Interior Decorating Ideas

Coffee tables are a simple piece of furniture that can brighten up your living or dining room. They offer functionality and style at the same time. One way to add your own distinctive decorating touch and to be a little more creative and add some of your own personality is to have a go at making one yourself. The basic structure is just a table top and four legs. If you have some experience of working with wood then this can be a small project that should only take a few hours to complete.

Buying the wood for the coffee table is very important. Ideally you want a good grade of wood to begin with, especially if you are going to stain and treat it. If you are going to paint the wood, then the appearance is not as important as it will be covered. Plywood or even MDF can be used if you are on a budget. Even old items of furniture can be re-claimed and used. All reputable wood yards and home stores such as argos will have all different varieties of wood to choose from. Try to get standard sizes so you do not need to make any unnecessary cuts.

The legs should be around 12-18 inches in length and the table top around 2 feet by 4 feet, or smaller if you only have a small room. Create a frame around the underside of the top to fix the legs to. You will need to bolt and screw them in place. Corner supports will also be needed, and chiselling small grooves at the top of the legs will give a solid fit that can hold any load you place on top of the table. Online web sites can provide you with all the information you need, or speak to store assistants at retail outlets like argos direct. Some will even offer detailed plans for free if you are willing to ask. The last stage is to treat or paint the table. Sand over the surface by hand to remove any stains or marks, and then apply the coatings. Three coats should be sufficient for any coffee table. You can also apply a protective wax coating the finish off the job in style.

The designer of a particularly distinctive coffee table was Isamu Noguchi, a sculptor who also designed some home and office furnishings of renown. The Noguchi coffee table is a glass-topped coffee table that is supported by an imaginatively balanced pair of wood supports that make it appear impossible to support the table top.

The Noguchi coffee table was first brought into production in the 1940s when it was manufactured by the Hermann Miller Company. This puts the table style firmly in the retro era and is very representative of the progressive nature of the designers that were creating furniture at the time.

The glass table top is a rounded triangular shape that is almost delicately rested on top of the wood supports. It is an example of effective minimalism that works amazingly well due to the elegance of the lines that are created. Variations of the coffee table come down to the different types of wood finish for the table base with walnut, cherry and a matte black finish that sets off the rest of the table incredibly effectively.

There are a number of modern manufacturers of the Noguchi coffee table and a few of them are presented below. They are available for sale from Amazon with more information provided at the site.

The abilities of the sculptor are firmly exhibited in the design of the Noguchi coffee table with a restrained elegance demonstrating that a piece of furniture does not have to be overly decorated with additional features for it to be an attractive piece.

The Noguchi coffee table has become a cultural icon and a piece of furniture that has become a popularly sought after collectors piece. It is a functional table that is also an exceptional work of art.

The great thing about slate coffee table, apart from how sturdy and reliable they are, is the fact that they require less maintenance on a regular basis than their wooden counterparts. Whereas a wooden coffee table or a glass-topped coffee table requires regular dusting, the dust does not collect quite so obviously or as quickly on a slate coffee table.

When discussing how you should go about cleaning and caring for your slate coffee table we are actually talking about how slate should be treated. The other materials of the coffee table, whether it’s wood or iron or another material, can be cleaned as with any other common material. Slate is a natural material and is meant to look rough a weathered to a certain extent so it will do better if it is a little neglected when it comes to cleaning.

Where it will have to be attended to is the usual cleaning of dust, crumbs and other small bits of dirt that tends to accumulate on any hard flat surface. This will involve a simple wipe down with a damp rag or cleaning cloth. You may decide to then wipe the slate down with a clean, dry rag or simply allow the slate to air dry.

A lot of slate coffee tables are actually slate tiles that have been fitted into recessed housing to form the table top. If this is the case then there is going to be an inevitable build up of dirt, dust and other matter in the cracks between the slate tiles and the table frame. The best way to deal with this is to remove the tiles and give them a thorough clean with a disinfectant solution paying particular attention to the edges of the slate. The table frame should also be cleaned with disinfectant and then thoroughly dried before replacing the slate.

