Nothing says “I’m together, I’m chic, I’m Parisian,” like a marble coffee table. A marble coffee table is both modern and traditional: an updated silhouette makes it at home in a contemporary space, while the marble topper harkens back to the splendour of the Roman empire… but with more egalitarian politics. To make sure you’re ready to invest in a marble coffee table for your space, we’ve put together a little primer for you.

Caring for your marble coffee table
People don’t think of stone as being a particularly porous material, but surprise: marble is actually very porous, and as such, spills need to be taken very seriously. Gentle dish soap diluted in warm water, applied with a soft cloth is the best way to tackle dust, debris, or the occasional “whoops.” If you tend to stains quickly and clean your marble regularly, it will stay vibrant and lovely for years to come. Once you’ve wiped, be sure to go over the area with a dry cloth: pooling water will damage the marble. Though commercial marble cleaners are effective, some may void your warranty. To avoid this, use a soft chamois cloth to buff your marble table to its full shine.

Again: though stone, marble scratches very easily. Coasters and a soft cloth laid down to nestle a tray of drinks or snacks will go a long way in protecting the integrity of your marble coffee table.

Stubborn stains
It happens. You eat take-out in front of the TV and don’t notice the turmeric stain until the next morning, when it’s had a cool 12 hours to settle in. You’ve scrubbed and scrubbed, but it seems like nothing is going to lift the stain from this marble coffee table. Don’t fret: make a thick poultice out of baking soda and water and apply it liberally to the stained area. Cover with a piece of plastic wrap and let the poultice sit for 24 hours. After the waiting period, lift the plastic wrap and wipe away the poultice. If the stain persists, repeat steps.

Styling your marble coffee table
Square, rectangular, round — the options are many! Depending on the current style of your space, and what you want your space to offer in terms of function, selecting the right shape and color of marble coffee table is important! As marble is a naturally occurring material, selecting the exact veining isn’t possible, but the random selection is part of the experience of working with a natural material. Plus, the leg color greatly influences the overall impression of the piece. Lighter woods, like oak or ash, give a marble coffee table an airy, sunny feeling. Darker legs made from wood such as walnut, instantly offer a heavier impression to a space. If you’re looking for a little more gravitas in your living space, dark walnut legs are the way to go.

A marble coffee table is a great way to bring style and function to your living space. With a little TLC and some stringent design consideration, your marble coffee table will easily blend with your existing decor — or set the stage for something brand new!