Acrylic, Lucite, clear, fake-glass. Whatever you may have called it or heard it called, acrylic in the form of chic furniture is here to stay. It’s a win-win as an ultra-chic yet visually lightweight piece amid many other more eye-catching pieces.

Specifically in the living room, which often is a design mecca for larger furniture (and more pieces of it, to boot) and diverse patterns, colors, and textures, an acrylic coffee table is versatile to fit any style, color scheme, or size needs.

Waterfall Acrylic Coffee Tables.

A waterfall form of acrylic coffee table is perhaps the simplest of the designs and works well in more narrow spaces. Here, walls covered in built-ins provide plenty of detail to look at, and the rectangle coffee table performs its duty in sophisticated invisibility…a perfect choice, really, next to striped upholstery.

What better companion to a stand-out piece of furniture (here, a retro-inspired mandarin orange sofa) than an acrylic coffee table? Each piece is striking in its own right, but the contrast of bold and reserved is met beautifully without having the scene appear overdone. The waterfall form adjacent to crisp angles of a modern sofa also provides a lovely, albeit subtle, contrast.

When a living room takes its decoration inspiration from nature, as this one does, it makes sense that an acrylic coffee table can simply disappear into the design, like the waves on the ocean. With walls the color of sand, kelly green that mimics spring leaves, and oceanic turquoise and aqua tempered by plenty of white, this living room exudes a fresh airiness that is only enhanced by its wise choice of coffee table, surprisingly thick and substantive as it is.

Rectangular Acrylic Coffee Tables.

Just because the traditional shape of a coffee table was a rectangle doesn’t mean that any rectangular coffee table is traditional or predictable. This acrylic number, for example, sits perfectly and quietly at ease amid a sea of varied patterns and energetic colors. It allows viewers to take in the entire space without weighing down the delightfully busy lower third.

A rectangle acrylic coffee table is surrounded by clean-lined furniture in this modern living room. It mimics the shine of the marble floors, the quartzite wall (mimicking brick), and, of course, the stunning aquarium. A clear central coffee table provides balance in this space, which thrives off of visually weightier items around its perimeter.

When a living room space has a distinct personality all its own, as is the case in this warm and colorfully eclectic space, the coffee table should join the ranks seamlessly. This acrylic coffee table provides a subtle grounding force in its shape and arrangement, providing a pivot point for angled side chairs flanking the sofa. And just because the table is see-through doesn’t mean it’s devoid of personality – check out the Greek key-esque wrap of the sides! A great detail for a room that thrives on well-chosen details.

Acrylic coffee tables don’t work only in vivid, vibrantly colored spaces. They are equally at home in contemporary surroundings. With the simplicity of the waterfall form, this rectangle table is easily accessible to all participants in a living room conversation here. And with larger chunks of neutral colors within this contemporary room, it makes sense to provide some visual breathing room at the space’s center.

Square Acrylic Coffee Tables.

Never underestimate the power of a simple tweak in geometry. Moving from a rectangle to a large square brings a coffee table – even a nearly invisible one such as these acrylic pieces are – to the forefront of a living room’s style foundation. Particularly when paired with other unexpectedly proportioned pieces, such as this high-back tufted loveseat. This table is nothing but chic in this eclectically elegant space.

Tucked nicely into the obvious corner formed by a clean-lined sectional, a square coffee table is a pragmatic choice that simply makes sense. An acrylic square keeps things light, next to the largest piece in the room, and allows us to notice other great details. Like the white Eames dining chairs under that fantastic chandelier, for example.

In a virtually all-white space full of contemporary furniture and mod pops of bold color, an acrylic coffee table maintains the sense of airiness without being just another chunk of white furniture. The oversized square shape here extends past the chaise portion of the sectional, making the sofa itself seem to be more than its actual footprint.

Square table it may be, this particular acrylic table serves double-duty as a display case for an oversized treasure. While the leather trunk might make a fine coffee table in its own right, protecting it with an acrylic covering is wise – the leather will last longer without water (or whatever else) stains, and the visual and functional impact of the larger coffee table surface area benefits the entire room.

Perhaps you like the lightweight characteristic of acrylic coffee tables but have a more traditional tendency in your style. This large square coffee table has it all – glassy clarity that is perfectly at home in this natural light-filled room, and detailed legs that work well with other more formal pieces. The square form here expands the seating area and brings everything closer to the stars of the space, specifically those arched windows, ornate framed mirror, and beautiful fireplace mantel.

Acrylic Coffee Tables Used in Multiples.

Can’t get enough of the acrylic coffee table aura? Then use more than one! Here, four smaller square coffee tables are adjacent and staggered for a stylish twist. Next to the other angular furniture in this living room, combining smaller tables into one visually breaks up the neutral space and provides interesting and engaging depth. Plus, what a great asset (or four) to have on-hand for entertaining!

Two larger rectangle acrylic coffee tables are combined to create one larger square table here. Which makes design sense, playing off the other rectangles found blatantly throughout the space (e.g., fireplace, television, windows), while also providing a larger horizontal surface than just one table alone. This is a good way to comfortably bridge the gap between seating pieces as well, in a large space.

Nothing is as chic as two squat coffee tables pushed together to be, for all intents and purposes, one functional piece. But when those two tables are shapely acrylic boxes on acrylic legs that can hold books and magazines underneath while keeping the tabletops free and clear for use, well…there really is nothing as chic (and endearing) as that. Works well in this room where furniture is low-slung but art and accessories are tastefully eye-raising.

In a space where fairly expected lines in design and decor (e.g., planked ceiling, painted brick fireplace with chunky mantel, contemporary sofas) meet up with unexpected angles (e.g., slanted ceiling, low-hung prismatic art), a pair of gold-rimmed, slightly octagonal acrylic coffee tables is really the only good choice. The metallic trim is a nice touch, providing some sheen and a hint of punctuation to the almost-square-but-not-quite-square tabletop shapes.

Uniquely Shaped Acrylic Coffee Tables.

Admittedly, acrylic is clear, it’s visually lightweight, and it’s usually not the first thing noticed in a living room. But that doesn’t mean straight-forward shapes and forms will work for everyone. For those spaces where luxury is in the details (like these floor-to-ceiling velvet draperies, for starters), a uniquely shaped coffee table is a must. The “butterfly” angles of the legs on this one are a lovely detail and fit in perfectly with the custom vibe of this space.

For contemporary spaces where boxy forms and right angles and perpendicular lines reign supreme, it’s not a bad idea to throw in a diagonal or two to keep things fresh. This acrylic coffee table does just that, by maintaining the modern sensibility in its material while providing some diversity with angled legs.

Unlike most other acrylic coffee tables, this one is unbelievably thick, chunky, and altogether not unnoticeable. The cut corners take a typical rectangle shape into a unique octagonal, which is highlighted by the placement of angled coffee table legs. This is a perfect touch in a space that embraces interesting lines and angles – as seen by the thick mouldings and trims, sofa casters, pedestal side table, and red potted branches.

What do you think? Would you, could you incorporate an acrylic coffee table into your space?

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17,18,19and 20.