A coffee table is an integral part to making your living room come together and look like a home. My ex partner hated them for some reason and we didnt have one for years. I missed the utility of it and welcome it back. It's a focal point and one you need to get right.
Not only does it provide a great place to put drinks or your laptop, but it can also serve as a game table with your friends or kids. Coffee tables are commonly used as both work and play surfaces so it's important to buy a coffee table that will stand the test of time and still look great.
Even though you need a durable coffee table, there's no reason to pay full price. There are a number of places to get an inexpensive coffee table, but checking out you local Goodwill or Salvation Army is a great place to start to find one that will fit your needs. If they have any available, they will definitely be low cost and will most likely be something durable for your home. The RSPCA also do furniture in my local town check social media for groups too. Coffee tables can be an expensive item to purchase from new.
As long as the coffee table has great bones and is sturdy, it can always be repainted or refinished to match your decor and style. You could even do a special paint treatment or paint it a bright color to stand out against the rest of the room but be careful not to go to wacky unless that is you !
Another great place to find coffee tables is in the discount/clearance rooms of large furniture stores. They often reduce the price of merchandise if it has a small scratch, even if it's not noticeable, or that particular piece has been discontinued. You are going to put scratches on it anyway right !
Getting a great deal on a coffee table will make you feel good. Finding a coffee table that's well made and put together can be a lot of fun like any purchase. But the fact that you will spend a lot of time with it in eyeshot make the choice carefully.