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Design Dilemma Furniture living room

What size coffee table is the right size for my living room?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I need a new coffee table. I know what I want but not sure what I need. The table I like comes in two sizes. I have placed blue tape on the floor for a 52" square table, but this table is really out of my budget. The table that is in my budget is 52"x30".

My question is, does my coffee table have to fill all the space between my chairs on the window line and my sofa. The 52" square leaves an approximate 24" path between the table and sofa/chairs on both sides. (the blue tape is an outline of the 52" square table.) See pictures of my living room and a picture of the coffee table (Interlude Landis acrylic table). I would appreciate your comments as to whether it is acceptable the get the smaller table, knowing that the space distance from the coffee table to the chairs will be much larger. Any other design suggestions are welcomed.

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Denita

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I would get the smaller table and place it closer to the sofa. I love the larger one for your space, but I also understand budget and planning.

I also would bring the two chairs in from the window. Group your furniture as if people were trying to have a conversation, about 18 inches from the coffee table to the sofa and chairs like the pic below.

You do have beautiful floors. I think an area rug would help with a conversational grouping, but I totally see where you are going with no rug at all (at least at this point).

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Comments (14)

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BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Whatever table you select should be centered on the FIREPLACE. See new line in red. That will move the table to the right.

Vetra Contemporary Antique Silver Leaf Glass Rectangle Cocktail Table · More Info
Acrylic tables will attract dust unlike glass & cannot be cleaned with a glass cleaner so beware. The acrylic will scratch easier than glass.

The chairs should be pulled away from the window and a small round accent table for drinks etc. placed between the chairs.

I have also shown a suggested size for an area rug. Why are the cabinets on either side of the fireplace not the same finish as the bar? They look really yellow/gold.
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I love the coziness of your room and your colors. It is bright and looks very inviting. I just purchased a round coffee table ottoman for my home and really love it. I searched and got a deal. I scotch guarded the top to resist any stains. There are so many out there to choose from that are square, oval or round. What I like about mine is the ability to rest your feet on them, hold magazines, phones, or my laptop, and a drink on a book all at the same time. Also, I don't have to dust it or clean it with Windex. Mine has wheels and can roll if needed and one like that on legs would give some visibility to your beautiful rug. It can also hold 250 pounds so it could be used for seating if needed.
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Michele
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
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Beverly, i took your recommendation and moved my sofa back and the chairs forward to then readjusted the lines for the coffee table, the room is somewhat odd due to the bar. I do currently have small round table next to each chair on the window. You are correct the cabinets on each side of the fireplace are different color from the bar. I am in the process of having them painted white, as well as the bar will be painted white with light colored quartz/quartzite installed.

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The bar has an overhang for seating which makes the room awkward and we do not use it that way. I will eliminate the overhang when new quartzite is installed. I was thinking to put a bench on this side for seating?? Thoughts?

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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
OK, now I see the full picture. My only additional comment would be that the bar and cabinets shouldn't be a white as bright as your trim. Soft color for those pieces so they don't stand out.

Maybe match the stone on the fireplace????
Michele
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I will be painting the fireplace white or will be removing the stone and installing marble/quartzite wall tile. I added pictures with a bench beside the bar.
Michele
Original Author
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Denita--I think you are right-- I need to save my money and get the larger table. Wish the acrylic tables weren't so expensive :) Love picture of the room you provided. I am in the process of switching from very traditional and dark to more transitional and light colors in my home.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
Michele
Original Author
6 years ago
Beverly. If I get an area rug I would want one is only large enough to have the front feet of the sofa and two chairs to sit on the rug as I do not want to cover up my floors too much. my question is: does it need to be wide enough that the Ottomans in front of the fireplace have to also sit on the rug as well?
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
6 years ago
No the ottomans can be on the marble floor, but make sure there's no possibility of them slipping if someone sits on the ottoman
lindac92
6 years ago
I have more than a couple of bumps on my shins from walking into a see through coffee table at a friend's house...I hate see through tables!
Why not cut a piece of cardboard the various sizes and place it on another cardboard box, that you can vary the height of with books and get a real feel for size?
Transparent tables are OK if they have a frame or edge around the glass....but completely clear are not my cup of tea. Looks like you are trying to hide the table
decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Don't go overboard with the acryllic. There is plenty of it already. Remember the purpose of a "coffee" table is a place to set down your coffee cup. Therefore, I think it should have more substance than acryllic so your room doesn't look like a show room for an acryllic manufacturer. I wouldn't mind if it matched the silver sofa table either. Center it with the FP, and draw the seating to it. I think once your seating is gathered around the coffee table, the navy bench will fit nicely at the window, behind the two chairs. Here's a run-down of what to think about when shopping (from Vern Yip of HGTV.)

https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/10-tips-for-finding-the-perfect-coffee-table-pictures
Michele
Original Author
6 years ago
Any thoughts on this rug? Its white with gray lines.
Michele
Original Author
6 years ago
Thoughts?
Michele
Original Author
6 years ago
More photos

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