Distressed Trunk Coffee Table

Caroline Patterson Interior Design Expert

Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.

Updated 23/03/2021

Another in our catalog of distressed wood items, these distressed trunk coffee tables are a nice addition to any home with a rugged mystic in the décor. They are well made and built to last, every one entirely formed of wood that has a history. Put one of these in your home and let it tell you a story. We imagine it will be a wild tale of long days and crazy nights. See collection for more.

Buying Guide

A wooden, four-legged coffee table can be boring for most homeowners. After all, they're present in all homes around the country. If you’re on the lookout for a great alternative to boring, traditional tables, consider getting a distressed trunk coffee table. It's your best choice as it’s not just unique, but it also enhances a room’s style and brings about a new storage option. It can even work as a conversation piece!

What are the basic shapes of trunk coffee tables?

Distressed trunk coffee tables are available in square and rectangular shapes. The shape that’s the best fit for your home will depend on the room’s shape; therefore, you have to pay close attention to the seating configuration of the room where the table will be placed.

Square Trunk Tables - If your family is quite large, the perfect choice for you is a square table as it’s excellently paired with a large sectional, sofa, or loveseat.
Rectangular Trunk Tables - The rectangle shape is best for rooms with the luxury of space. However, you need to ensure your coffee table isn’t as large as all the other furniture pieces in the room or else the space will look like it’s been furnished by an amateur decorator. Also, you need to leave at least 30” between your coffee table and the TV console to create a pathway in between the two furniture pieces.

How to select the right size trunk coffee table?

Apart from the shape of the coffee table, you should also decide on the table’s size. Height is the most important as it shouldn’t be taller than your sofa’s seat. Also, it shouldn’t be lower than 2 inches from the couch’s seat. A common height for trunk coffee tables is 16 inches, which is best paired with typical-sized couches.

If you have a sofa set that’s higher, opt for the taller distressed trunk coffee table. It can be anywhere between 20 and 22 inches (height). A taller coffee table is convenient for people who entertain a lot because it is easier for guests and visitors to set down plates and glasses on the table.

When it comes to coffee tables, regardless of the design, it is important to get actual measurements of the space available in your home. It's easy to get the unit that’s too small or large for your home. So, before you make the final decision, you must know how the unit will look and feel when it’s added to your space. You can do this by outlining the size of your chosen unit on your flooring.

What's the best material for a distressed trunk coffee table?

Your coffee table, obviously, needs to be able to withstand daily use. Distressed trunk coffee tables are made of wood, but there are different types of wood which have different levels of strength and durability.

Oak and Indian rosewood are your best choices. Oak is the type that looks even better as the material ages. It's tough, and it adds a timeless beauty to a living space. As for Indian rosewood or Sheesham, it will give your home an exotic touch. However, it’s not the best option for a distressed finish. Still, it’s used by manufacturers in creating trunk coffee tables because its dark good looks sit well in traditional and contemporary settings alike.