Concrete Coffee Tables Offer Style and Durability

People are going crazy for concrete coffee tables, and it’s easy to understand why. With concrete's ability to be molded into any shape and assume any texture or color, it works beautifully with styles ranging from traditional to urban-chic. A well-made concrete coffee table is also built to take a beating and can last a lifetime with minimal wear and tear.

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So where do you buy a concrete coffee table, and is concrete furniture a good fit for your lifestyle and budget? Here are answers to these and other common questions about concrete coffee tables, along with a look at your many design options.

CONCRETE COFFEE TABLE DESIGN IDEAS

Element east studio in Montauk, NY

Built-In Curves

A concrete coffee table molded into soft, graceful curves brings a touch of elegance to this outdoor living space

Concrete Countertops By Crane in Covington, LA

Book Nook

A concrete coffee table left in its natural state has an organic look and feel that blends well with other interior design elements. The hollow center reduces the weight and provides room for storage.

Lawson Design in Orlando, FL

Brass Accents

Brass inlays add design interest to this rectangular concrete coffee table, giving it a sleek, streamlined look. Other unique embedded items that can be used to personalize concrete coffee tables include pebbles, recycled glass, decorative aggregate, and seashells

Concrete Central in Deer Park, NY

Two-Toned Tabletop

This concrete tabletop was colored using integral pigments and topically applied stains to create a warm, two-toned effect that complements the wood base.

Surface Scapes in Northport, NY

Mass Appeal

Weight and weather-resistance are assets for an exterior concrete coffee table, making it a permanent fixture (and beautiful focal point) in an outdoor living room

Deco-Crete Studios in Gretna, LA

High-Gloss Finish

Concrete coffee tables can be given an attractive mirror-like sheen by polishing the surface. Polishing will also remove any small blemishes and flaws resulting from the casting process.

Sarche’ Concrete Design in Dallas, TX

Yin and Yang

Concrete and wood are a beautiful combination often used in furniture design to create interesting contrast. Anchored to a wood base, this bi-level concrete coffee table is cast in separate pieces that seem to fit together like a three-dimensional puzzle.

Concrete Wave Design in Anaheim, CA

Waterfall Edges

One of the unique looks you can achieve with concrete is a waterfall effect, where one or both ends of the table drop straight down to the floor, creating strong, clean lines ideally suited for minimalist design schemes. Also see design ideas for concrete waterfall countertops.

Kerr Concrete in Evanston, IL

Custom Fit

These 32-inch-square concrete coffee tables were custom made to accommodate the space restrictions of a small outdoor roof deck. The integral color (ultra-marine blue) was chosen to complement the other outdoor furnishings.

Preferred Concrete Polishing in Kernersville, NC

Modern Art

Concrete coffee tables are ideal for contemporary home interiors, whether the decor is industrial or mid-century modern. The artwork in the background provided the inspiration for this table’s design and color scheme.

Oso Industries in Brooklyn, NY

Advanced Geometry

For a look that's bold and contemporary, fabricators can cast concrete into interesting geometric shapes, like this white concrete coffee table consisting of four separate pieces that can be moved and rearranged.

Trueform Concrete in Wharton, NJ

Branching Out

The branch of an ash tree, planed down to make it perfectly smooth, was inlayed into this brown concrete coffee table, which was troweled by hand to give it a textured look. See another concrete tabletop with a wood inlay.

ARE CONCRETE COFFEE TABLES HEAVY?

While it's true that coffee tables made from traditional normal-weight concrete can be pretty hefty, many fabricators reduce the weight by making them with glass-fiber-reinforced concrete (GFRC), which is not only much lighter than standard concrete (by as much as 75%) but also more crack-resistant. Concrete furniture makers may also use lightweight cores or special reinforcement methods to keep the weight down, especially for larger pieces.

If you plan to buy a concrete coffee table for outdoor use, a heavier table made from solid concrete can actually be an asset. That’s because it will stay in place during high winds, so you don’t have to worry about it blowing over or becoming a dangerous projectile.

ARE THEY STAIN- AND WATER-RESISTANT?

Because concrete is a porous material, a concrete coffee table should be sealed to protect it from stains and water absorption, similar to concrete countertops. A good water-based penetrating sealer will not only make the concrete less porous, it will also repel most common food and beverage stains and make the concrete easier to clean.

WILL THEY CRACK OR CHIP?

A concrete coffee table may develop hairline cracks over time, but these cracks are typically non-structural and may even enhance the beauty of the piece. If you’re concerned about the potential for cracking, have your concrete coffee table made of GFRC, which is far less likely to crack. While the corners and edges of a concrete coffee table can chip, it generally takes a blow from a heavy object for that to happen. Fortunately, chips in concrete are relatively easy to repair (learn how).

ARE THEY EASY TO MAINTAIN?

Unlike a coffee table made from wood, a properly sealed concrete coffee table is practically waterproof and will be easy to wipe clean with mild soap and water. Most concrete coffee tables also have few or no seams, so there are no crevices to trap dirt.

To keep your concrete coffee table water- and stain-resistant, spend a few minutes waxing the table every few months with a food-grade beeswax, which will protect the sealer and preserve its effectiveness. Even when sealed, a concrete table can become stained if acidic substances, such as wine or lemon juice, are allowed to sit on it for extended periods of time. If stains do develop, there are a number of effective methods you can use to remove them. (See these stain removal tips.)

ARE THEY WEATHER-RESISTANT?

Absolutely! An outdoor concrete coffee table is no different from a concrete sidewalk, patio, or other exterior concrete when it comes to its ability to resist all types of weather extremes, which means you can leave your concrete coffee table outdoors year-round without worrying about damage caused by water exposure, harsh sunlight, or freeze-thaw conditions. The application of a penetrating acrylic sealer will provide even greater protection from the elements.

HOW DO I GET A CONCRETE COFFEE TABLE?

Purchase one from a furniture retailer.

You can find a wide array of indoor and outdoor concrete coffee tables at stores ranging from large big-box retailers to smaller furniture boutiques, which sometimes sell their merchandise through Amazon. The advantage of a premade concrete coffee table is that you know exactly what you’re getting in terms of color, finish, and final cost. However, you will have very few options for customization.

Have one custom made by a concrete artisan.

This is the best way to go if you want a distinct look tailor-made to suit your decor. A concrete artisan can use custom forms, special casting techniques, and proprietary materials and coloring methods to create concrete coffee tables that are totally unique. You can also have the table cast to accommodate existing space restrictions. Keep in mind that custom concrete coffee tables take time to design and fabricate, and if you’re in a hurry, this could be a disadvantage. Plan for a turnaround time of at least a few weeks.

Make it yourself.

If you have the tools, materials, and skills to mix your own concrete, you can buy molds specifically designed for forming concrete tables and other furniture. But before jumping into any DIY concrete project, be aware that a lot can go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. (See Are DIY Concrete Countertops Easy to Make?)

HOW MUCH DO CONCRETE COFFEE TABLES COST?

A concrete coffee table can range anywhere from under $100 to over $1,000 depending on the size and design complexity. Although custom-made pieces will usually cost more because of the labor involved, they are often more economical than tables made from high-quality woods and natural stone because the raw material costs are relatively inexpensive, especially if recycled materials are used. Plus, you’ll be investing in a one-of-a-kind piece that will last for decades.

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