How to Style a Coffee Table

The coffee table tends to take centre stage in our living room, which presents some great opportunities to dress it up and make very intentional design statements. 

Beyond being highly functional, coffee tables work as the hub that everything else revolves around. Styling coffee tables and striking the right balance between what’s practical and what looks good can take some careful consideration. 

Be Selective 

Styling your coffee table gives you a chance to embrace your inner curator. For a very intentionally-styled, curated look, be selective about what you choose to display. It can be tempting to add all your favourite trinkets and candles, but the results are often better if you keep things relatively minimal. 

Being very considerate about what you include also helps to avoid overcrowding. Styling a coffee table right is all about finding ways to add to the overall design of the room without making it feel cluttered or overdone. 

Featured: Laholm Solid Oak Nest of Two Tables

Be Mindful of Colour Palette

When selecting your coffee table decor, it helps to maintain a cohesive colour scheme. Choose pieces that complement the overall colour palette of your living room for a unified look. 

This will often mean prioritising neutral pieces with the occasional pop of colour to tie back into the theme of the space. 

Featured: BePureHome Bequest Black Wood Coffee Table

Play With Height 

For increased depth and visual interest, incorporate pieces of varying heights in your display. An array of different-sized items can provide a more complete look and won’t leave your arrangement feeling unfinished. 

One easy, subtle way to do this is with stacks of books and magazines, which you can group together. Another way to create height with more impact is to use dinner candles or long vases that offer a more dynamic sense of height and motion. 

Featured: Dutchbone Sento Candlestick

Add Flowers & Houseplants 

A vase of flowers or pot with a houseplant is another obvious choice for your coffee table as it instantly brings life and vibrancy to your scene. There are lots of routes to go down here, depending on what kind of vibe you want to create and what else you’re planning on styling. 

Swapping out the flowers and greenery regularly can also help you freshen up your look and mark the changing seasons. Also pay attention to the vase or pot you use as this will become the central decorative piece. Opt for something unique and eye-catching to add to the expertly curated feel.

Featured: HKliving White Ceramic Balloon Vase

Use Decorative Bowls, Plates & Pots

Like with height, it can be a good idea to play with different shapes and textures to prevent your display from feeling flat or lifeless. Using decorative bowls, plates, pots or other ceramics is a great way to add visual interest and complexity to your table, even if you only choose to show off one favourite piece. 

Opt for sculptural pieces to embrace a dynamic quality that puts your interiors back in touch with the natural world.

Featured: Rhombic Recycled Teak Coffee Table

Make Use of Candles 

For a rich infusion of light and scent, reach for candles as another showpiece for your coffee table design. Again, opt for interesting candle holders or even eye-catching candlesticks themselves to elevate the space.

A single candle with one or two other favoured trinkets is often enough to take your coffee table from drab to expertly styled. Candles are ideal for adding cosiness and elegance. 

Featured: Elagalu Pine Cone Candlesticks (Set of 2)

Collect Trinkets on a Tray 

If you want to display several smaller items together, one tried and tested method is grouping them on a tray. This prevents them from getting lost among bigger pieces, creating an effortless vignette.

Corralling items on a tray can also make moving decor around more convenient, great for when you need the coffee table for gathering around to play games or when you have lots of guests that need somewhere to rest their refreshments. 

Featured: Charnel Natural Stoneware Body Vase

Embrace Metallic Details 

Incorporating metallic details, whether this is through candleholders, vases or smaller decorative trinkets, provides a luxurious, high-end feel for your centrepiece. 

Experiment with coordinating the metal tones – i.e. gold, silver, or brass – to complement the existing details of your coffee table. If your table features metallic accents (for instance, on the legs or frame), matching these tones can enhance the overall harmony of the design. Balancing these polished pieces with softer textures, like books or greenery, can also create a well-curated and inviting focal point.

Featured: Dutchbone Class Dark Wood Coffee Table

Styling a coffee table often comes down to striking the right balance – you don’t want things to look cluttered but there may be several items you want on full display. Picking a few of the above ideas, or even just one, can help to instantly transform your living room, turning your coffee table into a picture-perfect snapshot. 

If you’re ready for a whole new look, why not browse our selection of coffee tables? From rustic wooden designs and Scandi influences to industrial pieces and metal coffee tables, we stock an array of stunning options to give your interiors a boost!