Top 12 coffee tables
No living room is complete without a coffee table. But with so many styles to choose from, where do you begin? Our top 12 coffee tables are here to provide the answer.
The search for the perfect coffee table is not always an easy one. Finding a design that is perfectly sized to fit your space, suits your style and is the right height to rest an afternoon brew can seem like a daunting task.
With over 15 years’ experience hunting for timeless furniture, our team know a thing or two about good design. That’s why we’ve rounded up 12 of our favourite coffee table designs, providing inspiration so you can find your perfect fit.
Whether you’re drawn to opulent marble, enjoy the modern simplicity of steel & glass or prefer the warmth of wood, we’re sure our top 12 will feature something for you. So, join us to discover some of the best modern coffee table designs, all of which combine form and function.
Vitra Noguchi Coffee Table
Self-proclaimed by Isamu Noguchi as one of his ‘best designs’, this coffee table translated the biomorphic aesthetic of the Japanese-American sculptor into an organically shaped piece of furniture.
A timeless classic that looks as good today as when it was designed in 1944, this graceful design features a 4mm glass top resting on two identical wooden leg elements – available in either black ash, maple or walnut. These sculptural legs are placed at right angles to provide a stable support for the sturdy glass.
Carl Hansen & Son CH008 Coffee Table
Loved for its elegant simplicity, the CH008 coffee table from Carl Hansen & Son consists of a round tabletop, supported by three detachable, tapered legs. Designed by one of the figureheads of Danish Modernism, Hans J. Wegner, this design is a fine example of the designer’s preference for simple, clear and interesting forms.
Crafted from solid wood, this coffee table is perfectly suited to slightly uneven floors thanks to its 3-legged design.
New Works Florence Coffee Table
A perfect subtle centrepiece, the New Works Florence coffee table features an angular black steel frame which is offset by a rounded marble top. Highly functional with an artistic edge, we love the bold simplicity embodied in this piece of design.
Marble, with its blend of toughness and luxury, is a classic material choice for a coffee table. In this design, choose from either a Black Marquina marble or Grey Gris du Marais marble top.
Menu Plinth
A monumental design that celebrates the natural beauty of marble, we are enamoured with the effortless simplicity of the Menu Plinth. Its archetypal form is reminiscent of classical architecture, with the honed marble exuding luxury and adding a natural warmth to wherever it is placed.
Available in 3 sizes, we think the ‘Low’ version of the plinth works perfectly as a coffee table. Choose from sophisticated Black Marquina Marble, minimal White Carrara Marble or the captivating patterns of Calacatta Viola Marble.
Woud Arc Coffee Table
Looking for a coffee table with integrated storage? Then the Woud Arc is the choice for you. Its geometric design allows you to rotate the surface, revealing an inbuilt storage compartment, perfect for discretely hiding away clutter.
Ever adjustable, this design allows you to constantly reinvent its expression, leaving the lid fully closed, fully open or somewhere in between. Constructed from Ash, we also love the warmth this natural wood brings to a space.
Nikari April Tables
With their bold distinctive forms, the Nikari April tables are sure to turn heads wherever they’re placed. Created by Swiss designer Alfredo Häberli in 2012, the April tables come in three different sizes, each made from a different wood: birch, ash or oak. They work perfectly together as a one-of-a-kind trio, but also look great when standing individually.
Nikari is a Finnish manufacturer who craft their designs from only the highest quality European wood. Their head office, studio and workshop are powered by renewable energy from the hydro power plant located next to their building.
Fritz Hansen Objects Foldable Tray Table
Perhaps the most versatile choice in our top 12 designs, the Fritz Hansen Objects Foldable Tray Table is exactly as described – the top is a removable tray that can be picked up and carried where needed. Very handy for that afternoon brew round!
A great choice for small spaces, the legs of this table can be folded and stored away with ease when extra space is needed. But for all its flexibility, this design doesn’t compromise on quality or style. Originally designed by a pair of cabinetmakers in 1958, this foldable coffee table is sophisticated, timeless and elegant.
HAY Eiffel Coffee Table
Taking inspiration from the French landmark which shares its name, the HAY Eiffel is a contemporary coffee table with universal appeal. Based on a simple layering principal, the Eiffel range features cast aluminium leg modules and powder coated MDF plates.
We love how the airy, lightweight feel of this design brings practical storage to a living space without being overpowering.
Cassina LC10-P Outdoor Coffee Table
With its pared-back material palette and lack of ornamentation, the Cassina LC10-P coffee table is a classic example of minimal, modernist style. Originally designed by Le Corbusier in 1929, this coffee table was adapted by Charlotte Perriand in 1984.
The perfect way to introduce a little luxury to your outdoor space, this design boasts practicality, timeless character and a luxurious aesthetic. It features a durable, black enamel frames and a beautiful Carrara marble tabletop.
STUA Solapa Coffee Table
Solapa, which means ‘overlap’ in Spanish, perfectly describes this sleek coffee table design. Available in two heights and a number of finishes, mix and match these sleek tables to create a dynamic, overlapping lounge centrepiece. Or they look great on their own too!
To allow the tables to be moved with ease, the legs of the Solapa are made form a polypropylene fiberglass compound which is injection moulded, making the table incredibly light.
&Tradition Lato Table
Although the Lato isn’t what you might traditionally think of as a coffee table, we had to include this beautiful design in our top 12 for its sheer versatility. Crafted from steel and marble, this pint-sized table packs a style punch. Available in either a 45cm or 50cm height, the Lato looks great by itself or as part of a grouped pair.
According to designer Luca Nichetto, the inspiration for this table came from the playful form of a lollipop turned upside down. This creates a strikingly graphic form, rooted by its weighted marble base that is calm, refined and timeless (despite the playful inspiration). Pair it with a living room sofa set or use it as a decorative side table in any room of the house.
Knoll Platner Coffee Table
Simultaneously serving as both structure and ornament, the Knoll Platner coffee table was designed in 1962 by Warren Platner. An eye-catching addition to any space, this is a genuine icon of the modern era.
The iconic shape of the Platner is constructed by welding hundreds of curved steel rods to circular frames, resulting in a bold and elegant base which exudes mid-century glamour. Choose from a nickel or metallic bronze finish to the base.
To browse even more coffee table designs, head over to our Coffee & Side Tables page.
Alternatively, if you’d like a little help or if you have any questions, then please get in touch. Email info@nest.co.uk, call 0114 243 3000 or catch us on Live Chat.
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Images credits: Max Hawley, Hali Mason, Phil Cohen.
