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Your coffee table is one of the most visible focal points in your living room. Sometimes we forget about how much of an impact it can have on the overall décor. So, let’s fix that!

Together, we’ll explore six fantastic tips on how to make your existing coffee table beautiful. These suggestions will allow you to incorporate design choices that reflect your individuality, optimize functionality, showcase literature, and even trinkets that tug at the heartstrings. All of these together, create an unforgettable aesthetic for your coffee table.

Coffee Table Tip #1 – Grab a Tray

Trays are used on coffee tables that are all shapes and sizes. The trays can be made of metal, wood, plastic, or natural fibers. Trays are great because they can corral many smaller items into one unified presentation.

Trays are particularly useful when used on an ottoman. You can pull together all of your favorite pieces without worrying about them falling off. If you want to be daring, do a tray and bowl combination or even try a layered look by mixing different materials on the tray such as wood, metal, natural fibers, and/or reflective pieces to create visual contrast. For practical, everyday use, seek out a tray with handles to easily convert your ottoman space as needed.

Remember! A tray should never cover up the entire table. You want to leave space for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the placement of more decorative items, a place for you and your guests to place your drinks, or a place to simply relax your feet.

Style Tip #2 – Showcase your Book Collection

For even an avid reader, books on the coffee table are not placed there simply for the sake of reading. Perhaps you have a collection of books on fashion, interior design, or photography. Maybe you even have a stack of books in similar colors. Either way, a stack of books on a table architecturally grounds the table, creates a focal point, and can become the foundation for other decorative items.

A perfectly placed stack of books on your table will either reflect who you are through its design elements or literary content. If you rock this, it may even do both! In general, I suggest being intentional in your book selection. Incorporate materials that are both visually appealing and contextually interesting. These choices will serve as great conversation starters!

Want another great reason to have good reading material readily available on your table? On those rare occasions when you can actually sit down and kick up your feet, you’ll have something right at your fingertips to entertain you!

Style Tip #3 – Go Greenery

Adding greenery to a coffee table instantly livens it up and adds rich color and texture. I like to add both fresh flowers and real plants to my coffee table. This doesn’t have to be dramatic; a small pot and/or vase will do!

Greenery makes the table feel more organic, inviting, and less staged. It also creates an element on the table that is uniquely you. There are a variety of options for a stunning green centerpiece, including baby rubber plants, air plants, succulents, and more. These days, we’re all in need of positivity and mood-boosting elements; greenery has the unique ability to achieve both!

Not everyone has a green thumb or wants the hassle of swapping out fresh floral on a regular basis. If this, is you, remember you have a variety of low-maintenance choices. Alternatively, you can also explore using dried or faux flowers. Either option is sure to spruce up the space and bring new life to your coffee table!

Style Tip #4 – Add Candles

Everyone loves a great candle, whether it is scented or unscented. Placing a candle in the middle of a room on the coffee table can generate a sense of warmth intimacy and possibly give you some aromatherapy. If you like to update your home décor as the seasons change, candles also provide the perfect opportunity to incorporate seasonal scents and colors.

Beyond scent, candles as a design choice give you a variety of options. Perhaps they are tall tapered candles added for height and drama,

Maybe they have been added to hurricanes to create more of a structured vibe,

Or perhaps they are nestled amongst other decorative elements to help the vignette achieve more balance and symmetry.

No matter the choice, have fun with it!

Style Tip #5 – Add Architectural Elements

As you explore architectural elements to complete the look of your coffee table, take a look around your space and tie in existing elements. These objects add drama, contrast, and fantastic balance to the overall scale of the display.

If you’re going for a minimalist, less is more vibe, then try using one or two large architectural elements on your coffee table. These statement pieces are just that and can serve as precisely what the coffee table needs to unify the design. Often people place their architectural elements on a stack of books or cluster them with other architectural pieces.

Suppose the table itself you are using acts as an architectural element itself. In that case, you can minimize how you accessorize it or alternatively take it over the top to create a perfect WOW Factor! I’ve seen it done both ways - just remember to choose the perfect reflection of your personality and design style.

Style Tip #6 – Weave in a Sentimental Item

I often reflect on making unique design choices by incorporating your personality. Designing your coffee table is no distinction; it presents the perfect opportunity to weave this into the landscape of your design. As you complete the look of your table, consider adding in a sentimental item. Whether it’s a family heirloom or a picture of a treasured moment, this is the item on your coffee table that adds a special touch.

Incorporate personalized items such as picture frames, keepsake boxes, or even items from your various adventures for a personal touch. Like literature, these act as great conversation starters that your guests won’t quickly forget.

A couple of months after my mother passed, I received a gift from two of my closest childhood friends. It was a crystal tower with my mother’s image embedded in it. For me, this is the most important and treasured item on my coffee table. So, no matter what aesthetic changes are made to your table, this is the element that will make the table perfect… to you.

Bonus Tip #6 – A Two-Tiered Table

Many take for granted the bottom tier of a coffee table, but I’d like to argue that the second tier of the two-tiered table is even more of an opportunity to show off your favorite accessories.

Don’t make the epic mistake of leaving the second tier of your coffee table empty! This is an ideal space to add more books, bowls, architectural elements, baskets; you name it. Whatever you do…make use of that space. It’s a blank canvas asking to be filled!

And... that’s it!

I hope these tips have inspired you to make your coffee table the perfect center stage in your living room. If you think you need to go back to the drawing board to select the ideal coffee table for your space, but need some insight, message me and perhaps we can explore a how-to video on that in the near future!

If you haven’t already checked it out, go to my YouTube channel and watch the video for the “Style Your Coffee Table” tips video. It provides a visual exploration of these fantastic tips that will not steer you wrong. Before you leave the channel, be sure to hit the Like and Subscribe button so you can stay up to date on all the new and exciting things I am working on for you all! With much appreciation – see you next time!

How to Style Your Coffee Table: 6 Fantastic Tips