Over the last few years designers and manufactures alike have been working hard on the image of the humble coffee table. Gone are the brown laminated tables that once stood proud in the middle of your parents house, where, for years it was the resting place for cups, newspapers, junk mail (I’m not sure, I can’t remember there being a lot of junk mail back in the day) and even the odd ashtray or two. Nowadays modern coffee tables are sleek, modern works of art that simply ooze sophistication.

Modern coffee tables are not just designed to be placed in one particular room, they will now bring a touch of elegance and class to any room in your home. However, some people may still have reservations about purchasing a coffee table thinking that their’s may end up resembling their parents and become a resting place for old papers and mail. Designers have understood this problem and have overcome it by fitting drawers to hide all your papers and mail without disturbing the overall look of your room or table.

People like to get more bang for their buck today, and who can blame them, really. The financial meltdown over the last few years has hit hard into, just about, everyone’s pockets. No matter which sector of industry you look at, you’ll see evidence of the global economic crisis. The Art/Design world is no exception. In just over 2 years the Art world has suffered an astonishing £17 billion loss. From £48 billion in 2007 to £31 billion in 2009. That’s BIG figures wiped off the market. However, through all this doom and gloom there has been an upward trend in contemporary pieces and modern designers are in demand to create fresh and exciting work that perhaps can be utilised in more ways than just one.

Modern Furniture that transforms is not a new concept (anyone who has a sofa bed can vouch for that) but it is a current buzzword within the industry at the moment. From collapsible pump-driven coffee tables, to chairs that transform into tables to kitchens that you can just pack away. Each one comes as a tailored solution for those that have space issues or perhaps are just wanting the next best looking, gimmicky furniture out there at the moment.

Here are a few transforming modern furniture ideas we thought looked great and others that, well, we’ll let you figure that out for yourself, shall we?

People that have coffee tables may be guilty of using them as a foot rest, on occassion, they come in from work, grab a sandwich and a cup of tea or coffee then relax on their sofa and place their feet on the poor old coffee table. Coffee tables are much more than just a foot rest they are one of the most important focal points within your living space.

Coffee tables not only look great but they will also add a touch of class and elegance to any room. Modern furniture designers are constantly redeveloping and restyling them so every year they change shape, size, height and materials used.

With modern homes comes modern looks and many people may believe that tall coffee tables is just not for them. As they say, “there is something for everyone” and modern coffee tables are no different. Modern designed rooms need a modern coffee table.

When you decide you want some essential furniture for your living room what do you actually mean? A sofa? A mirror? A TV stand or a coffee table? Coffee tables are now considered an essential part of the furniture in any home.

Coffee tables have a great responsibility in your room if your décor is to a very high standard. If you place a mediocre coffee table in the middle of the room then it will likely destroy the look and feel that you were aiming for. Coffee tables are much more than pieces of furniture which you can slyly place your feet on, when no-one is around, they are the first and most important thing that is seen when people walk into your room. Some of these fantastic focal points can be seen here.

There may be times in your life when you have to downsize your home. At some point the kids will all have moved out (fingers crossed) and you will be left with too many rooms. Or, perhaps, you or your partner may become unwell and unable to climb the stairs (not like the usual Saturday night, after a skinful). Or, heck, you might just fancy a change. Whatever the reason, there is something to be said for downsizing! It gives you a chance to de-clutter and get rid of all those ‘bits and pieces’ that you have accumulated through the years.

If you are downsizing, then one of the main headaches you’ll face will be what to keep and what to discard. There may be lots to sort through, collectable china, that special piece of crystal that was left to you all those years ago and that’s not too mention all your own special pictures. Once all the sorting has finished and you are moving into your new ’smaller’ home the only decision you have to make is where to place all the special pieces you have kept.

When people move into their new homes, one thing they try to achieve is the minimalistic look. This gives the room the feeling of space. Although this may cause a problem as there is nowhere to display the china, photos and crystal in a minimalistic environment. Display cabinets, however, are a great way to put all your goods on show. But some can be big and cumbersome. Take a look at this Clear View Cylindrical Display Stand. Standing at 182cm high this cabinet will not only display all your precious items but will look great no matter where you place it.

In many of the new built homes in Britain, buyers might find that space may become somewhat of an issue. Of-course that lack of space has a knock on effect as home owners try to furnish their bedrooms, kitchens and dining rooms. This is not all bad – as the minimalistic look will suit some people. Less space equates to less mess-well that’s what they say, anyway!

