Let’s be honest, coffee tables aren’t just for plonking your coffee cup on! Side tables can be where you keep your favourite magazine (hello!), fancy photography books or lovely smelling candles. And, if you have children, they may be home to many more things! They come in an array of finishes, materials, heights, sizes and shapes including nesting tables or side tables, which you can choose according to the amount of space you have. If you’re wondering where to buy coffee tables in Singapore, here are some expert tips and advice on trends to help you on your way.
Soul & Tables
The collection here includes natural wood, stone and mineral pieces. The team’s key advice is to work out if you’re suited to owning a table made of natural wood before buying. Natural wood will usually change its colour tone over time and with exposure to sunlight. Pieces made of this material also require more care and maintenance, as stain marks can be left if oil or water spills aren’t wiped down quickly.
Coffee table advice – Jonathan Roelandts from Soul & Tables
“It’s always best to use coasters and placemats on natural wood tables and wipe up spillages quickly. But don’t panic, as we also offer complimentary varnishing services for our natural teak pieces, which can help to prevent against water and oil stains.
“Another tip is to go for nesting or glass-top coffee tables for smaller spaces. We carry Ethnicraft accessories including handcrafted nesting sets and low tray-table sets, which are great space-saving solutions for small living rooms.”
What’s trending?
“The new materials we’ve introduced to our coffee tables collection, mineral and mahogany! The mineral finish is a blend of natural mineral powders and pigments blended to form an earthy tone and unique texture. The distinctive mineral finish is made from mineral powders, water, earth, natural colour pigments and metallic powders.”
Soul & Tables
#02-03 & #02-09 Tan Boon Liat Building, 315 Outram Road
Originals
If you’ve played it safe with your sofa or other living-room furniture, coffee tables are a great way to inject some personality into a room. It’s a chance to say a little more about your style, and to add character to a home.
Coffee table advice – Geri Murphy from Originals
“Our advice is to find a table that’s easy to maintain, as it’s a high-use piece of furniture. Also, if you have kids, you want them to survive it – and the other way around, too! It therefore needs to be durable, without sharp edges. And it should be able to sustain wear and tear while still looking like a valued piece of furniture.
“A coffee table can be one of those buys that you take through from home to home, and country to country. That’s why choosing wisely is a must. So, if you’re wondering where to buy coffee tables here, do visit us for more advice!”
What trends are you seeing?
“Round side tables are proving to be really popular. They break the shape of a space so it looks more interesting visually. Round tables are also slightly safer with toddlers. Instead of a solid timber piece, our oak coffee tables with a marble or terrazzo top are really popular.”
Originals
#05-02/03, 1 Bukit Batok Street 22
Island Living
Here you’ll discover coffee tables in a range of natural, organic textures and materials. This includes teak wood, rattan, mango wood, concrete and, more recently, travertine marble. There’s a great variety of styles, from casual, warm rattan tables to those with a sleek black teak finish for a more sophisticated look. No surprise they’re on our list of where to buy coffee tables in Singapore.
Coffee table advice – Denise Vrontas from Island Living
“It’s all about proportions. A coffee table that’s too big or too small for the space will make the room look slightly off-kilter. Consider the seat height of the existing furniture you already own; having a table that is the right height makes all the difference. A nest of lightweight tables can also be very user-friendly and is easy to move around to cater for your needs. They can also be used outdoors undercover, making them multi-functional!”
What’s trending right now?
“Mixed materials – combining various materials like glass, wood, marble and stone creates visually interest. Materials like Travertine marble and rattan have made a big comeback. Also always opt for sustainable choices where possible.”
#06-04 Mapletree Industrial Trust, 8 Kaki Bukit Avenue 1
8028 2571| Islandliving.sg
Scanteak
Crafted with sustainably sourced teak wood, Scanteak’s coffee tables and side tables are designed to bring that classic Scandinavian look to your living room. Their coffee table range is designed with the family in mind, with easy-to-maintain materials and gently rounded edges to protect little ones from scrapes and knocks.
Coffee table advice – Cherie Ngo from Scanteak
“Don’t be afraid to invest in quality materials, especially if you’re looking for a long-lasting coffee table. As your coffee table will be your family’s daily companion, it’s crucial to keep durability and practicality in mind as well. Consider materials such as teak, which is hardy and easy to maintain for greater convenience, giving better bang for your buck.”
What’s trending right now?
