The pros and cons of a solid wood coffee table mostly have to do with weight and aesthetics. Having a very heavy coffee table can be either a benefit or a detriment, depending on the needs of the people who use the table on a regular basis. While many people enjoy the look of wood, a solid wood coffee table also requires a bit of maintenance in order to keep the wood in good shape. It must also be protected from being marked by moisture that may come from the cups and saucers left to rest on its surface. Another aesthetic benefit that may outweigh this con is that a solid wood coffee table can be stained or painted to match the room if it is moved or if the room around it is restyled.
In most cases, a solid wood coffee table is a rather heavy item of furniture, especially if the various pieces of lumber used to create the coffee table are thick and wide. This can be a pro for people who want a very sturdy table. It can be a con for people who need to move the coffee table on a regular basis. Some people need to reorganize their rooms regularly so that they can be used for multiple purposes. It may also be necessary to move the table in order to clean the room properly.
Maintaining the wood can also be a big task, especially if the solid wood coffee table is large. Not only is it necessary to clean and polish the wood on a regular basis, but it is also necessary to protect it from stains and water marks. Some people do this by covering the top of their coffee tables in a sheet of glass. This is a very useful method and makes it much easier to protect the surface of a solid wood coffee table. Having a large piece of glass cut to fit on the top of a table can be costly, however, and adds significant weight to the table.
One major benefit of a solid wood coffee table is that, if it is cared for properly, it is a piece of furniture that can last for many lifetimes. In addition to serving a household for many years, it can also be passed down as a family heirloom. For this reason, some people choose pieces of wood furniture that have a very classic look that will be enjoyed for many decades.