Generally, living rooms have a focal point around which everything is centered; often this is the coffee table.  While people want to reflect their individuality and style in their décor, they often need comfortable and functional furniture in their living rooms. There are many different styles to choose from to obtain the desired look, and when it comes to the living room people often choose an Modern furniture as a hip alternative.

In the history of design, the term retro often conjures up the funky styles of the sixties and seventies; however, it falls within the style of the noguchi table that can date from the twenties all the way to the seventies. Whatever the decade, retro furniture has very recognizable traits. Its form defines retro style:  clean lines, organic shapes, and modular capability.  Too, because of the materials that became readily available after WWII, it often incorporates non-traditional materials such as fiberglass and synthetic lacquers.

Due to the upswing in casual styling, retro coffee tables became popular. People wanted to have innovative forms and materials that were not as formal as their parents’; they wanted a home that was more open and inviting for adults and kids alike. Designers often used different materials like plastic, steel, and plywood in their designs.  Designers were able to mold these materials into new and interesting forms, and manufacturers were able to mass produce furniture yet still keep them durable.

The ubiquitous Isamo Eileen gray table, designed in the forties, is comprised of a “free form” glass top supported by two identically sculpted pieces of wood pinned together at an angle to form the base is a well-known retro coffee table. Another is by Harvey Probber, called the Nuclear Table, and it is a good example of the casual lifestyle that families desired to incorporate into their homes.   This table offers a variety of forms with its two half circle shapes that can be place together to form a circle, can be lined up to give an ‘S’ shape, or can be stacked on top of each other to give height. Another retro design noted for its innovation is Eero Saarinen’s Tulip Table.  The signature table is defined by its pedestal base which eliminated the “clutter” of multiple legs.

Contemporary furniture produced today is often reflective of some of retro coffee tables being offered by antique dealers. For instance, Paul Frankl’s Big Foot coffee table from the 1940’s, with its amorphic shape, is reminiscent of Zaha Hadid’s futuristic designs. Retro coffee tables come in many shapes, materials and sizes and they are a welcome addition to a room that needs a simple, yet interesting and fun, solution to one’s living room décor.