Many Uses of a Tray Table

There are so many uses for a tray table.  They can be used for nearly everything.  In this age that we live in, we do not want to have to exert any more energy than we have to, which is probably why so many people are overweight.  But they do come in handy.

We use trays for sitting in bed as a breakfast tray while we watch T.V., of course, not limiting that to eating breakfast but just any time of the day.  We also use trays for holding our laptops that we use for work or play.  This type of tray allows us to either work or chat with our friends on Facebook and Twitter virtually anywhere in the house that we choose to.

Folding trays come in handy for using as end tables to hold our coffee cups or other items such as magazines, newspapers, etc. that we happen to be reading or plan to read.  These folding tray tables also work good for eating meals, especially for those who are handicapped or ill and are not able to transport to the dining table.

T.V. trays are used for supporting small T.V.’s or other electronic items.  Then there are folding trays that you can use for outdoor events like the bamboo type.  These are nice for using at a BBQ, party, or Luau.

If you want to get wild and crazy, you can get some fun trays that are decorated for special events, for example, a watermelon tray for the Fourth of July celebration or trays decorated like surfboards for a summer bash.  These decorated or personalized trays can be a real blast.

Then, of course, there are the over-the-bed trays that hospitals use for patients.  These can be especially handy.  If you are using your laptop in bed for whatever reason, it can be real handy to just be able to push it out of the way when you are done or just need to get up for some reason.  Over the bed trays are especially useful, if you are bedridden for whatever reason or are ill for a period of time.

Some tray even have storage space attached to them.  These come in handy for holding important items such as paper, pens, memo pads, etc. that you may want within easy reach.

Whatever you need a tray table for, you can certainly find an assortment of them on the web or in retail stores like Walmart, Target, or any other similar store.  You can even find them in some furniture stores, and at online retailers.

The right set of accent tables in your living, dining, and recreation rooms can help to create the stylish and complete feeling of home. It is not just about having a surface to place to put the remote (while that may be of great importance). The side table to suit your décor actually furnishes the entire space with a feeling of settledness. Side tables are, in so many interior decorating circumstances, simple appropriate.

The round side table may be a difficult one to blend into your furniture settings. Without straight edges, you can’t merely line it up with the arm of your couch or slip it into any corner. The roundness has a supreme advantage, however, of bringing a softness and variation to an otherwise straight, square environment. If you can fit it in, go for it.

If your room is already furnished with a lot of wood, you will most likely want to either stick to a wood side table, or try to bring in glass. Metal usually does not make such a grand statement among a lot of wood. Two great choices in wood would be a cherry side table, which brings in dark and luscious hues to an already warm color scheme. The other common choice is an oak side table. Oak is a much lighter, brighter wood. It looks great in sunlit rooms and rooms decorated with pastels and light colors.

A glass side table has an additional benefit in any décor. Glass has the visual effect of reflecting light. It brightens a rooms with subtlety, a trick of the eye. It can also be a great visual focal point. Set the table in a prominent place, add a bowl of colored beads or flowers, and watch your living room set come alive.

The stark colors of white and black are often best in a contemporary décor. A white side table is a little softer, more subtle, and more feminine. Dust shows up pretty quickly. A black side table is more masculine and dramatic. On a black table top, take advantage of colorful centerpieces and decorative trinkets. They will work wonders to bring your living space an enjoyable energy.

If your décor is welcoming to a piece with real elegant character, you might consider an antique side table. Most antiques are wood, and in addition to the natural character of wood, they are already decorated with curvatures and engravings. Even the knobs on an antique table’s drawers have depth. Keep antique tables neat, tidy, and clean, so that the art itself can be enjoyed.

Enjoy the fine point decision making!

When decorating the front entrance of a home, it’s essential to choose the right furnishings and accessories for the space. The entryway of a home is it’s “Hello” to anyone walking through the door. It’s either a welcoming and inviting space or an empty, cold space or a cluttered, messy one. The correct sized furniture that’s placed in the perfect spot and accessorized appropriately will enhance not only the entryway but the entire appeal of the home. The four main ingredients of the entryway are a fabulous area rug, a hall table, wall art and lighting.

