The coffee table is a traditional piece of furniture. The name stuck because it was used as a storage place for magazines and newspapers. A table is usually placed in the living room, where you can gather with friends; less often - in the office, as a supplement to the desktop, on the open terrace, as a place to relax and read books. He needs active and creative people who have a laptop at hand all the time. Coffee tables are distinguished by height, shape, materials for making the tabletop and frame, the presence of a folding mechanism, the method of movement. Nowadays, universal low tables have become popular. Some of them can also serve as a seat. Also made tables with light, voids, attached chairs; in the form of several joint worktops. So much variety will satisfy any requests.
Functions and advantages of coffee tables
The installation of the coffee table completes the design of the living rooms and cabinets. Sometimes it is placed in the hallway, other rooms. Literature and fruit plates are usually put on the coffee table; used as a work surface. This is a compact and useful thing for the interior. The coffee table is an important functional element. One of the most noticeable advantages is the convenience of cleaning: everything on the surface can be quickly picked up. Tables with metal countertops cope with any load thanks to scratch resistance. They can be used to house decorating items such as vases and serving trays. Since the loads on them are small, the life will be long. There is a wide variety of forms and materials of execution.
The choice of table style interior
A carved wooden table of brown or white color is ideal for a classic interior. The choice should be made between a rectangular and round shape. Country-style decor allows for a wide variety of execution methods. A table in the form of several connected boards with large wheels will be in harmony with the exterior trim and stylistic design techniques. Art Nouveau style allows the use of various materials. But if the style of country music is more often used, the modernist prefers synthetic materials. In traditional modern interiors, metal and glass look best - it is from these materials that most of the coffee tables are made. Pop art style involves the creation of exclusive items from interesting details. A regular table with design elements will also do. Loft style suggests the presence of homemade wooden tables.
Some tables will be out of place in a modern interior:
- too tall;
- cumbersome;
- from not eco-friendly materials.
Size and models
For a tabletop, the standard size is 80 × 80 cm. If it is rectangular, with a width of 80 cm, the length can be up to 1.6 m. The height of the tables also depends on the shape of the tabletop. If it is rectangular, then the height is made within 50 cm, sometimes higher. With a square tabletop configuration, this figure will be large in most cases. Designers advise to select coffee tables, not exceeding the height of the seats by more than 5 cm. The configuration of the table depends on the creativity of craftsmen and customers. The usual square and rectangular shape blends well with the classic and minimalist interior. Round will be relevant everywhere. A large number of two- and three-level coffee tables of any shape, as well as transformer models, appeared on the market. The popularity of rectilinear tables with a complex structure and a large number of sections.
A variety of materials and color palette of finished products
Such materials as wood (natural and artificial), metal, glass (ordinary and impact resistant), polymers, plastic, stone (real and artificial), as well as various laminated sheets are used on an industrial scale. The norms of modern design do not exclude the use of any materials. Their combination, the presence of synthetics, the creation of functional and decorative forms is welcomed. The color scheme of wooden and metal tables is limited mainly to dirty and mixed colors. For wood, these are brown and reddish tones; for metals, silver, black, and bronze. Wooden and iron furniture is sometimes painted in white or red. Tables of multi-colored glass will suit lovers of bright interior. Modern synthetic materials are painted in all sorts of colors and shades.
Criteria that are recommended to pay attention before buying a table:
- The strength of the product.
- Environmental friendliness.
- Workmanship.
- Appearance.
Wood
Wooden tables are a classic piece of furniture. Wooden tables can have straight lines; performed as a complex structure; have rounded lines; be properly configured or run from a tree cut; assembled from a multitude of cuts. Natural wood is more often used as a material. But synthetics have a number of advantages: a larger choice of colors, more accurate execution, etc. The range of natural products is limited to dark brown, coffee, burgundy and dark red. Countertops are usually made of the same material as the base, but there are models with a glass or iron top. Wood products smell good, and their appearance will add to the interior of comfort and festivity. Wooden tables are the best choice for most modern apartments.
