While there are plenty of attractive coffee tables on the market, it's worth thinking outside the traditional coffee-table box: Oversize leather ottomans or a series of canvas cubes in a color that pops can be flexible, party-ready options. But in a room that.s sedate, glass-topped tables bring a sense of space and lightness while often providing storage beneath for books, magazines, and albums. In a modern scheme, a simple block of wood or even a plastic table in bold hues can anchor a room.