Coasters should be an important part of decorating a room or for an event in order to offer your furniture the protection it needs from the water that drips from drink glasses. Coasters keep the water from running onto the furniture or a tablecloth and causing an unsightly stain. Many people don't consider this aspect of decor, but when you do place a set of coasters on your coffee table it adds immensely to the ambiance. The presence of such a set also gives the guests a subtle hint that you would like them to place a coaster under their drinks.



Where drinks are accentuated by serving them in the appropriate glasses, coasters can accentuate a room by adding a splash of contrasting color. You may want to choose small round coasters that look dainty and just the right size for a cocktail glass. Most coasters accommodate a wide range of glass sizes, but you can use different ones for different occasions. If you are enjoying a cold beer in a beer stein, there are large square drink coasters (http://www.thirstycoasters.com/servlet/-strse-Dining-&-Entertaining/Categories) to use for this reason.

As your guests sip their drinks from the glasses, coasters can become conversation starters. A simple image of a beach or palm trees may inspire the thoughts of being on a warm sandy beach while the snow is swirling outside your window and put your guests at ease. It may cause them to reminisce about vacations they have had to such parts of the world where these scenes are common. Such coasters could also serve to remind you of a vacation that you will remember forever. Beverage coasters (http://www.thirstycoasters.com/servlet/-strse-Hope%20For%20The%20Cure/Categories) containing photos of your children and grandchildren will definitely lead to a conversation about these important people in your life.

When they are used for different sizes of glasses, coasters don't all have to be of the same size or the same design. You can have a set of coasters on your coffee table and several others on end tables or other places in the room for guests to use. Children love coasters of Disney or cartoon characters and since you can have these in unbreakable materials you don't have to worry if they decide to play with them.

For a casual gathering such as having friends over to watch the football game, when you are gathered in the rec room with your glasses, coasters of wood or leather are well suited for this informal occasion. These coasters reflect an informal theme while still adding a touch of classiness to the décor. For another gathering in the same room, you may want to change the cocktail coasters to something a little more elegant, such as glass or sandstone.

If you want the best protection from water dripping from glasses, coasters made from natural porous material will give you what you need. The liquid seeps into the stone, which is well able to hold up to ¼ cup of liquid, which will then evaporate naturally into the air. The cork backing on the back will keep the stone from scratching the furniture and the textured surface will prevent the glasses from sticking to the coasters. All you have to do to keep these coasters clean is to wipe them off with a damp cloth from time to time to help preserve their absorbent qualities.