden stumps that have been stripped of their bark and sanded until they are smooth with softened edges to furnishes this outdoor relaxation area. This technique brings out the unique wood grain of each stump beautifully. Each sits at different heights for visual interest perched on wheels to make them easily reconfigured according to your use. Due to how easy these are to move around they can even be cleared of all items and become additional seating when you host larger gatherings at your home.
10. Super Thin Timber Coffee Table
This is a simple design rendered in eco friendly thin reclaimed timber boards with rounded, accented edges. The long rectangle provides enough space for decoration and a tray of tea and is useful for the whole long couch. It is also the perfect height to rest your feet on while you relax and watch TV. The whole room, down to pale white washed finish of the coffee table, is made of a rendered in a collage of neutrals which makes the room feel airy and spacious.
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11. Ying Yang Decoupage Table
This circular black and white design decorated with floral patterns that can easily be DIYed at home using found furniture, paint and some good old fashioned decoupage. This particular design however conceals some transforming trickery. The gold hinges hidden on the side of the tabletop allows the two pieces of the table to be split apart and swing out to form a longer skinny black and white design that can to serve more people. This delicate design with unusual T shaped legs is compact and adaptable depending on how you need to use it. Decorating a table in this way is a cheap and fun way to reinvigorate an old thrifted table, whether it splits apart like this one or not.
12. Reclaimed Palette Coffee Table
This rustic outdoor patio furniture has all been made of old reclaimed palettes. This is a look that can be easily DIYed at home from salvaged palettes that you can find online or from any scrapyard. Timber palette DIYs are hugely popular right now, especially in the ecofriendly community, and the internet is brimming with great tutorials on how to easily make palette furniture at home. The table is formed from two layers of timber palettes that’s have been stained in the same warm pine tone as the outdoor sofa. This durable and ecofriendly design provides plenty of space for decoration and some snacks and drinks while you lounge outside in the sun.
13. Stack Of Planks
This contemporary lounge has been carefully festooned with some beautiful and statement pieces like the grey couch and animal skin rug around the real focus of the room; the unusual coffee table. The play on the traditional wooden table consists of a white V shaped legs that hold aloft an uneven triple tiered stack of planks. The varnished pale wood planks have been glued together to resemble an uneven natural stack of building material that has made its way into the lounge.
14. Contemporary Table Top With Built In Plant Pot
This small obelisk coffee table uses an oval shape but with a slight twist that comes from the gently curved angles around its circumference. Its solid white mass acts as a true centerpiece in a modern monochromatic setting. What makes this table truly unique is the tony bonsai tree dropping fruit right onto the table; which allows you to bringing plants and nature into a modern space in an unexpected and beautiful way. What makes this whole design so cohesive is how the thin wooden tabletop relates to the little tree that sits on top of it while the pure white plant pot relates to the white table base.
15. Timber Coffee Table With Slide Out Shelf
This rough wooden table is an artisanal style that is innovative but still simple with a classic elegant design. The crossed legs and beveled tabletop is built out of a detailed grained wood that lets the material be shown for its true beauty. The innovative element comes in through the tiny inconspicuous handle that allows you to pull out an extra shelf if you need more space on the tabletop or to bring the table closer to the couch so you can reach your cup of coffee with ease.
16. Fold Away Metal Trestle Table
This cozy little living room has cleverly used a small white trestle table that is lightweight and easy to fold away and move around in your space according to your needs. The simple metal surface offers a plain canvas for the decoration on top which works alongside the stack of big coffee table books that acts as a secondary table of sorts for a cup of coffee. Moving the coffee table from the centre of the space to one side leaves room for a comfy poof for you to rest your feet on while you rest beside the fire.
17. Tree Stump Cross Section
This gorgeous table has used the naturally grown beauty of this incredible felled tree to its greatest advantage. The tabletop is created wholly of the cross section of a dramatically twisting tree with the bark still on with rippling edges and uncountable rings showing its great age held up by thin triangular prism metal legs. By putting nature’s power and beauty on display eliminates the need for any extra decoration and stands proudly on its own against the striped rug.
18. Simple Rectangular Prism
This large lounge takes advantage of its size by using a monolithic white upholstered block as a statement coffee table. The whole room has used white as its main design point from the walls, pitched ceiling, under the stairs and couch, which the coffee table slots into seamlessly. The large square contributes space for an element of colourful decoration and the addition of wooden trays makes it useful to hold drinks or snacks.
19. Low Wooden Mesh Coffee Table
This Japanese inspired wooden mesh tabletop sits really low to the floor within this minimal space. The simple design includes an unexpected slide out shelf on one side to supply extra space and a flatter surface than the mesh to pop a cup of coffee onto. The material of the table matches the window frames and planters in the room for a very cohesive look, which is reinforced by the real plant on the table that is echoed in the graphic version on the white pull down blinds behind it.
