I don't really know why but classic attracts me cos it is often rather practical and can still be stylish. Love a hidden shelf in a coffee table too.

At the moment I don't have a coffee table but a good tip is to use a tray to display or place items on as you can easily pick it up and move it if you need more space or to clean the table. You could use a wooden one, rattan or even a vintage silver plated tray, whatever suits your style. As for items, a few lovely coffee table books stacked neatly, a decorative container, maybe a bowl with wooden, glass or ceramic balls, a hurricane lamp with candle could be placed on the table and a vase of flowers is a must. Look around for items that suit the theme of your decor, ie if it's coastal you could use a lovely piece of white coral, a blue and white vase and some lovely books on coastal style.

Thanks for the opportunity to look at your room and think about what I would do. It has been fun. I think the round coffee table will work if it is large enough for everyone seated in the L sofa arrangement to reach it. (Bonus is no barked shins from sharp corners on a square one.) I agree pale colours like yellow won't do much for bringing about a changed more modern look. The room needs more drama and freshness and I think that currently the room has too many colours in the pale range and not enough contrast. I would go for introducing more of the stronger colours in your attractive tribal fabric, including black and white. Black in particular will allow you to really update the look. Consider painting the bookcase or even the doors black. (The existing coffee table would even look good painted glossy black.) Some plump cushions in the tribal fabric and others in a bigger more graphic design in large red and white zigzags or stripes say, would add to a more integrated look. Your bright yellow pot plant holder on the bookcase is another colour in your tribal fabric which would look good in the scheme as a minor accent, say, more pots that colour in a larger size, a big vase/artwork or lampshade. My advice is to stay away from golds and beiges as they relate to older fashions. A large framed in black graphic print on the wall in black and white (or even photo with meaning to you) could be an idea to think about too.

It’s available at Dunelm UK, Joss and Main, Temple and Webster have a parquetry coffee table as do Interior secrets, coco republic, if all else fails a craftsman could make the nesting set for you.