Although slate is a stone product it has been sliced into thin “leaves” and this means that it is susceptible to being chipped around the edges or even cracked through the middle if given a sharp knock. Make sure that when the slate tiles have been removed from the coffee table for cleaning or transporting are supported by being laid flat on the ground. When transporting them they should be completely wrapped separately in newspaper or cloth to ensure the surface is not damaged.

Here are some examples of superb slate coffee tables for sale.

	4D Concepts Coffee Table with Slate Top, Metal/ Slate List Price: $149.95 Sale Price: $97.99
	What a beautifully crafted steel and slate coffee table. This coffee table is perfect for any den, living room, nook, or patio in the home and will meet all of your needs. All the metal is finished in a rich powder coated black which gives it a distinct look...

	Brown Finish Coffee Table With Slate Insert List Price: $482.99 Sale Price: $190.00 Average Rating:
	The Slate Coffee Table rendered in brown finish is a classic antique attachment for your living area. Elegantly curved metal legs and decorative storage shelf support the slate table top and provide this table with style...

	Slate Top Metal Base Coffee Table & 2 Occasional Side/End Tables Set List Price: $625.99 Sale Price: $359.90
	End Table - 26"L x 26"W x 22.25"H, Coffee Table - 48"L x 26"W x 18"H

	Coffee Table with Slate Top in Distressed Brown Finish List Price: $387.00 Sale Price: $319.90 Average Rating:
	Dimension: 50"L x 32"W x 20"H Finish: Distressed Brown Material: Wood, Slate Coffee Table with Slate Top in Distressed Brown Finish Features decorative slate inlay top and curved legs. Item is carefully decorated with intricate designs in distressed brown finish...

A slate coffee table is a beautiful piece of furniture and should last you many years, if not a lifetime. The care and cleaning required is minimal compared to other pieces of furniture and really comes down to common sense. If you practice a little bit of caution when handling the slate you will be able to enjoy the look and feel for many years to come.

Slate coffee tables have become very popular in recent years. What used to be rare and found exclusively in the homes of the wealthy is now available to everyone. Slate was formed billions of years ago by the mixture of volcanic lava over a mixture of clay and ash. Because it formed in layers, the formed slate can be cut into slabs and then cut into thin layers. It is these final thin sheets that are used to form slate for coffee tables.

Slate is the perfect choice for your coffee table because of its intrinsic beauty. It is naturally gray in color but the variations of gray differ significantly depending upon where it was sourced. The colors in slate draw attention and can be found to complement a variety of color schemes. Additionally, slate coffee tables come in many different styles.

Take a look at the various slate coffee table styles diesplayed below.

	4D Concepts Coffee Table with Slate Top, Metal/ Slate List Price: $149.95 Sale Price: $97.99
	What a beautifully crafted steel and slate coffee table. This coffee table is perfect for any den, living room, nook, or patio in the home and will meet all of your needs. All the metal is finished in a rich powder coated black which gives it a distinct look...

	Brown Finish Coffee Table With Slate Insert List Price: $482.99 Sale Price: $190.00 Average Rating:
	The Slate Coffee Table rendered in brown finish is a classic antique attachment for your living area. Elegantly curved metal legs and decorative storage shelf support the slate table top and provide this table with style...

	Slate Top Metal Base Coffee Table & 2 Occasional Side/End Tables Set List Price: $625.99 Sale Price: $359.90
	End Table - 26"L x 26"W x 22.25"H, Coffee Table - 48"L x 26"W x 18"H

	Coffee Table with Slate Top in Distressed Brown Finish List Price: $387.00 Sale Price: $319.90 Average Rating:
	Dimension: 50"L x 32"W x 20"H Finish: Distressed Brown Material: Wood, Slate Coffee Table with Slate Top in Distressed Brown Finish Features decorative slate inlay top and curved legs. Item is carefully decorated with intricate designs in distressed brown finish...

	3PC Slate Design Metal Base Coffee Table & 2 End Table Set List Price: $599.99 Sale Price: $379.99
	3PC Slate Design Metal Base Coffee Table & 2 Occasional Side/End Tables Set This is a brand new 3PC Coffee Table and 2 Occasional Side/End Tables Set. Item is designed with individual slate top with metal base, simple yet elegant in its modern living room style of furniture...

