Ottoman coffee table...pros & cons?

12 years ago

I need some kind of a smallish profile coffee table in our family room off the kitchen. It's a small room. I have found a nice ottoman/bench with good dimensions & I can choose the fabric. It has legs, so gives visual space underneath.

So far, the perfect coffee table has eluded me, but I am going to look at a curvy one today (sort of MCM, but can get it in dark stain). It has a lower shelf which would be kind of nice, but not entirely necessary. It's just DH & me living here now, with family & GDs popping in, but no one is hard on stuff.

If you use an ottoman as a coffee table, do you like it? Can you tell me pros & cons you've experienced? I know, of course, about using trays for food or drinks on it, but any other feedback??

Thanks, guys....

Featured Answer

rosie

12 years ago

My guess is the upholstered coffee table will be this last decor era's outstanding contribution to interior design.

Our kids have had one, in the predominant style--large rectangle, "leather" (but good quality) covered, with an openwork wood shelf below--and its function is beyond everything. This is the center of the home, the kitchen island only a close runnerup. :)

I disagree that they can't be "styled," even if there are limitations. Porcelain shore bird collection problematic, but my DIL always has a large (ubiquitous, useful, but attractive) tray on it done up for the season. A basket on the shelf below holds the remotes and other visual clutter.

I did have a personal happy moment when I realized that they need not be stiff, stained wood with black leather upholstery. A piece of furniture of the appropriate height in any style can be upholstered and painted, stenciled, gilded, waxed, or whatever. (My own future project here.)

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Comments (11)

beekeeperswife
12 years ago
I like ours. I love being able to put my feet up without worrying about the table. I did switch it with the glass/chrome one from another room. I found myself not being as comfortable in the room, always thinking I might shove the glass off the table. Just switched it back about a week ago.

While I love it, from a design standpoint it seems a bit heavy to me in the room, that's why I tried my glass one in there.

Another postitive point is that it is also extra seating when you need it.
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sas95
12 years ago
I like our leather ottoman/coffee tables. It is nice to be able to put our feet up, and they add some softness to our room, which is already wood-heavy. The downside is that when we entertain, even though we use trays we still don't get the area for food/drink that you'd get with a regular coffee table. And some clueless guest is constantly putting their drink directly down on the leather rather than the tray. Which drives me nuts.
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Thanks everyone! Luckygal, the paint color is Ellen Kennon Sage. I really, really like it. Glad you do too;) We do have a smaller dining room off the front living room, but have considered a table, as lavendar suggested, near the doors.... maybe doubling as a game, project, bigger dining when needed table. We don't actually have that table though - lol. The room might make more sense with it. Jan, I always appreciate your thoughts! I will think about moving some of the other chairs. My hesitation is that the front living room is really our friends and family gathering room, so I was wanting to keep the softer chairs in there. So far, my little family has not used this back room much and I'm hoping to make it more useful. Of course, for a good bit of time it was the box room! Oh, let's see, lavendar, the desk is kind of orangey. I don't want to paint it because it was my grandmothers. I may just need to find another place for it. The hutch could stand painting. My husband and I found it in the trash our first married year and painted it as is:) Funny memories. Hoping I answered everyone's thoughtful replies... Anyhow - here are some more pictures trying out that back corner. Sorry about the blurriness. I think our camera is acting up.... or it could be stress from moving - haha From house plans This isn't exactly right, because I still have the desk behind the loveseat, but it gives an idea:
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Thanks so much to all of you who responded. What you may not realize is that you have played a siginificant role in stopping a speeding train wreck in its tracks. In fact, when I read your advice, I recognized you were only telling me things I've already reasoned and been committed to for the past year: Yes, a built-in banquette is preferable to a bistro table and cafe chairs and I've already got a perfectly working design that says I can actually fit one into a space that is only 6' x 3'5" Case closed! (Heh heh) So, I guess this means I'm going forward with the banquette plan. As you've noted Jeannie_Kitchen, a built-in can be a highly valued thing on resale, especially here in NYC where our typically small kitchens demand all kinds of spatial design tricks. So, even though my kitchen plans are driven by my personal desires and not resale value (I don't plan to sell my house anytime in the foreseeable future), it's still a reno bonus when both those factors can work together in my favor. I also agree with Remodelfla, Bbstx and Astridh that, even after all is said and done, I only get to use it as a window seat -- it's still worth it! BTW, Bbstx , special thanks for those links. I'd read Susan Serra's piece several times in the past but this is the first time I actually noticed that marble top/wrought iron table. That's pretty much the kind of table I've been eyeing (although mine would likely be smaller). Mama and Rosie , we're definitely in sync on lovin' a marble top table. (Jeannie_Kitchen , unfortunately, the one at Napastyle is sold out!) Mama , you are also spot on about getting casters for the table, especially if it has a marble top and wrought iron base. Such a table would probably be awfully heavy to move in order to get inside access to the window seat! But, even if I don't go with a marble top table, I have given thought to your alternate a suggestions of a drop leaf table. As a matter of fact, Crate and Barrel has a "Brunello wine table" which I've linked below. I've been thinking it might do the trick. Plus, because it's red and lacquered, it just might go perfectly with my red enameled Aga! Of course, Buehl , and Malhgold you know I appreciate your support! Buehl , I surely plan to put very comfy, 4"-5" cushions on that banquette and to use supportive pillows on the back of it as well. Lastly, Raynag , well you know you definitely nailed it when you said -- "Remember the Aga decision." That is exactly what this is all about: Seeding and nursing second doubts about otherwise very well thought out plans just when it's time to pull the trigger! So, if nothing else, please know that I'm totally grateful to my fellow TKOers who so unselfishly take the time out to help us define and hit our targets. You're the best! Here is a link that might be useful: Crate and Barrel Wine Table
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Valerie Noronha
12 years ago
We have one in our family room. Pros for us are:

