Let’s face it: coffee tables can be pricey, and they look odd parked anyplace besides in front of the sofa. If your perfect coffee
table for one home is rectangular, it's almost guaranteed your next home will cry out for round.
So
what’s a thrift-conscious boho mama to do?
Eschew the traditional coffee table for versatile “bunching”
tables, poufs, ottomans and stools. Why?
- These are good things (to quote Martha) that come in an endless
variety of style, color and price.
- Move them where you need them when you need them.
- If you tire of them in place of the coffee
table, simply repurpose them by a chair, next to a bed, or under a console
table.
- Some are even built to weather a move to the
outdoors.
See for yourself...
An only child isn't necessary a lonely child
 |
| Urban Outfitters |
If you like the uncluttered lifestyle, then just one buncher--a knockout style like this one--may be the
way to go. Unencumbered by tchotchkes it’s easy to move to either end or
center, depending on where the guests are. You can also scoot it out to accommodate
legs or in to stay handy when hubby wants to stretching while having his coffee. I like how this one
mimics the sofa in reverse with a wood top and teal legs set against the
teal-upholstered sofa with wood legs. The asymmetric arrangement adds to the
modern esthetic.
Identical twins work in tandem
 |
| Wayfair |
Two seems to be the most common choice for bunching tables, probably because it
most closely equates to a traditional coffee table space-wise. The mirrored
pair shown here reflect the variety of color and texture that surrounds
them—textiles, wood, leather, brick, metals—in this mid-century modern/industrial
space.
A more formal space can also rely on bunchers. Both of these
rooms use two identical tables, but each one sends out a completely different vibe. And that’s not the only way to play this game.
A two-seater convertible takes you for a ride
 |
| Better Homes and Gardens |
These two guys are those inexpensive storage ottomans with
upholstered lids that flip to reveal a tray. I like how one is seat up and one
is tray up here, as well as how the green repeats throughout the room—including
in leaves on the pillows—to create a nature vibe. Calming, gorgeous AND
functional!
Peter Piper picked a pair of perfect poufs!
 |
| West Elm |
I like just saying
pouf! Another fun thing about these
soft-sided ottomans is the variety of fabrics available. The regular pattern of
the bold black-and-ivory chevron poufs in this room work with the varied-width black-and-white
striped rug to make sure this neutral living room is never boring. A tray on
top keeps glasses from tipping over and looks on-trend.
These colorful poufs, done in a weave of sari threads culled
from fabric-weaving looms, pull together all the colors in the room and look
darned comfy to boot. I especially like the nearby tufted floor pillows in the
same colors as the sofa pillows. I can picture a tween studying here
with a book or laptop open on the poufs. See more photos of this home designed by Karen Davis of
Marker Girl Home at
House of Turquoise.
Fraternal twins don't look alike but hang together
Using matched bunchers guarantees a coherent look, but
mixing and matching is very much allowed. This metal cage-style table looks great paired
with a small wood stool. That both stool and sofa are white and the red of the
table is repeated throughout the room tie it all together. The stool can double
as an extra surface for a drink or book or as a perfectly sized seat for a
younger family member.
Kissing cousins spread buncher love too
 |
| Better Homes and Gardens |
This combination of ottoman and table works because they’re
similar in size and shape. The orange table ties into the pillows, and the red
throw ties into the rug. It also keeps the white ottoman from disappearing into
the white sofa. The arrangement wouldn’t be nearly as pleasing if we switched
out either element for the round wood garden stool (foreground left) or
the rectangular basket (background left), though those two might
work with each other because of their similarity in color.
Does that help, or are you now thoroughly confused? There
really are no rules. Just look at a lot of photos to develop your eye, then
experiment.
Three can also be good company (and I don’t mean the TV show)
 |
| Houzz |
This arrangement has an interesting 3-2-1 proportion-thang
going on: one sofa on one side (as far as we can tell), two chairs facing it,
three identical bunchers in the middle to make the divide interesting. I would
say it works better with matching tables in this case because the chairs match as
well.
But even with three, the tables don’t all have to be the
same. If you can take your eyes off the incredible view, witness that two of
these identically shaped tables are metallic and one is white. All are the “Martini
Table” sold by West Elm, which comes in a variety of one- and two-tone finishes
at $149 a pop. So much for the idea you could opt for bunchers to save moola.
But wait: Where there’s a will, there’s a way. This
similar-looking table was made by DIY blogger Kristi Murphy from an IKEA bowl and planter, connected and
spray-painted, for much le$$.
Here’s the tutorial. My suggestions: Bolt the two pieces together rather than glue (or bolt AND glue), and try to find a tray or plate for the top for a neater appearance.
And speaking of planters...
 |
| Better Homes and Gardens |
Garden stools aren't just for the garden anymore. These two identical
rust-colored stools look great punching up this space. Their Asian design
connects them to the foo dogs of the same color. One rust sofa pillow and a rust band down the inside length of the draperies bring the vibrant accent full
circle in this otherwise neutral room.
 |
| Better Homes and Gardens |
These three babies are three times the fun. Though each is slightly
different in shape and size, all are white and latticed. Think how many uses
you could find for these--inside or out, grouped or separate.
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