Do wooden coffee table and end tables look more elegant with leather couches than the metal and glass type?

Question

I understand that leather is not exactly traditional. But I don't want my condo living room to look like a catolog from furniture store. My leather couches are black. It is not exactly pitch black, but it is a mix of grey/navy blue/black. One will only see the difference, if he/she has a detailed eye. Otherwise, it looks black. Right now, I have oak end tables, and metal and glass type coffee table. Since it is a complete mismatch, I want to upgrade it. Should I buy dark wooden tables or should I buy modern glass and metal finish? Also, please free to comment on accent/table lamps. Should I buy a metal/nickel base with white/ivory/cream color shade or should I buy transparent base with white/ivory/cream color shade? Or should I go for a more darker neutral shade? Thank you.

Answer 1

Consider painting the oak tables. I see no problem with having wood and glass in the same room. Put the focus on the couches and put some pillows of different colors on it.

Answer 2

I have solid black leather couch and loveseat in my den.  I have an oak end table but my coffee table is oak frame with glass.  Lets more light in on the bottom of the coffee table where I have books and magazines.  I think it looks warm and homey.  I use, in my living room, a futon couch with an oak frame and an oak steamer trunk as a coffee table.  I have a wicker and glass end table.  Looks fine to me.

Answer 3

Wood works well with everything! it all depends on the personal taste and the feel of the room that you like to create, I have found a picture to give you an idea, for the lamps,you could also incorporate glass , or brushed nickel finish in your living room to give it a modern touch .

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I...

http://www.lightinguniverse.com/products...

http://www.designfurnishings.com/brushed...

Answer 4

metal and glass are very bachelor.

Answer 5

I would have to know several things in order to advise you on this design.

The style of the leather sofa? more modern than traditional then perhaps a glass table top or a slate / stone top.

The leg style of the sofa and the finish? If traditional I might take a color cue on wood finish from the leg or base of the sofa.

What is your style? I would typically take a cue from the art you have on your walls (this helps me understand who you are and what appeals to you). If your art is more modern and bold I would suggest more funky and bold accessories to flow with the room. If you have traditional landscapes I would suggest more neutral and classy items to compliment the room. You don't mention the color of your walls or any other details about the room, if you have more time and would like an advanced consultation see my web site. Have fun with your project!

Answer 6

If your sofa is black, that is more of a contemporary style.  I would stear away from dark wood end tables.  I'd probably go with metal and glass for the end tables and then I like your idea for a lamp of a nickel base with a white shade.

If you went with dark wood end tables your couch and end tables will all just kind of blob together and won't really stand out from each other.  The metal especially a nickel or silver type of finish stands out in bright contrast to the black and will catch your eye.  If you don't have something that contrasts, your eye will look right over the end tables and miss them.  You want people to notice them and say "Wow, those look nice!"  The white also helps to contrast against the black and stand out.  The contrast draws your eye to that spot, then people notice that spot.

I used that concept of contrast on my first house.  I've got nothing but compliments and have had several people want to hire me to decorate their house after seeing it.

The same goes when you paint the room.  If you have a black couch, you don't want a dark room otherwise it blends in with the room and you overlook the couch.  The same goes with the carperting.  So I would tend to go with either medium tone walls and light carpeting or light walls and medium tone carpeting.  That way both contrast with the couch but yet the wall contrasts some with the carpeting.  I'd probably go with a medium colored wall since the shade would be white and the lamp is nickle.  That would make the shade and lamp stand out against the wall and contrast with it.

If you are going to go with wood, then I'd recommend staying away from oak end tables.  They just seem to be overdone anymore and can end up looking cheap unless they are designed very well.  For wood, I would recommend Cherry furniture.  It's not real dark, and it has a very rich look that would go well with black leather.