Coffee to dining tables are the ultimate in transforming tables as they allow people in smaller apartments to go from decorative furniture for setting drinks on to hosting dinner parties. For larger spaces they’re the ultimate furniture as they’re somewhere to catch up with a friend or two that expands to extra seating for a group like a kids table, additional seats for a large dinner or holiday, or a game night for 8.
But the decor for a coffee table and a dining table is different. Coffee tables display talking pieces that double as icebreakers where dining tables need to ensure conversation can happen and dishes can be passed easily. Both can feature charm and elegance, and both may have a need for unobstructed views like watching a movie or talking to the person seated across from you.
Sounds tricky? It’s not. We’ve been manufacturing coffee to dining tables and extendable tables for years, and that includes styling them for our showrooms. Here’s some of our favorite decor items that work for both coffee table and dining table transformations.
Glass Bowls
Long glass bowls are multi-functional in that they look stunning and come in multiple color palettes. They can serve food, store smaller items like keys that can get misplaced, and they’re easy to clean. As a bonus your line of sight stays intact so it is easy to enjoy tv when the table is in coffee mode, and then be combined with floating candles for an elegant centerpiece during fancy dinners.
Wooden Charcuterie Board
Charcuterie boards and wooden serving boards are the next go-to decor items for coffee to dining tables as they stay out of the line of sight like a glass bowl, and they serve multiple functions.
- Place three candles at different heights for an elegant display during catch up conversations or dinners.
- Server charcuterie during a party in coffee table mode, and appetizers during a meal when the table is set for dinner.
- Some come with storage inside allowing you to place coasters which come in handy as people enjoy a beverage and you want to protect the table’s surface.
The versatility and lack of obstruction make charcuterie boards one of the most versatile decor items for these tables.
Glass Hurricane Candle Holders
Normally you want to avoid taller decor items, but glass hurricane candle holders are an exception. These are the glass cylinders that have a candle (electric or flame) in the middle and get their name from the glass enclosure that prevents the flame from being extinguished by wind.
Because the glass is transparent you can still communicate effectively, and they’re simple enough to move if you want to watch TV. Candlelight is a nice ambiance if you’re catching up with a friend one evening on the couch, or just need a relaxing atmosphere after a long day of work. They work equally well for a romantic meal or dinner where you host other guests or couples.
Food Cloche with Succulents
Succulents are always stunning, come in a huge variety of colors, and require little to no care. They sit perfectly under a clear glass cloche and add a touch of elegance with a pop of vibrant life.
Almost all plants add a feeling of freshness to a room, and this centerpiece allows for easy viewing across a room for a coffee table centerpiece, and the subtle pops of color and textures are a charming decor item that can work as an ice breaker to get a dinner conversation going.
Design tip: The cloche can store a decadent dessert as a teaser during dinner by setting the succulents aside.
Metal or Silver Tray With Handles
A metal or silver serving tray is always an excellent option as it can store trinkets, keys, and other items when in the coffee table setting, and candles, food, and centerpieces in the dining table position. What makes a tray with handles even more helpful is it can be used to transport cups, dishes, silverware, and other items regardless of the transformation of the table.
Hosting someone for afternoon tea with small sandwiches, a tea pot, and glasses? Great, stack them on the tray and make one trip to the kitchen. Need to move a bunch of plates at once after dinner? No problem, stack them on the tray and use the handles to secure it vs. trying a balancing act while you walk to a different room.
Decorative Stones and Spheres
Decorative stones and spheres add an earthy elegance to a table that is relaxing to look at. Bringing nature into the home, especially a polished stone, adds a feeling of comfort and grounding and matches virtually all decor aesthetics.
The stones can be grouped in whatever increments and sizes you’d like, you can stack them asymmetrically on pillars, and choose a variety of colors and minerals. They make great ice breakers if you choose crystals and healing stones as you can talk about the mythical properties different civilizations claim they have, and where they come from around the world. Even better if the stones are local to where you live or one from each place you’ve lived in your life.
Decorating transforming tables does not have to be tricky, it is about making sure the decor items work for all settings. When it comes to coffee to dining tables, these are some of our favorite recommendations to Expand Furniture customers and in our showrooms.