20. Two Little Tree Stumps
This cute little pair are another version of the iconic upcycled tree stump tables that we’ve seen before. The smooth tree stumps have had their bark removed and been sanded smooth to let the natural material speak for itself. The small space between the big, soft couches needs small coffee tables to keep the space useable and these two accomplish that while also providing space for decoration on one and everyday items on the other. These kinds of tables can be made easily at home from reclaimed timber to reduce your garden waste and be rewarded with a gorgeous piece of furniture at the end.
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21. Pair Of Scandinavian Small Coffee Tables
This Scandinavian style interior has again used a pair of simple but beautiful tables that team up to act as one coffee table ensemble. The white and mint circular tabletops are two different sizes and slightly different heights on a unique tripod of connected legs that bring a natural texture into the room that is a staple of the Scandinavian design style. The dual set of tables allows you to decorate on one while you use the other for everyday items or to style both together. The warmth of the beautiful Y shaped legs is echoed in the warm soft furnishings is a very aesthetically pleasing manner.
22. Round Reclaimed Timber Table
This ecofriendly design is constructed of a large round surface made of rough, reclaimed timber boards on four soft grey connected legs. The tabletops large circumference supplies plenty of space for practical use and decoration, which is important in this breed of hygge style decor. Hygge is a design style that focuses on comfort and the feeling of being cozy so the soft carpet, wood texture from the table, scented candle and fresh flowers embodies that feeling whole heartedly.
23. Glass Oval With Wooden Legs
This traditionally homey and comfortable interior has incorporated a few innovative elements to mix up the look like the large fish tank and stylish coffee table. A black metal lip that defines the edge of the table in a more elegant way than a beveled glass edge can rims the glass oval tabletop. The real statement of this piece is the two crossing double sided axe style legs holding the tabletop aloft on its peaks.
24. Pair Of Bulbous Woven Small Coffee Tables
Yet again, this lounge has chosen to use a pair of coordinated tables as its coffee table with circular timber tabletops held up my translucent woven bases. The smaller table, the taller of the two acts as the vessel for decorative features while the larger, shorter table has a bulbous wide base and is used for more useful things. The translucent woven table bases tie in with the structured mesh chair and woven baskets also present in the room.
25. Two Low Bench Small Coffee Tables
This lounge, like the one above, has used a matching set of small tables but this time in a timber bench style. The longer bench is placed to serve the long blue couch while its smaller counterpart pairs with the matching armchair. The simple boxes are lightweight and can be moved around, as you need. The exposed beams of the ceiling tie in with the timber tables to make the room feel seamlessly cohesive.
26. Matching Circular Small Coffee Tables
This is another pair of tables that exemplifies why a pair of round small coffee tables are a great alternative to one solid piece since take up less space and are easier to move around. Again these are both slightly different sizes and heights for visual interest. The solid wooden tabletop has a delicate lip around the edge sitting on a tripod of metal legs that are tied together by a Y shaped metal support.
27. Two Tiered Circular Coffee Table
This futuristic circular coffee table appears to be two white discs floating one above the other over the leaf like carpet. The delicate dowel stick legs blend easily into the surroundings to achieve this surreal appearance. The gap between the two surfaces creates a little spot to store magazines and books to unclutter the bright white tabletop. Neat circular wooden trays have been added aid in keeping the coffee table neat.
28. Elegantly Stacked Circles
This swirling white and gold design is another version of a futuristic coffee table. A thin glossy material serves as the circular tabletop held up my infinitesimal legs brought together by two slim rings around the circumference. Another taller circular side table on delicate legs sits next to the couch to place a drink on. The stylish interior has a lot of quirky décor that the table fits in with so well.
29. Chunky Rectangular Framework
This chunky wooden rectangular table with a glass tabletop is a riff of a classic design that has been brought into contemporary times. The solid wooden base to the rectangular framework acts as a secondary storage surface creating layered shelving. The little circular tray has been added for serving drinks to protect the glass surface. The coffee table is big enough for drinks and books and leaves space to decorate with fresh flowers.
30. Brush Gold Circular Table Set
This version of the well loved set of circular coffee tables of different heights and sizes rendered in a stainless steel treated to look like brushed gold. The hammered lip of both tables is slightly uneven which makes them appear more organic and whimsical in appearance. This combination is eye catching and a give off an aura of understated glamour that a polished gold finish would not be able to achieve.
