TL;DR
Get decor and gifts delivered free with Prime
- Fast, free delivery on millions of items
- Prime Video, Amazon Music and more included
- Member-only deals all year
Interior designers are incorporating tables with carved, hammered or otherwise textured edges into homes, using the finish to contrast with smooth surfaces and bring out the character of wood and stone. Designers say the look can work on dining and coffee tables, consoles and decorative objects, but note that rough surfaces can be harder to clean and are best used selectively.
Interior designers are incorporating tables with carved, hammered and other textured edges, according to a Livingetc report, using the uneven finishes to bring natural texture and contrast into rooms dominated by smooth, refined surfaces. The approach appears on dining, coffee and side tables, though designers also suggest smaller decorative applications for people who do not want to commit to a large piece.
The tables described in the report are made from wood or stone, with edges shaped to look rough, fractured or organic rather than uniformly smooth. Examples include a travertine tabletop with a jagged edge, beige marble dining tables with textured sides, and stone pieces that retain more of their natural appearance. The finish is intended to make the material itself a visible part of the design.
Steffanie Ball, co-founder of furniture brand En Gold, told Livingetc that a rough-edged table can add warmth and character alongside clean lines and refined finishes. She said the contrast can make a room feel more layered. Adyn Kelly, founder of an Australian interior design studio, described pairing a jagged travertine top with straight, machined chrome legs, setting an irregular surface against a precise base.
Designers cited in the report recommend using the treatment beyond dining tables, including on coffee tables, consoles, shelving, plinths and some vanity surfaces. Ball also suggested echoing the material in smaller objects such as stone bowls or vessels. She advised restraint rather than repeating the texture throughout a room, and the report notes a practical drawback: uneven detailing may be harder to clean.
Texture Against Smooth Interiors
The design choice matters because it offers a way to give a room visual contrast without changing its overall palette or adding a prominent pattern. An irregular stone or wood edge can interrupt a run of smooth surfaces and make a table feel more connected to its material. That can be useful in minimalist or contemporary rooms, where designers cited by Livingetc say a single organic element can add warmth and depth.
The treatment also affects how furniture is experienced. A textured edge is visible in changing light and can be felt by someone seated at the table. That tactile quality is part of the appeal described by the designers, though it does not establish that the finish suits every room or household. Its practical trade-off is clear: more elaborate edges can be less convenient to clean, so placement and frequency matter.
For readers, the trend does not require buying a large dining table. The designers suggest smaller pieces, including a coffee table, a plinth or a stone object, as ways to introduce the look. Their advice points toward selective use: one or two textured details can create contrast without making every surface compete for attention.
handcrafted textured edge dining table
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
From Travertine to Small Accents
Livingetc’s report frames the rough-edged table as a recurring design detail rather than a newly launched product or a formal industry announcement. It describes examples across dining tables, coffee tables and side tables, with designers using carved, hammered or hand-shaped edges in wood and stone. The available source does not provide sales figures or market data to quantify how widespread the trend is.
The examples illustrate different ways to achieve the effect. Kelly said the edge of a travertine table in his studio was drawn by hand before being water-cut, with the design intended to resemble a natural fracture. En Gold’s dining table pairs a textured stone edge with a calmer architectural form. Another example in the report is a round table by Paris-based designer Emmanuelle Simon, whose carved and hand-gouged details were intended to evoke cliff faces.
Designers describe contrast as the common idea across these pieces: an organic-looking top may sit above precise metal legs, or rough stone may appear alongside softer materials such as upholstered seating, timber and linen. The approach is not limited to furniture. Yasmine Ghoniem, director of Sydney studio YSG, suggested textured details on a coffee table, bedside console or wardrobe front.
“A rough-edged table does exactly that: it celebrates the imperfections that make natural materials so beautiful.”
— Steffanie Ball, co-founder of En Gold
How Broad Is the Trend?
The report describes designers using rough-edged tables more often, but it provides no survey, sales figures or other market data to measure the trend’s reach. It is unclear how common these pieces are across the wider furniture market or whether interest will continue beyond the projects and designers featured.
The source also does not compare cleaning needs across materials, explain how different finishes hold up to everyday use, or provide care guidance. A rough stone edge may vary considerably from one piece to another, so the practical demands will depend on its material and construction. Readers considering a purchase would need product-specific information from the maker or retailer.
Where Designers May Use It
The report points to continued use of textured edges across tables and smaller home accents, rather than to a specific upcoming launch or scheduled industry event. Designers quoted by Livingetc identify coffee tables, consoles, shelving, plinths and selected vanity surfaces as possible applications. Ball’s advice is to repeat a material sparingly so the detail feels intentional.
There is no announced next milestone for the trend in the source material. For now, its next development will be visible in the furniture and interiors designers choose to feature, as well as in whether manufacturers offer more pieces with carved or irregular edges. Anyone considering the finish should weigh its visual and tactile appeal against maintenance, and check care instructions for the specific material.
Key Questions
What is a rough-edged table?
It is a table with an edge that has been carved, hammered or otherwise textured, rather than finished as a uniformly smooth line. Examples in the Livingetc report use wood or stone, including travertine and marble.
Why are designers using textured edges?
Designers quoted by Livingetc say the uneven edges add contrast, warmth and a more organic feel alongside smooth surfaces and precise forms. Those are design judgments, not measured effects.
Does the look have to be used on a dining table?
No. Designers cited in the report suggest coffee tables, consoles, shelving, plinths and smaller pieces such as stone bowls or vessels. These options let someone try the texture on a smaller scale.
Are rough-edged tables harder to maintain?
The Livingetc report notes that the finish may be harder to clean. It does not give care instructions or compare materials, so buyers should check the maker’s guidance for the specific table.
Source: rss
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day Picks
long weekend sales
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
