What is important to consider when choosing a table for the living room
When choosing the design of tables for the living room, photos of which can inspire the implementation of different ideas, it is important to decide on the main types of designs.
Due to the wide variety of models offered, this choice can be difficult; it is important to focus on a number of factors, these include:
- overall dimensions and the possibility of transforming tables;
- geometric shape and materials used, fittings;
- stylistic design and table design for the living room;
- color scheme, presence of moving elements and parts;
- main and additional functionality, intended purpose.
Dining and coffee tables, work and serving tables look differently in the interiors of living rooms furnished in a certain style.
They should fit perfectly into the created composition and be combined with the decor of the ceiling and walls, floor and textiles, and match the overall presentability of other furniture in the room.
Tables and cabinets for the living room
What can influence the choice of table? Its purpose. You can eat there, gather together, celebrate a celebration or an important day. At the table you can play board games or work on the computer.
Important factors when purchasing a table:
- Purpose – the purposes for which the table will be used. If you need a spacious table in the living room, but there is no opportunity, you can install transforming models that turn from small to large;
- Dimensions and shape of the living room. This is an important factor, since it determines how well the table will fit into the interior. In a rectangular-shaped room, you need to take a rectangular or oval table, and if the room is large and allows you to place the table in a specific area, then you should choose the classic non-collapsible option for 10-12 people. For a small living room, it is better to choose a collapsible table or a transforming table. Most of the time it will look like a coffee table where you can drink coffee or read books;
- Style design - the table must correspond to the design concept of the entire living room, decorate it and be combined with color and shape, and not stand out among the room.
The table and chairs must be made in the same style
The table should be comfortable for sitting, the chair should be free to move out. There should be at least 60 cm of table length per person if the chairs do not have armrests.
The design of a window sill table can be an interesting object that preserves the footage of the room and looks extremely unusual against the background of other tables. You can modernize the window sill itself without great expense and even on your own. The cabinet can replace a wardrobe or chest of drawers, and serve as a stand for any objects.
According to the type of design, cabinets are:
- Closed type - there are doors and drawers that protect what is inside from prying eyes. When choosing a closed cabinet for the living room, it is worth checking the transparency of the glass on the drawer doors if there is equipment inside that receives a signal;
- Open type - is a rack with shelves. Provides instant access to any item inside and provides good ventilation for equipment, such as a TV, protecting it from overheating.
The vast majority of cabinets for the hall are stationary. If you need to move furniture frequently, you should choose a mobile cabinet on wheels. The stationary model can be with or without legs.
Furniture dimensions
Large and massive dining tables for the living room are suitable for a spacious room, but for small rooms it is better to stick to compact furniture.
When choosing sizes, it is important to consider the number of seats at the table, which will allow you to seat family members and invited guests and relatives.
Living room with sofa and table: dining option
If the living room is divided into zones, you need to choose a high-quality table. You can choose an extendable dining model, a solid wood table, or another option. One area will be for eating, the other for meeting guests.
You need to follow these tips to avoid making a mistake with your choice:
- The choice of table depends on what the dining area will be like. If static, then classic will do. If the area is dynamic, existing only for meeting guests, a transforming table will be a suitable option;
- In order not to be mistaken with the size of the table, you can easily measure its dimensions - lay out a tablecloth on the floor. This will help you navigate the area of the future table;
- For a small living room, a round table on one leg is suitable, so more people can fit behind it.
A beautiful corner sofa can be used for zoning. Upholstered furniture will add comfort and practicality, but you don’t need to place it near the table and work area - it can easily get dirty. A bar counter can also divide the space. It can be used instead of a dining table.
You can make a dining table with your own hands; making it will cost much less than purchasing a ready-made one in a store. It can be wooden or chipboard, if the hands grow from the right place, the result will be good in any case.
Table shape
When designing a room, you can choose the ideal shape for the table, which differ in variability and possible design:
The rectangular table is perfect for daily use and formal serving for a holiday or before receiving guests.
Square models are compact and portable, easy to move and use for corner placement in a room.
The classic round table in the living room stands out among other models with its smooth silhouette, which is ideal for a romantic style.
Oval designs, without sharp corners, such elegant designs due to their oblong shape provide maximum capacity.
Figured models, embodying practicality and bright originality, fit perfectly into spacious rooms and emphasize the exclusivity of their design.
For small rooms, you can choose corner or triangular tables that fit perfectly into the interior and help to effectively use the free space.
Hall with transformable table
The transforming table differs not only in design, but also in appearance. In a few seconds, such a table becomes a full-fledged dining option, on which you can lay out cutlery and start a meal. In addition, sofas and armchairs look great next to transformable tables.
Among them are:
- Transformable tabletop for dining;
- Transformable coffee tables;
- Dining tables-books;
- Extendable dining tables.
Transformable console tables play a special role in the apartment. They are wall-mounted, wall-mounted and free-standing. The console comes in a variety of materials, each with its own design and size.
