Minutes after the paint dries in your newly renovated room, you’ll notice it: the empty spot that’s just crying out for something. No matter what other design elements you've included, accent and coffee tables complete a room like nothing else.

Have an empty space near your front door?
A sturdy accent table topped with a mirror makes for convenient place to store your keys into a last-minute check to make sure everything is in place before you leave for the day.

Have a formal living room?
Instead of a square or rectangular end table, consider placing a round accent table at the end of the sofa, or next to a chair for an elegant look. You can find accent tables with multiple legs or built on a pedestal to be both stylish and surprisingly sturdy.

What about your family room?
This is where accent and coffee tables really shine. Look for a coffee table with built-in storage, and all those remote controls will finally find a home. If young children are in your home, be sure to choose a coffee table with sturdy construction, and avoid glass or marble tops or sharp corners. A coffee table with built-in drawers and storage areas makes for easy cleanup; toys, books, magazines and games can all be stored within easy reach, and out-of-the-way.

Choose an accent table with four legs for your family room. That will make your accent table strong enough to withstand daily use. Sturdy construction like this makes for a steady base for a reading lamp, or even a vase full of flowers. Another good option is a triangular accent table. These fit well into corners and can also be useful for holding plants and other decorative objects.

Don't forget about your home office.
A well-chosen accent table serves as a decorative and efficient storage solution, and maximizes your square footage in a way that's as hard-working as you are. A home office can face extra challenges when it comes to clutter, and storage space is generally at a premium. There’s no reason the furniture has to look industrial, though – a stylish furniture with built-in storage can serve double-duty in looking good and keeping everything in its place.  

The easiest way to find the perfect accent table or coffee table is to do your initial searching online. By shopping first online, you can use accent and coffee tables to complete a room without having to physically go from store to store looking for the perfect piece.  

Accent and coffee tables come in almost every style and finish imaginable, from antique to modern, rustic to sleek. Because they're easily rearranged, subtle, fit into the smallest of spaces, and are useful for storage, they complete the look of any room.

Pam Harpootlian is the owner of Carolina Imports, where you're guaranteed to find unique, high-quality furniture and decorative accents for every room in your home. For your family room, living room, bedroom, or office, nothing completes the look and maximizes usability like accent and coffee tables.