The Key coffee and side table by GamFratesi for Hem.

So I tend to go big and sturdy with my coffee tables. Why? I am not sure really. Perhaps it’s because I know my kids are going to crawl/jump/dance all over it. Perhaps it is a reaction to owning the same flimsy twenty-nine-dollar coffee table from Ikea (199kr) for the first decade of my adult life. Mostly it’s because I get good use out of a big coffee table. 

The true Scandinavian coffee table, however, is anything but bulky. When sourcing for a client, I’ve got sleek finished wood, thin lines, and simplicity on my mind. Storage is minimal, yet the piece is a functional part of your home. A place to gather around. Here are my top 6 favorite coffee tables for the Scandinavian living room at the moment.  

Hay Bella Coffee Table

The Bella coffee table from Hay. $395

The Bella coffee table from Hay is sort of an instant classic. The solid oak round tabletop measures 23.75” – so quite modest in size – and the molded veneer legs harken a classic Scandinavian furniture design technique. No frills or fuss, just a coffee table that works well, and gives off that high-end Scandi vibe. $395 

Hem Key Tables 

The Key tables from Hem. $279

I am *as always* obsessed with the Key coffee and side tables by GamFratesi for Hem (see David’s nightstand at the Blue House) and I just realized you can actually get them in a set! The tripod legs are made of metal, and the tabletop is available in ash or walnut. A super minimalist and lightweight version of the Scandinavian coffee and side table, these are delicate enough to fit in any space in your home.

Cecilie Manz for Muuto Airy Coffee Table

The Airy coffee table, by Cecilie Manz for Muuto. $239

The Airy coffee table, by Cecilie Manz for Muuto, is exactly that – airy. Perched atop a minimalist steel frame is a plywood and laminate sleek tabletop that gives the whole piece a modern look. Available in multiple sizes, even a half-size, this table serves its function beautifully no matter the size of your living space.

Cecilie Manz for Muuto Workshop Coffee Table

The Workshop coffee table by Cecilie Manz for Muuto. (Price unavailable) 

And the designer’s resume doesn’t end there, Manz is also responsible for the Workshop coffee table and is a force to be reckoned with in Danish design. This piece of furniture kind of sums up what Scandinavian design is all about. It’s just so simply executed, with traditional craft and materials leading the way - and with that, it is all that a coffee table needs to be. 

Urban Outfitters Mabel Coffee Table

The Mabel coffee table from Urban Outfitters. $199

Now, if you’ll permit me to dabble in mid-century modern – the Mabel coffee table from Urban Outfitters is a. functional, b. reasonably priced, and c. pretty. It reminds me of something my grandparents would have in their living room (actually I think this looks like the exact table they did have, though I am pretty sure they didn’t shop at Urban...) and is a playful choice for a coffee table, yet refined enough that it would make for an elegant addition to your living space paired with the right sofa and rug. 

VOSDING for Bolia Topped Table

The Topped table by VOSDING for Bolia. $879

If you want to do something totally different: the Topped table designed by VOSDING for Bolia is spectacular my friends. Minimalist and organic in expression, the handblown smoked glass table is topped with a block of heavy, lacquered wood. Let’s be honest it looks bonkers beautiful next to that taller side table. Paired with a low-slung sofa? In an open loft space? I mean look at that photo??!! This does seem like an adults-only type of coffee table to me. And you’re certainly not eating any tv dinners off of it.

At the end of the day, when choosing an everyday item like the coffee table for your home, think first and foremost about the function. How do you typically use your living space? And who are you sharing it with? Think Scandinavian and form will follow.

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