| If you ask an interior designer or historian to | | | | consideration too. Many modern tables will offer |
| explain the how and why of the standard "coffee | | | | framing from various woods, marble, aluminum |
| table" you will find many are immediately | | | | and chrome, steel and iron, and more. |
| stumped. The exact history of the modern | | | | In addition to having a glass top and different |
| coffee table is a bit difficult to trace, but the first | | | | structural materials, the design of a glass coffee |
| appearances that are well-documented occurred in | | | | table can be very basic - with a base and table |
| the later Victorian era. What is interesting to note, | | | | surface - or it can be a bit more complex - with a |
| however is that Asian tea gardens were using low | | | | display area beneath the actual table area. It is |
| to the floor serving tables for many centuries | | | | important to consider the amount of time that will |
| before this time period. | | | | be required for maintaining and cleaning a table |
| The design of a standard coffee table | | | | that has different materials and spaces built into |
| incorporates a low, long profile that is capable of | | | | its surface, particularly when choosing one that |
| stably and securely holding the beverages of the | | | | contains display areas too. |
| people seated in a nearby sofa or chair. They | | | | Still, many ask why anyone would want a glass |
| come in a wide range of styles and designs, and | | | | table when wood or metals are more affordable? |
| can be made from a huge array of materials that | | | | The answer is a bit complicated, and it is |
| include steel, wood, plastic and glass. In fact, glass | | | | significant to note that many glass tables are far |
| coffee tables are among the most popular | | | | less expensive than other wooden or metal |
| because they are so easy to clean and because | | | | furnishings too. The primary reason that people |
| they are remarkably resistant to things like stains | | | | turn to glass is to give a room a feeling of open |
| and even breakage as well. | | | | space and air, and also to reduce the time |
| Some consumers have shied away from the | | | | necessary for cleaning and conditioning the |
| purchase of a glass coffee table because they | | | | furniture. |
| feared it would easily shatter, but the fact of the | | | | A wooden coffee table that sees daily use is |
| matter is that the tops for such tables are | | | | going to require regular cleanings and it will also |
| tempered to be as durable, if not more so, than | | | | need periodic treatments with waxes or sealants. |
| any wooden table. | | | | This is the only way to prevent the coffee, tea, |
| One thing to remember is that most glass tables | | | | and drinks so commonly served on a coffee table |
| require framing and structural components to | | | | from staining and ruining the surface. A glass |
| support the glass surfaces, and this is where | | | | coffee table, however, requires no such |
| personal preferences and long-lasting materials | | | | treatment, and will allow the owner to easily clean |
| must come into play. Additionally, a matter of | | | | up even the worst spills without any hassles. |
| personal taste or style is going to be a | | | | |