5 Kid Friendly Coffee Tables

"Oh, that looks nice and its on sale!" That's how my decision making used to work.  Now that I have a toddler and a very mobile 8 month old, choosing a coffee table has become more complicated. 

I refuse to sacrifice style.  I love function AND fashion.  Having a home that is beautiful gives me great pride even when Paw Patrol is blasting on the TV and there are fish sticks pounded into every crevice of the floor.  Below I outline my preferences nowadays when choosing a table that is gorg and will [hopefully] stand the test of time. 

1. NO CORNERS

Jess, you're crazy! How am I going to get a rectangular table with no edges? I give you the CB2 Peekabo Acrylic Coffee Table.  The edges are rounded giving it a seamless waterfall effect.  In addition, the material can just be wiped down with baby wipes, Windex, or whatever organic hypoallergenic blah blah blah you use.  

If it's too basic for you, place two poufs underneath it to add dimension and additional seating. 

PHOTO BY CB2

2. A SOFT PLACE TO LAND

Soon after kids learn how to climb things, they learn the pure joy of jumping off of things.  Right now, Brooks makes a pile of pillows on the floor and jumps onto those.  Obviously, I'm not sitting there with popcorn rooting him on but he does slip past me from time to time. 

A tufted cushion ottoman is just the right fit for the future MMA Fighter. Again, no true edges and a cushy place to bump up against.  

PHOTO BY WAYFAIR

3. STORAGE

The more stuff that is visible, the more stuff that your kid can throw a tantrum about.  I love hiding things from the boys, and then miraculously finding them.  They're excited and I get to be King of the Castle for a fleeting moment.  

Urban Outfitters Alina Storage Ottoman has a removable lid and adds texture to a room. The bumpy surface from the woven seagrass will add a little bump into a toy car's ride, but that's just another opportunity for your child to use their imagination.  Get out the toy animals and call it a treacherous safari in Africa!

WARNING: The only issue I take with woven/rattan options is the spill factor.  Brooks has spilled smoothies and Vance has spit up on our current rattan table.  There is no way to clean ours because there isn't a removable lid or access to the inside.  If you love this option, just make sure there is a way to clean both sides of a spill. 

PHOTO BY URBAN OUTFITTERS

4. KEEP LEGS INSIDE THE VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES

Currently, running is Brooks's only mode of transportation.  He runs around everything.  If you've been chased around our kitchen island, then you know that Brooks likes you.  

So many beautiful tables have legs that align with the tabletop.  I prefer a tabletop that juts out a bit to cover the legs.  It seems to be harder for little toes to get stubbed when this is the case.  

PHOTO BY TARGET

5. AVOID SHELVES + DRAWERS

This seems counter-intuitive since storage is of the utmost importance with children.  I have seen my kids bang their heads on the underside of tables enough to know that if there is a shelf in eyeshot, it will be climbed.  Similarly, unless you want to baby proof the drawers on your new table [if you have a stylish baby proof system, let me know!], I'd stay away from drawers too.  The little ones hold on when they're learning to pull up and the drawers roll out and there are tears.  Every. Time.  

Go for simple table + legs with this table from West Elm.  

PHOTO BY WEST ELM