The coffee table is an essential piece of furniture in many living rooms.
For many people, the coffee table is multipurpose furniture.
You use it to hold beverages, books, magazines, decorative objects, remote control, and other small objects. Sometimes, people put their feet on the coffee table on informal occasions.
But, Is It Rude To Put Your Feet On A Coffee Table?
Yes, it isn’t polite to put your feet on a coffee table, especially if you are sitting in an area requiring formality or involving people you are unfamiliar with. Also, it is disrespectful to put your feet on someone’s coffee table when visiting. Even if your host does it, you can find alternative ways to relax without putting your feet on the coffee table.
However, when you are in the comfort of your living room, you can put your feet on the coffee table except someone is visiting.
People have different cultures, and some would be horrified to see you put your feet on the coffee table, which you would use again to serve them drinks.
Moreover, putting your feet on the coffee table is very impolite, especially if your feet are dirty.
Unclean feet carry a lot of germs that can easily contaminate your coffee table.
Why You Should Not Put Your Feet on A Coffee Table
Well, there are problems with putting your feet on the coffee table.
Some people find it very distasteful, especially when they don’t trust the hygiene of your feet.
Consider the following reasons why you should think before you put your feet on a coffee table:
1. Hygiene
The first concern you should consider is the hygiene of your feet.
It is generally unhygienic to put bare feet on the coffee table where you are serving your food or refreshments.
If your feet are unclean or carry conditions like athlete’s foot or blisters, you shouldn’t place your feet on the coffee table.
2. Table Structure
Another concern is the structure of your coffee table.
A glass coffee table is fragile and can easily fracture if you are too enthusiastic about putting your feet up.
You may accidentally break it, injuring your feet and ruining a valuable piece of furniture.
3. Etiquette
There is a concern about etiquette and formality.
It is generally considered rude to place your feet on the coffee table, primarily when serving drinks.
The expected behavior is for you to sit properly and engage with your host.
While you may feel the urge to practice what you are used to doing in your own house, you must remain polite and get into the good habit of staying your feet on the floor.
Choosing The Right Coffee Table for Your Living Room
Selecting the perfect coffee table for your living room may seem easy, but most people don’t get it right.
When you walk into your favorite furniture store, there are so many factors you need to consider before making the final selection.
Below we have highlighted five factors you shouldn’t ignore when choosing the perfect coffee table for your living room:
1. Table Size
First, your coffee table must be of the right size, height, and base.
A coffee table that is too high or too low is awkward, and it will strain your efforts to enjoy your favorite beverages.
To achieve comfort in your living room, you should choose a coffee table one or two inches below the cushion on your sofa or one of equal height to your cushion.
A very tall coffee table makes your living space look awkward.
Also, a coffee table that is too low below the sofa will make you stoop too low, straining your back every time you want to take a seep.
2. Table Vs Living Space
Likewise, you should look for a coffee table proportional to your sofa.
The proportionality is measured in terms of the length of the coffee table to the width of the sofa.
Mainly, you should choose a coffee table whose length is about 2/3 the length of your sofa.
For instance, if the length of your sofa is 96 inches, you should choose a coffee table that is 64 inches long.
3. Table Shape
Coffee tables come in different shapes, such as rectangular, square, oval, or round. Choosing the right shape depends on the clearance space you want between you and your coffee table.
The ideal clearance space between your coffee table and your sofa is approximately 12 to 18 inches.
Choosing a space outside this range will make you feel uncomfortable too far or close to the coffee table.
You should also give adequate clearance between your coffee table and your fireplace or television stand.
A clearance space of at least 24 to 30 inches is sufficient to give you enough space to move around.
So, given these provisions, you have to consider getting your ideal coffee table, measure the length between your fireplace or TV stand and the sofa at less than 42 inches.
4. Balance
Choose a coffee table that complements your other furniture to make your living room well-balanced and proportional.
For instance, if your sofa has highly raised thin legs, you should consider buying a coffee table with short thick legs or solid to the ground.
A coffee table with high skinny legs complements a sofa with hidden legs.
5. Personal Preference
Of course, your lifestyle habits affect the choice of your coffee table.
If you are an avid reader, you should consider buying a coffee table that has a bookshelf.
And if board games are part of your hobby, then a toughened, comfortable coffee table is probably worth your living space.
An ottoman coffee table is the right choice for movie lovers who like to put their feet on the coffee table while watching the TV.
Tips For Healthy Feet
The main cause of stinky feet is trapped sweat glands, bacteria, and fungi on the sole of your feet which thrive well in a warm moist environment.
Placing smelly feet on the coffee table is uncouthly and mannerless.
Consider the following tips to treat lousy foot odor:
1. Deep Clean Your Feet
Deep clean your feet by soaking in warm salty water for about 20 minutes every week. Use Epsom salt to help absorb moisture on your skin.
2. Keep Them Dry
Keep your feet dry to help minimize odor. Bacteria thrive in moist environments, so wet feet are ideal for growth.
Use appropriate antiperspirant or talcum powder to absorb any sweat in your feet.
You can also remove your shoes and socks and air your feet to allow them to dry up.
Also, try wearing sandals instead of closed shoes when you are leisurely relaxing at home.
3, Wash Them On A Regular Basis
Wash your feet regularly. Good hygiene practice will help you deal with stinky feet after you have washed them clean and dry thoroughly, especially between your toes.
4. Proper Footwear
Choose the proper footwear. Tight shoes exacerbate the situation even further.
Wear the right fitting shoes and regularly wash the insoles. Alternatively, you can apply the disinfectant spray to your shoes and allow them to air dry.
5. Shoe Rotation
Practice shoe rotation such that you are not wearing the same pair of shoes every day. You can also walk with an extra pair to conveniently change them anytime your feet start to smell.
Conclusion
Although it is pretty relaxing to put your feet on a coffee table, you should be conscious of other people’s perspectives.
It is generally considered rude to put your feet on a coffee table because you eat on that table.
It is also gross to get comfortable with your feet on the coffee table in someone else house.
However, when you are alone in your living space, you are at liberty to raise your feet as you wish.
Related
References
https://www.trung-nguyen-online.com/can-you-put-feet-on-coffee-table/
https://www.mydomaine.com/how-to-choose-a-coffee-table
https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-to-know-about-smelly-feet