“Coffee tables with softer shapes and rounded edges seem to be rising in popularity. This is alongside increased popularity in modular coffee tables, likely driven by growing space-consciousness. These include stackable nesting tables that can be stowed away for extra space when not in use, as well as double-duty coffee tables that are versatile, multi-purpose pieces.”
211 Henderson Road, #01-04/05
6376 1247 | scanteak.com.sg
Snow Globe
Here you’ll find a wide range of coffee tables that are stylish in design with dreamy details and functional finishes suitable for any living room. There are a variety of shapes, sizes and designs in various materials and finishes. The coffee table styles here range from modern contemporary to maximalist Art Deco. Snow Globe works with materials such as steel, brass and metal, glass and marble. Customisation is also an option, meaning you can edit any piece to suit your needs.
Coffee table advice – Juliana Boh from Snow Globe
“The key thing to consider first is size and placement. Measure out the space before you start shopping. It should be proportionate to the size of your sofa and provide comfortable clearance around the table to walk around.
“Next you have to think about the material and finish. If you have children around the house, you might want to opt for something round or with soft edges, and with a material that is hardy and easy to maintain.
“Lastly, as the coffee table is often the centrepiece of the space, the style and design are of utmost importance. Choose a design that reflects your style preference. If you prefer a modern look, then choose coffee tables that have clean lines and a simple shape. They are also usually made with materials like glass or metal. If you prefer something more luxurious and opulent, you can choose designs that have more intricate details with brass or gold finishes.”
What’s trending right now?
“Coffee tables that are modular with interesting shapes are getting more popular. Modular tables are fun and practical for smaller spaces and the various tables can be moved to different areas of the house whenever needed. It also creates a more open and airy space with the different modular pieces being small and movable.”
#02-131 Midview City, 28 Sin Ming Lane
6334 0265 | snowglobe.sg
Black & Walnut
If you’re wondering where to buy coffee tables in Singapore and are on the hunt for designer pieces in a range of styles and silhouettes, then Black & Walnut is definitely worth a visit. From chic and contemporary to more classic designs, the store’s pieces come mainly in American walnut wood, with natural marble and basalt tabletops, and in round, racetrack oval or rectangular shapes.
Coffee table advice – the Black & Walnut team
“It’s vital to define your needs; how much surface space do you need? Make sure you measure the height of your sofa seat height. Any form of side table should be the same height or even lower than your sofa seat height. As a general rule, when thinking about size, the table should be between a half and two-thirds the length of the side of the couch it will be facing. Then there’s the shape: an oval or round shape is more inviting, while a rectangular shape pairs well with longer couches.
“There are plenty of considerations when choosing material. Marble tops exude class and opulence while wood is durable, reliable and accommodating to any room style. Marble, granite and slate coffee tables look best when paired with hardwood floors or muted rugs, while industrial or structural themes pair well with metal coffee tables. If you plan to move the table around often, choose one that’s lightweight. Families with children should pick a material that can handle scratches.”
What’s trending at the moment?
“Right now, it’s eccentric shapes, with geometric lines. This is an easy way to inject a subtle accent into any room style, particularly those with straight and simple lines. Marble or basalt tops are also proving popular, and give a luxurious and sophisticated feel.”
Black & Walnut
Level 1, 43 Keppel Road
WTP
WTP’s varied range of coffee tables can be found in its large three-storey furniture showroom. You’ll find sleek pieces in mango wood and steel, alongside timeless pieces carved from solid oak.
Coffee table advice – Naazli Somjee from WTP
“Your coffee table is a way of injecting some of your personality into the space. Having a coffee table in your living room can provide that element that gives it functionality and versatility, but it can also be the key decorative feature. Mix it up by combining two materials such as wood and metal or marble and wood. The textural difference creates a bit of interest and allows your eye somewhere to rest.
“An interesting shape such as an oval or an oblong works wonders in a smaller room as it creates a cleaner flow through the room. A coffee table with a storage element such as a shelf gives you space to show off your prized possessions and books. If laid out nicely, you have an interesting talking point the next time someone comes over.”
What’s trending right now?
“Oblong, oval and other irregular shapes. We’re also finding customers are favouring contrasting materials or textures in their coffee tables.”
3 Kung Chong Road
6235 2760 | wtpstyle.com
We hope this article helped you work out where to buy your next coffee table! Check out our Homes section for more furniture ideas and styling tips.