A well adorned coffee table can say a lot. It’s a focal point for the room. It can be a place for fresh flowers to brighten up your day. I’d even go so far as to say it can make you feel like you’ve got this whole adulting thing down. What does your coffee table say about you? I know you’re eager to find things to plop on top of your coffee table, but there are a few basic rules you need to follow before you run off to Target or TJMaxx.
Let’s start with the most important, and that’s to maintain balance. If this is your first time and you’re a little overwhelmed, a good rule of thumb is the rule of three. This can be applied in so many aspects of decor so if you remember anything, remember that. Scale your items to the size of your table. Too many little items can quickly look like clutter. Conversely, too many large items will look heavy. You want to vary the sizes of your items and try to stack and group them. Here’s a guide for the kind of items to start collecting for the coffee table cause.
5 Key Decor Items for Your Coffee Table
- Books or magazines
- Decorative items
- A candle
- Real or faux plants
- A tray
Books and magazines don’t have to be special “coffee table books” that you never read and only buy for the aesthetic. You can even open up the book to a specific page to inspire your decor dream goals. I have Joanna Gaines’ home decor book, this cookbook on how to make all different kinds of breads, and this great book on home organization. On top of that sits a little quote sign as my decorative item. Take a stroll around the house and see if there’s any cookbooks or other books that might serve as a good addition.
You most likely have a stash of candles under the sink or in a closet somewhere. Grab one of those and add it on top of the books. Next door to the books is my bird’s nest fern to fulfill the plant checkbox. If your coffee table is in a room that doesn’t get much sunlight you might want to opt for the faux plant. Go ahead, run to target!
Instead of a candle I have a glass canister full of dog treats. Because #dogmomproblems is a thing. This is a practical piece that doubles as decor! Think about things you have around the house and how either they can be placed on your table as is or improved with a tray or jar. An easy example: use something as simple as candy or snack and putting them in a nice container. Now everytime you walk by or sit down you’ll spot this pop of color (or it’ll be the detriment to the size of your jeans). Plan accordingly.
Lastly comes the tray – another great item to use in a practical sense as well as decorative. This is a great place to corral your remotes. Don’t leave a tray bare, but don’t clutter them either! If you don’t know what to put in or on your tray, you can use the tray as an element of depth and put the candle or vase items here. It’s all about playing with the items you have until you find the arrangement that works.
Basic Styling Guidelines
When you look across a skyline it would be so much less spectacular if all the buildings were the same height. This leads to the next design tip: there should be a height variance between your items. Give your table depth by choosing items and stacking accordingly. If you’re following the rule of three and you have two tall items and one short item, put the short item in the middle. If you have multiple items, your tallest item should go in the middle so as to build up to it.
Always feel free to make seasonal swaps. Tulips for spring. Sea shells for summer. Ditch the shells for everyone’s favorite…pumpkins for fall! Whether it’s changing the florals, the decorative piece that expresses your quirks, or swapping your coffee table books to a color that fits the season, it’s always a good idea to freshen up the space every now and then.
How to Style a Round Coffee Table
Let’s start by treating the decor space like a triangle. This gives dimension to the circle surrounding it. Choose 1 thing to be your focal point, such as a plant or florals. Now create depth by way of stacked books and layering your items. Finally, take a stroll around your table so ensure you like the way it looks for all angles!
I personally have a round coffee table and I follow the same rule of three for my coffee table books, my plant, and the dog treats. Sometimes I will swap out the plant for a vase with florals. Other times I swap out the books with a different item, or use the book’s surface area as a display for nik-naks. Most importantly, I like to keep my table usable, and you should too. My home will never look staged! It’s cozy and “lived in.”
How to Style a Rectangle Coffee Table
The best tip for modern styled coffee tables is to form a grid. Whether this is boxes of three or more, this follows the rule of balance by spreading them across your table. Trays also work really well with a rectangle coffee table because the sections look clean and organized. The grid helps you organize your books and items. Mix and match until you find the perfect combination!
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