How to style a coffee table, the easy way!
Styling a coffee table isn’t all that tricky! Follow some of my styling tips and you can also have a stylish centrepiece table. Coffee table styling can be either casual or more formal – the elements you choose will have a big impact on how your table looks in the end. We all have different styles and décor items in our homes, but if you follow these basic steps, your coffee table can look amazing too! Need an Instagram- worthy coffee table? It’s easy if you follow these few steps!
For this blog I have used this versatile white oak coffee table made by my talented husband! He is the man behind Bibby Fine Furniture and creates beautiful hardwood furniture.
The complete picture! Deciding on your colour scheme is so important. Here the beautiful leather toss pillows, beads and candle from Kootenai Moon Home work perfectly with the tones of the white oak!
It takes a bit of planning..
If you are a natural decorator and have the skill to just put the right items together, then you are lucky. For most of us, planning your design is key to success. I often put items together, change them, move them around and in the end it all comes together. If you are having trouble planning your design, then divide your coffee table into at least 2 areas – this applies to round, square or rectangular coffee tables. Having at least 2 areas will help you with having too few or too many items on your table. Remember you need open space too – in design we refer to this as negative space.
Plan your styling! Create at least 2 areas to focus on, this will help you tremendously
Establish a colour scheme
Having a neutral back drop for your décor items is essential, a solid table top of wood or metal is perfect to show of your items. As your coffee table is the centrepiece of your living area, it is often where the eyes go first. Keep it generally neutral and repeat some of the colours which are already in your room, such as your artwork or toss pillows.
Neutrals, creams and three different shades of green! The colour palette does matter!
Something green
This is a must!! I cannot imagine a coffee table with some greenery – it can be a vase with fresh leaves and flowers or even dried greenery. Or alternatively it can be a planter with a living or faux plant. I generally make sure that my greenery takes up the most volume on the table – either vertically or horizontally. Once your greenery is in place, it will dictate how you style the remainder of your items.
Greenery, books, decor and candles - all you need to create that great look!
Coffee table books
Having at least one stack of books is a great way to add interest. If you have a large coffee table, you might want to think of having two stacks of coffee table books. Apart from being visually pleasing and bringing colour into the design, this also gives the opportunity to give some height to your design. Think of books as acting like a stage for other décor items; they create layering which is essential to keep your design interesting. I also love incorporating books that show off your family’s interests – it can be travel books, fashion books, recipe books or photography books.
Two books create the perfect stage for decor items, this creates height, colour and interest!
Personal items
Adding personal items is what makes your coffee table unique – that special holiday souvenir, a family heirloom or special items in your life. These are also great conversation starters when you have friends over.
Décor items
Who doesn’t love a pretty candle? Candles are just the easiest way to create ambiance and can add a lovely subtle fragrance in your room. Another advantage is that they will create layered lighting at night and create a cozy atmosphere in the evening. Trays are also a great way to group smaller items together and avoid the problem of items looking ‘lost’ in the display. Another must have! A bowl also creates interest and serves as a vessel for other decor items.
Decor items such as bowls, trays, beads, boxes etc are all great items to shop for.
The science behind the design
Now that you have all your elements together, there is a little bit of science involved – creating visual triangles is very pleasing on the eye. This is easily achieved with greenery, which will add height to your design.
The visual triangle - use this as a guide for styling areas of your home too, such as consoles and bookshelves
Any space left?
Making sure that you don’t cover all the surface area of the coffee table is essential – having open spaces make the eyes focus on your groupings of items and after all you still need space for that coffee cup and plate with yummy treats at the end of the day!
Putting it all together!
All the elements coming together!
Comment below if this was helpful and let us know if you have any questions. Did you know that we also offer Accessories consultations? These are great if you need a hand in styling your coffee table, console or other areas of your home.