The rug should be viewed as an anchor or base for the space. A bold graphic or a pretty pattern depending on the homeowner’s personal tastes will help to bring the eye downward. This downward glance will then be cast upward to the mid-view piece which is the hall table. From there the eye will travel upward to the artwork. The lighting might be just above the artwork or a fabulous chandelier, pendant or a flush mount ceiling light.

When choosing these pieces the most important consideration is measurement. Size and proportion are ultra crucial. The rug should be proportioned so that the floor below extends further on all sides – especially if the flooring is fabulous. The hall table should be substantial in the space but not oversized. If it’s too wide, it can hinder the path of incoming guests. If it’s too small, then it’ll simply get swallowed up by the space and won’t have the desired effect. The artwork can be in the form of an actual painting or a stunning mirror or a hanging sculptural type of artwork.

Once the size of the hall table is determined, it is then time to decide which features you’d like it to have or actually need for it to have. Many hall tables are quite simply legs with a flat surface top. If this open, airy type of table is what you desire then simply choose the materials you prefer such as oak, pine, metal, painted wood, glass, marble, granite or a combination of materials. If you’d prefer storage or perhaps a bottom shelf for decorative purposes there are many versions available such as hall tables with drawers or cabinetry or a combination of both.

Now that you’ve settled on the size, materials and features you’d like your hall table to possess, it’s time to begin shopping. Start your shopping online where you’ll find the greatest variety to choose from as well as the best deals.

The rustic beauty and craftsmanship of antique farmhouse tables has been regaining popularity with the buying public in recent years. Generations ago, a farmhouse kitchen table was often located in the middle of a large kitchen which served as the primary gathering place for members of farming families. A mixture of chairs and benches often served to seat many people for meals. The table and seats would have been crafted from whatever hardwood was available in that particular area at the time. Many people picture these tables as being rectangular in shape and very long but they could also be found in other shapes like circles and squares. In fact, they often pulled double duty as a work area or desk. The usual construction was a series of long wooden planks affixed on top of legs attached to the long edge. The legs would often be hand carved with various designs that can also be found on the earliest tables that originally came from France. These furniture pieces were made to enhance whatever environment they were found in.

The adults would gather together in the kitchen to discuss serious matters. Children would spend daylight hours working the farm and then sit there after dark to attend to school work. The table was easily the hub of life at home and it may be that mystique that makes them so popular today. Life may be much more complicated now than it was then but having a place for a family and friends to gather offers an opportunity to share experiences and converse with one another about their lives.

It may be somewhat difficult to find an authentic farmhouse table at an affordable price these days. Those you do find will likely be quite expensive. There are modern replicas available that are priced according to the skill and time spent by the carpenter who built it as well as the wood used in its construction. Once you add in a reasonable price to deliver such a bulky and heavy table, you can easily see why purchasing a farmhouse kitchen table can require quite a large monetary investment on your part. Before you spend your money, consider the various options and compare prices until you find the table that is right for you.

A make up vanity table is a woman’s private place, where she can start the day relaxing as she gets herself made up and lets her natural beauty shine. It’s a place where you let your personality come out, so why not have one that really reflects your individuality and your unique tastes?

The problem with most make up vanity furniture is that they’re mass produced, thus they have no ‘soul’. To have a truly unique looking vanity you need slightly more than just a good one from your local store. There are gorgeous make up vanity sets that can be used while applying your make-up, but to have that extra touch in this piece of furniture, you need to go a bit further. Why not let your creativity and artistic talents come out by decorating your vanity with mosaic tiles?

You’ll find that you can purchase mosaic make up vanity tables online, but they all have their issues. First of all, they’re as expensive as solid gold, and they’re not available everywhere. They also come in only in a select number designs, which is not something you’re likely to accept if you take pride in being a creative person. Sometimes you need to do things on your own if you want to get them done properly, so the best thing is to just do it yourself.

