The Coffee Table Upgrade Reconsidered

For many, the coffee table just might be the piece of furniture used the most but talked about the least. Sure, there’s an entire industry of coffee table books and charming boutique coaster sets all focused on this item; we gather near it, place our drinks and tea trays on it – but while we talk around it, how much do we really think about it?

Here at Woodcraft we have noticed that the coffee table seems to garner little attention in comparison to bedroom sets, heirloom dining room tables and even office furniture. Part of the reason may be that it’s so ubiquitous that it’s become innocuous – to put it another way, it gets used so often that it’s ever-present and becomes no more noticeable than the very air we breathe.

Perhaps the reason has to do with the fact that its use often isn’t so much about entertaining as much as the private comforts of our entertainment sets. True – we sometimes invite afternoon guests around the coffee table for, ahem, actual coffee, and if you’ve taken the time to hunt for a beautiful, unique – or lovingly handcrafted – coffee table, then there comes a time when you’ll want to show it off.

It’s not hard to tell that wood coffee tables make gorgeous centerpieces, but how much do they really capture everyone’s attention?

A coffee table is designed for everyday use, rather than to be set aside for special occasions. It’s very much an everyday piece of furniture and that means it gets used the most when we’re left alone or are among the intimate familiarity of our families.

So let’s pretend no one is home. You’re just getting in from a long day at the office. You’re relaxing the belt and any confining straps. You’re headed to the living room, looking to ease the tension of a busy day. Where are you sitting? Likely, near the coffee table.

When it comes time to buy a new coffee table, what are the most important factors to consider? The easy answer would be that it matches the rest of your living room décor satisfactorily.

But you’re going to use this piece of furniture on a day-to-day basis, so you’ve got to think beyond merely matching colours and styles. We may not readily acknowledge it to guests, but coffee tables double as an ottoman in a pinch – or even as a dining table.

What this all boils down to is that your coffee table shouldn’t be merely elegant, it should be durable. If you’re going to invest in the best in style, why not also invest in the best in craftsmanship, to guarantee your new table stands the test of time.

All of our coffee tables at Woodcraft are one-of-a-kind designs, made from strong, long-lasting solid wood. When ordering one of our tables, you can choose from woods like wormy maple, oak, pine and a variety of others to best suit your home. If you’re looking for a more durable, yet beautifully designed coffee table, we suggest starting out by viewing our Turnbuckle, Rustic, Tofino and Newport models.