Coffee Tables: "Unsung Heroes"

Most homes have coffee tables.

And it's no wonder.

Design expert Susanna Salk calls them "unsung heroes!"

At a Pottery Barn store in Manhattan, Salk pointed out to Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen that coffee tables are frequently the center of a living space, and fulfills many roles.

They hold magazines and remote controls. They're a place to put up your feet after a long day, or set cocktails during a casual party.

And precisely because this workhorse occupies a key space in the home, you want it to look as stylish as possible.

So, what should you think about when buying a coffee table?

Material

For starters, Salk says, you need to identify where it will be in your home and how you will use it.
Then choose the material fitting for that use:

Painted wood: Wood is a common choice for coffee tables, but Salk suggests spicing things up with a piece of "painted" wood. If you have patterns on surrounding furniture or curtains, highlight one of those colors by echoing it on your table. This can also help pull a room's color theme together.

Glass: Glass is a great choice if you have the table on top of a beautiful rug, since it enables you to see the pattern through the table. Also, glass works well in a small space, because it doesn't look too heavy or bulky.

Leather: Ottomans are commonly used as coffee tables now. They make a very functional addition to a room. Set a tray on the ottoman to balance drinks and other items, or clear the ottoman off and use it as seating for a big group. Best of all, ottomans are meant to put your feet on; there's no danger of hurting the furniture when you want to stretch out. And Salk says leather ottomans are a great option for families: Leather is very durable, and there are fewer sharp edges to bump heads on!

Size

Typically, Salk notes, you want your table to be about half the size of your sofa.

Placement

Salk says to err on the side of having too much space between the couch and table, as opposed to a crowded look. Allowing about a foot's worth of space between the two pieces of furniture is usually a safe bet.

Shape

If you're considering a round coffee table, how do you know it will look good with your couch? First off, Salk says, you can't go wrong with a rectangular table. But round coffee tables are a bit unusual and can be a really fun touch in a room. Take a careful look at the lines of your couch. If the couch is very angular, you want to stick with a rectangular table. But if the couch is soft and rounded, a round table would work well.

Attractiveness

Most people find that it's easy for a coffee table to become a dumping ground. The centerpiece of the room can quickly begin to look crowded and ugly, but it doesn't have to!

Salk has two suggestions on keeping coffee tables functional, but attractive:

First, choosing a table with shelves or drawers will immediately help control clutter.

"I like to keep the necessities like my remotes and reading glasses all in a pretty bowl, so the table doesn't get too cluttered and you can find everything," Salk says. "Magazines and books should get stacked in baskets. I like to leave the table surface as clear as I can for propping feet, a bowl of popcorn or drinks — in other words, the immediate needs."

Always leave room for at least one decorative item on your coffee table, such as a plant.

Salk's second suggestion is to keep your coffee table completely clear, except for one decorative item, and stash all of the other "coffee table clutter" in, on or under the side tables that accompany your couch. Obviously, if you don't have side tables, the coffee table with drawers makes more sense for you!