As someone who loves to pore over magazines and coffee table books in search of decorating inspo, I’m always amazed at how designers can create the most effortlessly chic coffee table displays. Nothing is out of place, and there’s just the right mix of personal and practical items, all somehow arranged into a perfectly balanced vignette. In real life, though, accessorizing a coffee table is trickier than it looks. Trying to find the right balance between too-sparse and over-the-top cluttered can be challenging, but by stealing a few ideas from designer homes, it’s totally achievable. Keep scrolling for some coffee table styling tips we learned from designers that you can easily apply to your own setup.
1. Style in sections
One of the easiest ways to approach coffee table styling is to divide the surface into sections. If you have a square coffee table, break it up into quadrants. If yours is round, think of it like a pie that’s cut into three pieces. Then create a miniature vignette in each of the sections using books, vases, candlesticks, or decorative objects. This is an easy way to add some variety to your coffee table display, while ensuring the overall look is visually balanced.
2. Corral items in a tray
Trays are a coffee table styling secret weapon that can turn a random scattering of objects into a pulled-together vignette. They’re perfect for holding smaller loose items like coasters, candles, and TV remotes. Plus, if you often use your coffee table for board games, while you entertain, or even as a dining table (hello, fellow small apartment dwellers!), a tray makes it easy to lift up all your decor and move it as needed. The best-designed coffee tables are also practical and prioritize function—you can’t go about your daily life as if your house is a showroom, after all!
3. Accessorize your candles
Candles are an absolute must for coffee table styling, but just setting out a candle or two doesn’t exactly qualify as “styling.” For a more intentional look, accessorize your candle by placing it on top of a stack of books, setting it on a stone tray, or adding a glass cloche on top. These styling tricks will add a touch of elegance—it doesn’t matter whether the candle inside only cost $6! You could also finish off the look with a chic candle snuffer, a wick trimmer, and a pretty holder for matches.
4. Prop open a book
Coffee table books obviously make great accessories, but arranging them in stacks isn’t the only way to style them. Instead of just letting your collection gather dust, prop open a coffee table book to a favorite page. This creates a more dynamic, lived-in look and invites you to actually flip through the pages and enjoy the contents. If your book of choice doesn’t lay flat on its own, set it on a display stand or hold the pages down with a paperweight.
5. Add a bowl
A bowl or dish is always handy for coffee table styling, and you can select any style of your choosing! What makes bowls so great here? For one, the circular shape is welcome among a mix of rectangular objects like books and trays—it’s always good to mix things up a bit. Plus, you can fill a bowl with so many different types of trinkets, whether you use it to house your matchbook collection or display favorite seashells you brought home from a beach trip. Or simply place your TV remotes inside to camouflage them a bit while keeping them in easy reach.
6. Layer, layer, layer
Designers are pros at layering items to achieve a sophisticated, collected look. But don’t be intimidated by this tactic—it isn’t too difficult to emulate. For example, instead of just setting out a stack of books and calling it a day, go the extra mile by placing a trinket on top of the stack, preferably something with a bit of height. Not sure what to use? Head to the flea market or antiques store to source an eye-catching object (such as a magnifying glass, strand of beads, or paperweight) and use that to finish off your stack. It will make all the difference!
7. Fill the entire space
Whether your coffee table is super expansive or nice and compact, you’ll want to make good use of the space you have. For example, if your table is larger, like the one shown here, you may need to make a few stacks of books and space them out so that they span the length of the table. Arrange your items in the center so that you still have plenty of space to set down drinks, reading material, and other day-to-day essentials.
8. Display flowers or greenery in a vase
Incorporating an element of nature is a classic designer trick you can easily copy with your coffee table. Whether you thrift a vintage vase or shop for a new one (retailers like Amazon and Target are full of stylish picks at great prices), you can’t go wrong. Fill it with clippings from your yard or purchase some artificial flowers or branches to add height. If you go the faux route, find some that look realistic and can be bent as needed to achieve the perfect arrangement.
9. Experiment with funky accessories
Your coffee table is the perfect spot to show off your personality. Don’t be afraid to accessorize with little tchotchkes you’ve collected over the years or random objects that make you happy. Not everything has to match perfectly—in fact, it’s more fun if it doesn’t. Play around with thrifted finds, travel souvenirs, mementos, and other objects you love until you reach an arrangement that feels like you.
Sarah Lyon, Contributing Beauty & Lifestyle Writer
Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and interior design enthusiast who currently lives in New York City. Her work focuses primarily on design and lifestyle topics ranging from decorating tips to beauty advice to travel guides.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers. Jessica also holds a certificate in interior design from the New York Institute of Art + Design.
The post 9 Easy Tricks to Style Your Coffee Table Like a Designer appeared first on The Everygirl.
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