Glass
In modern design, glass and other materials that transmit light are important. They have a number of advantages. Transparent tables visually increase the space, facilitate its perception. If you choose a table made of tempered glass, you can be calm for the safety and security in operation. Glass tables do not require careful maintenance. If desired, their glass is decorated with colored tint. The support can be made not only from glass, but also from a variety of other materials and finished forms (animal horns, snags). But there are some drawbacks. From time to time, scratches and small chips will appear on the table with ordinary glass. Transparent materials vary greatly in price, so the more durable and better it is, the more expensive it is. Some models of glass tables are complex in terms of design and manufacture.
Metallic
Coffee tables from such material as metal, are appreciated long since. Their advantages lie in a large variety of design solutions, durability, strength. The key disadvantage is the complexity of production: if you conceive a table of an unusual shape, then many craftsmen may refuse to make it. Another important nuance is the high cost. These disadvantages can be attributed to a large weight. It is recommended to buy a table with wheels to move it easier, and the floor does not spoil. The color palette is represented by a small number of options. Own surface is silver, black, brown or gray. It is often painted white and red. The most aesthetic option - a table with a shiny polished surface. Metal tables are wrought, welded, cast, etc. The table top can be metal or glass, less often from other materials.
Chrome-plated tables are ideal: they look presentable and less traumatic.
Combination of materials
Multi-level tables are usually made from several materials. For example, there are models in which the legs are made of wood, the tabletop is made of glass, and the stand under it is in the form of weaving from a multitude of twigs. Expensive wooden tables are decorated with decorative stone countertops or ornamental stone inserts. The tree looks good on a metal base. Metal is the most durable and resistant to mechanical damage. Wheels for movement, various sections, a framework for wooden and legs for glass tables are made of this material. Iron constructions are combined with transparent plastic, stone tops. Glass and stone also perfectly complement each other: the walls are made of glass, and the top is made of stone and vice versa. Glass surfaces are also used in wooden models.
Options for making coffee / coffee tables with their own hands
Old bulky items, various storage facilities for containers or large fragments of trunks or tree crowns may be useful. Coffee / coffee tables made of simple materials are perfectly combined with styles that are popular in our time. Homemade table should be functional, have a neat appearance. The process of making a table with your own hands will consist of 3-5 stages. First, you need to think about the configuration of the main part of the table. After that, prepare the necessary tools and materials. The workpiece must be cleaned of dirt and parasites, sanded and varnished. After that, engage in the base - it will serve as protection for the floor. When needed, make the countertop. At the end, all the pieces are connected and transferred to the decoration. For mobility homemade table equip wheels. The cost of making a coffee table from improvised means will be minimal, and those who have their own workshop will need a minimum of time and effort.
From the wine barrel
This piece of furniture looks original and stylish. In the barrel itself, you can allocate space for storing various accessories. In the process, you will need such things as a jigsaw, electric drill, circular saw, bolts and screws, sandpaper of coarse and fine grit, tape measure with a pencil, varnish for surface treatment and board. First of all, the wine barrel is sawn vertically with a circular saw. After that, it is necessary to clean one of the resulting halves from dust, dirt and slivers. As a next step, varnish is applied to the wooden surface. After drying, the previous layer is covered with new. Then, mounts for the half of the barrel are cut out of the boards. The outlines of their grooves should coincide with the curvature of the barrel. Then mounts are united by a partition. The wine barrel connects to this design; then a tabletop is placed on top. Under the mounts and partition can be made the base of another surface.
Instead of varnish, you can use:
- oil for wood;
- stain
From the old chest
A chest with a flat lid. You will need to use metal furniture fittings, liquid polyurethane, masking tape, varnish for wood, a grinding machine, fine-grained sandpaper, a screwdriver or a drill, wooden beams, and self-tapping screws. First, the chest is cleaned of dust. Further, four identical legs are cut out from the bars. For a more decorative look, they are shaped like a trimmed pyramid. They are attached to the bottom. If the chest was old paint, it is better to remove it. The surface is processed by the grinding machine. After rubbing with sandpaper, sanding must be repeated. Metal parts must be rubbed with fine-grained emery paper. After that, the chest is varnished for wood. When the surface is dry, two layers of liquid polyurethane are applied to it: a full-fledged coffee table is ready. They decided to decorate the premises, decorated with antique.
