How to Get Designer Coffee Table with Drawers Style for Less

You can get the look of a designer coffee table with drawers by focusing on four details that make expensive pieces look expensive: clean proportions, a quality surface finish, well considered handles and drawers that run smoothly. Choose a table that gets those right, then style it with restraint, and it will read as a considered, high end piece in almost any living room.

Designer tables tend to share a vocabulary: low, wide silhouettes, flush or recessed handles, rich wood grain or lacquer, and hardware that feels solid in the hand. Many well made tables in our modern coffee tables UK collection use the same design language, and they sit comfortably within our broader range of modern living room furniture UK homes can build a room around.

What Makes a Coffee Table Look Designer

Before looking at specific pieces, it helps to know what you are looking for. The difference between a table that looks refined and one that looks ordinary often comes down to small decisions rather than the brand name.

Proportion

Designer tables are usually lower and wider than mass market designs. A top that sits slightly below sofa seat height looks relaxed and modern. A generous surface with a slim edge profile feels elegant, while a thick, boxy frame can look heavy unless that is the deliberate intent.

Surface

Real wood veneer, lacquer, high gloss and stone effect finishes all read as premium when they are applied evenly and edges are cleanly finished. Look at the corners and the edges of the drawer fronts. Clean lines and consistent colour are strong signs of good manufacturing.

Hardware

Handles are the jewellery of a piece of furniture. Push to open drawers, integrated finger pulls and slim bar handles in brushed brass or matt black all create a quieter, more expensive look than chunky knobs.

Drawer Action

Open and close the drawers. They should glide evenly without wobbling. Metal runners and soft close mechanisms are features often found on higher end designs and make a noticeable difference in daily use.

Choosing the Right Drawer Layout

How the drawers are arranged affects both the look and how useful the table is.

• Single wide drawer: keeps the front clean and minimal, good for remotes, chargers and notebooks
• Drawers on both long sides: useful if the table sits between two sofas or in an open plan space
• Two drawers side by side: gives a balanced, symmetrical face that suits traditional and mid century styles
• Drawers with an open shelf: combines hidden storage with a place to display books or baskets

A layout with a drawer and an open shelf often gives the most flexibility, since the shelf can hold decorative items while the drawer hides clutter.

Materials That Deliver the Look

Walnut and Dark Wood

Walnut tones are a staple of mid century and contemporary design. The rich grain gives an immediate sense of quality, especially when paired with slim tapered legs or a plinth base. A walnut effect veneer with a consistent grain gives a similar impression and is often lighter and easier to move.

Oak and Light Wood

Light oak suits Scandinavian and Japandi rooms. Look for rounded edges, visible grain and a matt or oiled finish rather than a shiny varnish, which can look dated.

High Gloss

High gloss drawers on a coffee table give a sleek, reflective finish that echoes contemporary Italian design. White and grey gloss help bounce light around smaller rooms. Keep styling minimal so the surface stays the focus.

Stone and Marble Effect Tops

A marble effect top over a wooden drawer base mixes materials in a way many designer pieces do. The combination feels layered and adds interest without needing much decoration.

Where the Details Matter Most

If you are comparing two similar tables, focus your attention on the areas that show quality over time:

• Drawer runners: smooth, full extension runners make the drawers far more useful
• Back and inside panels: a neatly finished interior suggests care in construction
• Edges and corners: look for clean edges with no lifting or gaps
• Legs and fixings: sturdy fixings and level legs mean the table will not rock

These details rarely show in photographs but make the difference between a table that looks good on delivery and one that still looks good years later.

Styling to Create a High End Look

A designer table can look ordinary under a pile of clutter, while a well chosen table styled with restraint looks refined. This is where drawers earn their place.

Use the drawers for everything you do not want to see: remote controls, cables, coasters, chargers, reading glasses and takeaway menus. With those out of sight, the surface can be styled simply.

