The 10 best coffee tables

Want somewhere to to place your drinks, your feet and your magazines? Look no further than our selection...

1. Paulownia

It might have a hand-carved floral design, but with its bulky, boxy aesthetic the lacquered-wood, Chinese-inspired Paulownia manages not to fall into the trap of being fussy. One word of warning – it isn't the tallest of tables on offer.

£350, habitat.co.uk

2. Orient Forsythia

It's all about vivid, summery colours here. The bright and breezy steel table features a delicate cut-out design in the shape of a forsythia plant and a tough coated-steel finish, which should stand up to just about anything you throw at – or on – it.

£350, doopodoopo.co.uk

3. Muji Ash

If you are looking for low-key elegance and pared-down aesthetic, you might want to get down to your local Muji store and check out this ash table. It's solid wood, rather than MDF with veneer, and has a pleasing curved design. Doubles as a low table, too, if you fancy a Japanese feast.

£195, muji.eu

4. Strind

With its dark glass and bold design, the Strind has more than a little of the 1980s about it. The frame is made of a sturdy nickel-plated steel and topped with a dark, tempered-glass top. Handily, it also has an under shelf, which would do just nicely for all your old NMEs or Vogues.

£99, ikea.com

5. Block

It's all about rustic good looks with this chunky table. The legs are made from solid pine and topped with an etched metal top, which, although a design feature, is also pretty useful when it comes to standing up to hot tea and coffee cups.

£225, beautifulmodernthing.com

6. Quattro Round Swivel

The super-cool Quattro seems to be channelling 1970s' favourite the Lazy Susan here. Its four matt-white layers all rotate 360 degrees, making it easier to get the remote or hide that copy of Nuts than ever before.

£299, dwell.co.uk

7. Kartell Panier Transparent Coffee Table

Whether it is lamps, chairs, or in this case, coffee tables, Kartell is known for its innovative and eye-catching use of plastic. The Panier takes the form of a plastic basket-style table and comes in a range of different colours.

£177, heals.co.uk

8. Debenhams Oak

This table more than makes up for what it lacks in in-your-face design and whizzbang features with good, old-fashioned solidness. It's sturdily constructed from easy-to-clean lacquered oak and comes with a handy storage shelf at its base.

£179, debenhams.com

9. Ice Cube

Looking for a table that's a little bit special? Something that grabs you as you walk into a room? Then check out this cube table, which eschews wood, steel or glass and is instead constructed entirely from mirrored glass. The reflective finish gives a pleasing low-key glow to a room.

£145, beautifulmodernthing.com

10. Wireless Angular

Get the 1960s' look with this swish two-tone number from Alexander and Pearl. As well as a built-in magazine loop to keep your periodicals in place, there is a dinky drawer for all your bits and bobs. The perfect addition to a vintage-style living room.

£475, alexanderandpearl.co.uk