Wooden coffee tables are more than just furniture—they’re the heart of your living room, gathering spots for family and friends, and pieces that add warmth and character to your home. Before you buy, here are 7 things to keep in mind to find perfect wooden coffee tables for your space.
1. Choose the Right Wood for Style & Durability
Not all wood is created equal! Hardwoods like oak, elm, and reclaimed wood offer incredible durability and unique character. Reclaimed wood, especially, brings charm with knots, grain, and a story of its own — plus, it’s eco-friendly. As the old proverb goes, we don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our grandchildren.
2. Consider Your Space & Table Size
Measure your living room carefully, and then measure once more. Wooden coffee tables should complement your sofas and chairs without crowding the room. A good rule of thumb: leave 40-50cm space around the edges for easy movement. My son is kindly demonstrating the need for a little bit of extra space 
3. Think About Functionality
Do you want storage? Shelves below the coffee table offer a variety of storage options. Should you want a large blanket, or baskets, the storage shelf allows you to decide depending on your decor or mood. I personally enjoy placing my feet on the lower shelf, but practically I need it for toy storage these days! Think about how you’ll use your wooden coffee tables daily.
4. Decide on the Finish
Natural wood finishes highlight grain and texture. Limed oak or antique finishes add character and blend with rustic or vintage décor. Choose finishes that match your style and existing furniture. We have a lovely guide on this here - What wood finish should I choose?
5. Handmade vs. Mass-Produced
Handmade wooden coffee tables like ours from reclaimed wood offer uniqueness — no two pieces are exactly alike. Mass-produced tables might be cheaper but lack personality and often use lower-quality wood. There is also the ethical implications - knowing who made your table, whether they are paid well, whether they should even be working at all for their age. We are all about traceability, and all of our wooden coffee tables are made with reclaimed wood, grown right here in Britain.
6. Assembly & Delivery
When we first started Shabby Bear Cottage many moons ago, it was actually because a piece of mass-produced furniture spectacularly collapsed on us — right in the middle of dinner. Embarrassing? Absolutely. Memorable? You bet!
So now, we assemble everything ourselves and ship it ready to go. The only exception is our dining tables — they’re just too big to fit through doors fully assembled, but we’ve made those easy to put together with just a few screws.
As for our wooden coffee tables, they arrive fully assembled, ready to sit pretty in your living room. But hey, if you do enjoy a good assembly adventure (or a friendly argument with your significant other), just say the word—we’re happy to send them flat-packed!
7. Budget Wisely
There’s an old saying: you can have something cheap and nice, but it won’t be quick. Or you can have something nice and quick, but it won’t be cheap.
At Shabby Bear Cottage, we try to nail all three — quality, speed, and price. But if we have to choose, we always go for the slightly more expensive option because wooden coffee tables should last, look amazing, and save you from future headaches!
Ready to find perfect wooden coffee tables?
Explore our handcrafted collection made from sustainable reclaimed wood — built to last and full of character. Shop Wooden Coffee Tables at Shabby Bear Cottage →
