#Donut-shaped coffee table concept has dipping legs that let you hide things

Tables serve different functions and take on different forms, but one kind, in particular, combines both of these in a very aesthetic way. Coffee tables server as visual centerpieces in a room with their pleasing or eye-catching designs, but they aren’t just ornamental pieces of furniture. In addition to serving as a place to put down a cup of coffee or your phone, most coffee tables also have some storage space for reading materials like books and magazines.

Unlike a dining table or bedside table, this combination of storage and aesthetic is a challenge that designers love to tackle, sometimes resulting in beautiful or odd designs. This circular coffee table, for example, almost looks like a donut because of its empty center, but the valley-like crevices give not only a more interesting appearance but also an almost hidden function as well.

Designer: Liam de la Bedoyere (Bored Eye Design)

Coffee tables are often places where books and magazines are either shown off or set aside for future reading. The most common design for this function are drawers or shelves beneath the table top, requiring people to reach underneath to pull out those reading materials. But what if the table doesn’t have a proper “top” or if the space beneath is completely open and has no room for containers?

Valley is a concept that offers an alternative to the conventional coffee table storage design. It comes in the same of a flat donut, basically a disc with its middle cut out. As such, there is really no easy way to introduce a drawer, a shelf, or any other hollow container, at least not without ruining the ultra-simple vibe of the table. Instead, people are invited to stash their books or even some of their belongings in the valleys between the peaks.

The table’s most defining feature isn’t its circular shape but the highs and lows of its unibody design. The dips function primarily as the table’s three legs, but they also create spaces big enough for some things like books, magazines, pouches, and bags. They aren’t large enough for multiple books, depending on the size and thickness, but there are at least three of them to use. As a bonus, the books are easy to see so you won’t have to guess what you’re pulling out.

An interesting side effect of Valley’s unique design is that it seems to be very conducive for collaboration, particularly among two or three people. The rather low height of the table does mean they’ll be sitting on the floor, but that might be fine for younger users. Another ramification of this design is that the table can be made from a single sheet of material, reducing the need for screws, joineries, or even adhesives. Unfortunately, that also makes it more difficult to ship, since it can’t be flat-packed at all.