11 Coffee Table Styling Tips: How to Style a Coffee Table

Styling a coffee table is a fun and easy way to add color and sophistication to your interior design. Here are a few DIY design ideas and tips for decorating your coffee table so that it ties your living room décor together.

1. 1. Pick a theme. When it comes to decorating ideas, you can experiment with an abstract aesthetic, a minimalist approach, or an eclectic design. Envision a snapshot of the image you’re hoping to create—or what you want people to see right when they walk in—and pick objects that coincide with that idea.
2. 2. Keep it simple and balanced. When in doubt, less is more. Avoid cluttering your coffee table, which can make it look messy and reduce its functionality. Placing your decorative objects in a patterned or symmetrical arrangement can keep a balanced aesthetic. Place a large object in the middle of the table with two smaller objects on either side for an eye-catching yet balanced design.
3. 3. Incorporate your room colors. Build your coffee table styling around the colors in your room. Choose objects—whether it be flowers or candles—that incorporate design elements and work with the color palette for the rest of the room. Using seasonal flowers allows you to change the color scheme every few months or work in hues to match any new additions to your living space.
4. 4. Choose a focal point. Arrange your coffee table décor around one large, central conversation piece. A table centerpiece, such as a floral arrangement or greenery (in a large ceramic vase), an eye-catching sculpture, or a standing piece of art, can draw the eye and create an interesting focus in your living room.
5. 5. Use a tray. If you don’t want a larger centerpiece, use a metallic, stone, or wooden tray to hold a few carefully curated knick-knacks that work together to create visual interest. The tray can hold candles, candleholders, oil diffusers, little trinkets, and small plants like succulents.
6. 6. Use decorative boxes. Reduce the clutter in your tablescape by using decorative boxes to hold remote controls or extra coasters when you’re not using them. Stack these boxes to create space and add levels to your décor.
7. 7. Use a stack of books. Coffee table books come in a variety of sizes and are often stackable. They can be great conversation starters or a way to show off your range of cultural interests. Arrange your books as a single stack, or group them in piles of varying heights.
8. 8. Keep the height low. Choose objects and items of varying heights, but make sure your tallest object isn’t so tall that you can’t see over it. Smaller objects allow you to have unobstructed conversations with guests.
9. 9. Combine and contrast. A mirrored table full of shiny, reflective objects might overwhelm the eye. Vary the textures of the items in your coffee tablescape to complement your home décor, and try to contrast certain shapes together to avoid too much repetition.
10. 10. Group your items. Whether you’re working with a square, rectangular, or round coffee table, group certain items together rather than scattering them across your tabletop. Item groupings can keep parts of your table clear so you can still use it while keeping your design intact.
11. 11. Layer your items. If you have a tiered coffee table, keep simpler decorative items on the bottom and more interesting pieces on top. Try not to match the patterns of each level exactly; instead, create complementary patterns that can fit together separately for visual interest.

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