We know what you’re thinking: How on earth does one decorate a coffee table?
Remember the days when a coffee table could just be a table? It was meant to be empty; to not have anything obstructing you from placing your coffee, cocktail, book, laptop, papers, magazines, or what have you, on it. It was meant to be used, not necessarily to be aesthetically appealing.
Those days are long gone, my friends.
And, shamelessly, we aren’t mad at it. Any excuse to decorate something, to make it feel purposeful and personal? We are all in.
We really do appreciate a visually charming and artistically designed coffee table. We know it takes work and loads of trial and error. From experience, we know how much of a nebulous mathematical equation it is to get your coffee table just right.
Anna Baraness, founder of Studio AK (an interior design company in New York), says, “In the same way that walls feel empty without art, coffee tables feel empty without anything on them… When you walk into a home with a nicely styled coffee table, it feels complete and really works as part of the bigger picture.”
So, allow me to help give you some tips that I wished I had when I first dove into the coffee table decorating frenzy. In the quest of creating the ultimate interior designer level coffee table, there are four crucial elements to begin with: layers, functionality, shapes, and color.
These components work together to not only make your coffee table visually stunning but also purposeful and well-balanced. Whether you’re styling a modern, minimalist table or something more eclectic, understanding how to balance these elements will take your decor to the next level. Let’s break it down to make sure you have all the tools you need to create a coffee table that’s both eye-catching and practical.
First, you start with a blank canvas, think, and plan out decor that works with your lifestyle and preferences. Envision what aesthetics and design you want to achieve and go from there. Look around your home for inspiration. Do you already have pieces that you want to display that have been tucked away in storage? Bring them out here! I also highly recommend using Pinterest when considering the type of style and design you are wanting to go for if you find yourself struggling with this first step (as it is usually always the hardest one!)
Once you get the pieces you want to include on your table, play with layering. Layering is important because it adds depth, texture, and nice visuals to the space. It creates a flow and a scale that is natural for our eyes to enjoy. If you have pieces that are all the same height, it will lack personality and will feel too structured. We play with layering by throwing an obligatory thick coffee table book (or two!) and a tray to put more functional decor on it (like a match holder or wick cutter). It adds scale and feels multidimensional with design that is both functional and personal to us.
Next, you want to evaluate the functionality of the type of coffee table vibe you are wanting. For example, if you work from home on your coffee table, if you have kids running around and don’t want to deal with telling them no, or find yourself kicking your feet up on it often, be mindful of those types of actions before you commit to decor that doesn’t work well with that. You don’t want to have to move and shuffle around decor every time you need to use your table. We love our coffee table to have a candle, candle holder, matches, and a wick cutter on it for both functionality and aesthetics.
In my opinion, the trio of candle related items pass as art themselves, even though they are functional pieces that you will use every time you light a candle. Oh, and how can we forget coasters? Coasters don’t have to be boring or understated pieces that we slam a drink on, they can be little discs with their own personality and history.
This step somewhat ties in with the concept of layering: shapes. I think it is extremely important to have varying shapes and molds of different pieces that make it interesting to look at. Just as it is crucial to not have everything be the same height, it is important to not have only one set type of shape. When you mix different shapes, it is both creative, appealing to look at, and adds character to your space. It creates that harmonious feeling that we talk about.
But what really is the ultimate element of creating a harmonious coffee table? Color!
Lastly, you want to make sure you have some color on your coffee table. And this, in my opinion, is always achieved simply and beautifully though a gorgeous floral arrangement. It brings life to the coffee table and makes it feel extremely luxurious while adding layers, functionality, depth, color, and texture all at the same time. And instead of a basic glass vase, you can level it up by using a more grandiose option, something with a persona and texture of its own. One of our favorites is a wicker texture with a glass insert that is currently in use (pictured above) and we feel that it is an interchangeable piece in our home that works fabulously anywhere we place it—especially on our coffee table for the time being.
Once you feel that you have all of these elements down, you are able to play around and shift your pieces around to see what fits best to your liking. A general rule of thumb with coffee tables: a base of symmetry with a touch of angles can go a far way.
Remember, decorating your coffee table isn’t about it looking perfect; it is about discovering the balance between style, function, and your own unique taste. There may be a loose science to it, but really, it is fully up to you and for you to create what makes you feel good, comfortable, and stylish.
So, whether you prefer sleek, minimalist designs or something a bit more eclectic and exciting, trust your instincts and have fun with it! Your coffee table isn’t just a place to set things down—it’s an opportunity to express your style and elevate the feel of your living space. Now go ahead, grab that book, light that candle, and enjoy your newly styled centerpiece.
You can shop some of the pieces we’re currently using for our coffee table below!
