They are easy to clean, they are beautiful and, of course, they serve as a kind of guard for your table.
As a nesting enthusiast who has collected family heirlooms and second-hand furniture for most of my adult life, I never gave much thought to protecting wood surfaces. But now, 40 years later, with a brand-new coffee table under my belt, I’m happy to say that while some aspects of my personality have softened, others have become more discerning, not least my instinct to make sure every glass has a coaster.
Now, with a coaster in hand, I follow my party guests just to see if they can put their frosted glasses down for a second, otherwise my new table will be ruined. So I spent hours painstakingly searching for coasters that would not only perfectly decorate the wooden tabletop, but also add shine to my carefully laid table.
My goal was to find coasters that would protect the surface but would also be easily removable from the glass, easy to clean, and look great. I found some amazing coasters in a variety of materials, from felt to terracotta to marble. Combining beauty and functionality, these stylish and practical coasters will prevent stains on your coffee table or any other surface while keeping it looking great.
Eater Business reviewer Frankie Knapp raves about this set of rattan coasters: “They add a little visual interest to the table. I love that they feel like I found them at an expensive antique store in Monterey.” The rattan also absorbs moisture from drinks.
For bakers who love Bodega cakes and wool rugs, we humbly present these quilted heart-shaped cake stands that are also mini works of art.
From jelly bean tabletop lighters to salad tray decorations, Edie Parker’s homewares have an aesthetic that’s somewhere between a 1970s living room and Pee-wee’s Playhouse. Consider this set of recycled acrylic coasters that’d look great next to a Togo sofa.
The coolest thing about the chrome cutlery trend is that stainless steel cutlery is incredibly durable and suitable for everyday use (it doesn’t break! And it’s dishwasher safe!). This set of coasters also features a lip to prevent condensation from seeping through the edges.
Ceramic coasters like these are a great choice because they are durable and easy to clean, keeping your tabletop as dry as possible. Each coaster is uniquely designed and creates the feeling of a small piece of art floating in your home. Meanwhile, reviewers write that they are “heavy and prevent condensation from forming on the table.”
These lightweight and colorful coasters are made from woven polyester with a water-resistant coating and feature embroidered waves along the edges in six different colors (purple, blue, orange, pink, red and green). These delightfully soft coasters are both understated and sophisticated, yet truly silent, effectively eliminating the sound your glass makes when it sits on the table, in addition to any wood imperfections that bother you.
This set of coasters from Walmart is understated and sophisticated, and I’m so pleased with them. The felt material feels surprisingly luxurious, and the sleek coaster holder keeps your coasters neatly organized. At under $5, it’s an incredible deal. I also love that this set comes with 10 coasters, so there’s one for each dinner guest.
You can also collect tiles while traveling and turn them into souvenir coasters. Even if you can’t fly to Morocco right now, you can still find beautiful wood-fired stove crafts on Etsy.
Jonathan Adler is another designer to keep an eye on for his unique style, sophisticated design, and unique flair. This set of snake coasters also features a small lip to prevent condensation from dripping out. Perfect for serving lychee martinis the next time you get together with friends to watch White Lotus.
Nothing says “Dirty Martini Time” like four bright green olive coasters. The martini glass won’t even leave a mark on the table, thanks to the stem that prevents sweat stains from settling on the sides of the glass. But you’ll still want to put a cute olive coaster under your dirty martini glass.
This ceramic coaster feels like you’ve stepped into a Luca Guadagnino film. The romantic, hand-painted design exudes a lazy, languid charm, while the underglaze text is meant to mimic the napkins from the famous Café Vivoli in Florence, Italy.
Travertine is prized for its durability, and its slightly porous texture absorbs some of the condensation from drinks. This minimalist set will accompany your changing style over the years: from romantic accents with castle-style columns to a more restrained, energetic style in the style of Axel Vervoordt.