Decorating
11 Ways to Style your Coffee Table Like a Pro
Follow these design rules to create a coffee table that’s both gorgeous to look at and practical
If your coffee table is a focal point in your living room, show off your design flair and set the tone for your space with a well-styled surface. Use these rooms as inspiration to display your treasures and books to maximum effect.
Vary your heights
Choose objects of differing heights to create vertical interest and allow your eye to move up and down. Be wary of very tall items, however, that may restrict your view of other people, the TV or the window and scene outdoors.
In this room, the objects are tall enough to create a visual effect, but short enough to see over.
Choose objects of differing heights to create vertical interest and allow your eye to move up and down. Be wary of very tall items, however, that may restrict your view of other people, the TV or the window and scene outdoors.
In this room, the objects are tall enough to create a visual effect, but short enough to see over.
Work a simple palette
This is a simple yet well-considered display. The flowers, glass orb and tray are fairly diverse in shape and style, but as they’re all in neutral shades, they become a collection rather than a group of random objects.
Discover inspiring new ways with neutrals
This is a simple yet well-considered display. The flowers, glass orb and tray are fairly diverse in shape and style, but as they’re all in neutral shades, they become a collection rather than a group of random objects.
Discover inspiring new ways with neutrals
Double them up
Sometimes, one coffee table can look a little lost, or be too far away to reach easily from a sofa or armchair. Two tables are a neat solution.
These contemporary nested tables allow the homeowners to display their books and ornaments on one, while keeping the other relatively clear. The empty table can then be moved around the room when it’s needed elsewhere.
Sometimes, one coffee table can look a little lost, or be too far away to reach easily from a sofa or armchair. Two tables are a neat solution.
These contemporary nested tables allow the homeowners to display their books and ornaments on one, while keeping the other relatively clear. The empty table can then be moved around the room when it’s needed elsewhere.
Showcase a micro garden
This striking display of succulents in a large planter adds life, colour and energy to the room, but there’s still space to rest a glass or book.
Succulents are a great choice, as they’re easy to look after and have a small root ball, so don’t need a tall pot. By choosing plants of the same variety, you create a calm and ordered display.
This striking display of succulents in a large planter adds life, colour and energy to the room, but there’s still space to rest a glass or book.
Succulents are a great choice, as they’re easy to look after and have a small root ball, so don’t need a tall pot. By choosing plants of the same variety, you create a calm and ordered display.
Bring a tray into play
Trays are the perfect way to create order on a table. By gathering disparate objects onto a small platter, you visually anchor them and create an attractive grouping.
Consider the finish of the tray and contrast it with the surface of the table. In this case, the glass table perfectly sets off the dark wood tray.
Trays are the perfect way to create order on a table. By gathering disparate objects onto a small platter, you visually anchor them and create an attractive grouping.
Consider the finish of the tray and contrast it with the surface of the table. In this case, the glass table perfectly sets off the dark wood tray.
Follow the rule of thirds
Odd numbers of matching items are a classic design rule. This works well on a coffee table, as pairs can sometimes be too symmetrical in a small arrangement.
Here, three small planters contribute to the Zen-like calm of this room. The wooden stripe across the table grounds the plants in place.
Odd numbers of matching items are a classic design rule. This works well on a coffee table, as pairs can sometimes be too symmetrical in a small arrangement.
Here, three small planters contribute to the Zen-like calm of this room. The wooden stripe across the table grounds the plants in place.
Curate a collection
If you have a collection of small, pretty items, gather them in a dish. The brass platter in this room holds semi-precious stones and crystals, which would otherwise look lost or end up falling off the table.
Another great way to display stones and crystals is in a glass box with a lid. Do be careful that highly faceted stones are not sitting in direct sunlight, though, as they can be a fire risk.
If you have a collection of small, pretty items, gather them in a dish. The brass platter in this room holds semi-precious stones and crystals, which would otherwise look lost or end up falling off the table.
Another great way to display stones and crystals is in a glass box with a lid. Do be careful that highly faceted stones are not sitting in direct sunlight, though, as they can be a fire risk.
Choose a low table
In this monochrome room, the coffee table sits lower than the seats, which allows slightly taller items to be displayed. The glass dome creates height without disrupting the sightline across the table.
Orchids are a high-impact indoor plant, offering colour and grace, and are a great alternative to cut flowers.
Check out more low coffee tables
In this monochrome room, the coffee table sits lower than the seats, which allows slightly taller items to be displayed. The glass dome creates height without disrupting the sightline across the table.
Orchids are a high-impact indoor plant, offering colour and grace, and are a great alternative to cut flowers.
Check out more low coffee tables
Style on the diagonal
Coffee tables are often viewed from all sides, so by using diagonal symmetry, you can create a balanced effect. This table pairs two similar-sized piles of books and matching hurricane lanterns, and nails the look with a central floral display.
This idea works particularly well with a square table, or where the seating is arranged on two or more sides of the coffee table. When the candles are lit, the light will be evenly distributed for a cosy and stylish effect.
Coffee tables are often viewed from all sides, so by using diagonal symmetry, you can create a balanced effect. This table pairs two similar-sized piles of books and matching hurricane lanterns, and nails the look with a central floral display.
This idea works particularly well with a square table, or where the seating is arranged on two or more sides of the coffee table. When the candles are lit, the light will be evenly distributed for a cosy and stylish effect.
Repeat shapes
These vases aren’t a matching set, but the similar shape creates a collection. Mixing the colour and finish results in a stylish, but informal display. A pile of books balances the arrangement visually.
You could create the look with other similar, but not matching, objects, such as candlesticks, wooden boxes or cut flowers.
What do you keep on your coffee table? Is it full of books and ornaments, or left clear and minimal? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
These vases aren’t a matching set, but the similar shape creates a collection. Mixing the colour and finish results in a stylish, but informal display. A pile of books balances the arrangement visually.
You could create the look with other similar, but not matching, objects, such as candlesticks, wooden boxes or cut flowers.
What do you keep on your coffee table? Is it full of books and ornaments, or left clear and minimal? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
By arranging objects in a grid formation, you’ll create a harmonious effect, especially when the display mirrors the seating. Break up the formality by placing a vase in a contrasting texture and height in the centre.
It’s easy and practical to create a grid with books, as these homeowners have done here. However, to add more interest, a good tip is to choose objects in a variety of materials, such as wood, glass, fabric or stone.