One of our favorite aspects of our full-service design process is styling. Styling coffee tables, throw pillows, bookshelves — you name it.

And we know adding this layer of personality to your home can be overwhelming + steal time away from the things that matter most to you. That’s e-x-a-c-t-l-y why, it’s at the top of our list when designing homes for our clients. 

At the styling point, we’ve labored over activity zones, functional layouts, custom features and swoon worthy furniture for the spaces we’re designing. Now, we take all those beautiful design decisions we’ve made + create continuity throughout the space by layering in warm touches of your personality.

So, let’s talk specifically all about styling coffee tables, shall we?

Selecting A Coffee Table

If you are a part of the Elegant Simplicity tribe + hang around these parts often, then you know we believe the functionality of your home should precede any conversation about it’s aesthetic. 

Long before we get to styling coffee tables or asking ourselves does this look beautiful? What we’re actually doing in our zoning + layout phase is deciding what function does a coffee table serve for you + your family? 

• Will it be used for storage?

• Paired with a side-table? 

• Based on how you live + use this space, should this be an ottoman instead of a coffee table?

• Is it a place for a glass of water or a book you’re reading?

And just like that boo, it’s fairly easy to see how integral understanding the activity zones + functional purpose of a coffee table is to even beginning to think about style.  

Looking at how your family lives (or how you plan to use a space) lays a foundation for how we think about styling coffee tables.

Are you catching what I’m laying down? :)

Coffee Table Shape + Size 

Another micro-step that precedes coffee table styling but is certainly in line with how we select a coffee table for you is — what shape + what size table make sense for this particular area? 

These are some of the things we consider beyond function:

• What’s the emotionality or mood of this space?

• Does the foot traffic pattern have enough space with a particular shape or size?

Types of Coffee Tables

There are several types of coffee tables but this is simply a comparison to wrap your mind around how we consider styling coffee tables from the get-go.

Table vs Ottoman

First as already mentioned, is this a coffee table or an ottoman? And while fairly self explanatory, when we use a table vs an ottoman isn’t a fly by the seat of our pants decision. 

Nope boo, everything at Elegant Simplicity is intentional. 

Some (not all) of the considerations we make in choosing one over the other is:

• What functional role does this piece of furniture play in the room? Is there are specific need like storing blankets, books, etc?

• From a layout perspective, what else is going on in the space? Are there sidetables for a book you might be reading or for guests to set down a glass?

Styling Objects

The world of styling accessories is almost limitless. From handmade accessories to elements found in nature, books, boxes and trays — the ol saying “...the world is your oyster” is a-b-s-o-l-u-t-e-l-y true! 

But there are several categories of styling objects that we use over + over again to style coffee tables for our clients.

Trays

We often refer to rugs as the “5th wall” because they anchor the furniture in your room so things don’t feel like they’re floating but because they also help to identify activity zones. 

Well friend, trays are the rugs for your coffee table. Not only are they great at corralling that Apple TV remote so it doesn’t get lost but trays help create a foundation for decorative objects to either live in or outside of the tray when styling coffee tables.

There are certainly times where a tray doesn’t work but in general, we’re almost always considering one.

Greenery

Whether real or faux, greenery is a huge element in both incorporating biophillic principles into your home as well as helping to balance all that’s going on — on your coffee table.

Greenery also helps to introduce various colors and textures. Whether that’s in oversized branches, sprigs such as eucalyptus or in something smaller — the greenery on your coffee table adds depth and breathes life into the space.

Vases

With greenery often comes a vase. Depending on the overall layout of the furniture + whether or not the function of the room involves a TV or conversation areas, vases are the perfect way to incorporate some visual height to styling coffee tables. 

What we don’t often want is everything on your coffee table that we’re styling to all be on the same level. Ironically, this type of symmetry + consistency feels awkward + abnormal. 

Vases are the perfect way to introduce height by adding greenery in them. 

Books

There’s no getting around it — coffee table styling isn’t complete without books *wink* There’s several ways that we incorporate books on a coffee table.

Sometimes it’s by stacking books on top of each other + telling a subtle story about you through the name of each book or the subject matter :) 

And other times, the perfect solution to utilizing books when styling coffee tables is to flip one open to a specific page so that when guests sit down, something is already on display for them.

Boxes

Boxes that corral items or display items from travel, accomplishments or family history are another decorative accessory we use when styling coffee tables because they embellish your story. 

These are great because they come in various sizes + textures which helps to create a natural look + feel to the coffee table. Boxes can be stacked on top of one another or on top of a larger set of coffee table books to elevate + again create an organic undulation.

Candles + Candle Holders 

In each space throughout your home, there are tons of lighting choices to consider but candlelight adds to the elegance in a way that’s impossible for artificial light *wink*. 

In addition to the sweet aroma that high-quality candles provide — candle holders are another potential styling object that we consider — especially if we’re in need of something a bit taller for the coffee table.

Decorative Objects

Decorative objects are anything that feels collected or is unique to you. 

Sometimes that’s a collection of things from your travel. Other times that might be something passed down from your family, your wedding day or something else that’s meaningful. 

In some instances, decorative objects are sculptural, works of art, functional necessities like coaster or they might even be seasonal items. 

Regardless the decorative objects further conversation with guests + family. They show off a side of who you are + they further tell the story about what you value :)

Styling Coffee Tables In 3 Simple Steps

Design is an art — it’s subjective. But there’s no doubt that having a few rules + guidelines does help accomplish the end goal (which is a beautifully styled coffee table) *wink*

At Elegant Simplicity, we breakdown styling coffee tables with a simple to use + repeat formula that gets our design team headed in the right direction. 

1. Something That Anchors It (Tray or Books)

2. Something That’s Alive or Looks It (Tall Vase with Greenery)

3. Something Decorative (Boxes, Candles, Decorative Objects)

Now, can you have both a tray + books? Absolutely. 

What we’re after is ensuring that styling the coffee table for you has something that anchors the table (tray or books), something tall (vase with greenery) and something decorative.

We want that natural undulation :)

Well friend, there you have it...everything you need to know about styling coffee tables! And don’t forget, if you’re in the preliminary planning stages of your next project, let’s chat. 

Psst… Check out our FREE Video Course: 4 Days To A More Beautiful + Functional Home