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31. Rectangular Marble Table
This startlingly gargantuan living room with a massive L shaped couch wraps around the elegant marble coffee table. Two layers of thin marble are held in place by a dainty black framework that makes it seem as if the top layer is floating in space. The lounge itself is super glamorous with dark, moody timber floors, dark walls and well placed white accents and linear mouldings. The table fits in perfectly with this austerity with its modern design and expensive material.
32. Trio Of Wicker Stool Tables
This lounge is the quintessential rustic interior with a mix of woven and natural textures from the pitched ceiling, amorphous hanging lamps and woven rug so this trio of wicker stools fit right in. The wicker ‘seats’ on a timber bases are lightweight so they can be moved around the lounge depending on where you’re sitting and what you need it for with ease. These can be combined with trays for drinks and snacks which may be unsteady on the soft wicker surface.
33. Rustic Reclaimed Timber Coffee Table
This large inviting lounge has a big L shaped couch that wraps around big, chunky timber coffee table. The square table is an ecofriendly design made of reclaimed timber that highlights the naturally weathered character of the material. The thick surface includes a set of drawers on both sides to store things that are necessary in a lounge, like TV remotes, but ruin up the overall aesthetic of the space.
34. Upcycled Timber Box Table
This beautiful table is made of a series of four wooden crates that have been turned on their side and interlocked to create this innovative design. The distinct slatted design has been stained a deep warm brown to fit in with the moody atmosphere of this gothic lounge. The open side of the boxes create cubbyholes on four sides that can be used for storage or unique lighting as they have done above. This design would be an cheap and easy one to replicate yourself at home as upcycling DIY project.
35. Concentric Circles of Plywood
Laminated plywood has been used to create this gorgeous circular table to great effect as the cut side of the thick tabletop shows off the beautiful manufactured wood grain. A tripod of thin V shaped holds up the chunky surface legs with rounded ends, which makes it appear light and delicate. The black concentric rings that adorn the rim of the table tie in with the circular mirrors and the black details throughout the room in the table legs and chair.
36. Unique Triangular Table
This super modern design is a glamourous amalgamation of textures and finishes signed off perfectly with the unexpected triangular coffee table. The unique little table has rounded edges and sits on some sleek little castors so it can be rolled around and used anywhere in the room. The timber suspended ceiling above it has been clad in the same timber as the table to tie the room together visually.
37. Trio Of Tree Trunks
This aqua contemporary living room uses the tree trunk style of tables we have seen in the past but in a very chunky and rough way. The thick slices of tree trunks have had their bark removed and sanded lightly so the natural surface texture of the naked wood is brought to the fore. The tables are cut from huge, twisting tree trunk and left scattered on the lounge floor to display their natural shape in their full beauty. In one quick design decision the coffee tables become the centre of this beautiful room by bringing nature inside the home to celebrate it.
38. A Round Metal Drum
This striking outdoor patio coffee table is surrounded by a corner couch and armchairs in a pale timber with cream cushions, which allows the rusted, teal drum to become the focal point of this outdoor entertainment space. The bright riveted wheel sits on a timber base with short legs. Its squat, rotund shape is a pop of colour in a space full of neutral colours with wooden details. The overall aesthetic is light and summery and make you want to lounge here all day long in the hot sun.
39. Vintage Wooden Coffee Table
This bright rustic interior is quite neutral when it comes to the walls, ceiling and soft furnishing but the rusticity comes out through the textures of the fireplace, layered mirror, the woven rug sitting on the red brick flooring and the distinctive table. The chunky wooden vintage coffee table is a gorgeous antique store find that really brings this rustic look together. The coffee table is both beautiful and useful because it has a built in drawer with metal handles on both short sides of the table to store any miscellaneous lounge items that may be cluttering up your space.
40. Vintage Baroque Coffee Table
This lounge is one that you wouldn’t be surprised to find in a glamorous manor house in the French countryside. The room is decorated in the Baroque style, which is clearly expressed in the matching furniture set that furnishes the entire room. The coffee table is one of these Baroque pieces. The design is made of an elaborated carved timber, which appears as if one solid piece that has been manipulated into beveled edges, stylized leaves and an intensely opulent curlicued crest with dramatically curving legs. As if this piece wasn’t detailed enough, it has been painted in a classy combination of cream, silver and gold to highlight every little detail. This is one truly impactful room to walk into that’s almost intimidating is its decoration even down to its small coffee table.
Conclusion
As you can see a coffee table is far more than just a place to set a cup of coffee or a remote control. They can be vintage pieces that have been given a new lease on life, a polished contemporary piece or some nature inspired pieces of upcycled art. Choosing the right table for your space can make the difference between a space that looks merely nice and a space that feels stylish and beautiful. The only limits you have are the amount of space you have to work with and your own unique design vision.
So don’t underestimate the style power behind the humble coffee table and use this knowledge to branch out and try something new.