• One or two large format books
• A single sculptural object, such as a ceramic bowl or small stone piece
• A low vase with a few stems
• A slim tray to corral anything that must stay out

Keep plenty of clear surface around each item. Space is a large part of what makes a room look calm and expensive.

Pairing Your Table With the Rest of the Room

A designer look is easier to achieve when the table feels connected to the other furniture. Repeat its finish at least once elsewhere, perhaps in a sideboard, media unit or shelf. Alternatively, contrast it thoughtfully, such as a walnut table in front of a pale linen sofa or a white gloss table against a dark wall.

Wider storage furniture can support the look by keeping the rest of the room clear. Our modern storage furniture UK range includes cabinets and units that pair well with drawer coffee tables. If you prefer the warmth of natural grain, our wooden coffee tables UK collection includes many drawer designs in oak and walnut tones.

Where to Spend and Where to Save

Getting a designer look for less is often about knowing which elements deserve your attention.

Worth prioritising: the coffee table itself, since it sits in the centre of the room and is used every day. Smooth drawers, a durable surface and solid construction matter here.

Easier to save on: accessories and decorative objects. A few well chosen pieces from around your home can style a table just as effectively as new ones.

Room for flexibility: rugs and cushions, which can be changed with the seasons to refresh the overall look without replacing furniture.

This same approach works across the home. Our guides to luxury corner sofa looks for UK homes on a budget and designer bedside table style for UK bedrooms for less apply the same thinking to other rooms.

Placing a Drawer Table in the Room

Drawers only earn their place if you can open them comfortably. Before you commit, check which side of the table will face the sofa and make sure there is enough clearance to pull a drawer out fully without it hitting your knees or the seat. In most living rooms, around 45 centimetres between the sofa and the table works well for a drawer table, a little more than you might leave for a plain design.

If the table sits in the middle of an open plan room, a design with drawers on both long sides is worth considering. It means the storage can be reached from the sofa and from an armchair or dining area opposite. In a narrow lounge, a table with a single drawer at one end can be more practical, since it opens into the walkway rather than towards the seating.

Pairing the Table With Your Seating

Designer rooms feel balanced because the key pieces relate to each other in scale and tone. A low, wide drawer table suits a deep, relaxed sofa. A taller, more compact table with slim legs looks better in front of a neat two seater or a pair of armchairs.

Tone matters too. A walnut table glows against cream, oatmeal or sage upholstery. A white or pale grey gloss table looks crisp in front of charcoal, navy or deep green fabric. Oak drawers sit naturally beside linen, boucle and soft neutrals. Choosing a clear contrast between table and sofa helps both pieces look intentional, which is one of the simplest ways to make a room feel professionally styled.

Finally, think about the view from the doorway. The coffee table is often the first piece you see when entering the living room. A clean, uncluttered top and neatly aligned drawer fronts give an immediate impression of order and quality.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Choosing too large a table: a designer look depends on generous space around furniture
• Mixing too many finishes: keep to two or three materials in the room
• Overfilling the surface: let the drawers do the hard work
• Ignoring the handles: fussy hardware can cheapen an otherwise elegant table

Browse our full collections of tables, storage and living room pieces at Furniture in Fashion to build a look that feels considered from floor to ceiling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are coffee tables with drawers practical?

Yes. Drawers keep everyday items such as remote controls, chargers and coasters out of sight, which helps the living room stay tidy and makes the tabletop easier to style.

What finish looks most expensive on a coffee table?

Rich wood veneers such as walnut, well applied lacquer and marble effect tops tend to look the most refined. The quality of the finish and the edges matters more than the material itself.

How do I stop a drawer coffee table looking bulky?

Choose a design with slim legs or a recessed plinth, a thin top edge and flush handles. A lighter finish can also help in a small room.

Should my coffee table match my TV unit?

It does not need to match exactly. Repeating one element, such as the wood tone or handle finish, links the pieces while keeping the room interesting.