It’s hard to ignore the impact of a gorgeously styled coffee table. Not only does it make a room feel more polished, a perfectly-bedecked coffee table also imbues a space with major personality. But where to begin? With endless objects to choose from, how does one curate just the right look? To help, we’ve broken everything down into a few cinch-to-use formulas that will benefit coffee table styling novices and experts alike!
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The Players
To begin with, beautifully styled coffee tables almost always incorporate objects that fall into one of three categories: something boxy in shape, something sculptural in nature, and something with height, with the best stylings pulling at least one item from each category. We’ve broken these categories down in more detail below so you’re super clear on what tools are in your styling toolbox.
BOXY ACCENTS
Any kind of box, tray, or book is included in this group, and these items are ideal for creating a foundational layer on your coffee table. Think stacks of books or a tray ready for lots of layers on top.
SCULPTURAL OBJECTS
Things like bowls, beads, random objects and statues are the keys to making your coffee table feel personal and beautifully layered.
SOMETHING WITH HEIGHT
Standing high above your other items things like vases with flowers or candlesticks help to give the surface dimension, lending visual interest to the overall scheme.
Time to Arrange Your Players
After you’ve rounded up a few contenders from each category, it’s time to decide on how to style your surface. No matter the shape of your coffee table, one easy way to approach arranging objects is to think of your surface in sections, and aim to fill each section with one, or a few, of your players. We’ve broken down a few simple sectioning diagrams to help get you going with placing all your goodies.
Rectangle
For a rectangular coffee table, divide your table into three sections and fill each one with an object of your choosing. Above, two sections are equipped with books (also known as boxy accents), while the third is adorned with a tall vase. With the base layer set, a second (more personalized) layer is added, in the form of a keepsake box and a sculptural bust.
Round
For a round coffee table, divide it into three equal sections (it’ll have some Benz vibes), and fill each one with an object of your choosing. Above, two vases (which are equal parts sculptural object and something with height) fill two of the wedges, while a stack of books fills the third.
Square
For a square coffee table, divide your tabletop into four quadrants (it’ll mimic a window pane) and fill each one with a single object, or a small collection of objects. Like they did above, remember to keep at least one section reserved for something with height (they chose a vase with lilies), while selecting freely from the other categories to fill in your remaining sections.
Ottoman
Since ottomans tend to be on the smaller side, they can be thought of as a single section. To create a level foundational layer, equip the top of your ottoman with a tray or a few books. Next, pile your tray or books with items pulled from all three categories, with the only stipulation being to add at least one item with height (like the bowl of flowers above) for visual interest.
