How to style a coffee table
Styling a tabletop is one of the most common stumbling blocks I see in my clients’ homes. The funny thing is, tabletop styling, from nightstands to dining tables, can be incredibly layered or super straightforward – you just have to know the right tricks to use, and when to bring them out.
Below, I’ll be discussing some general principles you can use when styling most tabletops, used here in the context of coffee tables. Once armed with these basic styling tricks, you’ll be able to work on different types of surfaces easily. Happy styling!
1. Never underestimate the power of a tray
This is my biggest tip for styling coffee tables. Coffee tables tend to have unsightly odds and ends (remote controls, coasters etc.), and corralling these random items onto a larger surface helps to anchor and visually neaten the clutter. Trays also add an extra layer of separation between the tabletop and the objects on the tray, which creates texture and contrast. This helps to make a tabletop seem more interesting, especially when the objects are of similar finish and colour with the tabletop.
2. Now add shapes to the equation
To add visual interest, I like to use a round tray on a square/rectangle table, and vice versa. The contrasting shapes provide tension, which is what makes a vignette so interesting to look at. I also like to use trays that contrast with the coffee table: a metallic tray on an upholstered ottoman, for instance, or a rattan tray on a glass tabletop.
3. Display personal items
There are several no-fail decorative items stylists like to use. Sometimes these can be metallic ornaments to add sparkle and sophistication; other times they’re elemental and natural, like driftwood. I tend towards organic decor: I love adding shells, corals, and plants to the coffee table.
There are exceptions to this rule, though. When I notice a client has a great collection of decorative items, such as coins, or pebbles, or even wine corks, I like to incorporate these quirks into a space that will be talked about. Often times, this is the coffee table. When in doubt, display in threes or in a collection, grouped in a box or tray.
4. Layer on the books
Coffee table books are the quickest way to make a space feel lived in. Coffee table books can be used in so many ways, and on a tabletop it really is as simple as stacking them up in varying heights. If you have a large coffee table, play with different groups of books. Otherwise, a tray and a stack of books are an easy way to set the table without making the arrangement feel too stuffy.
5. Use the rule of threes
The basic rule of threes is integral to building a well-styled tabletop collection. The rule applies in different ways: you can style the table with three items, for instance, or at three different heights. This doesn’t mean you have to stick to only three things – in this example, the pair of candlesticks counts as one visual item. An easy way to visually understand this concept is by seeing if your items can line up to form a clear triangle.
6. No tray? Get a box
With the understanding of points 1 through 5, we can now deepen our styling vocabulary for the table. A tray is great for breaking up the surface between the table and objects, but can be replaced by an anchor, like a large coffee table book. You still need something to hold your odds and ends, and a simple but effective method is by using a decorative box. If you have many items to hide, try using stacked boxes to help to vary the height.
7. Edit
This is the unspoken rule of styling, which is in essence the act of curating and fine-tuning the best of your collection. If you’re uncertain, don’t overthink your coffee tabletop decor. Instead, make a bold statement with colour: a large bouquet of fresh flowers often does the trick. My advice would be to pick a shade complementary to your colour scheme. Be sure to pick a bouquet and vessel proportionate to your table – a small tabletop arrangement on a large table would look comical.