Transformation abilities
To provide additional seating at the table, you can use a transformable model in your living room arrangement.
Folding and sliding structures have become widespread due to their compact size and ability to save free space when folded.
Transformation
Sliding (with a central insert) - the tabletop consists of three parts: two are always used (folded state), and the third is used if necessary (unfolded state). To transform, simply move two parts apart and place the third part in the free space. Square and round tables can be turned into rectangular or oval ones.
- With side inserts (wings) - a variation of the previous option: the tabletop is enlarged thanks to additional parts that can be stored either under the table or separately. The transformation is very simple: you need to attach the “board” to the side of the table.
- With rotating central inserts - the insert consists of two movably connected parts and is located under the table. Transformation: two parts of the table move apart, and at the same time a central insert appears, which must be expanded. This option is more convenient than the previous ones.
The book , like the previous version, consists of three parts: a compact stand with two solid sides (folded state). When unfolded, this table resembles an open book. During transformation, the sides rise up and are mounted on special legs.
The book table is superior to the sliding model in its compactness: if desired, you can use only one side.
Double folding - the tabletop consists of two parts lying on top of each other and connected by hinges (folded state). Transformation: the top part folds back and flips to the side. These models usually have a swivel mechanism.
- There is another variation of this type of transformation, when the lower and upper parts of the tabletop are pulled out in different directions.
With moving legs - found in two types.
- Folding - has a tabletop design similar to a double folding table. To increase the area of the table, you need to grab the side of the frame and pull it towards you, and then fold back part of the tabletop, as in a double folding table. If for most tables the area increases by about a third, then for a folding table it increases by half. Disadvantage: weak design.
- Sliding - differs from the previous version in that the second part of the tabletop is hidden under the table and extends along with the side of the frame.
With folding tabletop - one edge of the tabletop is connected through hinges to a support (wall, furniture). To transform, you need to lift the tabletop and secure it to the strut. When folded, this table fits tightly to the support and does not take up space, which is convenient for small spaces. However, such a table has limitations on the number of seats and cannot be moved from place to place.
Collapsible - the table consists of individual items (legs, table top, fastening joints). If necessary, it is assembled and then disassembled and folded compactly for storage. When folded, such a table takes up virtually no space, but its assembly requires time and effort. Such tables are often purchased for a summer residence.
Material of manufacture
A regular or transformable table for a living room can be made from a variety of materials, among which wood is especially popular.
Natural and environmentally friendly wood and its high-quality derivatives, such as MDF, chipboard and veneered boards, retain the warmth and texture of solid wood.
Table models that are made from several materials deserve special attention.
This can be a combination of a wooden or metal frame with countertops made of natural or artificial stone, tempered glass and specially treated metal.
Coffee table color
The question of choosing the color of such a product usually does not raise much doubt: the shades of modern and classic models in a room decorated in a variety of styles will be organic.
Considering that most often such furniture is made of wood, glass and metal, the tones will be unambiguous:
- Natural wood color . This is a choice not only in favor of retrospective trends, but also modern ones, where natural materials are valued. Dark shades of solid wood look luxurious. In light colors, on the contrary, such furniture, alas, is not so impressive. Especially in cubic forms with a massive wooden frame, it is the rich range of expensive types of wood that looks especially stylish.
- Transparent designs are another sophisticated option . Such models visually do not take up any space, they look light and unobtrusive. Original and simple products, although they look different, still remain transparent, and therefore make the situation easier.
- A coffee table in a living room interior made of artificial or even natural stone is a particularly luxurious option for furnishings in any style . If a natural mineral has an exceptional pattern and unique texture, then an artificial one can be monochromatic - in a wide palette of shades. This is used by designers working in various styles. The natural texture of stone is appropriate in classic, modern, and Mediterranean interiors. But an artificial monochromatic mineral is applicable in modern design styles. Such models can be monochromatic or combined - for example, the base is made in a dark color, and the tabletop is made in a light color. The ideal duet, which does not lose its relevance, remains the combination of white and black.
Model design
A writing or coffee table for a living room can differ in different designs and correspond to certain styles.
When choosing a suitable model, it is important to consider its compliance with the concept of decorating the room and compatibility with other furniture, decoration and accessories.
Styles: coffee tables for different interiors
Coffee tables for the living room are usually quite compact and laconic products that fit perfectly into a variety of interiors. Different models have a variety of shapes, but simple geometric lines remain the priority.
- Classic implies the most exquisite products . Typically, such models have forged elegant legs or massive wooden “lion paws”. Elegant models can be either wooden or glass - there are no restrictions. Non-standard pieces of furniture have a tabletop in the form of colored mosaics or spontaneously laid ceramic tiles.
- Modern coffee tables for the living room offer a wide range of models in a variety of shapes and materials . Nevertheless, the simplest products in clear and concise forms remain the most popular. These are cubic, open volumes, in which there is only a tabletop and a frame. Often a combination of wood and glass, glass and metal is chosen. Less often, exclusively glass products are chosen for the hall, but wooden ones always remain harmonious.
