Solid Oak Coffee Tables Explained

The coffee table plays an important role in the home and is an integral part of any front room or lounge. Of all of the different materials and styles available, the solid oak coffee table continues to be one of the most popular choices for both its natural beauty and superior level of quality.

When entertaining guests in the home, unless eating, the dining table can be a little over formal for most situations. It is much more relaxing and informal to sit in the front room on the sofa and armchairs not to mention more comfortable.

With a good oak coffee table you and your guests have somewhere close to hand to keep drinks and biscuits while you relax enjoying watching the television or talking.

In addition to providing a conveniently located table surface for the sofa, a modern coffee table is typically utilised as a secondary storage area in a living space. They are a great place to keep TV remote controls (preventing them from getting misplaced or lost down the back of an armchair) as well as magazines and other items that may or may not be ideally suited to permanent display.

Many of the models listed here offer a combination of drawer and shelving areas in addition to the spacious upper coffee table section. This upper section is an ideal place to hold decorative items such as an ornament, clock, or even framed family photos.

Besides the practical applications listed above, solid oak coffee tables also make for wonderful aesthetic additions to the home and can really tie the room together. The natural qualities of oak - solid oak in particular - are well suited to this type of furniture item that is on such prominent display.

With its rich natural grain, oak wood looks fantastic in its natural state, but even better in the coffee tables listed here due to the application of either furniture wax or lacquer finishing’s. These protective coatings not only enhance the underlying beauty of the oak timbers but also add a protective barrier that will keep your new coffee table in top condition for years to come.

Other benefits of a solid oak construction include a more robust unit and drawers that are better suited for storage. Whereas lesser quality items may use cheaper materials such as MDF and chipboard in the construction of drawers, solid oak coffee tables use only premium oak - often utilising dovetail joinery techniques - which ensures that the drawer bottom remains firmly in place and will not give way under load.

The increased life span that these coffee tables deliver means that you get the maximum value for money possible. While cheaper models may seem like a good idea at the time, if they require replacment after only a couple of years wear then it could actually end up costing you more in the long run.

To find out more about the coffee tables listed here please continue reading our guide which not only explains further some of the features that you can expect to find, but also recommends some of the popular models from each category.

Coffee Table Features

As you will notice from the listed items here, some of the items listed are very minimalist in design, whereas others can feature a selection of useful storage extras. The following list outlines some of the more typically found features:

• Basic table - with only an upper surface area for holding items
• With drawers - perfect for organising out of view various bits and pieces
• Additional shelf - an internal shelf usually located close to the floor level
• Slide-open top - where the upper surface can slide open to provide a concealed storage area (not commonly found)
• Nested coffee tables - which can be kept in the nested space saving position and separated when required for a versatile storage solution

Of the features discussed here, the Large Reclaimed Oak Coffee Table includes the majority of the extras mentioned above - including the slide open table top.

The Eden Small Solid Oak Coffee Table is a perfect example of the minimalist design at a more than affordable price that comes without sacrificing the level of quality you would expect from more costlier models.

Other Popular Models

The right coffee table for your home will depend on both personal preference and what will go with your existing design setup. Saying that, the following items are some of the more popular models from their respective categories and demonstrate well the range of styles on offer here.

First up you have the delightful Rustic Oak Coffee Table which is made from a dark oak wood that appears aged and of a traditional style. The Rustic Oak Furniture Range continues to be one of the leading selling collections of solid oak furniture items and with this coffee table model it is easy to see why.

Another table of a similar style but a light oak construction is the Salisbury coffee table, which combines design elements of both the modern and traditional through its implementation of antique style handles but warm light oak timber. It also offers drawers and an additional lower shelf for plenty of storage options.

The Oakdale Coffee Table With Drawers is another fine example of a model equally suited to either design genre while simultaneously providing ample organisational storage through its multitude of drawers. The Oakdale furniture collection offers a whole host of additional items in the same style providing you maximum choice when it comes to finding complementing furnishings.

Finally we have one of the 2 Nero coffee tables we have listed here. This version is simple, modern, and a firm favourite for the living room. Please visit this listing for further information about the Nero solid oak furniture range which also includes a set of oak nested coffee tables.