Some slate coffee tables will have metal frames formed into a contemporary or modern style, while others will be inlaid into wood for either a traditional or even a rustic southwest style. Whatever your style, you can find a slate coffee table to complement your home's decor.

Positive features that you get with buying slate coffee tables includes a durability that will ensure that the table will last for a long time without being damaged. It is possible to apply some kind of sealant to ensure that the stone is entirely waterproof which will also increase its resistance to staining.

Additionally a slate topped coffee table gives you an interestingly textured surface that can be quite rough, particularly if the table is covered with external tiles or similar.

Because slate is very heavy, the tables themselves will be heavily constructed to hold the weight of the slate. This can make purchasing a slate coffee table online more expensive because of shipping. However, the variety of styles available online compared to most local markets will probably outweigh the cost factor. One benefit to the coffee table being so heavy is that it is also very sturdy, and a well crafted slate coffee table should last a lifetime.

One of the greatest benefits of a slate coffee table is its ease of use. Slate tables do not show fingerprints, the slate does not tend to collect dust, and condensation from glasses will not leave any unsightly rings on your table. Slate is so easy to care for: simply take a damp cloth and wipe down the surface about once a week, the slate will dry on its own and no other care is needed. Your slate coffee table will be the focal point of your living area, and bring you years of pleasure.

Slate coffee tables may be made comprised mainly of slate or it may be a mixture where the slate is inlaid into a wooden or metal frame. Slate is the kind of material that will look particularly attractive when set on top of a hardwood frame.

You can be confident in knowing that when you go out to buy a slate coffee table that you are getting a solid piece of furniture that is not only going to look particularly good in the lounge room but it will last for many years too.

Information about other coffee tables

The Multi-Talented Lift Top Coffee Table

When looking for innovative decorating ideas for the lounge room you can’t go past the multi-functional innovation that has gone into a lift top coffee table. When these coffee tables are seen in their coffee table mode they look like a typical coffee table, the range of styles and wood used to manufacture them are similar to your average wooden coffee table.

The secret with these types of coffee tables is under the table-top which is set on hinges that allow the top to lift up to the height of a standard dining table. Although you probably wouldn’t use the table as your main dining table, they make a great additional table if you find there is not enough room for everyone to sit down when guests come for dinner.

Alternatively you can use the coffee table when it is in the unfolded position as a desk, giving you a makeshift work space that can be quickly folded away when you are finished.

Select a lift top coffee table to find more details including how to buy.

LIVING ROOM COFFEE TABLE BARRINGTON LIFT-TOP W/CASTERS

US $687.00

46m

Brown Wood Lift Top Coffee Cocktail Occasional Table~~

US $286.00

2d 16m

CHERRY WOOD LIFT TOP SQUARE COCKTAIL COFFEE TABLE NEW ~

US $363.00

2d 28m

Elephant Head Coffee Table Lift Top For Storage

US $1,389.00

2d 8h 3m

CLAYTON-CORNER LIFT TOP COCKTAIL COFFEE TABLE FURNITURE

US $342.91

2d 20h 38m

LIFT-TOP CHERRY FINISH WOODEN COFFEE TABLE STORAGE

US $459.00

3d 1h 24m

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There are many different types of lift top coffee tables from the standard rectangular shape and size of around 48 inches by 26 inches, to more unusual sizes and shapes including round. They come as corner tables and end tables but their lift top functionality remains the same.

Not all lift top mechanisms operate the same way with these tables. Some have been set up so that half the table top lifts to gain access to storage underneath. Some can be flipped over to reveal games boards such as chess or backgammon underneath.

The big bonus with this type of coffee table is that even when it has been converted to the dining table height configuration you don’t lose any of the storage space. With some models the cavity reaches all the way to the ground resembling a trunk giving you a huge amount of storage space. Others are set on legs which reduce the space somewhat but give them a more elegant look.

The lift table mechanism that operates the raising and lowering of the table height is safe to use and quite sturdy. There should be little possibility of sustaining injury during its operation.

Discovering fabulous looking furniture items that contain added functionality such as the lift top coffee table gives you is an absolute bonus. Pieces made by notable furniture companies such as Klaussner, Jofran and Lane in materials like cherry, oak or glass will help give your lounge room area a an injection of style plus functionality.