Size – The size of your room will determine the size of coffee table your living room can comfortably accommodate. Make sure you have plenty of space to move around it. Nobody likes bruised shins. Choose a size that complements your room. A tiny table in a large room will just look silly, as will a too large table in a small room. One idea is to make a paper template of the size you are interested in and put it where you want the table to go. It’ll give you a good idea of the space you have to play with. Measure the height of your sofa and choose a coffee table accordingly – that evening glass of vino needs to be easily reached without too much difficulty, after all.

Shapes – Coffee tables are available in a variety of shapes: square, round, rectangular, oval and trunks being the most common. Each shape will affect the look of your room differently so think carefully about which shape will best suit your space and the furniture you already have. If your room is full of clean lines, you may want to mix it up a bit with a more fancy design to make a bit of a statement. Or you may want to keep things simple by choosing a style that complements what you already have. Round and oval tables with their lack of sharp corners may be more practical if you have small children. Square tables are ideal for smaller spaces, while the classic rectangular shape will be a timeless choice.

Features – this is where it gets interesting, because as well as being available in a range of shapes and sizes, coffee tables differ greatly in the amount of practical storage space they offer. Decide what you want to use your coffee table for. If it’s just for drinks and snacks then a simple table design with no shelf or drawers may be the ideal choice or a nesting set may be better if you want a space-saving option. If you want to store things like board games, playing cards, coasters, remote controls and other items then designs with drawers or a shelf may be the way to go. If your storage needs are greater, a trunk-style coffee table may be best. With a lift-up lid, you can hide away spare cushions as well as games, books and magazines that you don’t want on show.

Wood types – it goes without saying that your coffee table needs to be durable. Wood is the ideal choice as it will last for years and is robust enough to put up with busy family life and having things piled up on top of it. Oak and sheesham wood are the natural choices and our designers think very carefully about both form and function when coming up with ideas for furniture and make sure that all of our coffee tables require no further assembly so they are as strong as they can be.

• Oak looks better as it ages, is tough and adds timeless natural warmth and beauty to your living space.
• Sheesham wood is a dense Indian hardwood that will add a touch of the exotic to your home. As well as being hard-wearing, its dark good looks will sit well in both contemporary and traditional settings.

Maybe you don’t want your table to be piled up with stuff all the time. Perhaps you want to use it for more decorative purposes. This article from the Huffington Post will get your creative juices flowing.

And for further inspiration, this practical demonstration will show you how to make your coffee table really stand out.

With a reasonable amount of care and attention, your coffee table should give you many years of sterling service. Just remember to always use coasters under hot drinks.

• Good quality beeswax applied every six months or so will keep the wood nourished, provide protection and keep it looking smart.
• Wipe any spills immediately with a damp cloth then use a dry cloth to finish off.
• Avoid putting your coffee table in direct sunlight to avoid fading, or too near to a radiator to prevent joints and veneers weakening.