Is A Coffee Table Necessary? (Here’s The Best Way To Know)

If you’ve been searching for living room ideas and ways to decorate it to make sure that your home looks its best, you would have noticed the one common piece that every living room seems to have.

And that’s a coffee table. At this point, you might be wondering if a coffee table is really that necessary? The short answer is yes (in some cases).

A coffee table is necessary as it can be an essential item that completes the overall look of a room since it draws all the items together and is a great way to fill up empty space. It can also be practical in terms of using it to rest your feet, eat dinner, or for guests to place their cups.

However, having a coffee table will depend largely on certain variables such as having sufficient space, its usability and purpose, as well as if it will bring any value to the overall decor.

There are a few factors that you need to take into account if you’re on the fence about purchasing a coffee table for your decor.

Here we will take a look at a few questions you can answer, the pros and cons of having a coffee table, as well as alternatives that you can use if a coffee table is unnecessary for your home.

If this sounds good, let’s begin.

Things To Consider Before Buying A Coffee Table

Before making the decision to purchase a coffee table, there are a few questions you need to answer that will help you to make the right choice and determine if having a coffee table is actually necessary for you and your family.

1. Will It Be Practical?

The first thing you need to ask yourself is whether this coffee table will be of actual use. If you plan to eat dinner or put your legs up, having a coffee table will be useful.

If you plan to host guests, then they too may need a place to sit their cups and plates when not in use. These factors will help you decide if a coffee table will be used or not.

2. Do You Have Space?

Another important question that needs to be answered is whether you have the space for a coffee table.

If the room where it will be placed is already too small or cramped, then having a coffee table will only make the space seem much smaller.

However, if you find that the room looks too bare or incomplete, then having a coffee table will be just the right thing to complete the decor and create a cohesive look to the entire room decor.

3. Are There Young Kids Around?

We all know how playful kids are and if the living room is an area they often enjoy spending time in, then just know that the possibility of them writing or drawing on an expensive wooden coffee table is bound to happen at some point.

You could try waiting until the kids are older to invest in a designer coffee table, however, if you do want to include a coffee table right now, then opting for a cheaper alternative may be the right move.

4. Will It Make The Room Look Even Better?

The best question you can ask yourself when deciding if a decor piece is necessary or not is to find out if it will add any value to the room.

This one will make the decision easier to make especially if you feel like having a coffee table will enhance the decor. Then the answer is straightforward.

For instance, if you plan to include a beautiful carpet, then you’re going to want to have a coffee table to complete the look.

Related Post: How Can I Make My Old Carpet Look Better?

5. Can You Afford Buying A Good Quality Coffee Table?

You will find many coffee tables to choose from however not all coffee tables are the same in terms of quality and price. If you opt for a cheaper coffee table, you may encounter problems that will annoy you in the future.

If you settle for a coffee table that is far from your taste yet much less pricey, you might regret choosing this option and it could even hurt the style of your decor.

A simple and easy solution to this would be to save up for a coffee table that is good in terms of price, quality, and taste.

Pros And Cons Of Having A Coffee Table

If you’re still having a difficult time deciding if a coffee table is necessary for your home, let’s take a quick look at a few pros and cons that will help push you towards the right decision.

Pros

• Completes the room decor and adds interest

As mentioned before, a coffee table can easily bring all elements in a room together, especially if you have an arrangement of different furniture pieces. Statement pieces can also draw the viewer’s eyes and make the room look more stylish and interesting.

• It can fill up empty space

If there’s a certain space or area that keeps nagging at you every time you enter the room (mainly in the middle of the living room before the couch), it’s most likely the spot where you know a coffee table should be placed.

• Can be used as a place to eat dinner
• A great way to put your legs up and relax

Cons

• It may make your living area feel crowded if you have a small space
• Bound to get damaged if you have young kids around
• Glass coffee tables can easily scratch or get chipped
• Some coffee tables can cheapen the overall look of the room
• Cleaning may be an issue with particular coffee tables (eg. water/coffee/tea/food stains)

Should Every Living Room Have A Coffee Table?

No, it’s not necessary for every living room to have a coffee table but it will largely depend on how it will add value to the room.

There are other factors that will influence the decision to have a coffee table and some of which include the available space, the affordability, and the usability of a coffee table.

There’s no hard or fast rule that states every living room must have a coffee table but if you prefer to not have one, there are a few alternatives to coffee tables that you can take a look at and see if that meets your criteria.

What You Can Use Instead Of A Coffee Table?

If you find yourself not leaning towards using a coffee table, then here are a few creative and unique alternatives that you can make use of instead:

1. Ottomans
2. Stools
3. Bench
4. Shelf
5. Pouf
6. Wooden Logs

Related Posts: What Can I Use Instead of A Bedside Table? (11 Alternatives)

Conclusion

I can’t say for certain that having a coffee table is necessary but what I can say is that there’s definitely a charm to coffee tables and the value that they bring to a room.

It’s also nice to have those days when you just want to put your legs up and have dinner while watching something on TV.

Days like these will allow you to destress and relax a bit and having a coffee table is quite handy in these moments.

The best advice I can give you if you’re still deciding if a coffee table is necessary for your home or not is to look at the space around you and answer the first few questions mentioned above.

Then take a look at the pros and cons and you should be able to determine which option will be best for you.