Fortunately, a mosaic makeup vanity can be made at home and is fairly easy project even if you’ve never done such a thing before. You’ll have a piece of furniture that is just what you wanted; one that is beautiful, one-of-a-kind, and a work of art you’ll be proud to show off.

It’s easy to find the materials needed to get the results you want. Try to pick a white make up vanity set so that you don’t ruin a hardwood surface if everything goes wrong. They also cost a little less than the other types. You also need something you can use as tiles. Old tinted glasses, plates you don’t mind breaking work well, but you can purchase geometric shaped ceramic tiles in any hardware store. Make up vanities look good with a colorful mix of tiles, but you can use one single tone as well. You can create intricate designs with the tiles for a more sophisticated look. You can get stencils for these if you’d like, or just go freehand.

Besides the tiles, you also need to have some adhesive, which will be used to keep the tiles in place until you add the grout. Grout is a material used to hold bricks or tiles together. It comes in black, white, beige, and other colors, so make a choice that compliments the tiles and design you have in mind. It’s also used to seal the hole between elements, like your pieces of mosaic.

Get the tiles you want to use. Break the glasses and plates in a padded bag. Always wear safety gloves and goggles to protect yourself from the little shrapnel that can cut the bag from inside. Pick the flattest pieces as they work the best on any flat surface. Think about a design you can live with, and arrange the little pieces so that they compose an aesthetically pleasing formation. You may want to make your design out of bought geometric tiles that are clean cut and use the irregular broken ones as a border.

When you’re satisfied with the result, glue the pieces to the clean surface, and wait until the adhesive starts to do its job. Mix the grout with some water, and fill the gaps between the edges. Don’t care if it gets on the tiles just yet, you can even smear it in a 1/2 inch thick layer so that it covers everything. The most important thing is to fill the holes.

Once it’s dried, which would happen in ten to twelve hours, you can use a wet sponge to clean the surface. Use a hard, dense one that can tear off the excess dried grout easily. Make sure that the surface is clean and there are no white spots left on the tiles. You can apply a layer of lacquer to protect it from metal objects, scratches and dents. An alternative is to have a piece of glass cut to fit the top of your vanity, giving you a smooth surface to work on, and protecting your work from damage.

It’s that simple, and it doesn’t need to be applied to an expensive antique make up vanity either. Mosaics do look good on intricately crafted old furniture, but the price of those pieces is usually too high to modify them in any way. Have fun, come up with a design that you think would be an asset to your room, and you’ll have a stunning vanity that will be a real personal oasis that you can enjoy starting your day with for years to come.

Decorative furniture is always fun to buy. Especially when it is not actually essential to your living space, but you are merely looking to fill an empty wall or create some decorative surfaces, your creative options begin to broaden. One piece you might really love is a mirrored console table.

Console tables are usually long and narrow tables constructed to be affixed to or set against a wall. They are most commonly found as decorative pieces in the living room, dining room, or entrance hall. As with all furniture, today you can find them in dozens of styles. The piece to perfectly suit your home décor is definitely out there. You just have to do the search. The first thing you might consider is if you’re looking for a more modern console table (straight, sleek lines and minimalist appearance) or something more antique (curved and decorative legs, delicate engravings). Of course, an antique console table does not actually have to be antique. Most of us are not looking to invest that kind of money. It merely refers to the style and build of the console.

Whatever era you decide draw your console from, color is going to be a major factor. The tables can be built from virtually any material; various wood finishes, metal, glass, wicker. A black console table will require furniture and décor to support it. That means deep, dark, bold colors, or a “theme” or black and white contrast. A white console table, however, makes less of a statement and can often fall into the background of many color schemes. Wood finishes should match other pieces in your space, rather than clash. For example, an oak console table will work best with oak or pine, not mahogany. In an entryway, where there is usually very little furniture around, you’ll have much more leeway. For that reason, the hall console table can take any form or color.

There are two interesting styles I’d like to bring up. One is the half moon console table. I already mentioned that most consoles are long and narrow; meaning rectangular. So the half moon really is a step out of the box. The shape is very elegant, however. In a room that has many sharp edges, a half moon can bring a necessary softness to the atmosphere. The second is the mission style. A mission console table looks neither modern nor antique. It has a very craftsy, rough edge feel to its wooden construct. Many people love the mission style, but it is appropriate only among certain furniture styles.

