What to Consider When Buying Coasters
You’ve got a brand new coffee or dining table. The last thing you want is watermarks from a lack of…COASTERS. Coasters are an important part of your kitchenware, and are a staple in most houses. The truth is, nice looking things scar easily - a quartz top, a polished wooden table, a solid wood side table, or even a custom made melamine top, they all cannot withstand very high or very low temperatures. Coasters are a great way to protect your furniture from the high or low temperatures of your favorite beverages, and to prevent scratches from the dishware.
Now, let’s talk about choosing the best coasters for your home.
Coasters can range from really basic disposable ones to higher end, high quality and beautiful designs. They not only prevent watermarks and protect your furniture surface from spillages and scratches, but they also complement the entire look and feel of your dining experience. So, here are things to consider when choosing coasters.
- Material: Coasters come in an array of materials. As mentioned above, there are disposable coasters made of paper or recycled paper, but we’d recommend reusable coasters made of either wood, plastic, metal, glass, fabric, felt, cork, marble, stone, or any other durable material. Which material is best, you ask? You will need to take into consideration the surface on which you will place the coasters. Some materials offer better absorption; like wood, fabric, felt, and cork, while some others offer higher durability. If you’re looking to avoid condensation and water spillage, maybe get something made of fabric. If you want something that remains dry and is easy to wash, probably silicone or plastic coasters would be good. Think about what you prefer and what goes well with your current dining setup.
- Shapes: Coasters also come in a multitude of shapes and sizes, but the most popular shapes are round and square. They also come in different sizes, so if you need coasters for a jug or a dish platter, you might want to look for something that suits the size. If you’re looking for something a little more contemporary and different, there are also asymmetrical coasters and more angled shapes like hexagons. Try to ensure that whatever you choose, you are able to buy more of it and in a variety of sizes. You might not want to have different types of coasters cluttering the overall look of your setup. Or maybe you do? It’s really your choice.
- Designs: Minimalism? Contemporary? Contemporary minimalism? Or maybe Boho? There are so many different designs to choose from. Coasters are not meant to be the main attraction of the setup but they should add a touch of elegance or color. As we see more and more minimalistic and bohemian setups today, a very safe choice of coasters would be wooden coasters. They fit into pretty much any theme. Either way, take your time and select from the thousands of coaster options available online.
- Function: Consider the usage of your coasters. Are they for guests only? If yes, then they probably will not be frequently used, so you can opt for something a little more classy. Are they for kids or adults? Kids would require something more durable and easy to manage or clean. Think about what you plan to use the coasters for and make your selection accordingly.