The coffee table trends worth trying right now centre on softer shapes, natural and tactile materials, warmer colours and tables that do more than one job. Rounded and organic silhouettes are replacing hard rectangles, stone and solid wood are displacing high shine finishes, and storage is being built in rather than added on. None of these ideas requires a full redesign: most can be brought into an existing living room with a single well chosen table.
We have grouped the fifteen trends below by shape, material, colour and function, so you can see which ones suit your room. Every idea can be found somewhere across our modern coffee tables UK sale, from compact rounds to generous rectangles.
Trends in coffee tables rarely happen in isolation. The same shapes, materials and colours are appearing in sofas, sideboards and lighting too, which is why it helps to view them in the context of our full range of modern living room furniture UK sale. Seeing pieces together makes it easier to judge which ideas will sit comfortably in your own home.
Irregular, flowing outlines that look as though they were shaped by water are one of the clearest shifts in living room furniture. They soften rooms full of straight lines, such as those with boxy sofas and rectangular windows, and there are no corners to catch on as you move around them.
For anyone who likes the practicality of a rectangle, the rounded corner version is the middle ground. It still lines up neatly with a three seater sofa but feels gentler and more family friendly.
Instead of four slim legs, many tables now rest on a single solid base or a pair of thick cylinders. The effect is grounded and architectural, and it works particularly well with stone and plaster finishes.
Tops that fold down at each end in one continuous piece create a clean, sculptural look. The shape highlights the grain of wood or the veining of stone, which is why it has become so closely linked with natural materials.
Travertine, with its soft pitted surface and warm sand tones, has become one of the defining materials of recent living rooms. Marble remains a favourite too, particularly in honed rather than polished finishes. Our marble and stone coffee tables UK show how much variety there is within this trend.
Oak, walnut and ash in natural oiled finishes feel reassuringly substantial. The emphasis is on the timber itself: thick tops, simple joinery and grain that is allowed to show rather than hidden under heavy stain.
Vertical ribbing on table bases and drawer fronts adds texture and rhythm without pattern. Fluting catches light beautifully and pairs well with the curved shapes above.
Rattan, cane and seagrass are moving beyond conservatories and into main living rooms. Woven bases and shelves bring an informal, relaxed feel and sit comfortably alongside linen and wool.
Glass has not disappeared, but it has changed. Smoked, bronze and reeded glass tops keep the lightness that makes glass useful in smaller rooms while adding warmth and a little privacy for anything stored underneath.
Caramel, terracotta, olive and deep chocolate have replaced much of the cool grey that dominated living rooms for years. A walnut or tan leather topped coffee table is an easy way to introduce these tones without repainting.
Finishes are softening across the board. Matt lacquer, brushed metals and honed stone feel calmer than gloss and hide fingerprints better, which is a practical bonus in busy homes.
Pairing two materials in one piece, such as a stone top on a wooden base or oak with blackened steel, adds depth. The trick is to keep the shape simple so the combination does not feel busy.
Drawers, lift up tops and concealed compartments allow a table to hold remotes, chargers and games without visible clutter. In smaller UK homes, a table with storage can often replace a separate cabinet.
Sets of two or three tables at slightly different heights, arranged together in front of the sofa, have become a favourite alternative to a single table. They can be separated when guests arrive and suit open plan rooms where furniture needs to move.
Coffee tables are sitting lower, often just below seat height, which suits the deeper, lower sofas many people are choosing. A lower table makes a room feel more relaxed and spacious, especially under a sloping ceiling or in a room with modest proportions.
Trends are most useful as a menu rather than a rulebook. A few principles help you pick the ideas that will still feel right in years to come.
A coffee table sits at the centre of a group of furniture, so the trend you pick should suit your sofa, storage and lighting as well. Before choosing, stand at the doorway and look at the room as a whole. Note the main wood tone, the dominant colour and whether the furniture is mostly angular or mostly curved. A new table that responds to at least one of those will feel settled from the first day.
Natural materials look their best on a textured base. A wool, jute or flatweave rug under the table ties the seating area together and adds warmth underfoot. Our modern rugs UK sale include neutral and earthy designs that suit the palettes above.
If you fall for a sculptural travertine table, let it be the focus and keep the rest of the room quieter. Combining too many trends at once, such as fluting, waterfall edges and mixed materials in one piece, can make a room feel busy.
The sofa is usually the largest piece in the room, and the coffee table should respond to it. A curved or organic table softens a square, tailored sofa. A rounded rectangle suits a long, low design. A corner sofa often works best with a round or oval table that keeps walkways clear. Our guide to pairing corner sofas and coffee tables in UK living rooms goes into this in more depth.
Stone is beautiful but heavy and can mark with acidic drinks unless sealed. Glass needs regular wiping. Solid wood is forgiving and can be refinished. Match the trend to the reality of your household, particularly if you have children or pets.
Not every idea works in a compact flat or terrace. For smaller spaces, the most helpful trends are round and oval shapes, tinted glass, low profiles and nesting sets. Each of these keeps sight lines open and reduces the risk of a crowded feel. Heavy drum bases and very large stone tops are better saved for bigger rooms, where their weight can be balanced by other substantial furniture.
Some ideas feel more lasting than others. Solid wood, rounded shapes and built in storage have practical benefits that go beyond fashion, so they are safe choices for a long term investment. Very specific finishes, such as heavily reeded glass or bold colour lacquers, are fun but may date sooner. If you want to experiment, try them on smaller pieces like side tables first.
You do not need to redesign a whole living room to feel current. A new coffee table in a softer shape or a more tactile material can shift the character of a room on its own, especially when paired with a new rug or cushions in warmer tones. You can see how these trends translate into real designs across our living room range at Furniture in Fashion.
Rounded and organic shapes are the most prominent, including ovals, pebble outlines and rectangles with softened corners. They feel relaxed, suit modern sofas and are safer around children.
Yes, especially in tinted or textured forms such as smoked, bronze and reeded glass. These keep the light, spacious feel of glass while adding more warmth and character.
They are hard wearing but benefit from sealing and prompt cleaning of spills, particularly acidic drinks such as wine or citrus juice. Coasters help protect the surface.
Restyle the existing table with a stone tray, a ceramic bowl and a few books, add a textured rug beneath it and bring in cushions in warmer, earthier colours. Small changes like these reflect current trends without replacing furniture.
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