A coffee table is not only a living room staple, it’s also a focal point. Choosing the perfect table is one thing, but once you get it into position, then what? Do you stack books, light candles, and add a fruit bowl? How do some people make their coffee tables effortlessly stylish while others look bare?
Whether your home is modern, traditional, minimalist, or eclectic, your coffee table style should mesh with your existing decor. If you’re feeling stuck on what to do with your table, we’ve gathered some fun ways to style it.
Table of Contents
The Rule of Thirds
There’s a rule in interior design that suggests that three objects are more aesthetically pleasing than two. Two creates balance, but it can look too perfect. To create a coffee table that feels authentic and looks balanced, layer objects in groups of three or even five.
Stack Items of Different Heights, Shapes, and Textures
When selecting items for your trio, add different heights, shapes, and textures. For example, a tall vase paired with a stack of books and a small sculpture creates a well-balanced composition that feels artful without looking forced. Stacking items of different heights on coffee tables adds depth and dimension to your space. To put it simply, think in 3D rather than 2D.
Get Personal
More than anywhere else in your room, your coffee table offers a point of interest for guests to engage with. While they are relaxing, they can get to know you better based on the objects right in front of them. Here are some fun touches that will personalize your coffee table.
- Large books of your favorite places and hobbies
- Family photos in frames
- Stylish versions of popular games like backgammon and chess
- Light candles of your signature scent – every home should have a scent!
- Pieces of sculpture or figurines you’ve collected
Complement the Existing Color Scheme
Like your coffee, you don’t want your coffee table to be bland. Tie your decor into the existing palette in the room with small pops of color. Whether you’re sticking to a monochromatic palette or want to create a bright table of pastel hues, incorporating trays, vases, and accent pieces in shades that complement your existing color scheme will help create a sense of overall cohesion.
Storage Ideas
There’s thoughtful coffee table curation… and then there’s clutter. Don’t let your coffee table get lost under all your artifacts, especially if it’s designed to be seen. If you invest in a wooden beauty like the Thomasville Safari Collection Occasional Table, you don’t want to hide it completely under a large stack of books and newspapers. Here are some easy storage ideas for tables to organize your knick-knacks all in one place.
Trays
You’re probably no stranger to seeing trays on coffee tables. They provide a great foundation for all your coffee table decor while protecting the table. A tray creates a solid background for your objects if you have a glass table like the Ethan Allen Decorative Coffee Table. You can use a tray as a functional catchall for smaller items like remote controls, coasters, or magazines.
Decorative Boxes
Small decorative boxes are another popular choice on coffee tables. We’ve seen everything from beautifully carved wooden versions to those inlaid with jewels. Their main draw is that they provide hidden storage, so you can tuck away essential items like a TV remote that don’t blend with your decor. Decorative boxes don’t need to be filled with anything, but if you would like, you can use them to store pens, business cards, and any other small essentials.
Trinket Dishes
Consider trinket dishes if you hope to display some sweets or stylish matches. These little dishes, often made from porcelain or acrylic, add a pretty place to display small objects. They are great at adding another layer of dimension to tables throughout the home.
Built-In Storage Coffee Table
Finally, you can always go the easiest route and choose a coffee table with built-in storage. This would include a double-layer table, like the West Elm Mid-Century Art Display Coffee Table, as well as a coffee table with drawers, like the Pottery Barn Benchwright Coffee Table. These coffee tables are ideal if you need storage in the living room because they can hold a lot while still looking chic.
Display Greenery
Of course, we can’t forget about one of the most popular items on coffee tables: greenery and flowers. Adding a vase of dried or fresh flowers or some greenery instantly brings a refreshing touch to your living room. Designers recommend having at least one living/organic element in every room, so let this be the item that adds that pop of vitality to your living room.
Unique Coffee Table Variations
Sometimes, you have to let the table do the talking! Here are some unique coffee table ideas to set the mood for your styling choices.
Multiple Coffee Tables
Who says you can only have one coffee table? Nesting two or having two side-by-side is a clever way to create more surface areas while making a design statement. This trick is well suited to living rooms with a large sofa, particularly curved sofas.
Glass or Acrylic Table
Styling a see-through table like the Rectangular Modern Coffee Table is a different ball game. As mentioned above, it helps to create a foundation with a tray so the objects don’t float aimlessly. You could also use a stack of coffee table books to serve as the background for your vignette.
Large Ottoman
Finally, what should you do with a soft coffee table, like an ottoman? We’d recommend setting up a large circular or rectangular tray in this situation. The sturdier, the better; you need it to stay strong when the ottoman is bumped. As an ottoman doubles as a footrest, you probably want to avoid stacking too many tall objects or drinks on this coffee table.
Shop for Coffee Tables on Kaiyo
Kaiyo is the best place to make a sustainable and high-quality choice if you’re in the market for a coffee table. We have a large selection of coffee tables to treasure. Our pre-owned coffee tables are cleaned and inspected before being hand-delivered and installed in your home. We make finding the perfect table easy – now all you need to do is style it to make it feel at home.
