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Interior designers interviewed by Livingetc describe rough-edged tables in wood and stone as a way to bring texture and contrast into rooms dominated by smooth finishes. They recommend using the detail selectively, including on coffee tables and consoles, and note that the edges can be harder to clean.
Interior designers are using tables with visibly textured edges as a way to introduce natural materials and tactile contrast into contemporary rooms, according to a Livingetc report. The look appears on dining, coffee and side tables made from wood or stone, but designers say it can also be applied to smaller furnishings and objects.
The feature describes table edges that are carved, hammered or shaped to appear irregular rather than smoothly finished. Designers use the treatment to set rough stone or wood against precise forms and polished surfaces. Livingetc characterizes the look as an emerging design trend; the source does not provide sales figures or other data measuring its reach.
Steffanie Ball, co-founder of furniture brand En Gold, told Livingetc that she sees the appeal in preserving the character of natural materials. She said an irregular edge can add warmth and contrast to rooms with clean lines, making a scheme feel more layered. En Gold’s collection includes textured-edge beige marble dining tables and raw fossil-stone plinths, according to the report.
Adyn Kelly, founder of an Australian interior design studio, described a table combining a jagged travertine top with straight chrome legs. The opposing finishes were intended to make the top feel organic while keeping the overall design considered. Kelly said the edge was drawn before being water-cut, rather than being a naturally fractured slab left untouched.
Texture Against Clean-Lined Rooms
The trend matters to readers because it presents a relatively focused way to change the feel of a room without replacing its whole palette or layout. A rough edge can bring visible texture and a tactile feature to spaces built around smooth stone, glass, metal or streamlined furniture. That contrast is the designers’ stated reason for using the detail; it is not evidence that every room benefits from it.
There is also a practical distinction between a striking surface and an everyday work surface. Kelly told Livingetc that rough-edged finishes suit places where people see the surface more than they use it, such as a plinth, coffee table or powder-room vanity. The report notes that the finish can be harder to clean, so its placement and the material’s upkeep deserve consideration before choosing a large dining table.
For homeowners who want to test the look without committing to a major piece, the designers point to smaller options: a console, shelf, stone vessel or decorative object. Ball advised restraint, saying a few repeated materials or textures can feel intentional without applying the treatment everywhere.
handcrafted textured wood coffee table
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From Dining Tables to Small Details
The Livingetc report frames dining tables as a natural place for the finish because they are prominent and used in a social setting. It also broadens the idea beyond the dining room: Yasmine Ghoniem, director of Sydney studio YSG, suggested rough detailing on a coffee-table edge or legs, and potentially on a bedside console or wardrobe front.
Examples in the report show that “rough-edged” does not necessarily mean unworked. Kelly’s travertine table had an edge drawn by hand and then cut with water. Another example, a round dining table by Paris-based designer Emmanuelle Simon, combines a carved edge with a hand-gouged base and center. The designs use deliberate craft to create an irregular appearance, rather than relying only on the material’s original shape.
The report also describes En Gold’s La Via table in a dining room at the Elden Ranch project. Ball said the design aimed to preserve the stone’s character while pairing it with a calm architectural form and softer elements such as upholstered seating, timber, linen and warm lighting. These examples are individual projects and products, not evidence of a market-wide shift.
““It celebrates the imperfections that make natural materials so beautiful, rather than trying to disguise them.””
— Steffanie Ball, co-founder of En Gold, speaking to Livingetc
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How Broad the Trend Is
The source identifies examples and opinions from designers but does not establish how widespread the look is, how quickly its popularity is changing, or whether it is affecting furniture sales. Calling it an emerging trend reflects Livingetc’s report, not a measured industry finding.
It is also unclear how much care different finishes require. The report says rough edges can be harder to clean but does not compare specific stones, woods, sealants or maintenance routines. Buyers would need product-specific guidance on durability and cleaning, especially for tables used for meals or other frequent activities.
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Where Designers May Use It
The designers quoted by Livingetc expect the detail to work across more than dining furniture, including coffee tables, consoles, plinths and decorative objects. For readers considering the look, the report’s practical guidance is to start with a smaller piece or a less-used surface, and to ask retailers about care requirements before choosing a heavily used table.
Whether rough-edged furniture becomes a lasting fixture or remains a selective design detail is not established by the report. Further evidence would include more examples across projects and product lines, as well as information on customer demand and the long-term upkeep of different materials.
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Key Questions
What is a rough-edged table?
It is a table with a visibly irregular or textured edge, often carved, hammered or otherwise worked into wood or stone instead of finished as a smooth line.
Why are designers using textured table edges?
The designers quoted by Livingetc say the finish adds texture, warmth and contrast, particularly in rooms with clean lines and smooth surfaces. That is their design rationale, not a measured claim about consumer demand.
Does the finish only work on dining tables?
No. Designers interviewed by Livingetc suggested using it on coffee tables, consoles, plinths, shelves and smaller stone objects. They also mentioned possible applications on some furniture fronts.
Are rough-edged tables harder to maintain?
The report says the finish is not the easiest to clean, but it does not compare materials or provide care instructions. Maintenance will depend on the specific surface, so buyers should ask the maker or retailer for product-specific guidance.
Source: rss
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