Whether you choose a classic wall console or a mission style sofa console table, the fun of decorating does not end there. Consoles are built for laying out your decorative pieces. Flower arrangements, dishes, photographs, anything you’d like on an open display. The mirror behind your console will only add to the charm. Only, don’t overcrowd the tabletop. One, two, or three lovely pieces will be enough to complete your design.

a guest post by Roxie Blauvelt

Whether you work from home full time or simply take work home from time to time, it is important to have a space where you can focus on the task at hand. Unfortunately, your house is probably already crowded. Finding a place to keep a computer desk might be a challenge. When you buy a compact computer desk, however, you can have a workspace that does not take up too much space in your home.

Most compact desks are small enough to fit into a corner. If you have a traditional personal computer, the tower will go on a lower shelf and the monitor will sit on the desk’s top. If you have a laptop, you can get an even smaller desk because you will not have to worry about having a place to store a central processing unit.

Computer desks can be affordable, especially if you assemble them yourself. There are plenty of easy to assemble computer desks available. Make sure you check the dimensions before you make a purchase. If the store does not have a model unit assembled, it can be difficult to determine exactly how big the desk will be once it is put together. You do not want to buy a desk and put it together and then find out that it is too big to fit into its designated spot. Take careful measurements, write them down, and take those measurements to the store.

If you do not have a special space where you can set up a computer desk permanently, look for a computer desk that can fold flat. If you cannot find a computer desk that folds, look for an adjustable table. As long as you can adjust the height so that you can you can type comfortably, nearly any table can be used as a computer desk.

Although you will probably need to get the approval of your manager or supervisor first, switching to a smaller desk at work can give you a lot more room. When you have more room to work your brain feels less cluttered and more organized. The room you save by switching to a smaller desk can be used for bookcases or filing cabinets. Any desk that you use in your home can easily be used in an office environment.

If you are really pressed for space and you use a laptop, consider using a dinner tray as a desk. You can also purchase a padded lap desk. Even if you have room for a traditional desk, a lap desk can be great to have on hand if you ever need to travel for business. Even if your hotel room has a black computer desk, it is not likely to be a comfortable one. When you have a little desk that fits nicely on your lap, you can relax on your hotel bed while you take care of business.

Whether you need a compact computer desk for home, work, or travel, there are plenty of options that will allow you to use your computer comfortably.

a guest post by Cody Buskirk

You want your home to stand out and look nice, and the entryway is the focal point when someone enters your house. Whether you know it or not, your guests will judge the look of your home based on their first impressions. Your entryway is important, and that means you need to pay attention to it and decorate it well. Here are just a couple of ideas for adding a little elegant home decor to your entryway.

First, what about an oak console table? These tables are not only designed to look good in a foyer or entryway, but they are also a great way to add a little decoration to your home. Oak in particular is a warm, homey color that will make everyone who walks in your door feel comfortable. You can add a vase, a bowl, and other trinkets to make it look great.

A mirror above the console table is another excellent accessory for this area of your home. Choose a large or small mirror, depending on the size of the area and the look you want to achieve. There are many styles of mirrors available, so pick one that matches with your existing decor, and goes well. There are also oak console tables and mirror sets that you can find, if you really want to have a perfect match, with the same finish and wood carvings.

Add some accents. You definitely don’t want to go all out and clutter up your entryway, but a few well-placed pieces can go a long way. Whether it’s a large vase, new area rugs, or fancy lighting, these are pieces that will get your room noticed in a good way. Other options for adding a little life and color into this area include plants, a coat rack, and photo frames. Be creative, and you can make the room pop.

Those are just a few simple ways that you can make your entryway shine. You don’t have to completely redecorate in order to let guests see just how beautiful your home can be. All it takes is a couple of key pieces and a few accent pieces to tie the look together, and you’ve got yourself a killer entryway.

