12 Gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Coffee Tables (and My Top Pick)

The 1950s brought us the grand tradition of living room dining, made possible by TV dinners, trays and mid-century modern coffee tables.

After moving my vintage coffee table to the tiki bar, I set out to find a replacement. I wanted something that wouldn’t be dwarfed by my long living room sofa—with room to keep the TV dinner tradition alive.

Here are the top mid-century modern coffee tables I found.

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MCM Storage Coffee Tables

These tables come with convenient drawers and cubbies for storing remote controls or displaying magazines. This one even turns into a desk for working (or eating) from the couch.


Modern Glass Coffee Tables

Glass top coffee tables are perfect for showing off a modern base or avoiding water rings. You wouldn’t want a wood top blocking your view of this stylish table.


Retro Mod Coffee Tables

For a fun retro look, go for a kidney bean shape, hairpin legs or a matched set of tables with angled legs.


My Mid-Century Modern Coffee Table Pick

There are so many pretty options, but one jumped out at me right away. I had to have West Elm’s Marcio Display Coffee Table, with its modern angles and rounded trapezoid shape.

Mid-century coffee table with glass top and walnut wood base - West Elm Marcio Display Coffee Table
Marcio Display Coffee Table

You can display your favorite MCM coffee table books and magazines under the tempered glass top, protected from spills. And at 46 inches wide there’s room for two happy diners.

The glass top shows more dust and smudges than a wood top, but it’s also safe from water stains. It’s worth the extra cleaning because it’s basically a work of art.

Modern coffee table in mid-century style living room

Furniture Delivery Delays

That said, just be aware that delivery might take longer than expected. After I placed my order, the status changed to backordered, and the delivery date was pushed back a couple times.

I was concerned it would be stuck in backordered mode for months—especially after reading reviews and forums like this and this—so I started looking for alternatives.

But eventually my coffee table showed up, and I’m glad I waited. It was clearly the only one for me.

Marcio display coffee table from West Elm

West Elm has a big selection of gorgeous mid-century modern coffee tables, like this starburst beauty.

Once you track down the right coffee table, you might also like these resources for styling your MCM living room.


4 thoughts on “12 Gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Coffee Tables (and My Top Pick)”

  1. Oh wow! That’s a beautiful coffee table!! I was noticing in the one pic how great a match on the wood it is to your couch. You picked out a great one….awesome MCM addition to your L.R. I have never seen one like this in all my years..love the way it displays your books or magazines underneath. I give it thumbs up!!

    Reply
    • Thanks! Eric and I both fell in love with it right away! I love all the unusual angles and shapes. And it’s nice to have a dedicated spot for books and magazines.

      Reply
  2. Tara, that’s an awesome coffee table. I think it’s the perfect choice. Side note: have you thought about adding a wheel on the left side, as viewed from the couch? Then it could possibly be the first indoor MCM wheelbarrow. 😉
    I also love the hairpin leg items. I’m planning to build a patio table from reclaimed wood with a herringbone top and hairpin legs. I think it’s second or third on my upcoming projects list.

    Reply
    • Haha, an MCM wheelbarrow (or rolling bar cart) would be cool. This coffee table has four legs but you can’t tell. I need to take more photos. 😀

      Your DIY hairpin table sounds like a fun project! We bought a bunch of hairpin legs to work on some projects we haven’t gotten to yet, like plant stands.

      Reply

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