From wooden boxes
If they are not found at hand, you can search in specialized stores. The essence of the work is to connect several boxes. It is recommended to create for them a base of sufficient thickness or attach the wheels. You will need a screwdriver, screws, a hammer, nails, emery, brush and varnish, wheels (preferably), a sheet of plywood, four identical wooden boxes. The first thing sandpaper removed roughness on the boxes. Then they are varnished. While the boxes are drying, the base is made of plywood. One side should be equal to the sum of the length and height of one drawer, because they will need to be laid sideways. The boxes are fastened to the plywood sheet with nails. They are placed in such a way that the bottom of each of them "looked" inside. The space inside the drawers can be equipped with small shelves. The last stage is the installation of wheels.
From pallet
The work will require the following materials and fixtures: a set for decorating, paint for wood, glue, four roller wheels, clamps, an electric drill, connecting bolts, a grinder, fixing strips, plywood, wooden bars, an Euro-size pallet. First, prepare the surface of the pallet (pallets). First of all it concerns the grinding of the ends from irregularities. The pallet is covered with a sheet of plywood, the protruding edges are cut. Fastening is done with screws. It is necessary that they enter the checkers in the corners of the pallets. The same is done on the reverse side. Then install the mounting plate. They are fastened in such a way that two screws are in the base bar. If there is no need for another polishing, then you can proceed to painting. The most suitable color is white. After this table is decorated with decorative elements.
Out of the suitcase
Instead of throwing away an unnecessary suitcase, it can be turned into a coffee table. You will need materials and accessories such as a screwdriver, brushes, ordinary and decorative nails, acrylic paint, wooden or metal legs, spray paint, strips, fiberboard or particleboard, plywood and thick fabric. First, the sides and bottom of an open suitcase are reinforced with wooden planks. They are laid in the form of a lattice, sheathed fiberboard. Then the bottom and side surfaces are painted with a spray paint. Now you need to attach the legs to the suitcase. The lid-countertop must be painted - in the same or a different color. After the paint is dry, the inside and outside of the suitcase are covered with a thick cloth. It is fixed with decorative nails. After that, put the cooked countertop. It can be applied to drawing with acrylic paint.
One of the following types of fabrics will do:
- velvet;
- velveteen;
- silk;
- axamite
From the log of the tree
Preference should be given to log cabins that are resistant to moisture. It is recommended to avoid thin cuts. Too thick of a piece of wood is also not suitable - it will heavily weight the structure. There should be no knots on it. Initially, the material is prepared: the irregularities on the bark are eliminated, for which we need coarse sandpaper, a grinder, a metal brush, a chisel. Then the frame is put on the base - legs. It should be attached to it at the expense of furniture screws. Emptiness in a tree is filled in with epoxy. Its color is changed with the help of cement, bronze powder and chalk to gray, brown and white, respectively. After hardening the surface, it is polished. This should be done very carefully, because the likelihood that something will happen to the house will constantly increase. The final stage is varnishing, preferably polyurethane.
In order not to injure your hands during the processing and preparation of wood, it is recommended to use gloves.
Conclusion
The table is an indispensable element of the recreation area arrangement. In the hall you need to purchase a coffee table, combined with sofas and armchairs. The smaller the room, the more compact it should be, but the functional purpose is more important than size. It is recommended to opt for a small table with several sections. If it is difficult to determine the style, it is better to choose a round without additional elements. However, in appearance it will be intuitively clear whether the table will fit the current situation or not. Metal support and a rectangular glass tabletop - the optimal combination in most cases. This piece of furniture you can make yourself. It will take 1-2 days. The tables from an old suitcase, a stylized chest, empty beer or wine barrels will fit perfectly into the interior.
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