Where would we be without the humble coffee table? Sitting in the centre of the living room, the coffee table is a surface for coffee mugs and anything else we want within our reach (like the T.V. remote, amirite?). The coffee table need not be as utilitarian as we’re making it out to be. There are many ways you can style your coffee table into a living room centrepiece. You also don’t need a coffee table at all.
Hold up, and let us explain. Of course you need a coffee table in the living room. Do you know of anyone without one? But if you have a smaller living room, perhaps you don’t have space for a traditional coffee table. If this is you, then you’re in luck. There are coffee table alternatives fit for a small-scale living space.
We love traditional coffee tables, and if they work for you, more power to you. If you were wanting to experiment with style and function, however, then here are three coffee table alternatives for smaller living rooms.
Imagine bringing a couple of these bad boys inside. (We would recommend one with a more patterned design and shorter stature, but you get the idea.)
Garden Stools
Talk about space efficiency! Garden stools are a modern touch, and they are already in common use as coffee table substitutes. Available in patterned, rustic, and monochromatic designs, these beacons bring a taste of the outdoors inside. If you entertain outdoors, they can also double as additional backyard seating.
The only drawback of garden stools? They do not have large surfaces. They could hold your coffee cup and maybe your favourite book. If you’re going to substitute a coffee table with garden stools, ensure you purchase a pair. This will provide you with slightly more surface area. It will also make it clearer that these stools are #twinning and that no-one dragged in a piece of random outdoor furniture.
Some side tables (particularly bedside tables) come in pairs. Image: 1825 Interiors
Matching Side Tables
Living room side tables—also referred to as lamp tables—are like miniature coffee tables in their own right. Typically set beside a single sofa, side tables are an alternate surface for your coffee mugs, books, or remote controls. Some have an additional surface underneath or a pull-out drawer, providing further storage space for your magazines, newspapers, or whatever else you keep in the living area.
Matching side tables are a versatile choice. If you intend to use such surfaces to replace a traditional coffee table, you’ll need to buy a pair. When you’re entertaining, place them side-by-side to create the illusion of a full-scale coffee table. Pack one away when you need to optimise your smaller space.
Nesting Tables
Nesting tables are the babushka dolls living room furniture. Typically bundled in groups of two or three, these small tables start small and gradually grow larger (or vice versa, depending on your point of view). Why are they called nesting tables (or sometimes ‘nests of tables’)? Because they do exactly that: nest (or stack) beneath one another. Their compact nature ensures they take up minimal storage space. This is ideal for a smaller living area.