Coffee Talk

It was Dorothy Draper who wrote, "the more usable your coffee table is, the more livable your whole room will seem." But with so many options, finding the right table can be a daunting task. When choosing a coffee table, consider scale, context, and function. "A coffee table is really an accessory," says designer Suzanne Kasler. "Whatever its style, it should enhance the room."

"The perfect coffee table is one that fits the space, fulfills its duties, and looks good," says designer Cathy Kincaid, who gravitates toward simple squares and rectangles. In a formal setting, Kincaid likes a classic Chinese table, whether it is lacquered or wrapped with grass cloth. "For a family room, which typically calls for durability, I might opt for an antique-style farm table that has been cut down to coffee table height," she says. If your arrangement calls for an oblong table but you want a softer look, an oval table is a practical alternative to hard-edged, geometric shapes.

Glass and mirrored coffee tables add sparkle to a room. Surprisingly versatile and easy to maintain, these tables work well whether a room is formal or casual, traditional or modern. "If there is already a lot of furniture, a translucent glass surface offers the benefits of a table without making the room seem too crowded," says designer Gerrie Bremermann. She loves a glass-top table with "an interesting but simple" iron base. "It just works," she says. "And objects look beautiful on glass. I like to set up a nice variety of heights using a piece of sculpture or a pair of candlesticks with a book, a pretty dish, and fresh flowers."

"A mirrored coffee table is a wonderful means of lightening up and adding glamour to a room," says designer Jan Showers. "In fact, mirror is more practical and usable than most surfaces. You can put glasses directly on it and wipe it clean." If your room calls for more than one coffee table, Showers says, "you don't want too many mirrored pieces together. Complement your mirrored piece with a cigarette table made of a different material." Another rule of thumb: "Avoid placing a mirrored piece directly under recessed ceiling fixtures," she says. "If there are strong down lights, find a coffee table that is not reflective, such as one with a leather top and a cast-bronze base."

If storage is a requirement, a table with a shelf is an attractive way to store and display books and collections. "A glass-top table with a glass shelf provides a lot of surface area without looking too massive," says Renea Abbott, owner of Houston-based Shabby Slips. "Plus, it can hold a lot without looking cluttered. Books can be piled on the shelf for a colorful, graphic effect, while the top is reserved for flowers or candles."

Kincaid is a fan of antique trunks, which serve nicely as coffee tables, and offer concealed storage. Whether it is on a stand or on the floor, a trunk or blanket chest is a charming and clever way to contain seasonal accessories or linens for a pull-out sofa.

"Consider your coffee table an opportunity to do something special," says Kasler, who often groups a couple of small tea tables in lieu of a single large one. "If the tables are made of an interesting material -- be it Lucite, metal, stone, or a combination thereof -- they can be the centerpiece of the room," she says. "But if the tables are too stylized, they'll soon look dated."

When the scale of the room and the sofa is not too large, allowing for two or three small tables, Kasler typically uses floor lamps to eliminate the need for end tables. "Make sure that there are not too many things of the same size, so your room doesn't look busy," she says.

Another alternative to a conventional coffee table, says designer Barry Dixon, is a firm upholstered ottoman. "A round ottoman opens up the space and provides a better 'nucleus' for a furniture arrangement," he explains. Most of all, he says, "I like the duality of purpose." Topped with a pretty tray, an overscaled book, or even a vintage game board, it can accommodate decorative objects, says Dixon, but in a pinch, it also serves as additional seating. His favorite upholstery options include tooled leathers and tapestry fabrics because they are durable and less apt to show stains. (Make sure the fabric is treated with a fabric protector.) "Used alone or with a supporting cast of tea tables, an ottoman relaxes the room and invites you to put your feet up," says Dixon. "And you can, because that's what it's for."

COFFEE TABLE TIPS

• Your coffee table should be more or less the same height as the seat of your sofa, usually 16 to 18 inches high, and positioned 15 to 18 inches away from the sofa.

• "Regardless of the size of your room, a giant coffee table isn't gracious or pretty, and it takes up too much space," says designer Jan Showers.

• If a very small table is in order, in front of a settee, for instance, designer Gerrie Bremermann recommends a tray table. "A beautiful oval tray on a stand contains things nicely," she says.

• With their elegant profiles, exotic woods, and interesting surface treatments, Chinese tables are popular because they fit into traditional or contemporary schemes.

• "If the situation calls for formality, dress up an ottoman with an interesting nailhead pattern or bullion fringe," says designer Barry Dixon.

• "My favorite table accessories are books. People always enjoy leafing through them," Showers says. "A piece of Venetian glass is wonderful too. But anything you place on your table, especially flowers, should not be so tall that it interferes with conversation."

• When choosing a coffee table, designer Cathy Kincaid makes sure that it is not too large or too heavy. "You want to be able to get around it and move it easily," she says.

• "An ottoman is the safest option when there are children around," says Dixon, who prefers rounded forms. "Even adults can hurt themselves on sharp edges."

• "A slightly higher table in front of a sofa can also be used for informal dining," Kincaid says.

RESOURCES:  Suzanne Kasler, Suzanne Kasler Interiors, 404/355-1035, www.suzannekasler.com; Cathy Kincaid, Cathy Kincaid Interiors, 214/522-0856, www.cathykincaid.com; Gerrie Bremermann, Bremermann Designs, 504/891-7763, www.bremermanndesigns.com; Jan Showers, Jan Showers and Associates, 214/747-5252, www.janshowers.com; Renea Abbott, Shabby Slips Design Studio, 713/630-0066, www.shabbyslipshouston.com; Barry Dixon, Barry Dixon, Inc., 540/341-8501, www.barrydixon.com; David H. Mitchell, David H. Mitchell Interior Design, 202/797-0780, www.davidmitchellinteriordesign.com.