When furnishing my new family room, I selected a large brown sectional sofa that slid perfectly into the corner. It had a large floor lamp that I slid into the corner behind the sofa and a couple of spring green club chairs that looked great with the new pillows that came with the sofa. But I knew my rectangular coffee table wasn’t going to work. My gut told me, soften the edges, go for a round coffee table.

I found a simple round table in a deep espresso finish, with traditional curves but clean lines. The small shelf under the table contained a couple of books. The fact that it was on sale at a nearby clearance center was even better.

It may be time to update my living room furniture, but I don’t think I’ll change from a round table. As I was browsing furniture websites, I realized that I had many options besides the one that has served me well for almost a decade.

You might consider another round wood coffee table – I’ve seen traditional styles in deep cherry, walnut, and mahogany, with solid brass hardware. They come with tiny drawers, turned pedestals, and antique reproduction veneers. If you wanted to go more casual, I saw more than one round table with a painted finish, perfect if you wanted to create a country-casual decor.

I also liked the mixed materials look: a wooden base with a mirror on top, or perhaps a solid base with a heavy stone top. I saw tables with rolled metal bases and wooden tops.

But I think I’m looking for something a little less traditional. I’ve always liked the look of a glass-top table, and there was no shortage of them available in many different styles. I reconsidered the wood look, with a beveled glass top set into a wide frame. I was drawn to another round glass table, but this one had a metal base. That one would show off the rug that anchors the living room.

How about a drum table? It is a round table, enclosed between the top and the base. It can serve as storage, with drawers or shelves inside the base. Because it’s so solid, it has a substantial presence in a room. But my living room isn’t that big, so I’m looking for a round table that doesn’t take up as much visual space.

I saw a few coffee tables that served multiple purposes. If you occasionally needed a little more table space, you could select a round coffee table that nested a couple of smaller pull-out tables under your table. Pull out the spares when you need more room for game night or cocktail parties, and put them back in their resting spot later. I also saw more of a round coffee table with an upholstered top, so the table could double as seating when a crowd gathered. Similarly, I have seen tables that stored small ottomans under their surface. It would have the stability of a wooden table, but have the versatility of the additional seating it provides.

My children also joined the purchases. We want a round coffee table, right? What about the one with the fish tank at the bottom? We always wanted an aquarium… Hmmm, I don’t think so.

Right now, I’m shopping. But when it comes time to make a decision, I know I’ll buy another round coffee table.