The best retro-inspired coffee tables for your living room

Discover the best contemporary coffee tables with a retro twist, designed to elevate modern interiors. 

The anchor of every living room, a coffee table is more than just a place to rest your cup of tea. It’s a stylish centrepiece that can transform the entire atmosphere of your lounge when chosen correctly.

To really make a statement, we love retro-inspired coffee tables. A piece that balances contemporary living with vintage design influences. This could be anything from classic mid-century modern silhouettes to textured finishes with unique hand-finished details. 

In this expert buying guide, we’ll explain exactly why you should invest in a retro-inspired coffee table for your modern home. We will also share some of our favourite picks, as well as our top styling tips to bring your retro coffee table to life.

Why we love retro-inspired coffee tables in modern homes 

Firstly, they’re undeniably stylish. Offering the perfect blend of vintage nostalgia and timeless contemporary design, retro-inspired coffee tables give off an effortlessly cool aesthetic. 

Retro coffee tables also bring more of a ‘lived-in,’ homey look, which is ideal for bringing character to new builds or blending in with houses that are already bursting with architectural charm. As our Head of Design, Kris Manalo points out, there’s a current demand for historically inspired designs that are rich in detail and character:

“We’re seeing more appreciation for intricate detailing and quality materials being used in furniture, as people seek to create a home that feels thoughtful and elegant.”

• Kris Manalo, Head of Design at Atkin and Thyme

How to choose the right retro coffee table for your space 

When choosing the best coffee table for your living room, there are a few key considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, your lounge room layout and lifestyle. How large is your sofa? How many people do you expect to be crowding around your coffee table? Make sure it’s big enough to accommodate everyone comfortably. It’s also a good idea to think about flow and space around your coffee table. How easily can you walk around it?

Next, consider your existing living room decor. Do you already have a lot of wooden furniture in your space and want something to blend in? Or perhaps you want something in a contrasting metal, glass, or marble finish to stand out? Think about what style you want to see in your room and channel it into your coffee table design. 

Top tip: Not sure of your style? Try making your own moodboard with images of living rooms that you love and identify the recurring themes. If you’re drawn to rich, wooden tones and curved edges, perhaps the mid-century modern aesthetic is for you. Or, maybe you prefer luxurious velvets and decadent patterns? It sounds like the 1920s Art Deco movement could be your thing.

Best retro-inspired coffee tables for everyday living

Now, let’s explore some of our favourite luxury retro coffee tables that make a statement in every home…

Coffee tables with fluted cabinetry 

For those who love intricate detailing, we’d recommend something sleek like our Flute Marble Coffee Table - Vintage. With its dark stain solid wood base, fluted cabinetry, and elegant stiletto legs, this piece is full of antique charm. To finish, this table has a mottled grey and coffee marble top, which oozes vintage opulence. Truly divine.

Get the look: Flute Marble Coffee Table - Vintage.

Mid-century modern curved coffee tables

Love all things mid-century? Our Umi Coffee Table captures everything we love about retro mid-century modern design: rich oak wood, a simple structure, and those iconic smooth curves. This understated piece has an instantly timeless appeal that you’ll adore for years to come. It also features a discrete storage shelf, so it’s as practical as it is stylish.

Get the look: Umi Coffee Table.

Luxurious marble coffee tables

Looking to make a real statement? A marble piece, such as our Lucy Coffee Table Green Marble Finish, is sure to do the trick. This breathtaking oval-shaped table, finished in an earthy, green marble-effect concrete, is the epitome of retro-luxe. Its low profile and organic curves bring a grounded feel, whilst the polished marble finish is reminiscent of something you’d see in a glamorous 1970s Italian home. Decadent, yet refined - the kind of coffee table that channels quiet luxury.

Get the look: Lucy Coffee Table Green Marble Finish.

Unique and irregular-shaped coffee tables

Sometimes, it can be as simple as the shape of your retro coffee table that really makes it stand out. Asymmetry in furniture is becoming increasingly popular, as well as unique shapes. Take our Hyde Coffee Table, for instance. This exquisite hexagonal table, hand-crafted from solid mango wood, brings subtle retro character with a modern twist. Plus, each individual coffee table is crafted with its own unique marble top, with no two the same, meaning you’re guaranteed to own a one-of-a-kind piece. 

Get the look: Hyde Coffee Table.

All of Atkin and Thyme’s indoor furniture is built to last, made from premium materials by skilled craftspeople, and designed for contemporary living. 

Coffee table styling tips for an elevated aesthetic

There’s an art to styling your retro-inspired coffee table to look like a show home, and the secret is intentional accessorising. Here are our three favourite ways to style your coffee table…

Layer with statement coffee table books, trays, and trinkets

Displaying statement coffee table books that you love (whether that’s fashion, food, or travel) is a fantastic way to inject some personality into your coffee table. To present, place them side by side in uniform or try stacking a couple of books on top of each other. 

You can also layer your table with a tray and arrange books inside, as well as cluster smaller objects like candles, trinkets, and ornaments together. A coffee table tray is a brilliant way to anchor items and keep everything looking curated.

Top tip: Whilst form is important, remember to keep things functional. Add some coasters to place drinks on and find a spot for your TV remotes, for when it’s time to relax and catch up on your favourite show. 

Experiment with different heights for added dimension

A classic trick interior designers often share for decorating is experimenting with height. By playing around with varying heights, you can create an illusion of depth, dimension and movement across your coffee table. Tall pieces like vases, sculptural ceramics, and candlesticks draw the eye upwards, whilst lower objects like books, matchboxes, and trinket dishes anchor the table. The overall look should feel balanced and visually interesting.

Evoke the senses with a signature scent

Candles and incense make for perfect coffee table accessories. They’re simple, elegant, and they do so much more than just look beautiful. Lighting a scented candle or incense sticks on your retro coffee table creates ambience. Whether you opt for a calming lavender scent or a muskier sandalwood, bringing nice smells into your living room is sure to be a mood booster. If you ask us, there’s nothing more luxurious than having your own signature scent for your living room; so when visitors come to call, they know exactly whose home it is when they step through the door. 

Whether you’re looking to bring some personality to a new home or give your existing space a beautiful new centrepiece, a retro-inspired coffee table is a piece worth investing in. Striking the perfect balance between antique and contemporary design, a vintage-look coffee table can transform your living room into a truly luxurious setting.