When I told the Ideal Home team early that I couldn't understand why anyone would buy a coffee table without any storage, I didn’t expect the response that it was met with. Pretty much everyone disagreed with me, and nearly all of them pointed out that their coffee tables had zero storage. But I won't be swayed. I stand by my argument that every coffee table should have some sort of storage space.
Perhaps it’s because I live in a small space, which makes me appreciate every extra storage solution all the more. But I think a coffee table with no storage space is a missed opportunity. And I certainly think when choosing a coffee table for a small living room, it needs to have some form of integrated storage.
I’m not asking for a lot. It doesn’t have to be anything particularly complicated, even just an extra shelf will do, in my opinion. However, with so many clever storage coffee table designs available, if you are currently in the market for one, I’d be inclined to recommend one of the more innovative and stylish storage coffee tables. And I’ve rounded up 9 of my top picks below for you to peruse.
My storage coffee table top picks
I recently visited La Redoute's HQ in France where I found out that La Redoute is the M&S of France and where I also spotted this amazing storage coffee table. I don't think I've seen a round coffee table with drawers before.
Storage can take on many different forms - and if youre an avid reader of magazines like I am, this coffee table with built-in magazine rack will come in handy. Not to mention it looks like a sculpture!
This caught my eye as soon as it dropped on the Argos and Habitat websites last year as it's a genius cross between a coffee table and an ottoman with plenty of internal storage.
No only does this Dunelm coffee table feature a chequerboard design in two different shades of wood but it also comes with internal storage once you lift the tabletop.
La Redoute is my go-to place brand when it comes to stylish storage furniture and clever small space solutions. Which is why it appears on thislist more than once. This design with a sliding tabletop that reveals storage space just had to be on here.
Available in three different colours/finishes, this coffee table features a combination of closed and open storage. But given the budget-friendly price point, I'm impressed with how high-end this coffee table looks!
This coffee table is one of John Lewis' bestsellers - which shows that storage coffee tables are popular. Equipped with slatted sliding doors concealing the space, the design comes in two different wood finishes.
There are a few different brands that do this style of lift-top coffee tables which reveals internal storage. But this one from Castlery is my favourite as it looks sleek and the finish of the material looks high quality.
I love how this coffee table manages to incorporate display shelving. So that you can present your decorative items on your coffee table without crowding the tabletop, and do it from every angle.
Helen Ashmore, head of design at Laura Ashley, agrees with my point of view, ‘Modern homes tend to lean two ways, either having a smaller footprint with compact spaces, or having an open-plan layout, so furniture needs to work hard to make an impact. Coffee tables with storage are not just a nicety, but they have increasingly become essential as they sit at the heart of the living room, often the most lived-in and multifunctional spaces within the home. Designs that incorporate storage allow you to maintain a sense of calm and order, and all without compromising on accessibility.’
What the other experts say
While they make a great small living room idea, as well as a good open plan living room idea, my colleagues’ main counter argument I was met with is that having that built-in storage invites more clutter – so if the space is there they will feel the need to fill it with stuff, but if they don’t have the storage space it will force them to declutter. Another point was that they incorporate living room storage in other ways, such as shelving, sideboards, TV units and console tables.
Holly Lamont, founder and creative director of interior design studio Holla Design, adds, ‘I don’t think storage coffee tables are essential, but they can be very useful. Where I’m more cautious is when a piece becomes too focused on function at the expense of how it looks and feels in the space. A coffee table sits at the centre of a living room, so proportion, material and shape matter just as much as practicality.’
I believe that this is a fair argument and would also stress the importance of choosing a good and stylish storage coffee table that incorporates said storage solution in a seamless way.
Holly continues, ‘In my own work, I often lean towards upholstered ottomans instead. They offer hidden storage in a much softer, more flexible way and they create an opportunity to introduce pattern, texture or colour.’ And this is another idea I am fully on board with. In fact, I believe that in a way, it’s another take on a storage coffee table, just upholstered and offering extra seating at the same time.
So what do you think? Storage coffee tables – are they an essential part of modern living rooms or not?
