Traditional Coffee Table Alternatives That Could Refresh Your Living Room

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A coffee table can be the focal point of a living room, bringing all your other pieces of furniture together and giving the space a cohesive look. Let's be honest, though; a coffee table is also a great place to store all your living room essentials, plus a fair amount of bits and bobs that don't have a home elsewhere. After gaining popularity during the Roaring Twenties, coffee tables later acquired their signature shortened legs with the advent of television and began doing a number of jobs — from serving as a place to put drinks to somewhere to display beautiful coffee table books. These tables can be a fantastic addition to your home.  

But there's no getting away from the fact that coffee tables can be bulky and expensive, with many spaces just not suiting their design. So, if you're wondering how to pick the perfect coffee table for your home, perhaps it's time to consider some creative alternatives? From versatile ottomans to quirky vintage trunks, thinking outside the conventional coffee table box could leave you with an alternative that's far better suited to your internal spaces. Not sure where to start? We've come up with a host of options to suit any living room.   

An ottoman is a great multi-purpose alternative to a traditional coffee table. Sturdy enough to be used as a table, their soft fabric covering also makes them a handy footrest or additional piece of seating when you have guests over. With softer, rounded edges, they're also kinder to shins and a safer choice for those with young children gallivanting about. As a useful bonus, one of the best coffee table ottomans will add handy storage space under its removable lid.  

Vintage trunks are attractive items to look at, and they can also be repurposed as a practical alternative to a traditional coffee table. Not only do they provide a stable surface to put items on, but they will also give you additional storage inside, just like the coffee table ottomans we talked about above. And, if you spend some time browsing online marketplaces or thrift stores, you should be able to find a vintage trunk that matches the aesthetics of your home and blends with your decor. 

If you're looking for a creative way to repurpose an old tree stump in your yard, why not consider turning it into a coffee table? You'll need to let the stump dry out thoroughly (use a heater to speed things up) before using a palm sander to soften the edges and remove any splintering. You will then have the option of either painting or varnishing to achieve a sleek and polished look. Of course, you can also buy readymade tree stump tables, but this is a great DIY project. 

A Moroccan tray table is one of the best furniture ideas for a Mediterranean-inspired home, adding an elegant and eclectic feel to any living room. It's also an ideal choice for the dedicated tea and coffee drinkers amongst you, with the top tray lifting off its stand so you can carry it into the kitchen and load it up with cups, filter jugs, and teapots. Intricately carved and often beautifully decorated, a Moroccan tray table adds a real stamp of individuality to any home.   

Smaller living rooms can quickly become overwhelmed by the addition of a large coffee table, so if you're looking to add something to set drinks or fripperies on, a smaller side table could be the perfect solution. Easy to move around, you can play with the placement of a small table without doing any heavy lifting, and, if you think it looks a little dull, you can follow these tips to decorate your side tables and elevate your living room aesthetic. 

If you're wondering how to use wicker baskets in your home for stylish storage, why not consider turning a larger one into a coffee table? Many wicker baskets come with lids, meaning you can use them as storage, as well as a surface to put drinks and snacks on. Wicker baskets will also add a rustic feel to your living room, which is perfect if you're trying to create a look of pared-down elegance.  

Dedicated bookworms might shudder at the idea of using books as a table, but this is a super-cheap option for a coffee table alternative that also doesn't take up much room. Hardback books are easy to find in thrift stores, and they create a solid table base if you glue them together before topping them with a tray. They'll also give your living room an arty and relaxed feel — you could try color-coordinating spines or picking up books of a particular theme to create a cohesive look. 

Vintage suitcases possess a unique charm, with bonus points added if you can thrift some with their original expedition labels still attached. Adding a distinctive nostalgic feel to a space, these sturdy suitcases can also be easily repurposed as a coffee table alternative. Simply stack a few to create a flat surface and a sturdy base, or attach some stylish legs to a single suitcase. 

Sometimes a standard coffee table might still be a good option for your space, particularly if you choose wisely and buy one that incorporates both a table and extra seating. Clever round coffee tables like the one above come with comfortable pull-out fabric stools that can provide extra seating when you have guests. Some are also designed as miniature ottomans with storage inside the seats, making them an ideal place to stash items that get regular use in the living room, such as TV remotes and children's toys.

Antique prayer tables can make a great coffee table alternative, with each one having a unique design and style. Many prayer tables, in particular those from India, feature a low-profile design, which means they're ideal for smaller spaces and homes. The lavish and highly decorative designs are another way to create a strong focal point in your living room without taking up a huge amount of physical space. 

A pouf is the versatile piece of furniture you should consider in 2026, as it has so many uses around the home. And one of these uses is as an excellent alternative to a coffee table. Smaller and more portable than their larger cousin, the ottoman, a pouf can be used as an occasional table and is easy to shift and move around if you need to create more space when visitors arrive. Some more substantial poufs can also be used as additional seating.  

Electrical wire spools are, as you'd imagine, well-made and fairly chunky so that they can handle large amounts of electrical wire being safely wrapped around them. But once all the wire is used, these solidly made objects make a great alternative to a coffee table. You could use the entire spool or just adapt the top part into a stylish tabletop. All you need is some wood stain or varnish to create a beautiful table that will fit right in with industrial and modern farmhouse decor.

A narrow bench is the ideal alternative to a coffee table that will take up less space in a small room. Benches are, in general, narrower than coffee tables, but search specifically for an entryway bench to find one with suitably minimal dimensions. It's a great way to add a touch of Scandi-inspired design to your living space, with a sleek and pared-back feel that will complement minimalist decor. And a bench can easily be commandeered to provide extra seating when needed. 

If you're looking for a clever way to repurpose a bar cart around the house, this could be another excellent coffee table alternative. With a whiff of the 1970s about them, bar carts can be dragged into the 21st century as a way to hold coffee table decor, along with drink coasters, books, and perhaps a house plant or two. But because they're on wheels, it's incredibly easy to move a bar cart around your living room to reconfigure the space whenever it's needed.