Lately, my husband and I have been having some heated discussions — about coffee tables. We need a new one, and we can’t agree on the size, style or even the material. Who knew coffee tables could be so complicated?
Coffee tables likely made their way into British and American homes in the late 1800s, although their origins may stretch back much further. Even the ancient Etruscans, who lived in central Italy in the 1st millennium BCE, used low, rectangular tables for their lavish banquets.
When the term “coffee table” emerged in the early 1900s, it was less about coffee and more about being an object around which people relaxed and chatted. By the time televisions became a mainstay of American living rooms, the coffee table was practically a prerequisite, right along with couches and easy chairs.
As I like to tell my husband, a coffee table is a big decision! You’ll probably only buy a new coffee table every 10 years or so, so you want to make sure you buy the right one. Here’s what to consider when choosing a coffee table for your living room.
Why Your Living Room Needs a Coffee Table
Think about it:
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