How to: Style a coffee table like a pro.
The humble coffee table is one of our favourite areas to style in every project - they’re such a fun way of injecting life and personality into a home yet, they can sometimes be overlooked. Never fear! We have styled thousands of coffee tables in our time and can show you exactly how this prominent piece of living room furniture can be used to create stunning style in your home.
Before we start, it's important to note that it is also vital that your coffee table functions in the way that it's supposed to. The aim is to style a coffee table that looks totally insta-worthy but that doesn't disrupt the flow or function of the rest of the living space. Fortunately, coffee table styling is easy to master as long as you apply each of these essential principles below.
Embrace objects of differing heights.
People often fall into the habit of placing like items together instead of playing around with varying heights and depths. To guarantee visual interest, we suggest using pieces of different heights whilst overlapping items to add depth through a layered approach. The goal is to take the eye on a visual journey; up and down the decorative pieces on the table to create a sense of interest and personality. Of course, don’t have items so high that you can’t see over them when seated on your sofa, but don’t be afraid to explore different levels.
Coffee table books are your best friend.
Books are our go-to tool when it comes to styling a coffee table and it’s easy to see why! We like to use them first as our base layer, setting a practical foundation for what’s to come. Books are great for using on a large scale, filling some space on your coffee table. Try alternating between a vertical, horizontal or L-shape stacks to create visual interest and pop an oddly-shaped ornament on top of your stacks for a hero arrangement. If you’ve developed quite the book collection over the years, try to coordinate their spines to create pops of colour or keep the look consistent across shelves.
Ensure the styling reflects your overall theme.
If you’ve read some of our other styling advice pieces then you will know we are huge fans of an overarched theme to your styling concept. What’s the vibe you are trying to create in the space? Whatever it is, ensure the objects on your coffee table tap into that scheme. For example, styling your beachside property with a cool, coastal, calming vibe? Then use natural textures, neutral colours and your favourite surfing themed book.
Make sure your personality shines through.
Brand new store-bought decor is always a nice treat, but we are also big advocates of coffee table styling that reflects you as an individual and your personality. Your coffee table is the perfect place to showcase those family heirlooms, special keepsakes and travel mementoes as they will form unique talking points throughout your home.
Think about all the angles.
When thinking about how to style a coffee table it’s important you remember that this is a scene you view from all directions. So, be sure that you’re not styling it with the front of your pieces all facing the same way. Of course, when it comes to books the spine is going to face a certain way by design, but other objects can be pointed in different directions to keep the scene interesting from every angle.
Coffee tables can be practical, too.
As stagers, we often style our coffee tables from purely an aesthetic point of view but, in reality, it’s important to keep practicality front of mind, too. So, how can you keep day-to-day items within reach whilst looking nice? Try cute storage boxes for remote controls, trendy coasters for your coffee (of course!) and display matches for candles in glass jars as a nice finishing touch.