The retro movement

The retro movement has been going strong since the 1970s, defined as new styles, products or designs that give a distinctive nod to their previous incarnations – whether it’s through their shape, colour, finish or a combination of the three. Today, as retro style continues to grow in popularity, many modern retro designs take inspiration from the golden decades of design – from the 1950s all the way through to the 1990s.

Retrofuturism

Retrofuturism is responsible for many of today’s modern takes on throwback design. A term first coined in the 1980s, retrofuturism refers to how the future was imagined in the past – resulting in numerous illustrations and designs attempting to predict how the future would look. The era of retro-futuristic design is responsible for many of the purposefully quirky and nostalgic designs we see today.

These design styles are still popular today, usually incorporating curved surfaces and circular designs – reminiscent of illustrations of the space age, flying cars, robots and other weird and wonderful imaginings.

Retro coffee table design: a coffee table for every decade

50s retro coffee table

The 50s in particular saw a growth in the popularity of sleek and curved furniture designs, often placed against brightly coloured or kitsch wallpapers to create (what was then considered) a modern and chic interior. Recreate this effect in your own home with Zespoke’s hoop-style retro coffee table decorated with old fashioned TVs for a throwback to the 50s. Click here to find out more.

60s retro coffee table

60s style took a much more colourful and psychedelic view on life, while still retaining the space age sleek shapes of the decade before. Incorporate some 60s style into your home with this funky striped coffee table. Click here to find out more.

70s retro coffee table

Colour was big and bold in the 70s, with mustard yellows, bright oranges, khaki greens and deep wood tones dominating furniture style. Brighten up your home with the rich and vibrant colour palette of the 70s with this high gloss wood effect coffee table featuring a pop of bright orange. Click here to find out more.

80s retro coffee table

Video games reached mass popularity in the 80s, giving birth to the Atari era in the western world – and this imagery hasn’t failed to influence design. Keep things funky with this Space Invaders themed coffee table. Click here to find out more.

90s retro coffee table

Nothing sums up 90s kitsch more than the Union Jack print. Popularised by the iconic Union Jack dress worn by Geri Halliwell of the Spice Girls, it embodies all things 90s retro. Give your living space a stylish touch of the Britpop area with our Union Jack retro coffee table – available in a variety of colour schemes, including black and white. Click here to find out more.

Order your retro coffee table

Ready to inject some retro into your life? Search through our wide range of retro coffee tables, all of which are handcrafted and fully bespoke. With 30 colours to choose from – and virtually endless colour and finish combinations – you’re guaranteed to find your perfect retro coffee table with Zespoke.

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The evolution of coffee table design

From their birthplace in the late Victorian era, coffee tables have been a familiar focal point in living rooms for many years. Originating as slender and circular ‘tea tables’, or tea trolleys in Britain, coffee quickly accelerated in popularity and the name ‘coffee table’ was born.

However, the modern coffee table is distinctly different from its Victorian ancestor – with American businessman Stuart Foote, president of Imperial Furniture Co., claiming to have invented the knee-height coffee table during the 1920s after shortening the legs of a regular table. As the legend goes, Foote immediately realised his short and stumpy table was the ideal height for resting drinks in front of a sofa – and the modern knee height coffee table was born.

Since its conception, the humble coffee table has been a staple of every living room and waiting room the world over. As such, coffee tables make the perfect statement piece – and from rustic and traditional to modern and retro coffee tables, the design possibilities are virtually limitless.

A short history of coffee culture

The history of coffee dates back to the 10th century, where Ethiopian farmers first discovered the coffee bean’s invigorating properties on the western Horn of Africa. However, brewing coffee only reached popularity in the 15th century on the Arabian peninsula, quickly becoming a strong part of Middle Eastern culture.

It wasn’t until the late 1700s that coffee culture had reached mass popularity in Britain – and while ‘tea tables’ had existed in various shapes or forms over the years, Britain’s first dedicated coffee tables didn’t spring up until the late Victorian era.