With less space to actually build your home, designers are now maximising the space available by combining living-rooms, dinning-rooms and kitchens into impressive open areas. This may have one drawback, as when you open the front door your full downstairs comes into view, this means that it has always has to be tidy and well presented.

The solution for people who have bought open spaced homes is try to use vocal points to distract visitors’ eyes away from other areas of the room. As they say, first impressions last and having a great focal point will insure that people leave your home with nothing but praise. In open spaced homes there is no better vocal point than a well laid black gloss dining table with matching dining chairs.

When we move into a new house we all have our own perception of how it should look, we often study the latest design magazines, look through the internet for the latest fashions, some even visit show-homes to see what the interior designers have to offer. One thing is for sure we want it to be clutter free, inviting and emitting a warm welcoming feeling.

Once all the walls have been painted to their designated colours and the carpets are down it’s just the furniture that’s left to go in. When choosing furniture for your home try and look for pieces that will compliment each other, glass, chrome and bright coloured fabric all have become synonymous with contemporary furniture so try and stay within those parameters.

When all the furnishing has finished you may want to add that special touch, something that may give your room that wow factor. There are several ways this can be done, but it has to be said one of the best is to have a pod chair sitting in the corner of your room. These iconic pod chairs will ensure that you are the envy of all your friends.

Did you know that there are some people out there that think a chair is just a chair, hmph, imagine. A chair is meant to be an area that someone can be seated comfortably, no matter if it’s for socialising, eating or relaxing. There are many takes on famous chairs as contemporary young designers and manufacturers continue to bend the rules with unusual materials, to form their masterpieces. They may look great but are they comfortable?

It’s no secret, that the most comfortable chairs are wooden dining chairs such as the Serra Padded back chair. This chair will not only ensure that you are seated comfortably but while you slip into dream land it will ensure that your posture is also correct.

However if you would like something that looks great but even the thought of sitting on them would crumble your spine to sawdust, then why not try some of these seats!!

Is it just my imagination or has this winter seemed to drag on for ages this year? This may be due to the fact that most of the country has been buried under a few feet of snow and ice, then there was the cold wind, driving rain and the short days. Seriously, the Sun I have seen in the sky these last few weeks is a phoney, an illusion, a conspiracy by the energy companies to make us all stay indoors and plough all our money into heating our homes. Making us all wish that Spring/Summer would hurry up and arrive soon.

In Britain our unofficial motto is ‘Always Be Prepared’, and one of the best ways of coming top-of-the-class in the preparation stakes is owning a Colorato Dining Chair!

Let me explain… As we all know the British Summer weather is not very reliable. Rain one day, hot long sunshine the next, then back to the rain the day after that. So, when the Sun does decide to come out what do we do? In super speed we fill the pool for the kids, invite family and friends round and light the BBQ in rapid time.

As every one is enjoying themselves, up above the clouds begin rolling in, rain starts to fall and we all run indoor. This is an all too often scenario of our British weather. This is why the Colorato Dining Chair is the must have accessory for any garden party. This chair is made from polypropylene, so it will look great whether indoors or left in the garden waiting for the rain to stop.

There is a good reason why people dislike winter time: cold weather; rain; snow; and then there’s the dark nights – all these factors can take their toll on a persons mood. I’m sure you’ll agree that there is nothing funny about leaving work and trudging home through cold heavy rain, wind and even slush. Once your home and sitting on your old uncomfortable couch you then spend the remainder of the night channel hopping trying to find something – anything – worth watching on the TV… It’s enough to make depression set in.

According to numerous surveys, it has been reported, that if a person is seated comfortably and feels relaxed then this will counteract some of the effects of depression. So, if your seat is old and uncomfortable then you may find it harder to relax. I’m afraid there’s not a lot we can do about the television programs, here at UK Contemporary Furniture HQ, but as for the seating, well, we have one of the most relaxing chairs you’ll ever likely to experience.

The Bellagio Chair and Stool is just the seating that you require to counteract the effects of depression! Made from real leather with chrome feet and with a contemporary foot stool which will ensure that you’ll be relaxed and seated comfortably as you watch your favourite DVD or perhaps even read that book you bought ages ago.

Available in various colours.