For the fourteenth time this week, you’ve walked into your living room or rec room, slid onto the couch, and began to sink into the cushions. Only too late you realize that there is still no place to set down your hot drink or lift your tired ankles. That’s what coffee tables and end tables are for, your remind yourself. It’s the truth. You furniture set it virtually incomplete without the appropriate coffee table set. Entertaining guests or entertaining yourself, picture perfect relies on that little but “oh so essential” piece of furniture.

No matter what décor you already have in place, there are most certainly coffee table sets to further enhance whatever space you have. You can have a small, large, wooden, metal, or glass coffee table to complete your look. These tables are often the visual focus of the room, so it’s important that you choose tastefully.

A round coffee table is a great choice for rooms that have a lot of hard edges and corner lines in place. The harshness of edges can be softened with a strategic placement of the table. Your entire living space will change. If your décor already has a lot of “roundness,” a circular or oval coffee table may be too much. Avoid the temptation to “match,” and go for something that will complement, instead.

If you room is furnished with series of heavy and or dark pieces, perhaps you should consider glass coffee tables. The glass helps lighten an atmosphere. Both natural light and artificial light bounce through and off the table, allowing your eyes to relax and appreciate the rest of the room as well. Set a bowl of fruit, candy, or miniature bookstack in the middle of the table to perfect the look.

For those of us who enjoy fun features and gadgets, they’ve built the lift top coffee table. It’s a one stop for ankle resting, coffee mugs, full dinners, and work space as well. The convenient top will lift upwards, and sometimes out, to reach your regular dining and work level. No more leaning over that low table to play scrabble or eat spaghetti. The only problem is, that if you’re trying to cut down on TV dinners, lift top coffee tables are not furthering the project.

Coffee table furniture constructed from wood should most often be used within its family. A light oak coffee table, for example, may feel out of sorts amongst dark cherry furniture, or vice versa. Traditional and antique sofas may be offended by a modern coffee table of chrome and glass. A black coffee table or heavily tinted glass will stand out sorely among soft color schemes like cream and pastels. A trunk coffee table will offer plenty of convenient storage space, but is too bulky for many living room spaces. Sorry. These last tips are not meant to shock you; hopefully, none of them are coming to you as a surprise. Just don’t forget it in your shopping.

Feel free to look for secondhand and cheap coffee tables, as long as you know how to avoid getting gypped in the process! A tempting money save should never leave you with crumb furniture.

Homes are becoming more and more versatile. While conference tables were once something only found in office settings, it is becoming more and more popular to use them in the home. The uses of a conference room table run the gamut from the basic office meeting locale to a homework table, rec room centerpiece, or even an alternative dining table.

The most obvious reason to consider using conference room tables in your home is if you have a home office. Depending on the nature of the business you run, you may be receiving clients regularly or have other coworkers or employees who come to your home to work with you. In a home office conference tables can be a major boon, providing not just a place to confer, as the name implies, but lending a more professional tone to the environment as well.

In a large family, homework can be a tumultuous event. If you have a lot of children with lots of schoolwork, you may find that your dining table set is constantly under attack by your children and their respective notebooks, textbooks, schoolbags, and random school supplies. Besides the fact that your elegant dining room might not look so elegant once the homework is finished, all that wear and tear is not very healthy for your table. Sure you can cover it, but dining room table pads will only protect the top of your table, not the legs and chairs.

A great solution to this homework dilemma is to put an office conference table in your family room, den, or rec room. This will provide your kids and their friends with ample room to spread out and work. And when they’re finished, they’ll be able to have a great time around it too.

If you’re sold on the idea, the next step is buying one. You can find conference tables for sale at a wide variety of furniture stores, both online and in your area. Depending on what size you want, what you’re using it for and how fancy you want to get, you can expect to pay anywhere from under $100 for round conference tables that seat just four, to several thousand dollars for large, lush executive conference tables that come complete with leather recliners.