1. being able to put up our feet while watching TV
2. storage for games and puzzles
3. overflow seating
4. teenagers use it to pull up closer to TV and sit while playing video games

Cons are that the shape is not ideal for our space and I plan to swap it out at a later date (probably with a different one in different size/color since we no longer need the storage and this one is getting worn). I also think when deciding coffee table vs. ottoman you need to look at your space as a whole and decide if your room would look better with more wood or upholstered items. I like the look of a glass table as it opens up a room more visually, easy to clean and offers a pretty view of rug below (if you are using one), but not practical for a room where family/friends gather to watch TV and like to be comfortable.
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cat_mom
12 years ago
We got one for our FR (goes with our couch, but purchased as a separate piece, they weren't sold as a set). Knew we would want to put our feet up while watching TV. I use the ottoman, while DH prefers to sprawl across the chaise portion of the sectional couch. We usually move the tray to the couch, between us when we are watching TV, and then move it back to the ottoman afterward.

I think this set-up provides a lot of flexibility and seating/serving options (for drinks, snacks).

For our LR/sitting area facing the kitchen, we used a glass topped table. Like bee's room, anything more solid would look too heavy, and crowded in our LR, as it is a small space. Plus, the table provides a larger and more stable surface for serving more substantial snacks and hors d'oeuvres in addition to drinks.
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User
12 years ago
We have a large leather ottoman (3'x4') currently, but previously had a coffee table.

We (and our guests) always wanted to put our feet up on the wood coffee table, which wasn't comfortable and hurt the finish. Of course, the ottoman is much more comfortable and has been used as additional seating because of it.

Other than the need for a tray or other surface for drinks, there really isn't a negative, imo, w/ having an ottoman.
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blfenton
12 years ago
We have an ottoman/coffee table as well. Our sitting area, which isn't very big, is just off of the eat-in kitchen and we have a large extended family with great nieces/nephews now on the way. We needed it for extra seating, I wanted something that was soft for new toddlers and I just find that it softens the area visually as well. And i do like to put my feet up on it when I'm reading.
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Annie Deighnaugh
12 years ago
We went with 2 small leather ottomans from overstock...they act as storage for afghans and the top flips from a tray to padded leather....we can use it as a coffee table for serving or for a foot rest for watching tv...
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drybean
12 years ago
We have one and I don't like it for the following reasons:
-can't style it. I'm not one to have piles of stuff, but I do like being able to have a plant or tray for remotes on the coffee table.
-my kids like to sit in LR to do homework, and the ottoman isn't quite right for writing. A harder surface would be better.
- not steady enough for drinks. It's firm, but not enough to make me comfortable enough for beverages when people are walking about.

Edited for punctuation. iPad keypads are not my friend.

This post was edited by drybean on Mon, Mar 4, 13 at 20:15
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corgimum
12 years ago
We have a fabric coffee table/ottoman. LOVE IT! I always have my feet up on it when I use the laptop and can't imagine having a wood table again. Never have to dust it either!
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Kek10
12 years ago
I have one and really like it. Very comfortable for resting your feet on while watching tv. It's upholstered and we got a matching throw pillow. The fabric pops in our room, which is one of the reasons we got it.

We have two great wooden trays on it, they nest when we're not using both.

Do what works for you, your house, and your design.
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Ottoman coffee table...pros & cons?

rosie

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beekeeperswife

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