You have done your best to give your guests the best of the best of all the essentials. The furniture and utilities are all on point. Yet guests might feel that your property lacks a certain kind of charm and character. They may feel it lacks some kind of “lived-in” homely feeling. If they wanted a sterile living environment they would have booked a hotel. You can give them all the amenities that you can but how do you elevate your space to something that feels inviting? Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be too expensive to give your Airbnb a great facelift. One such way is adding a coffee table. It has its own appeal.

Imagine yourself waking up on a weekend morning, excited for the rest of the day of travel and leisure and making plans with the rest of the family or friends around a coffee table with a hot cuppa coffee. As coffee snobs, I and my wife have given this a lot of thought and have come up with a few tips to help you find the right coffee table for your Airbnb.

What to look for in a coffee table?

A coffee table is going to be more form than function. It is great if it comes with storage but it has to look good while doing it. There are some functional requirements that you should keep in mind though. Here are the basic things to keep in mind:

Size: The coffee table should be approximately the same size as the couch cushions or slightly shorter. It shouldn’t be more than two-thirds the sofa’s length or it will look out of place. It should be small enough so that the room has enough clearance around the table. Shape: You can go for a traditional rectangular coffee table or if you are going for something trendy, round or curved tabletops can be your choice. From our experience, if your guests tend to gather in the living room a lot, then you should pick a circular or oval table so that people can easily move around it. If your room is already dominated by a lot of rectangles, then sticking to the visual theme, you should pick a rectangular table. Support: Apart from the surface of the coffee table, think about what goes underneath it. If you are going to add something like a heavy centerpiece in the room then you should go for one with thicker more sturdy legs. If the coffee table is going to be used lightly, then you can get lighter airier supports that allow the room to breathe a little. The top can be made from many materials. You can go for something earthy wooden material like aged wood or plywood composite or you can go fancy buy delicate with glass or stone tops. They all have their own cleaning and maintenance requirements based on the materials used. Storage: Some coffee tables have recesses in them to show off books or other trinkets. We love having these around because they add some much-needed character to the room. Some even have drawers that let you store anything you may consider important for the living room without cluttering up the rest of the space like a TV remote. Style: You should try to match the style of the rest of the room. Since it is going to be a focal point in the living room, a out of place coffee table can be an eyesore. Look at interior decor magazines and websites to get an idea of what kind of design would suit your room best.

Recommendations from Amazon:

DHP Parsons Modern Coffee Table: This coffee table is perfect if you don’t want to spend a lot of money but want something reliable and solid. It has a durable espresso wood grain finish. It can hold up to 50 pounds and is very easy to assemble. It comes with an option for expert assembly.

Emerald Home Chandler Rustic Industrial Solid Wood and Steel Coffee Table: This one is made out of materials that would look amazing in the balcony or on the porch. The rustic hardwood and industrial steel give an architectural look to the whole package. The warm wood tones and dark steel patina create the look and feel of an old family heirloom. It comes with the storage shelf that is tucked away beneath the top and should be great for a visually appealing assortment of items.

Furinno Coffee Table with Bins: For something practical and functional, this amazon bestseller can hold a lot of items in its two fabric bins. The rest of the table is made out of particleboard. The fabric bins can be replaced in the future if they get damaged or lost.

Signature Design by Ashley Norcastle Traditional Glass Top Oval Coffee Table: This one is the best of the bunch for the discerning host who has a more traditional or antique room and wants something to match the opulence of the rest of the room. The table is made of veneers, wood and manmade wood with cast resin accents and a beveled glass tabletop.

Sauder Dakota Pass Lift-Top Coffee Table: This one has a top that lifts up and forwards to create a versatile work surface. There is a hidden storage compartment along with an open shelf for display. The table is made of oak and it has a well-crafted finish. It comes with an assembly option.

Precautions To Take:

If there are any spills on the coffee table, then make sure you communicate with the guests that it is their responsibility to clean it up. Spills and stains can discolor a coffee table and make it look messy and dirty. You have to decide whether to charge the guests if they stain your table.

If you are running a family-oriented Airbnb and you know the kids usually cause a ruckus then consider childproofing the edges of the wooden tops so that they don’t hurt themselves. Also then glass tops become a nono.

Love,

Scooch and Steve

