Back in Black: the Coffee Table Comeback

Put all thoughts of the mass-produced black ash furniture we were all so fond of during the 1980s aside and behold the new wave of black furniture — it really can work for you, whatever your interior scheme.

A Continuing Trend

To say black furniture is making a comeback is actually something of an inaccuracy — because it never really went away. Take a look at some of the most iconic interiors over the years and you would be hard pushed to find one without a well-placed black coffee table or console somewhere in the mix.

In fact black coffee tables have long been admired statement pieces — from the The Isamu Noguchi Coffee Table, designed in 1944, with its curvy ebony black base and glass top, to the Le Corbusier Coffee Table, with its glass and steel design and hint of black around the edges, all the design greats, from Kartell to Eames, have a black coffee table somewhere in their repertoire.

Perhaps it is the pure, work-with-anything nature of black as a colour that has made it such an enduring favourite in the furniture world, or maybe its ability to turn ordinary coffee tables into contemporary coffee tables — no matter when they were first designed. Whatever it is, black is a sure-fire way to up the style stakes of your interiors.

Making Black Work for You

Whether it was the ‘1980s effect’ or the fact that black is often viewed as something of a morbid colour, people remain a little wary of using it.

Unlike more muted creams, greys and taupe, black is definitely a colour that makes a statement — but it need not be one that dominates the room. In fact, black is incredibly easy to combine with other colours and works brilliantly with many of the patterns currently topping the trend list.

From bold, botanical prints to geometrics in shades of blue and grey — all will sit quite happily, and in fact be enhanced by, a hint of black.

Black coffee tables make the perfect partner to feminine florals and crisp white linens, and even work well in vintage-inspired spaces, alongside touches of blue, grey and orange.

Blending them with neutrals such as grey and taupe results in a sophisticated and calm room, whilst introducing black into an industrial space alongside stainless steel fittings ensures an industrial chic effect. Black coffee tables also work very well teamed with oriental-inspired interiors — think Eastern-inspired wallpapers and splashes of ochre, pink or fiery orange.

In the living room, the black coffee table is the perfect way to add a bold element. Keeping things nice and simple with a black and white scheme, and including plenty of texture through fabrics and wallcoverings ensures a look that is easy to live in, with a welcoming feel to boot.

If you are still feeling wary, there is no need to saturate an entire room in black, although the more daring amongst you might entertain the idea — we think it can work rather well

In general though, adding touches of black here and there is the safest way to go. The Retro Hoop Coffee Table from Zespoke (link – https://zespoke.wpengine.com/Bespoke-Tables/large-retro-hoop-coffee-table) with either Gloss Black or Matt Black as an exterior, interior or side colour allows you to be as brave or subtle as you like with your use of black.

Keeping the Look Timeless

As with all trends, there is always the fear that they will look dated in a few years. Although this shouldn’t be an issue when using black which, as time has proved, never seems to date, using it in small doses makes sense if you don’t want to find yourself redecorating or splashing out on a new coffee table in the near future.

Choose one-off, unique items that stand out for all the right reasons, such as a black coffee table, and pair them with classic shapes and designs — there is no reason why traditional and contemporary cannot sit happily alongside one another.

Our S-Shaped Glass Coffee Table (https://zespoke.wpengine.com/Bespoke-Tables/glass-s-shaped-coffee-table), for example, provides the perfect opportunity to include this on-trend colour beneath an enduringly stylish glass top and with a contemporary curved base.

In order to incorporate any trend successfully, balance is key if you want the look to be liveable — offset deep colours with plenty of natural light and reflective touches and have faith that an iconic piece of black furniture will be something you admire for many years to come.