There are so many designs for coffee tables that it is silly to stick to the old standby of the simple black coffee tables we see in most homes. With just a little research you can be a bit more unique than that. From pool tables to antiques chests, there are lots of options out there for those willing to look.
The first suggestion I have is an option that I am happily using. Look into chests and chest style coffee tables. Ideally, I would suggest finding an antique travel chest with a flat top and polishing it up into a beautiful centerpiece for your living room. Sadly, most chests you are going to find in antique shops are going to be in need of serious repair that might not be worth it. This is why I suggest chest style coffee tables. They offer some great storage and look much more interesting than just a short table with a pile of cluttered magazines on it.
There are some coffee tables that serve multiple functions as well. The Chevillotte is a French designed coffee table that converts between an actual coffee table and a cheap pool table. It’s both surface space and entertainment. The major issue with these combination coffee tables/pool tables is that they are very low to the ground. These aren’t for playing a full game but rather for passing a little time and starting a conversation. If you are a billiard enthusiast, this may be an interesting addition to a room that is not large enough to house pool table lights or where one might be too obtrusive.
Whatever you choose you need to make sure that it matches your décor. The idea of coffee tables that are actually pool tables is cool but if you stick the ultra-modern Chevillotte into a room furnished in Tibetan antiquities it’s going to look awful. There are lots of beautiful coffee tables out there in every design you can imagine so deviate from the norm and pick up something unique.