Alternatively, if you just want to get the water marks out of the wood: Set an iron to warm (not hot) and allow it to heat. Lay a cotton napkin or tee shirt over the water stain. Iron the stain through the cloth for 5-10 seconds, then remove the heat for 20-30 seconds. Repeat as necessary, buffing lightly with the cloth after every 2-3 heat cycles. A hair dryer may used instead of the iron. Set it to medium heat and hold 2-4 inches from the stain. Buff the stain with the napkin or tee shirt as you heat the wood.

Awesome Houzzers, thanks for the responses. Overwhelming consensus seems to be that they dont work (at least without distressing the table, which sounds complicated). I am now thinking maybe I move the sofa upstairs and buy it a new coffee table along the lines suggested by maureen and lee lee (thanks). In the living room, I could then leave the oak coffee table, together with the armchair that works with it (it has a similar oak frame and is covered in natural linen). Then I can find a new sofa to match the coffee table. Any tips? The coffee table is 1200 x 1200mm. You guys seem to think that is ginormous - how big would the sofa need to be to look proportional? I am thinking of an L shaped sectional. Possibly also in some kind of natural linen fabric? The living room is big (5m x 8m?). Thanks again - much appreciated!

Thanks for the replies! My wife suggested we talk to a local real estate agent, so i think that is a good idea... just that Im not sure how helpful they are likely to be if we arent selling yet :) As for saving for our dream house, I dont disagree, however if doing this up nicely over the next ~5 years or so while we live here nets us some extra in the eventual sale, then that of course will help us as well. Interesting thing happened today actually. I got a knock on the door and one of the older neighbours asked if he could take some lemons from the tree. I of course said yes. Anyway he was telling me he had lived in the street for 40 years. I asked him if the house had always looked like this, and he said no that ~30 years ago the old old owner did a massive renovation and pulled off the timber and put up the bricks and gutted the inside of the house. Interesting stuff!

@Tribbletrouble44152k7 Trek, no not necessarily.. it fulfills it's purpose if you buy the one that is correct for what you want it for.. a bit of a catch22 and up to the store to point out that the thin stuff may dent.. in fact any of it can... there are many things that will void warranty of laminate floors.. here is a good website dealing with the cleaning and care .. http://www.baneclene.com/articles/laminate-care-consumer.html Remove shoes with spiked or damaged heels before walking on the floor. Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes may cause denting and related damage to wood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1,000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build. Worth reading the whole thing.. Just worth reminding people that laminate flooring is mdf with a picture of wood printed on the surface with a couple of protective layers of clear coating over the top..it cannot be wet or steamed.. it will swell. Make sure you ask questions.. Wood vinyl planking is very durable and hardy, and bamboo is considered to be one of the strongest timbers.. if you choose to have floors redone with any of the above products please look them up on google and find out the qualities.. I vote for wood vinyl.. looks brilliant, can float or be glued (recommend glue for wet areas such as bathrooms, laundries) is hard wearing and cost is comparable with mid range wood laminate flooring and hardier. Hope that all helps. If you must have wood laminate then go for 10 - 12 mm.. anything less will flex. Must have underlay and be laid on a level floor.. There are self levelling compounds you can use to make this easier... hope all this helps.