Don’t forget about buying secondhand though. If you would like a large table for your children to have a place to crash and do their homework on but think that the price tag is just a wee bit too high, consider buying used conference tables instead. Many offices regularly updated their furnishings, and you should be able to find what you’re looking for on online auction sites, used furniture stores, or by scouring your local newspaper’s classified section.

Though not suitable for large dinner parties, bistro tables are perfect for many other dining and drinking circumstances. Small, movable, intimate, stylish: a bistro table and chairs will be perfect for a cup of tea on the patio, coffee in the kitchen on a Sunday morning, or a romantic dinner for two at the pool side.

While many designs are built for both indoor and outdoor use, you may want to first decide what the primary location of your bistro table set will be. An outdoor bistro table will inevitably be more sturdy, weather worthy, and its style will often suit the verde and flora, sunshine or starry night of the outdoors. Indoor bistro table sets have usually have a more permanent look to them. Chairs are more solid, tables more elegant. Indoor chairs may also be upholstered with fabrics that you won’t want to take outdoors, for fear of sun, rain, and fade.

The most popular bistro tables for sale are the outdoor bistro tables and chairs. Patios, decks, and poolside are the common place for home designers to seek additional small tables and seating for recreational use: hence, the patio bistro table. A patio bistro table, however, comes in an outlandish variety of styles itself.

The mosaic bistro table is an artsy, craftsy, sophisticated and incredibly beautiful table. Mosaics are usually designed from stained glass. While original mosaics were often crafted from irregular and broken pieces, today the art of mosaics has been perfected to exquisite beauty. Stained glass is cut by hand, and literally put together as a delicate and unmatchable work of art. You can find artists who will custom create the perfect mosaic bistro table for your home, outdoor or indoor. Now, that is high class.

The more casual folding bistro table for the patio and balcony are lightweight, move and store easily, or just make room for more of the same! Wood designs in natural colors, or painted vivid brights are wonderful for any party. Metal and glass sets are more elegant and impressive.

Bistro table sets are available in low lying styles, regular table heights, or bar heights. They can cost anywhere from 150 dollars or far past 1500 dollars. Discount dealers will offer you wonderful prices on great quality tables, chairs, or full chairs. A little bit of surfing the web or scouting local dealers will find you a great deal. Remember to consider shipping costs, as well. After that, what can I say? Party on!

When you invest in a beautiful, expensive, or antique dining room table, one of the main stressors may be how to maintain the beautiful appearance and protect your table from damage. Dining room table pads are the answer. Whatever size, shape, or style your table is, you can buy standard or custom dining room table pads that will be a perfect fit. This way, your table will live years without getting scratched, stained, dented, or heat damaged.

There are so many ways a tabletop can get damaged, inadvertently or carelessly. The finish on a wooden tabletop fades over time under sunlight. The fresh sun shining through your bay windows, so beautiful, may actually harm your table. Scratches from silverware, keys, pencils, book corners can cause permanent damage. Dents from heavy objects are also a concern. When placing a hot dish on the table, you’d like to enjoy; not worry about the condition of you table. All of these can be solved simply with dining room table protective pads.

Another benefit of table pads is their sound absorption. The normal clinking, clanging, and bumping of a large dinner party easily takes over conversation. With a table pad, these sound are muted. Company can be enjoyed.

Table pads for dining room tables can be elegantly attractive as well as functional. Companies offer high class leather wood grain or leather toned surfaces, in a detailed rainbow of wood and leather colors. It won’t be necessary to always cover your pad with a tablecloth. Laundry loads don’t have to increase. Less expensive pads can also be beautiful, and are offered anywhere from black, to burgundy, to tan.

In search for your table pad, there are certain essential qualities that you’ll want to be certain the one you choose can boast. First, you want serious moisture resistance, both to protect your table and so that the pad itself won’t warp. Warping should be ensured against even standing in storage. Second, a cushioned bottom so that the pad itself won’t hard your tabletop. The cushion should be slip proof, as well. The top of the pad should be heavy duty, and provide heat protection anywhere from 350 to 550 degrees. Make sure it’s easy to clean, will hold a tablecloth without slipping, and folds for convenient storage.

And with that, your table can look as beautiful as the day you bought it, for its entire lifetime.

