After a bed, a table is the most functional — and necessary — piece of furniture in your home. Tables come in all shapes and sizes, for all sorts of uses. Wood, glass and metal may be most common, but modern coffee tablesare increasingly created witha variety of materials in a host of forms and contours.

The Thomas Fritsch Gallery has a collection of interesting pieces, such as this one. Designed by artist Roger Capron in 1955, it is a gorgeous modern coffee table.What may look like a typical table, this piece is actually a honeycomb structure made of corrugated cardboard that is covered with fiberglass and polyester resin.

The Amman Gallery of Cologne has many interesting modern tables that use new combinations of materials and combinations of new and old ones.Nucleo is a collective of artists and designers directed by Piergiorgio Robino based in Torino, Italy.

A side view of the table shows that it’s not just a plan slab of material.This sturdy modern coffee table table includes a planter and a game detail for interest.The thick slab of the tabletop also features a live edge and prominent wood grain.Glass-topped tables are nothing new but this appealing piece combines an unusual choice of pink glass with a base that plays on the concept of a gym and strength.

Secondomeof Rome is a design platform that focuses on worldwide emerging designers and innovative projects. The studio’s Body Building collection by Milan-based Italian design duo Alberto Biagetti and Laura Baldassari “explores the idea of the body, its potential and the discipline of perfection…” says the gallery’s description.

This modern coffee table from the Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery demonstrates that art form doesn’t have to limit function. It’s not a generic square or rectangular table, but it’s highly functional.Gorgeous mahogany wood grain is enhanced by the uneven surface of this coffee table designed by Karen Chekerdjian. The shiny copper plated brass base provides a modern counterpoint to the warm wood. From the Carwan Gallery.The undulating grain of the mahogany wood is stunning.This modern coffee table is also from Cherkerdjian’s Trans Form collection and is made of stainless steel.Chekerdjian’s IQAR table “blurs the line between origami and metallurgy,” says the description. It is made from one sheet of aluminum, and folded by hand.The Casati Gallery of Chicago has lots of lovely mid-century Italian pieces like this table.The sunburst pattern of the wood grain is so attractive and the architectural metal base adds interest.Available at Galleria Colombari.

While space-saving furniture is all the rage for city dwellers, it’s not a new concept. ThisCoclea Table was produced inItaly in the 1970’s. It is made of lacquered wood and has a mechanical elevation system to transformit from a modern coffee table toa cocktail table.

This interesting piece is the Oasis Desk from the Collection “Légion étrangère” by Italian designer Alessandro Mending. It was produced in Italy in 1988. It is also available at the Galleria Colombari in Milan.Designed as a tall stools by Italian designer Andrea Brandi, these pieces would also work as tall tables. Created in 1985, they are painted iron with seats covered by leather.The striped top is unique.While a half-table like this can be a stylish solution for smaller spaces, it’s also a stunning addition to any room. The style of the legs is particularly eye-catching,Italian designer Carlos Trucchi created this whimsical piece that plays off of the idea of place settings. All of his pieces are unique and signed. This one is available through the Erastudio Apartment Gallery.Another unique modern table from the Erastudio Apartment Gallery is this one, reminiscent of an insect’s back. Both the ovate shape and the line down the middle give the impression of a shell.This table is an excellent example of the colors and masterful craftsmanship of the leatherwork in the collection. The stunning detail in this table would be a conversation piece in any setting.

Brazilian tradition made modern isthe focus of a recent work bytheCampana Brothers. The pair is known as the godfathers of contemporary Brazilian design.Their colorful collection focuses onthe skills of traditional saddlery, but brings togetherstitching, traditional designs, complexpatterns and a wide array of details. Together, it makes a very fancy and evocative collection.

Rather than just make pieces from polished stone, Dutch designer Lex Pott, who is known for his reinterpretation of basic geometric shapes, lets the organic form of the stone feature in his pieces.

Ceramic-topped tables are popular and the deep reddish orange accent in these modern coffee tables from the Thomas Fritsch Gallery keep make them particularly striking. Designed decades ago, they are still current and desirable.

Some modern coffee tables are meant to be more artful than functional, like this amazing work. This piece in copper is from theMetsidian Series,2015, by designerJanne Kyttanen. According to the artist, “Metsidian represents a moment in time, an eruption that melds two divergent materials together. The prehistoric evolves into the futuristic as the organic volcanic obsidian form transforms into a clean, fluid chrome mesh. The result is a compelling metamorphosis; the impossible becomes reality.”

While it might look metallic, this stacked side table, by artist Stephen Bishop is made of walnut. It is available at the Cristina Grajales Gallery.The luster Bishop gives to the wood in this modern console table is amazing.Upon closer inspection, it’s possible to see the wood grain in the stacked slabs.Depending upon the light and the angle, the piece also takes on the look of stone.Sometimes beautiful wood, clean lines and a simple shape are all you need to make a statement.

This three-piece modern coffee table is the epitome of art, architecture and technology all at the same time. Created by glass manufacturer Christopher Duffy.Duffy’sdesign team spent a year developing the table. Made ofsculpted glass, Perspex and wood, it is arranged like a 3-D representation of a geological map, manipulating perceptions of depth.

Every angle provides an interesting perspective.The Atlantis Tableis available through the Sarah Myerscough Gallery.LA-based designer Brian Thoreen created this geometric modern coffee table in mixed black marbles, brass, steel, and wood. Handles by the Patrick Parrish Galery, the table comes in various colors. This edition of the table is in green, commissioned for DesignMiami/ 2015.Designed exclusively for DesignMiami/, this modern console table by Jonathan Nesci is made of anodized aluminum and acrylic. Only six are available, each in a different color.The Iconic triangular shape of this table is by Brazilian designer Joaquin Tenreiro. Created in 1960, table is made of jacaranda with an ochre yellow underpainted glass top. This piece is a prime example of how modern designs look fresh even decades later.

An industrial-looking piece, the console was designed by Korean artist Kim Jin sik. Made from mirror Stainless steel and Volakas marble, it is truly modern table.

Both these tables, from the Seomi International Gallery, were created by South Korean designers.This piece is called TABLE+GLASS, by designer Kim Sang Hoon. The interplay between the undulating metal pieces and the curved glass are particularly stunning.The organic shape of the glass looks like a molten puddle on top of the undulating base.This table by South African designer Xandre Kriel is made of a stone slab, polished in such a way that it appears to have a grain. The edginess of the table is enhanced by the roughness at the lip of the table.High shine means high interest in this case. Such a stunning slab table!Also from the Southern Guild in Africa, this unique cast metal modern coffee table is a conversation piece for sure.“A Void” by Janne Kyttanen, is a geometric masterpiece.The stunning shape of this table, combines with the geometry, offers a slight different view from every perspective.Again focusing on geometric lines, designer Janne Kyttanen created this magnificent polished bronze tabletop. Finnish artist Kyttanen is a “digital sculptor creating multidisciplinary work at the intersection of 3D printing, virtual & augmented reality.”

Yes, they’re meant to be functional, but designers have created an endless range of modern coffee tables tables that are as much art as furniture. No matter if they are made of stone or glass, whether they are hand-sculpted or 3-D printed, orwhether they are merely functional or highly decorative, modern tables offer an endless range of choices.