Home

[Catiele]

Yes. My DH has his drink and snacks there. Bought a smaller one and I like it and it serves the purpose.

[Oznell]

Our living room has to double as our family room in our little cottage, and although I don't like "clutter",  I do need table surface space for my rotating collection of objects on display.  Or, ahem, "tablescapes".

Have a rather primitive, white painted low table in front of couch.  On top right now:  My mirrored zinc tray, with a small vintage Swedish brass tray layered inside (to give me two-tone "silver" and "gold" combining possibilities--see candle holders below).  On the different tray levels I have a few autumnal hints-- a carved, weathered white pumpkin, some pods and nuts, and a small art glass burnt orange pumpkin...

At the other end of table, I always do some form of candles or lighting.  Right now,  I have three glass candle holders grouped tightly--  Valerie's plain silver merc. glass hurricane, a smaller amber glass hurricane, and an even smaller painted glass votive on a small gold pedestal.  In two of them I burn oversized real tealights, in the biggest one I have a flameless candle on timer...

There's still plenty of room (but hubby wouldn't say so!) for people to temporarily park a glass or small plate of snacks... 

[AnikaBrodie]

Yes, I have a round glass inlaid coffee table in my living room.  I decorate it seasonally and use it for serving beverages and snacks.

I have an ottoman (with storage) in my family room.  I use a snack tray to serve beverages and snacks from the ottoman.

[Snicks1]

---

@151949 wrote:

---

@SilleeMee wrote:

No, I do not have a coffee table because my golden retriever's tail would sweep everything off of it and eat any kind of food on it if she could.

---

Perhaps the dog needs trained to leave things put out on the coffee table alone. Our dogs may have grabbed something if food was out and no one was watching it, but they definitely knew better when someone was present. 

---

Sounds to me like she's a happy dog, with tail wagging. I would rather have that happy dog, than all the c rap on a coffee table. To each their own I guess. Perhaps some people need more training to not be so rude to others.

[Snicks1]

This seems appropriate here, lol.

[Addicted to Decorating]

I have a coffee table in my home and I love it!! I think it's great for socializing and can give a room a more inviting feeling. You don't need to stick with the traditional coffee table. I found an article that explains how to keep your coffee table looking unique and more eye-catching: https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/362525/list/8-ways-to-reimagine-the-coffee-table 

I hope it helps! 

[chrystaltree]

My sister has small livingroom that always seemed cramped.  She got rid of her coffee table and it opened up the whole room.  she has the two end tables and a small occasionl table beside her chair.  I think today people are decorating their homes in a more personal way that is unique to them.  

[loriqvc]

---

@Drlinda wrote:

Have replaced the coffee table with an ottoman.  Much softer look.  Use trays on top when needed for drinks or stuff.

---

Me, too!

When I moved into my house four years ago, I sold my coffee table and thought I'd never want one again, especially since the traffic flow through my living room seemed like it would make the table an obstacle (the furniture is in a big almost-U shape near the walls because of the open floor plan).

However, I host a lot of movie nights, and it quickly became obvious that I still needed something for guests to use for their drinks and snacks and lounging, so I bought a rectangular ottoman with a top that reverses to a tray to place in front of the biggest couch. I absolutely love it! Perhaps you could get one of the collapsible long ottomans to use when necessary? That would also help you to gauge whether a table or ottoman would work in your room design. (I have three smaller collapsible ottomans that I keep in my hall closet and bring out when we have a really big group so they have their own "side tables" as well.)

Good luck with your decision!

[kivah]

I couldn't live without a coffee table. A few months ago, I got rid of my large ottoman and bought a beautiful solid mango wood coffee table on 4 metal legs from Costco - and also bought a mango wood end table. I eat most of my meals sitting on my comfy sofa and have my food on a tray. I like that the coffee table is a few feet off the ground - as my little lhasa loves to walk underneath. I also keep magazines and crossword puzzle books on the table. 

[Evie2004]

Yes! In our living room!  where else would I put our coffee table books? 😊

none in the family room!