A coffee table is often seen as a must-have piece of furniture in any living room. But in today's modern homes, especially in dynamic spaces like those in the UAE, many homeowners are starting to question its necessity.
Between compact apartments, open-plan villas, and evolving interior design preferences, one question arises: Do you really need a coffee table, or is it just taking up space?
This blog breaks down the pros and cons of having a coffee table, so you can decide whether it’s essential for your space or better left out.
Why Coffee Tables Are Considered Living Room Essentials
Coffee tables have long been the centerpiece of living rooms. Traditionally, they serve both functional and aesthetic roles anchoring furniture, offering surface space, and completing the overall layout.
In home decor, a coffee table often acts as a grounding element. It balances seating arrangements and offers a central point for conversation. Over time, it has become a design tool that adds character, symmetry, and style to any living space.
But in a region like the UAE, where homes range from high-rise apartments in Dubai Marina to expansive villas in Abu Dhabi, the question isn’t whether coffee tables are standard but whether they make sense for your lifestyle.
Pros of Having a Coffee Table in UAE Homes
1) Practicality for Entertaining
In UAE culture, hospitality plays a significant role. A wood coffee table provides a convenient surface to serve Arabic coffee, snacks, and refreshments to guests. It creates a welcoming, organized space for hosting, especially during gatherings and celebrations.
2) Everyday Utility
Coffee tables are perfect for storing everyday essentials like remote controls, books, candles, trays, and more. They serve as a central spot to keep things within reach while relaxing or watching TV.
This is particularly helpful in modern, open-plan living areas where fewer side tables are present.
3) Design Focal Point
A well-chosen table, especially a wooden or marble coffee table enhances the visual appeal of your living room. Whether it's glass, wood, or marble, the material and design can complement the rest of your decor and help create a cohesive look.
In minimalist homes, even a subtle, low-profile table can tie the room together without overwhelming the space.
4) Storage and Versatility
Coffee tables today are not just flat surfaces anymore; they come with built-in drawers, shelves, and even lift-up tops that can double as desks or dining surfaces.
This makes them especially useful in city apartments, where space-saving furniture is always welcome.
5) Complements Large Living Rooms
For those living in villas or spacious homes, a coffee table helps define the seating zone and prevent the room from feeling too empty. It can act as a visual anchor that adds proportion to large layouts.
Cons of Having a Coffee Table
1) Takes Up Valuable Space
In smaller UAE apartments or studios which usually occupy expats, a coffee table can consume precious floor space and make the room feel cramped. With many residents already working with limited layouts, every piece of furniture must earn its keep.
2) Breaks Minimal Flow
Many modern homes in the UAE embrace open, fluid layouts. In such setups, a bulky coffee table might disrupt the natural flow or clash with a Majlis-style arrangement, where floor seating takes precedence.
3) Clutter Magnet
Coffee tables often become drop zones for everything—keys, phones, unopened mail, chargers. Over time, they can make a clean space appear messy, especially if there’s no storage solution built in.
4) Not Child-Friendly
In homes with toddlers or small children, a table with sharp edges or glass coffee table can pose safety hazards. Parents often prefer soft ottomans or skip center tables altogether during early childhood years.
UAE-Specific Considerations
Before deciding, it’s helpful to think about the unique aspects of UAE homes and lifestyles.
Apartment vs Villa Living
In high-rise buildings across Dubai or Sharjah, where space is limited, minimalism is often key. A coffee table might feel like a luxury. But in villas or townhouses, where you have more room to work with, a table can help create well-defined zones within an open plan.
Hosting Style
Do you host large gatherings with traditional Arabic refreshments? Or do you prefer casual meetups with close friends? Your style of entertaining should influence your decision.
A formal hosting style typically benefits from a coffee table, while informal or family-style seating may not require one at all.
Cultural and Aesthetic Preferences
Majlis-style seating is still popular in many Emirati homes, which may prioritise floor seating with carpets and cushions over western-style coffee tables. On the other hand, expats or young professionals may lean toward Scandinavian, boho, or luxury-modern decor where coffee tables add polish to the look. For smaller apartments, expats can choose round coffee tables as they are both compact and visually pleasing.
Climate and Lifestyle
Lightweight, mobile furniture is popular in the UAE for practical reasons—cleaning, rearranging, or hosting indoors and outdoors. A heavy coffee table may not be ideal for those who like to switch up their layout frequently.
Conclusion
So, do you really need a coffee table?
It depends on various factors. If your living room is large, your lifestyle involves regular hosting, and you enjoy decorating with statement pieces, a coffee table can be a valuable addition. But if you live in a compact space, prefer a minimalist setup, or already have alternative surfaces, it might be one less thing to worry about.
After reading this article, if you are planning to buy the coffee table, you should check out Royaloak. They are one of the best furniture stores in the UAE with an amazing collection of coffee tables, both with and without storage. Along with coffee tables, you can also check their beds, wardrobes, sofas and recliner chairs that are specially designed for an emeriti way of living. Shop Now.