1. Why buy a glass top dining table?
Glass top dining tables are beautiful choices of dining sets, particularly for smaller dining rooms and rooms with a lot of natural light. Small spaces feed on glass as a relaxing, eye-opening visual point; the glass allows light reflectivity and a feeling of spaciousness in an otherwise crowded room. Rooms with natural light glorify the glass table even more; the natural light bounces off and complements the tabletop nicely. In general, a glass dining table is less serious than solid wood tables. It is less formal, no doubt, but incredibly elegant. Glass table tops don’t need to be dressed with a tablecloth, which saves some laundry… though the glass does need to be cleaned often in order to look its beautiful self.

2. Will my glass top scratch or smudge?
It will almost definitely smudge, thought some high end glasses may be smudge resistant. Scratches are more easily avoidable. Manufacturers sell scratch-free and unbreakable forms of glass tops for dining tables.

3. Does a glass top dining table always feel like a patio table?
Absolutely not. While glass patio tables are delightful, a dining table is quite different. Styles range from very contemporary to traditional forms. Glass top dining table sets come with fully upholstered chairs that are luxurious and romantic in appearance. A contemporary glass top dining table from chrome and glass feels sleek and clean. The base for a glass top can be from wood, wicker, steel, iron. The design that suits your dining area best is sure to be out there.

4. Can I buy the glass top and base separately?
Sometimes. Be sure to buy from somewhere that ensures their compatibility. You want to feel confident that your glass top won’t go sliding off its base!

5. What shapes are glass tabletops available in? How do I choose?
Circular, oval, rectangular, and square are the common glass tabletop shapes. Square and round glass top dining tables are great for warmer, more intimate settings. Guests usually feel as though they’re sitting closer together, and are compelled to engage with the people sitting with them. Great for families and good friends. Oval and rectangular tables are more formal; there is a clear “head” of the table for people to turn to.

Glass top dining tables are beautiful and classy. A refreshing move from solid wood, let your glass tables open up and air out your dining areas.

The coffee table is essential to living room design. It centers your furniture, and offers a visual focus that relaxes the eyes and mind. They’re also convenient surfaces for centerpieces like fruit bowls. The one trouble we encounter with coffee tables is that they seem to great for placing things on… but not actually using those things! Don’t let that frustrating knee height tabletop scare you from buying this great piece of furniture. Consider a lift top coffee table; all your problems will be solved. Lift top coffee tables fill both form and function. They tabletop rises to perfect dining and working height, and closes back into your beautiful coffee table all other times. The beauty of your coffee table, with the function of full height.

Lift tops are available in many designs. Some lift up very high, and some only partially. There are styles that only certain parts of the top will lift top. Many lift forward, as well, moving towards your seating for added convenience. Some lift tops offer more storage space than others; the lift top mechanism can eat up some of your storage space if not designed efficiently. Don’t forget to consider coaster feet to make moving your coffee table easy.

Other than that, your coffee tables with lift top vary as much as any other coffee table design. You’ll discover a beautiful cherry, walnut, or oak lift top coffee table that will be just right for your living room. 

As with any furniture purchase, you will want to make sure that the staining is done well, otherwise you will likely be unhappy with the table once it is in your home.  If you are looking for a more contemporary design, then you may want to look for a painted piece as opposed to a stained one.  A black lift top coffee table is perfect for a more modern, sleek design. The mission style lift top coffee table is a new fad, old style coffee table that will give your home a classy yet rustic look.

For those who are short on space but want the benefits of a multi-functional table, there is one particular style that will work especially well.  A corner lift top coffee table will fit neatly into any corner space you have and perform beautifully as both coffee table and working or dining space for lone eaters!

For the very handy, you’ll be happy to hear that lift tops are fairly easy to build. You can order or buy clear lift top coffee table plans to your liking and put the table together yourself. Look for designs that advertise minimal lift top coffee table hardware; the more hardware involved, the more complex the lift mechanism tends to be. That means more difficult to build, and often, less storage space available when you’re done.