- For such trends as country, Provence, chalet, primitive coffee tables for the living room are suitable . This is wooden furniture with a deliberately rough surface treatment. Although classic products would be quite appropriate in the interior of a French village, elegant details are applicable here, even in a simple form.
- Extraordinary stylish models in ultra-modern designs can have unusual shapes - spirals, stones, drops, the English letter “s”, etc. These are beautiful products that amaze with their non-standard appearance, although the materials used are still the same. Among such furniture you can also find transformable tables, which include a bar, trays, and several shelves.
- Vintage models are often made from natural wood driftwood . Such tables look especially authentic, although sometimes this effect is only imitated with the help of smooth and sinuous tree branches.
Color and legs, wheels
The color scheme of the table can be varied, but on the advice of the designers it is better to choose it in accordance with the design idea.
Functional tables should maximally emphasize the style and concept of the room, models on wheels can be easily moved around the room, and stationary tables should be as stable as possible.
To make a living room with a computer desk look presentable and stylish, you must first zone the space of the room.
To highlight a dining or work area, different lighting systems, a combination of colors, or structures such as partitions and shelving are used.
Which material to choose?
The durability of any kitchen furniture largely depends on the material used. It must have various properties that are necessary in the kitchen, namely: moisture resistance, environmental friendliness, heat resistance and many others. Modern tables are most often made from the following materials:
Wood massif
Noble natural wood is a traditional material for the manufacture of any furniture, including kitchen furniture. The array has excellent performance characteristics and a beautiful appearance; it fits perfectly into any style of room. The only negative is its cost. Wooden tables are much more expensive than products made from other types of materials. But such a dining group can last for decades.
laminated chipboard
LDSP is a laminated chipboard, which is made from fine wood particles in combination with resin. Thanks to lamination, the material has a large number of qualities that are valued by both furniture manufacturers and buyers. Such tables are inexpensive and can withstand temperature changes, high humidity, and the effects of aggressive household chemicals. And the possibility of using laminate allows you to create furniture with any pattern, from imitation of the texture and surface of natural wood, to imitation of stone or brick. Among the disadvantages, we can note the impossibility of manufacturing furniture of non-standard bent shapes.
MDF
MDF is a medium-density fiberboard, furniture made from which is highly appreciated by buyers for its quality, excellent characteristics, environmental friendliness and affordable cost. The material's properties are similar to laminated chipboard, but, unlike it, it does not have such high strength and is less resistant to high temperatures.
Glass
Glass tables look stylish and beautiful and fit well into any style of room. The plasticity of glass allows you to create countertops of the most varied, even the most complex, shapes, making it one of the most favorite materials among modern designers. Such furniture is somewhat more expensive than products made from chipboard or MDF, but is quite affordable for buyers of any financial situation. The main disadvantage of such tables is their fragility - the tabletop can crack or break even from a slight blow. In addition, glass requires especially careful care so that it does not leave stains or streaks.
Fake diamond
A modern, completely environmentally friendly material, which is increasingly used in the manufacture of countertops for kitchens, cafes, retail and office premises. And such popularity is quite justified, since it has a large number of advantages. The material is very strong, durable and flexible, has a uniform structure with no cracks or micropores. The stone has a wide color palette, which allows customers to bring even the most non-standard ideas to life. The only drawback of the material is its high cost.
On sale you can also find products made of rattan, metal, plastic and even models covered with eco-leather. Tabletops can be decorated with tiles, stained glass or three-dimensional patterns.
Material
When choosing a product material, you should better look at models made of wood or MDF, as they are famous for their durability and practicality. It is worth noting that a wooden table, like any other wooden product, should be treated with a protective varnish so that it retains its presentable appearance longer.
There is also the option of choosing a glass table. This model is not durable, but with proper care it will last no less, or even longer, than a wooden table.
Dinner table
If you decide to create zoning using furniture, you need a high-quality dining table. When the dining area is permanent, choose a standard model, and for a dynamic area required for receiving guests, a transformer is perfect.
Consider the size of the room to choose the right dimensions for the furniture: the classic model cannot be removed.
It is better to choose a dining table made from environmentally friendly materials; if it is a folding structure, make sure that its moving parts are durable. When choosing the optimal shape for a piece of furniture, rely on the design concept of the room.
Computer desk
In a small apartment it is difficult to allocate a room for a full-fledged office, so often a corner in the living room is allocated for doing homework or work. To make your workplace ergonomic, you need to consider the following factors:
Functionality. Make sure there are different shelves, stands and drawers in the immediate vicinity of the table.
Lighting. The workplace should be well lit; if the table is located far from the window, install an additional light source.
Zoning. You can separate the workplace from the rest of the room using furniture, decorative elements, and flooring.
