A coffee table does a lot of work. It needs to hold books, magazines, drinks, food — even games on game night. You might want to put your feet up on it, or the kids might need a place for coloring. Plus it’s usually smack dab in the middle of the room, where you can’t miss it — so make sure it’s a good one. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re picking a coffee table.

I have just given you a magic wand. Cool, huh? Step outside and wave it over every bit of greenery you see. Say, “Abracadabra — I change you to beige!” Now peruse the result of your handiwork. All the life, vitality, joy and color have vanished, haven’t they? Now wave your wand again and restore the green. Does this make you think any differently about what constitutes a neutral color?

If you’re like me and you love to include antiques in the “set design” of your home, then antique lighting (which can be a bit of a challenge) is something you should definitely consider. In talking about antique electric lighting, we’ll be using the term “antique” loosely. Remember, practical electric lightbulbs weren’t invented until 1879. So true antique lighting (over 100 years old) often consists of candle, oil and gas lights converted to electricity.

Dark wood floors can be incredibly chic and sophisticated, bringing richness and polish to a space. But when paired with the wrong furnishings and colors, those floors run the risk of making the space feel dark and heavy. If you’ve been wondering what to put with your dark floors to bring out their best features, try these ideas.

Don’t purchase anything until you have the entire room worked out — the rug, furniture, window treatments and lighting. While it’s not necessary to identify the precise pieces, you should have a sense of what you want each piece to look like. In fact, you might even want to assemble a project board, with clippings of the kinds of pieces you’re looking for.