So the next time you look to arrange that living room space, find yourself a beautiful coffee table with lift top. The whole family will be grateful.

Do I need a coffee table in my living room?

Coffee tables are multitasking pieces of furniture that accomplish much in a small space.  Trunk storage, magazine racks, drawers, hidden seating, or even built-in ottomans.  If any of these ideas sound appealing, you’ll find a coffee table fitting for your living space.  Decide the form and function of your coffee table.

What shape of coffee table is right for me?

While the most classic shape for coffee tables is rectangle, you can find beautiful styles in a round coffee table, square coffee table, and even pie shaped.  Corners can be sharp or rounded.  Some styles of modern coffee tables even break geometric rules!  As coffee tables can fill many functions, take your use into consideration when deciding on a shape.  The main factor, however, will be the space you have among the other furniture in your room.

credit: Allison Choppick

Do coffee table tops come in different colors?

Coffee table tops vary just as much as coffee table bodies.  Wooden tables may have wooden tops (the color of their wood!) or glass tops, and glass coffee tables will have glass tops.  Glass can be tinted or frosted a variety of shades.  You can buy anything from misty white to black coffee table tops.

What is the benefit of a wooden coffee table?

The default material for coffee tables is, and always has been, wood.  Nowadays, most wooden coffee tables are made from medium density fiberboard (MDF) and sealed with veneer.  MDF is a compound of glue, resin, and recycled wood fibers under extreme pressure to make a very sturdy wood resistant to splitting and shrinkage.  Solid wood construction of an oak coffee table or pine coffee table is an excellent investment, but… it is an investment.

Why choose a glass coffee table?

Glass coffee tables create a feeling of enhanced space.  A full glass or glass top coffee table offers multiple sight lines, and with a decorative piece on top or beneath the tabletop, this coffee table can be an excellent style choice.

What is a lift top coffee table?

A lift top coffee table has two functions.  First, it provides extra storage for book in a shelf like space.  This space can remain hidden or lie open for every day use.  Second, it gives your coffee table added height for use as an eating or desk space.

Dining is small spaces can be a nightmare without the proper dining furniture.  Don’t try to fit in furniture that is too large for your dining room or kitchenette merely because it looks pretty. Consider a bistro table!  Bistro is a French word that originally referred to small, casual, Parisian restaurants… and the furnishings used there, of course, were bistro tables.

A bistro table set can come in cast aluminum, wrought iron, even wicker and woods, fit for all weather.  Though officially for casual dining, bistro tables and chairs are now available in highly decorative styles, traditional or contemporary.  Simple styles, ornate details… Your bistro table and chairs will be the perfect dining addition for your space.

Here are some styles of bistro table sets that are particularly popular.

Bistro dining table:  These are indoor table sets that are generally large enough to seat four.  Solid wood sets may also have a leaf in order to extend.  The bistro dining table can come in any material, and is available in all styles to complement your dining area.  Aluminum or wicker with glass tops, solid wood or wood with stone tops, cottage styles or regal ornate designs.

Outdoor bistro table:  Perfect for your patio or deck!  Often smaller, the outdoor bistro tables will be made fit for all weather; wrought iron, stainless steel, or special wickers and woods.  These bistro table and chairs set will often include only two chairs.  But the designs are delightful!  Glass tops, ornate bases, delicate accents.  Be sure to look for a mosaic bistro table, or one with a ceramic tile or granite top.   These designs have great character.  Look at your surroundings; in the garden, head for the delicate metals or wicker and wood.  Steel and stone might be more appropriate for a poolside bistro table, as wood the wrought iron bistro table.

Folding bistro table:  By far the most casual form of bistro tables, the folding bistro table can be for indoors or outdoors.  It will be simple, small, and straightforward, with minimal decorativeness and standard legs. Often, but not solely, found in wood, the folding bistro table is convenient as a side table, kitchenette table or lightweight decorative patio piece.

Consider your space, number you need to seat, décor in place, and the environment you’re creating.  Skim through furniture magazines, websites, or even window shop until you’ve found the perfect bistro table.  It is out there.